The Invisible War Spiritual Warfare:
How to Do Battle with the Enemy and Win
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:16-17
Introduction: Four Facts You Need to Know
FACT #1 God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces.
FACT #2 As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.
FACT #3 The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive,” “accuse,” and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by:
1. Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a prerequisite to all spiritual battle.
2. Responding to the truth that God shows us about His will for our lives – righteous living.
3. A clear understanding of and readily sharing the “Gospel message” of grace.
FACT #4 The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith. Our practice of Paul’s metaphor of the spiritual armor protects us from Satan’s ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the enemy.
There are times however, when we must move beyond “standing firm” and engage the enemy in actual combat:
• When we’re taking significant steps of faith for spiritual growth.
• When we’re invading enemy territory (i.e. evangelism).
• When we’re exposing him for whom he really is.
• When we repent and make a “clean break” with the world, a long-held sin pattern, or an unholy relationship.
• When God is preparing us (individually and/or corporately) for a “great work” for His glory.
The Question—Once you’re wearing your spiritual armor and yet you feel yourself bombarded by spiritual opposition, How Do You Engage and Win Battles?
The Answer:
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:16-17
How to Engage the Enemy and Win:
1. “Taking the shield of faith” Ephesians 6:16
• Metaphor Explained
Definition = Faith in this context is our “absolute confidence” in God, His promises, His power, and His program for our lives. Although rooted in the objective reality of the Gospel and our new standing with God (justification) through Christ (saving faith), this faith refers to our “present faith in the Lord Jesus for victory over sin and the host of demonic forces.”
• Its purpose – to quench all the fiery missiles of the evil one.
“Fiery darts/missiles” = The schemes, temptations, lies, deceptions, and attacks aimed at (us) God’s people to get us to “shift our trust” to something or someone other than God. (i.e. blasphemous thoughts, hateful thoughts, doubts, burning desire to sin, questioning other’s motives, waves of discouragement or depression) these are often rooted in lies about God’s identity or our new identity in Christ.
Classic Examples are found in Genesis 3, Matthew 4
Classic Methodology – Disguise, doubt cast on God and His Word or on you and your worthiness. Then provides appealing, immediate alternatives rooted in the pride of life, lust of the eyes or lust of the flesh. See 1 John 2:15-16
** Application:
Darts of doubt and deception must be immediately met by the shield of faith. (i.e. your active, present, application of truth to your personal situation as soon as you recognize a dart has been received).
How?
• Trusting in God’s Character – God has my best in mind. Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:32
• Trusting in God’s Promises and Word – He will accomplish what concerns me. Numbers 23:19, 2 Peter 1:2-4
• Trusting in God’s Program and Timing – His ways are not always easiest, but are always best. Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-13
2. “And take the helmet of salvation” Ephesians 6:17
• Metaphor Explained
Definition =
1) Obvious allusion to the security we have as saved, justified believers, safe from Satan’s attacks. But, focus in on present deliverance from sin!
2) The helmet of salvation is the certainty of deliverance from sin and the protection of our minds in the battle.
• It’s not something you can do – “receive,” but something you must allow God to do in your mind.
• How? Focus is God’s renewing of the believers mind. Romans 12:2 2 Corinthians 10:5 = The battle is for the mind!! Romans 8:5-8
• Practically – Prayer, worship, music, Scripture, teaching, “Scripture Memory,” fellowship.
• Paul calls the helmet our hope (certainty) of God’s deliverance. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
**Application:
Christians who are not filling their minds with Scripture are like warriors going out to battle without a helmet.
3. “And take . . . the sword of the Spirit” Ephesians 6:17
• Metaphor Explained
• Definition =
The sword of the Spirit is the Word (rhema – spoken word, or words given to us by the Spirit of God) to do close, hand-to-hand combat with the lies and deceptions of the enemy. The truth of God’s Word quoted and applied to the specific lie or deception of the enemy will allow you to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
** Application:
Jesus models for us the use of the sword of the Spirit. Matthew 4:1-11
• Implications for us Psalm 119:105, Psalm 19:9, 11
• Practical considerations – Note that the sword is both a defensive and an offensive weapon. Hebrews 4:12
Summary: How to Engage the Enemy in Spiritual Warfare
1. Prerequisite is a healthy spiritual life.
2. Understand your position in Christ.
3. Discern when demonic influence may be the cause.
4. Claim God’s promises out loud. 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5
5. Take our authority and position in Christ to command demonic forces to cease their activity and depart.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Spiritual Warfare 2
The Invisible War Spiritual Warfare
How to Prepare Yourself for Spiritual Battle Ephesians 6:13-15
Introduction: The South Pacific after World War II Was Won
• Pockets of guerilla warfare continued on hundreds of islands.
• The victory had been won, but battles continued and lives were lost; the bullets were real.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace . . . “ Ephesians 6:13-15
Ephesians 6:13
· Our commander (Jesus Christ) “urgently” commands us to “pick up” our spiritual armor and put it on.
Why? = For the purpose of being fully prepared and enabled to withstand the grave and difficult “dark times” when the enemy attacks. Ephesians 6:14a
· After picking up our armor in preparation for battle, we are then commanded to consciously and vigorously make a decisive act (or succession of acts) to stand our ground firmly and fearlessly against the enemy’s assaults as he seeks to deceive, accuse, and discourage us. Ephesians 6:14b-15
· Using the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor (which protected him in battle), we are given three specific pieces of spiritual armor that must be “put on” by us as believers as a prerequisite to standing firmly and fearlessly against demonic attack.
1. “Having girded your loins with truth”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Truth” = Candor, sincerity, truthfulness rooted in the objective reality of the truth of God’s Word, but here refers to the subjective practical application of openness and honesty in all things with God and men.
· Satan’s first attack on mankind was deception, which was followed by man’s hiding, denial, and blame-shifting.
· The best of truth is the man or woman whose “mind will practice no deceit and attempt no disguises” in their walk with God. – Kenneth S. Wuest
** Application: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
2. “Having put on the breastplate of righteousness”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Righteousness” = Uprightness, right living, integrity in one’s lifestyle and character – conforming of our will with God’s will. Although rooted in the object righteousness that we already possess in our standing before God through the work of Christ, this breastplate of righteousness (that guards and protects our heart) is the practical application of the truth to our lives – i.e. Lordship of Christ.
· Satan’s attacks are not merely deception, but accusation (resulting in guilt and condemnation) of the believer. When we willfully turn away from what we know is God’s will, we open ourselves to demonic influence in our lives.
