We must love God for who He is, not what He can