~ Old Testament = Saul
~ New Testament = Peter
** Application: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin..” James 4:17
Personal area to address = ___________________________________________
3. “Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Preparation” = Establishment – the means of a firm foundation; also conveys the idea of readiness to share the Gospel which brings peace between man and God.
· Satan not only uses deception and condemnation to neutralize believers, but also specializes in casting doubt on the very basis of God’s goodness and the means by which we have received it – the Gospel.
Attacks Grace – How? “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
** Application:
1. Know and understand the content of the Gospel.
a. 1Corinthians 15:1–5;
b. Ephesians 2:1–9
2. Know the basis for your eternal security and the assurance of your salvation.
a. Security – Romans 8:38–39; Ephesians 1:13–14.
b. Assurance – 1 John 5:11-13
3. Faith is based on facts, not feelings.
4. Sharing your faith is one of the most powerful faith-builders available – Often “the best defense is a good offense.”
Conclusion:
God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces.
As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.
The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive”, “accuse”, and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by:
1. Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a prerequisite to all spiritual battle.
2. Responding to the truth that God shows us about His will for our lives – righteous living.
3. A clear understanding of “the Gospel” and the habitual sharing of this message of grace.
The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith. Our practice of Paul’s metaphor of the spiritual armor protects us from Satan’s ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the enemy.
There are times however, when we must move beyond “standing firm” and engage the enemy in actual combat. This will be the topic of our next study, Ephesians 6:16–20.
How to Prepare Yourself for Spiritual Battle Ephesians 6:13-15
Introduction: The South Pacific after World War II Was Won
• Pockets of guerilla warfare continued on hundreds of islands.
• The victory had been won, but battles continued and lives were lost; the bullets were real.
• The same is true spiritually:
1. Satan was defeated at the Cross.
2. Sin’s penalty was paid for all people for all time.
3. Sin’s power was broken.
4. Yet, Satan and his host of fallen angels engage in guerilla warfare to discourage, deceive, divide, and destroy God’s people and God’s program.
5. Believers are commanded to equip and prepare themselves in the strength of the Lord and in His mighty power to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes, repel his multi-faceted attacks, and engage and defeat him in specific battles. Ephesians 6:10-12
The Question: How Does This Work?
The Answer: Four Keys to Spiritual Victory
1. We must become aware of the Invisible War.
2. We must learn to appropriate God’s protection for daily living.
3. We must learn to engage the enemy with supernatural weapons.
4. We must utilize God’s means of deliverance when spiritually attacked.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace . . . “ Ephesians 6:13-15
Ephesians 6:13
· Our commander (Jesus Christ) “urgently” commands us to “pick up” our spiritual armor and put it on.
Why? = For the purpose of being fully prepared and enabled to withstand the grave and difficult “dark times” when the enemy attacks. Ephesians 6:14a
· After picking up our armor in preparation for battle, we are then commanded to consciously and vigorously make a decisive act (or succession of acts) to stand our ground firmly and fearlessly against the enemy’s assaults as he seeks to deceive, accuse, and discourage us. Ephesians 6:14b-15
· Using the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor (which protected him in battle), we are given three specific pieces of spiritual armor that must be “put on” by us as believers as a prerequisite to standing firmly and fearlessly against demonic attack.
1. “Having girded your loins with truth”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Truth” = Candor, sincerity, truthfulness rooted in the objective reality of the truth of God’s Word, but here refers to the subjective practical application of openness and honesty in all things with God and men.
· Satan’s first attack on mankind was deception, which was followed by man’s hiding, denial, and blame-shifting.
· The best of truth is the man or woman whose “mind will practice no deceit and attempt no disguises” in their walk with God. – Kenneth S. Wuest
** Application: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
2. “Having put on the breastplate of righteousness”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Righteousness” = Uprightness, right living, integrity in one’s lifestyle and character – conforming of our will with God’s will. Although rooted in the object righteousness that we already possess in our standing before God through the work of Christ, this breastplate of righteousness (that guards and protects our heart) is the practical application of the truth to our lives – i.e. Lordship of Christ.
· Satan’s attacks are not merely deception, but accusation (resulting in guilt and condemnation) of the believer. When we willfully turn away from what we know is God’s will, we open ourselves to demonic influence in our lives.
~ Old Testament = Saul
~ New Testament = Peter
** Application: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin..” James 4:17
Personal area to address = ___________________________________________
3. “Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”
· Metaphor Explained
· “Preparation” = Establishment – the means of a firm foundation; also conveys the idea of readiness to share the Gospel which brings peace between man and God.
· Satan not only uses deception and condemnation to neutralize believers, but also specializes in casting doubt on the very basis of God’s goodness and the means by which we have received it – the Gospel.
Attacks Grace – How? “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
** Application:
1. Know and understand the content of the Gospel.
a. 1Corinthians 15:1–5;
b. Ephesians 2:1–9
2. Know the basis for your eternal security and the assurance of your salvation.
a. Security – Romans 8:38–39; Ephesians 1:13–14.
b. Assurance – 1 John 5:11-13
3. Faith is based on facts, not feelings.
4. Sharing your faith is one of the most powerful faith-builders available – Often “the best defense is a good offense.”
Conclusion:
God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces.
As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.
The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive”, “accuse”, and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by:
1. Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a prerequisite to all spiritual battle.
2. Responding to the truth that God shows us about His will for our lives – righteous living.
3. A clear understanding of “the Gospel” and the habitual sharing of this message of grace.
The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith. Our practice of Paul’s metaphor of the spiritual armor protects us from Satan’s ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the enemy.
There are times however, when we must move beyond “standing firm” and engage the enemy in actual combat. This will be the topic of our next study, Ephesians 6:16–20.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Spiritual Warfare - 1
Spiritual Warfare:
What is the Invisible War?
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Ø General Command (Ephesians 6:10) – Allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the power already made available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ. It is the power that raised Christ from the dead and now dwells in you.
Ø Specific Command (Ephesians 6:11) – How? By continually and repeatedly putting on the spiritual protection God has provided for you . . . for the express purpose of holding on to your position in Christ as you are bombarded by Satanic strategies designed to destroy you and/or render you ineffective in Kingdom pursuits.
Ø The Reason for Commands in Verses 10 – 11 (Ephesians 6:12) – It’s because our real struggle (battle, wrestling match to the death) is not against physical/material adversaries (people, circumstances, organizations), but against a hierarchy of demonic forces doing battle in the spiritual realm.
Five Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare:
1. There is an Invisible World that is Just as Real as the Visible World.
Examples:
• Old Testament 2 Kings 6:15-19
• New Testament 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
2. We are Involved in an Invisible War, a Cosmic Conflict That Has Eternal Implications.
Ephesians 6:12 (The why)
• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
• . . . in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:4
• Application – When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?
3. Our Foe is Formidable and His Goal is to Destroy Us and Discredit the Cause of Christ.
Ephesians 6:12 (The why continued)
• Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8
• Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Jude 9
o Is Satan for Real?
§ Authority of the Bible - Genesis 3:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Revelation 12:9
§ Testimony of Christ 25 References, Matthew 4
§ Reality of Demons – He’s their “prince.” - Luke 11:15
o Who is Satan?
§ A created spirit - Colossians 1:16, Job 1:3
§ An angel - Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:7
§ A cherub - Ezekiel 28:14
§ Highest of all created beings - Ezekiel 28:14, Jude 9
o Where Did He Come From?
§ Created perfect - Ezekiel 28:12 -13
§ Had heavenly estate - Jude 6
§ Guardian of God’s glory - Ezekiel 28
§ Occasion of his sin = power and beauty - Ezekiel 28
§ Nature of his sin = pride - 1 Timothy 3:6, Isaiah 14:13
§ Cause of his sin = personal free choice - Habakkuk 1:13, James 1:13
4. We Must Respect Our Foe, but Not Fear Him – Become Acutely Aware of His “Methods,” but Not Be Preoccupied by Them.
Ephesians 6:11 (specific Command)
• Paul agrees to forgive a brother along with the Corinthian church . . . “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
2 Corinthians 2:11
• The Vital Question – How can we make sure we are not ignorant of his schemes?
o Satan’s Names Reveal His Tactics
· Satan (adversary) - 1 Peter 5:8
· Lucifer (son of the morning) - Isaiah 14:12
· Beelzebub - Matthew 12:24
· Belial - 2 Corinthians 6:15
· Evil one - 1 John 5:19
· Tempter - 1 Thessalonians 3:5
· Prince of this world - John 12:31
· Accuser of the brethren - Revelation 12:10
· Representations include:
o Serpent - Genesis 3
o Dragon - Revelation 12:3
o Angel of Light - 2 Corinthians 11:14
o Satan Attacks God’s Program, the Church, by . . .
· False philosophies - Colossians 2:8
· False religions - 1 Corinthians 10:19
· False ministers - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
· False doctrine - 1 John 2:18
· False disciples - Matthew 13
· False morals - 2 Thessalonians 2:7
o Satan Attacks God’s People by . . .
· Directing governments - Daniel 10:13
· Deceiving men - 2 Corinthians 4:4
· Destroying life - Hebrews 2:14
· Persecuting the saints - Revelation 2:10
· Preventing service - 1 Thessalonians 2:18
· Promoting schisms - 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11
· Planting doubt - Genesis 3:1-2
· Provoking sin:
o Anger - Ephesians 4:26-27
o Pride - 1 Timothy 3:6
o Worry - Matthew 13:22
o Self-reliance - 1 Chronicles 21:1
o Discouragement - 1 Peter 5:6-8
o Worldliness - 1 John 2:16
o Lying - Acts 5:3
o Immorality - 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
· Producing sects/cults - 1 Timothy 4:1
o Satan’s Power is Limited
· He is created, therefore not omniscient or infinite
· He can be resisted by the Christian - James 4:7
· God places limitations on him - Job 1:12
o Application – “Balance” and wisdom are crucial in our assessment of spiritual opposition. To assign too much or too little credit to the reality of demonic activity is to error greatly.
5. As Believers in Christ, We Do Not Fight “For” Victory, We Fight “From” Victory. In Christ’s Power We Are Invincible!
Ephesians 6:10 (general command)
Promises from God Concerning Victory Over Satan
• Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
• For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5
• And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation12:11
• Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
Summary:
1. Satan is a defeated foe. John 12:31
2. Jesus destroyed the work of the devil. Colossians 2:14-15
3. We are victors in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. 1John 4:4
5. We must learn how to put on the “full armor of God” to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. Ephesians 6:13-17
Sunday, October 10, 2010
God's Goodness
Psalm 34:8 " O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
Perception is everything:
* What we think people think of us determines our response to them.
* How we think about God determines how we respond to God.
* What comes into your mind when you think about God means more than what you say about Him.
* Worship is as pure or base as our thoughts about God.
The gravest question for all of us is always God himself: it's not what we say or do but what is our belief about God in our heart!
The Goodness of God:
In Exodus 34 Moses meets with God on the mountain, he has seen all the miricles of God, the protection of God, the provision of God and Moses wants to see God himself. God's response to Moses in Exodus 33:19-20 was "I will make all my goodness pass before thee . . . thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." And then in Exodus 34:5-7 the Lord "passed by before him, and proclaimed, . . . gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness . . ." Of all the qualities that God could have shown Moses He chose to reveal all His goodness!
What is goodness? It is defined as having a disposition to give to others not with a motive nor limited by what they deserve.
How is His goodness revealed to us?
1. Through His nature: "They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Psalms 145:7-9
2. Through His Deliverance:
* From Enemies: "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;" Psalm 107:2
* From the shadow of death: "Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:10-14
* From diseases: " Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them" Psalm 107:18-20
*From the storms of life: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." Psalm 107:23-29
**when you have tried it all and failed, turn to God.
3. Through His Son: "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18
*Undeserved goodness: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
* Promise of future goodness: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32
* The source of all goodness: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." James 1:17-18
Our Response:
1. Repent of our unbelief and ingratitude: "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 2:4
Repentance is like this: say I want to go to Oklahoma City and get in my car, drive to and get on interstate highway 35; after an hour I see a sign that says Waco 1 mile ahead. I then realize that I'm going in the wrong direction, I exit the interstate, turn left to go over the bridge, turn left again and get back on the interstate going now in the correct direction: I have repented of the direction I was going and am now going in the right direction. Repentance is realizing your direction is wrong and you turn your life around so that you are going in the right direction. Repentance is a changed mind leading to a changed direction which results in a changed life!
2. Rest in His goodness when in adversity: (bad things does happen to good people)
"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Psalms 31:19-20
3. Risk it all, step out in faith! " For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalms 84:11 (the sun is energy and the shield is protection)
* Walk uprightly in your marriage:
* Walk uprightly in your job:
* Walk uprightly in your parenting:
* Walk uprightly in your finances:
Perception is everything:
* What we think people think of us determines our response to them.
* How we think about God determines how we respond to God.
* What comes into your mind when you think about God means more than what you say about Him.
* Worship is as pure or base as our thoughts about God.
The gravest question for all of us is always God himself: it's not what we say or do but what is our belief about God in our heart!
The Goodness of God:
In Exodus 34 Moses meets with God on the mountain, he has seen all the miricles of God, the protection of God, the provision of God and Moses wants to see God himself. God's response to Moses in Exodus 33:19-20 was "I will make all my goodness pass before thee . . . thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." And then in Exodus 34:5-7 the Lord "passed by before him, and proclaimed, . . . gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness . . ." Of all the qualities that God could have shown Moses He chose to reveal all His goodness!
What is goodness? It is defined as having a disposition to give to others not with a motive nor limited by what they deserve.
How is His goodness revealed to us?
1. Through His nature: "They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Psalms 145:7-9
2. Through His Deliverance:
* From Enemies: "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;" Psalm 107:2
* From the shadow of death: "Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:10-14
* From diseases: " Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them" Psalm 107:18-20
*From the storms of life: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." Psalm 107:23-29
**when you have tried it all and failed, turn to God.
3. Through His Son: "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18
*Undeserved goodness: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
* Promise of future goodness: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32
* The source of all goodness: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." James 1:17-18
Our Response:
1. Repent of our unbelief and ingratitude: "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 2:4
Repentance is like this: say I want to go to Oklahoma City and get in my car, drive to and get on interstate highway 35; after an hour I see a sign that says Waco 1 mile ahead. I then realize that I'm going in the wrong direction, I exit the interstate, turn left to go over the bridge, turn left again and get back on the interstate going now in the correct direction: I have repented of the direction I was going and am now going in the right direction. Repentance is realizing your direction is wrong and you turn your life around so that you are going in the right direction. Repentance is a changed mind leading to a changed direction which results in a changed life!
2. Rest in His goodness when in adversity: (bad things does happen to good people)
"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Psalms 31:19-20
3. Risk it all, step out in faith! " For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalms 84:11 (the sun is energy and the shield is protection)
* Walk uprightly in your marriage:
* Walk uprightly in your job:
* Walk uprightly in your parenting:
* Walk uprightly in your finances:
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Overcome Satan!
The Ambassadors provided great music to the New Beginnings class today along with their personal testimonies. The Lord brought to me Revelation 12:10-11 that speaks about a testimony overcoming the devil. My thoughts throughout the week were about our need to have a testimony! When you have a testimony you are speaking about something you witnessed, to something you know as a fact or to something that you have experienced. I am so glad that I have a testimony to tell others about on how God has seen me through situations throughout my life. I am so glad that as a young boy I accepted Jesus as my Savior, that my sins were forgiven, that I have a home in heaven, and that I have an advocate speaking for me before God as that great accuser accuses me before God!
I am reminded of the recorded story in Mark 1:40 – 45 where a man full of leprosy called out to the Lord requesting healing and the Lord reached out and touched him and healed him of his leprosy. Following his healing the healed leprous man went about the country telling others how once he was full of leprosy and now he was clean; healed by the touch of Christ! Oh, to have a testimony! Has Christ reached out to touch you, to heal and cleanse you?
The one who bring disease and troubles is that great liar, Satan. God allows him to do this for several reasons: to shape us, to test us, to strengthen us to give us a testimony. Why? To glorify God; to be an encouragement to someone else! After you have gone through the trial; after God has brought you through you will have a testimony of God’s provision to help another who is going through the same problem. God will bring these people across your path, it’s up to you to fulfill your purpose and testify! Have you had a job loss and are now employed? Find someone out of work and tell them that God will see them through. Have you been through an illness; encourage someone who is in the illness about God’s healing hand. Have you been through a death? Encourage some one who is in grief!
God gave you these experiences to help His children and to receive glory for His blessing bestowed! Hebrews 4:16 speaks to this “. . . we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” God’s desire is to be merciful and to meet your needs.
There is a great day coming spoken of in Revelation 12:10-11 “. . . Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” The devil is overcome by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and our testimony! I am so glad that we can overcome the devil today by these same two things.
You can help a brother or sister in Christ to overcome the attack of Satan on their lives by your testimony. Praise God for seeing us through our trials and troubles! Use this victory to help another to achieve a victorious lift – Share your testimony today!
I am reminded of the recorded story in Mark 1:40 – 45 where a man full of leprosy called out to the Lord requesting healing and the Lord reached out and touched him and healed him of his leprosy. Following his healing the healed leprous man went about the country telling others how once he was full of leprosy and now he was clean; healed by the touch of Christ! Oh, to have a testimony! Has Christ reached out to touch you, to heal and cleanse you?
The one who bring disease and troubles is that great liar, Satan. God allows him to do this for several reasons: to shape us, to test us, to strengthen us to give us a testimony. Why? To glorify God; to be an encouragement to someone else! After you have gone through the trial; after God has brought you through you will have a testimony of God’s provision to help another who is going through the same problem. God will bring these people across your path, it’s up to you to fulfill your purpose and testify! Have you had a job loss and are now employed? Find someone out of work and tell them that God will see them through. Have you been through an illness; encourage someone who is in the illness about God’s healing hand. Have you been through a death? Encourage some one who is in grief!
God gave you these experiences to help His children and to receive glory for His blessing bestowed! Hebrews 4:16 speaks to this “. . . we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” God’s desire is to be merciful and to meet your needs.
There is a great day coming spoken of in Revelation 12:10-11 “. . . Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” The devil is overcome by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and our testimony! I am so glad that we can overcome the devil today by these same two things.
You can help a brother or sister in Christ to overcome the attack of Satan on their lives by your testimony. Praise God for seeing us through our trials and troubles! Use this victory to help another to achieve a victorious lift – Share your testimony today!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
When you have blown it BIG
When You’ve Blown it Big Time Psalm 51
Introduction:
Sometimes …
• . . . smart people do dumb things
• . . . wise people do foolish things
• . . . godly people do sinful things
• A Story to Ponder:
Over and over again the Bible is packed with stories of people that blew it! We learn that God understands that we are but dust and is willing to forgive – He wants to reclaim us! Consider this one from 2 Samuel 11:1-27: King David was in a place that he shouldn't be, not doing what he should have been doing when he saw one of his soldier's wife taking a bath. He allowed lustful desires overtake him and he forced Bathsheba with the results of her becoming pregnant. If this was not bad enough the king tried to deceive and cover up his sin. When that didn't work he arranged for Bathsheba’s husband to die in battle; he committed murder! But God knew what had transpired and He sent his man, Nathan, to confront King David. 2 Sam 12:1 – 14 “1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
• A Question to Answer
This story may be many of us in the room; oh it may not be an actual adulterous life and murder but you may have something in your past, or present, that you are hiding or covering up just like David did. You may have a very dark past or maybe just a cloudy one and you are wondering who knows or who might find out? Or you may be saying that oh that’s not me! I’ve never done anything that bad! Check out the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said that if you look on a woman and lust after her you are guilty of adultery, that if you are angry in your heart you are guilty of murder, that if you have said malicious or slanderous things about another you have committed a sin of Gossip (ranked right up there with adultery and murder). You see with God it is not so much the outward but the inward; it’s the condition of your heart that is at issue! You have to have a breakthrough on this; you must realize that we are all sinners and that we are guilty of these sins!
But, how do you ever recover when you know that you have done something terribly wrong? How do you get back on your feet? How do you overcome your guilt? How do you ever get right with God again? How do you rebuild that fellowship with God? How do you get restored? How does this work?
What you have to realize is that What all humans have in common is failure.
But with God . . . . . . FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL!
God gives us an answer to these questions in Psalms 51. After Nathan had spoken the judgment on David from God, David penned the Psalm. This Psalm is David’s prayer. David in a weak moment made a disastrous mistake that not only affected David but the whole nation! Folks, your sin affect more than just you; it affects those around you, those that you have responsibility for; sin comes with judgment! David did what most of us do, he tried to hide the sin, tried to cover it up, and he tried to shift the blame to someone else. But God got hold of his heart through a prophet. And now in this Psalm we find seven steps to spiritual recovery.
A Song of Confession:
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
7 Steps to Spiritual Recovery:
1. __Come_____ clean with God! 2 Samuel 12:13 (“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”)
Get honest, get it out in the open, stop the secrecy, stop rationalizing, stop minimizing, stop saying that it’s ok because everyone else is doing it, stop comparing yoursel to someone that is worse than you! Do what David did! He said “I have sinned against the LORD:. This is very difficult for most people but without this step the other six steps are meaningless!
2. __Ask_______ God for forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-2 (“1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”)
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Attempt no deals with God here; simply trust in God’s goodness and mercy: Ask Him to forgive. Note the four action verbs here: Have mercy, Blot out my Transgressions, Wash me, Cleanse me.
3. __Own_______ Responsibility for your sin. Psalm 51:3-5 (“3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”)
Just own up to it! You transgressions, your sin; just take responsibility for your actions!
4. __Accept____ God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Psalm 51:6-9 (“6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”)
David was a man of faith. He knew that he was a sinner from birth. David here accepts God’s forgiveness and moves forward! David is affirming what God has done in him already! Note that the words (Bolded above) are future tense: these are actions that are ongoing! As soon as you accept His forgiveness that the work of restoration begins! God loves you unconditionally but you have to accept the forgiveness to take away the guilt!
5. __Accept____ a “fresh” work of grace! Psalm 51:10-12 (“10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”)
Note these future tense words: Create (a miracle in itself). Pray to be filled again! The Bible is full of example to people who have prayed for restoration that went on to serve the Lord in great ways! The baggage and judgment may still be there but you can be useful to God!
6. ___Resolve___ to use past failures for ministry. Psalm 51:13-17 (“13Then will I teach Transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”)
Note RU. God wants to use what were to help those who are in the place that you had been. God forgives for a purpose: to help others! By your confession and His forgiveness He gets all the glory.
You want more than forgiveness; you want to get back on the team to serve the Lord! You are never a second class Christian you are a forgiven one!
7. __Pray_______ for “limited fall-out” from your folly. Psalms 18-19 (“18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar”)
Sin has consequences. Pray that the burden of your sin will be minimized on others!
Introduction:
Sometimes …
• . . . smart people do dumb things
• . . . wise people do foolish things
• . . . godly people do sinful things
• A Story to Ponder:
Over and over again the Bible is packed with stories of people that blew it! We learn that God understands that we are but dust and is willing to forgive – He wants to reclaim us! Consider this one from 2 Samuel 11:1-27: King David was in a place that he shouldn't be, not doing what he should have been doing when he saw one of his soldier's wife taking a bath. He allowed lustful desires overtake him and he forced Bathsheba with the results of her becoming pregnant. If this was not bad enough the king tried to deceive and cover up his sin. When that didn't work he arranged for Bathsheba’s husband to die in battle; he committed murder! But God knew what had transpired and He sent his man, Nathan, to confront King David. 2 Sam 12:1 – 14 “1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
• A Question to Answer
This story may be many of us in the room; oh it may not be an actual adulterous life and murder but you may have something in your past, or present, that you are hiding or covering up just like David did. You may have a very dark past or maybe just a cloudy one and you are wondering who knows or who might find out? Or you may be saying that oh that’s not me! I’ve never done anything that bad! Check out the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said that if you look on a woman and lust after her you are guilty of adultery, that if you are angry in your heart you are guilty of murder, that if you have said malicious or slanderous things about another you have committed a sin of Gossip (ranked right up there with adultery and murder). You see with God it is not so much the outward but the inward; it’s the condition of your heart that is at issue! You have to have a breakthrough on this; you must realize that we are all sinners and that we are guilty of these sins!
But, how do you ever recover when you know that you have done something terribly wrong? How do you get back on your feet? How do you overcome your guilt? How do you ever get right with God again? How do you rebuild that fellowship with God? How do you get restored? How does this work?
What you have to realize is that What all humans have in common is failure.
But with God . . . . . . FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL!
God gives us an answer to these questions in Psalms 51. After Nathan had spoken the judgment on David from God, David penned the Psalm. This Psalm is David’s prayer. David in a weak moment made a disastrous mistake that not only affected David but the whole nation! Folks, your sin affect more than just you; it affects those around you, those that you have responsibility for; sin comes with judgment! David did what most of us do, he tried to hide the sin, tried to cover it up, and he tried to shift the blame to someone else. But God got hold of his heart through a prophet. And now in this Psalm we find seven steps to spiritual recovery.
A Song of Confession:
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
7 Steps to Spiritual Recovery:
1. __Come_____ clean with God! 2 Samuel 12:13 (“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”)
Get honest, get it out in the open, stop the secrecy, stop rationalizing, stop minimizing, stop saying that it’s ok because everyone else is doing it, stop comparing yoursel to someone that is worse than you! Do what David did! He said “I have sinned against the LORD:. This is very difficult for most people but without this step the other six steps are meaningless!
2. __Ask_______ God for forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-2 (“1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”)
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Attempt no deals with God here; simply trust in God’s goodness and mercy: Ask Him to forgive. Note the four action verbs here: Have mercy, Blot out my Transgressions, Wash me, Cleanse me.
3. __Own_______ Responsibility for your sin. Psalm 51:3-5 (“3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”)
Just own up to it! You transgressions, your sin; just take responsibility for your actions!
4. __Accept____ God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Psalm 51:6-9 (“6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”)
David was a man of faith. He knew that he was a sinner from birth. David here accepts God’s forgiveness and moves forward! David is affirming what God has done in him already! Note that the words (Bolded above) are future tense: these are actions that are ongoing! As soon as you accept His forgiveness that the work of restoration begins! God loves you unconditionally but you have to accept the forgiveness to take away the guilt!
5. __Accept____ a “fresh” work of grace! Psalm 51:10-12 (“10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”)
Note these future tense words: Create (a miracle in itself). Pray to be filled again! The Bible is full of example to people who have prayed for restoration that went on to serve the Lord in great ways! The baggage and judgment may still be there but you can be useful to God!
6. ___Resolve___ to use past failures for ministry. Psalm 51:13-17 (“13Then will I teach Transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”)
Note RU. God wants to use what were to help those who are in the place that you had been. God forgives for a purpose: to help others! By your confession and His forgiveness He gets all the glory.
You want more than forgiveness; you want to get back on the team to serve the Lord! You are never a second class Christian you are a forgiven one!
7. __Pray_______ for “limited fall-out” from your folly. Psalms 18-19 (“18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar”)
Sin has consequences. Pray that the burden of your sin will be minimized on others!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ezekiel the Watchman
The employment I found while I was in my twenty’s was as an Operator in a petroleum refinery. Refining petroleum into useful consumer products involves chemical and physical processes that use complicated mechanical equipment. On a daily basis one of the primary tasks was to keep a close watch on the mechanical integrity of the equipment. I was essentially a “watchman” over the process. As a watchman I had to be on a constant lookout for danger in failing equipment and had to use my five senses to detect problems. If there was a problem detected I had to alert others so that proper defenses could be put in motion.
This is very much like a watchman in a military sense. A watchman will pace his walk looking and listening for signs of intruders or enemies. If one is found the watchman must sound the alarm to warn others.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was also a watchman. Ezekiel was an ordinary person just like you and I. He happened to be in the family of Levi which meant that the caring of the temple fell to his family and by employment he performed the duties of the priest; taking care of the altar, the table of showbread, the candlesticks, maybe even caring for the animals brought into the temple for sacrifice. He performed the dailies of the temple life, just like we take care of the dailies of Temple Baptist Church. He was just an ordinary man doing an ordinary job in the temple. The time in which Ezekiel was thirty years of age he was a captive of the Babylonian Empire. Because of the sin of idolatary the nation Israel the Lord gave the nation over to the Babylonians for a season. Babylon carried away captive 10,000 of Israel’s best: the educated ones, the nobles, the craftsmen, the wealthy ones and all the treasure of the country. Ezekiel was one of these 10,000.
Ezekiel was an ordinary man living in a refugee camp for five years when an extraordinary thing happened to him. As he was sitting on the riverbank the very presence of God came upon him and God Himself opened the windows of heaven where Ezekiel could see God in his glory and things in heaven! There are only two other recorded instances when a person was permitted to look into heaven and see God! This is a very significant event. All of a sudden, God, heaven and all the things of the temple took on a reality that Ezekiel had not had before; he discovered that what he had been taught was not just a myth but reality! What a shock! Can you imagine what must be going on in Ezekiel’s mind? It was so shocking that after the window into heaven closed Ezekiel just sat there on the riverbank for seven days digesting what hat just happened. Who knows what he was thinking!
After seven days the presence of God came on Ezekiel again but this time God gave Ezekiel a new job. “Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:15-17. After Ezekiel’s close encounter with God he had a new job, a new perspective, and a new command. He was given the job of being the “Watchman” of the nation’s souls.
His new job consisted of two separate commands: he was to “hear the word at my mouth” and then to “give them warning”. God was going to tell Ezekiel of the right way to live and then it was Ezekiel’s responsibility to tell those he was watchman over what the Lord said. So long as Ezekiel did this he was absolved of their blood. It was then up to the hearer whether to obey or not. It was up to Ezekiel to tell.
This is very much like it is today. I am an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things. One day I had a close encounter with God, I accepted him as my savior and He came to indwell me. My life was forever changed. I have a new perspective, a new command and a new job. I too am a watchman over the souls of those that God brings across my path. I too have a command to hear God’s word; I too have a command to warn others.
If you have ever accepted Christ as your savior, if you have His Holy Spirit dwelling within, then you also have this same command to hear His word and to be a watchman over the souls of others. You have circles of people that you are watchman to. You have your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and those that you meet on occasion. God has warned the saved person “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18
My brother or sister let not the blood of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or brief encounters be upon your hands. Be a faithful watchman over their souls.
This is very much like a watchman in a military sense. A watchman will pace his walk looking and listening for signs of intruders or enemies. If one is found the watchman must sound the alarm to warn others.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was also a watchman. Ezekiel was an ordinary person just like you and I. He happened to be in the family of Levi which meant that the caring of the temple fell to his family and by employment he performed the duties of the priest; taking care of the altar, the table of showbread, the candlesticks, maybe even caring for the animals brought into the temple for sacrifice. He performed the dailies of the temple life, just like we take care of the dailies of Temple Baptist Church. He was just an ordinary man doing an ordinary job in the temple. The time in which Ezekiel was thirty years of age he was a captive of the Babylonian Empire. Because of the sin of idolatary the nation Israel the Lord gave the nation over to the Babylonians for a season. Babylon carried away captive 10,000 of Israel’s best: the educated ones, the nobles, the craftsmen, the wealthy ones and all the treasure of the country. Ezekiel was one of these 10,000.
Ezekiel was an ordinary man living in a refugee camp for five years when an extraordinary thing happened to him. As he was sitting on the riverbank the very presence of God came upon him and God Himself opened the windows of heaven where Ezekiel could see God in his glory and things in heaven! There are only two other recorded instances when a person was permitted to look into heaven and see God! This is a very significant event. All of a sudden, God, heaven and all the things of the temple took on a reality that Ezekiel had not had before; he discovered that what he had been taught was not just a myth but reality! What a shock! Can you imagine what must be going on in Ezekiel’s mind? It was so shocking that after the window into heaven closed Ezekiel just sat there on the riverbank for seven days digesting what hat just happened. Who knows what he was thinking!
After seven days the presence of God came on Ezekiel again but this time God gave Ezekiel a new job. “Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:15-17. After Ezekiel’s close encounter with God he had a new job, a new perspective, and a new command. He was given the job of being the “Watchman” of the nation’s souls.
His new job consisted of two separate commands: he was to “hear the word at my mouth” and then to “give them warning”. God was going to tell Ezekiel of the right way to live and then it was Ezekiel’s responsibility to tell those he was watchman over what the Lord said. So long as Ezekiel did this he was absolved of their blood. It was then up to the hearer whether to obey or not. It was up to Ezekiel to tell.
This is very much like it is today. I am an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things. One day I had a close encounter with God, I accepted him as my savior and He came to indwell me. My life was forever changed. I have a new perspective, a new command and a new job. I too am a watchman over the souls of those that God brings across my path. I too have a command to hear God’s word; I too have a command to warn others.
If you have ever accepted Christ as your savior, if you have His Holy Spirit dwelling within, then you also have this same command to hear His word and to be a watchman over the souls of others. You have circles of people that you are watchman to. You have your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and those that you meet on occasion. God has warned the saved person “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18
My brother or sister let not the blood of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or brief encounters be upon your hands. Be a faithful watchman over their souls.
Monday, May 24, 2010
No fear of the shadow
As a child, and sometimes as an adult, I would play hide and go seek. The best time to play this game is at dusk, or even better yet once it is dark. It was most fun to hide and when someone least expects to jump out from the shadows and shout to scare them. Of course the girls screamed so much better than the boys! As you got into the game it seem that in every shadow there appeared to be a girl or boy lurking there ready to jump out! It was during this time that I learned that every shadow did not have a scary side and that, most importantly for later life, that shadows cannot harm you! They may be scary but ultimately no harm.
Psalm 23:1-4
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thinking about Psalm 23, in the “Valley of life” there are many shadows out there to bring fear. Of course there is the shadow of a death, but there are also the shadows of a job loss, a sickness, a financial reversal, a wayward child, a broken marriage, or a broken friendship. Though painful and very worrisome these shadows will pass. It is such a great comfort to remember that, as being in the family of God, I know that He is with me. He is in fact within me as the Holy Spirit and that He will never forsake me and will always provide and protect me as I have need!
But what about this reference about His rod and staff? How could they comfort me?
Thy Rod and thy Staff:
• Rod of punishment:
The rod can be a rod of punishment as found in 2 Sam 7:14 “I will chasten him with the rod of men”; and Proverbs 10:13 “but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”
• Rod of provision:The rod can also be a rod of provision as we have read in Exodus 17:6 “6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”; and in Numbers 20:11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.”
• Rod of direction:
That same rod in the hand of the master’s servant becomes a rod of direction, pointing the way to go and clearing the path before us as found in Exodus 14:16 “16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
• Rod of Protection:
In the hand of Moses the rod became a rod of protection and Gods favor in Exodus 17:9, 11 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. . . . 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed:”
• Rod of Care:
But in the context of Psalm 23 the rod spoken of is like the rod of a shepherd that is used in the counting and inspection of the sheep. A shepherd would stand at the entrance to the sheep fold and allow the sheep to enter the fold one by one; the shepherd would block the way with the rod to allow time for the shepherd to confirm the that sheep was his; that the sheep had his mark and to look for any blemish or injury that needed attention. If any did not have his mark it was rejected – it was not his! Ezekiel 20:37-38“”And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me:”
What a wonderful picture to remind me that our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has marked me with his Holy Spirit, He knows me and counts me as His own. He inspects me to see if I have any need or injury; he will provide for me and bind up my wounds! What a Great Shepherd!
Do you know the Great Shepherd? He wants you as his own, to mark you with His Holy Spirit! Oh, accept Him today!
Psalm 23:1-4
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thinking about Psalm 23, in the “Valley of life” there are many shadows out there to bring fear. Of course there is the shadow of a death, but there are also the shadows of a job loss, a sickness, a financial reversal, a wayward child, a broken marriage, or a broken friendship. Though painful and very worrisome these shadows will pass. It is such a great comfort to remember that, as being in the family of God, I know that He is with me. He is in fact within me as the Holy Spirit and that He will never forsake me and will always provide and protect me as I have need!
But what about this reference about His rod and staff? How could they comfort me?
Thy Rod and thy Staff:
• Rod of punishment:
The rod can be a rod of punishment as found in 2 Sam 7:14 “I will chasten him with the rod of men”; and Proverbs 10:13 “but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”
• Rod of provision:The rod can also be a rod of provision as we have read in Exodus 17:6 “6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”; and in Numbers 20:11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.”
• Rod of direction:
That same rod in the hand of the master’s servant becomes a rod of direction, pointing the way to go and clearing the path before us as found in Exodus 14:16 “16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
• Rod of Protection:
In the hand of Moses the rod became a rod of protection and Gods favor in Exodus 17:9, 11 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. . . . 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed:”
• Rod of Care:
But in the context of Psalm 23 the rod spoken of is like the rod of a shepherd that is used in the counting and inspection of the sheep. A shepherd would stand at the entrance to the sheep fold and allow the sheep to enter the fold one by one; the shepherd would block the way with the rod to allow time for the shepherd to confirm the that sheep was his; that the sheep had his mark and to look for any blemish or injury that needed attention. If any did not have his mark it was rejected – it was not his! Ezekiel 20:37-38“”And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me:”
What a wonderful picture to remind me that our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has marked me with his Holy Spirit, He knows me and counts me as His own. He inspects me to see if I have any need or injury; he will provide for me and bind up my wounds! What a Great Shepherd!
Do you know the Great Shepherd? He wants you as his own, to mark you with His Holy Spirit! Oh, accept Him today!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Why We Wound Others With Our Words
Introduction:
Who among us has not had a remark or accusation made against you that just was not true? That was hurtful and maybe even mean? Sometimes it comes from someone who you love, maybe another Christian even. Maybe it was you that did this to another. Have you wondered why these things happen? The Scripture talks about such a situation in the book of James:
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11-12
This was written to brethren and brothers in the Lord; saved people! Saved people that had a problem with speaking evil of one another; saved people who sat in judgment on their family. Sound familiar?
This passage commands us, brethren, to stop!
We are commanded to stop “tearing one another down” by our “slanderous” speech.
• What is “slanderous” speech?
Saying something that is untrue; it may be saying something true but your reason of saying it is to tear someone down; includes fault finding and gossip; it is speech that when it is done that the hearer thinks less of the person you are speaking about.
• How is slanderous speech commonly practiced?
This was being address in the 1st century; it still happens today! There are three degrees of slanderous speech.
1st degree slander: casual talk, i.e., that blue dress just doesn’t go with her figure, we’re getting out late again, the deacons are just insensitive to . . . ; this is so common and generally not mean spirited or willful – water cooler talk, commute talk.
2nd degree slander: oft times it will take the form of a prayer request; I’m not sure you know this but . . ., so that you know how to pray for ___ this is what is going on . . ., pray for __ there are some real issues . . .. This is a veil to hide the true purpose of the conversation and that is to spread some juicy piece of gossip!
3rd degree slander: getting help for a problem relationship. Usually spoke to a strategic person under the guise for seeking wisdom whose real purpose is to frame the situation thru your lens of reality: you speak it to frame the situation, you analyze the situation, and you become the victim.
• Why do even sincere Christians get caught in the “web” of speaking against others? How could this happen to people that love God? Here are two reasons:
1. The lie that we believe “If other people would just shape up my life would be okay”. You have a conflict with your spouse, a conflict with a co-worker, a conflict with sibling: if this person would just do this or do that everything would be okay; the problem is the other person. You slant the situation with the other person to lift yourself up and tear the other one down. The problem is the other person.
Why do we do this? It is to cast blame and avoid responsibility; justifying your behavior; people may have hit home inregards to you and you have fear of rejection – oft times the best defense is an offense to mask your insecurity – you need to realize that we are all insecure; when you see a conflict coming you speak things to position yourself in the best possible light
2. We have a perverse appetite for gossip.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Why is “tearing others down” by our speech and judgmental attitudes one of the most serious sins mentioned in Scripture?
Reason #1 = Because it demonstrates total disregard and contempt for God’s highest command – to love one another. (Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.)
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11b
Reason #2 = Because it reveals that we are in fact “playing God”.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12
Grey areas: my beliefs may not be as someone else’s but so long as it is not against Scripture you should not judge.
How can we break the habit of “playing God?”
• Step 1 – Develop convictions about speaking against others.
**This is not talking about beliefs, but convictions; not just trying harder but something that arises from deep in your heart! You have convictions about purity, lying, stealing: develop a conviction about not speaking against others.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” Matthew 7:1-2
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Note: You will have to account for "every idle word", every slanderous word.
• Step 2 – Ponder the consequences of your speech.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
We should have words of unity, words that build up, words that we are a team, words that we are family.
When you have words of back biting, bickering, and tearing down you break the heart of God.
• Step 3 – Refuse to buy The Lie!
The lie “it is someone else’s problem or fault.
“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:3
• Step 4 – Refuse to let others Gossip to you.
When someone starts to gossip what do you do? Have the courage to say “we are not a part of the problem or the solution.” Put up the stop sign. Say “can we talk about something else?”
• Step 5 –Talk less!
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
Meditation Questions
1. Why, from God’s perspective, is it so important that we speak about one another and relate in a loving manner? What’s at stake?
2. Where do you find yourself most prone to “speak against” someone or become judgmental?
3. Which of the practical steps to stop “playing God” do you need to put into practice?
4. Is there someone you need to apologize to?
Who among us has not had a remark or accusation made against you that just was not true? That was hurtful and maybe even mean? Sometimes it comes from someone who you love, maybe another Christian even. Maybe it was you that did this to another. Have you wondered why these things happen? The Scripture talks about such a situation in the book of James:
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11-12
This was written to brethren and brothers in the Lord; saved people! Saved people that had a problem with speaking evil of one another; saved people who sat in judgment on their family. Sound familiar?
This passage commands us, brethren, to stop!
We are commanded to stop “tearing one another down” by our “slanderous” speech.
• What is “slanderous” speech?
Saying something that is untrue; it may be saying something true but your reason of saying it is to tear someone down; includes fault finding and gossip; it is speech that when it is done that the hearer thinks less of the person you are speaking about.
• How is slanderous speech commonly practiced?
This was being address in the 1st century; it still happens today! There are three degrees of slanderous speech.
1st degree slander: casual talk, i.e., that blue dress just doesn’t go with her figure, we’re getting out late again, the deacons are just insensitive to . . . ; this is so common and generally not mean spirited or willful – water cooler talk, commute talk.
2nd degree slander: oft times it will take the form of a prayer request; I’m not sure you know this but . . ., so that you know how to pray for ___ this is what is going on . . ., pray for __ there are some real issues . . .. This is a veil to hide the true purpose of the conversation and that is to spread some juicy piece of gossip!
3rd degree slander: getting help for a problem relationship. Usually spoke to a strategic person under the guise for seeking wisdom whose real purpose is to frame the situation thru your lens of reality: you speak it to frame the situation, you analyze the situation, and you become the victim.
• Why do even sincere Christians get caught in the “web” of speaking against others? How could this happen to people that love God? Here are two reasons:
1. The lie that we believe “If other people would just shape up my life would be okay”. You have a conflict with your spouse, a conflict with a co-worker, a conflict with sibling: if this person would just do this or do that everything would be okay; the problem is the other person. You slant the situation with the other person to lift yourself up and tear the other one down. The problem is the other person.
Why do we do this? It is to cast blame and avoid responsibility; justifying your behavior; people may have hit home inregards to you and you have fear of rejection – oft times the best defense is an offense to mask your insecurity – you need to realize that we are all insecure; when you see a conflict coming you speak things to position yourself in the best possible light
2. We have a perverse appetite for gossip.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Why is “tearing others down” by our speech and judgmental attitudes one of the most serious sins mentioned in Scripture?
Reason #1 = Because it demonstrates total disregard and contempt for God’s highest command – to love one another. (Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.)
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11b
Reason #2 = Because it reveals that we are in fact “playing God”.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12
Grey areas: my beliefs may not be as someone else’s but so long as it is not against Scripture you should not judge.
How can we break the habit of “playing God?”
• Step 1 – Develop convictions about speaking against others.
**This is not talking about beliefs, but convictions; not just trying harder but something that arises from deep in your heart! You have convictions about purity, lying, stealing: develop a conviction about not speaking against others.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” Matthew 7:1-2
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Note: You will have to account for "every idle word", every slanderous word.
• Step 2 – Ponder the consequences of your speech.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
We should have words of unity, words that build up, words that we are a team, words that we are family.
When you have words of back biting, bickering, and tearing down you break the heart of God.
• Step 3 – Refuse to buy The Lie!
The lie “it is someone else’s problem or fault.
“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:3
• Step 4 – Refuse to let others Gossip to you.
When someone starts to gossip what do you do? Have the courage to say “we are not a part of the problem or the solution.” Put up the stop sign. Say “can we talk about something else?”
• Step 5 –Talk less!
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
Meditation Questions
1. Why, from God’s perspective, is it so important that we speak about one another and relate in a loving manner? What’s at stake?
2. Where do you find yourself most prone to “speak against” someone or become judgmental?
3. Which of the practical steps to stop “playing God” do you need to put into practice?
4. Is there someone you need to apologize to?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
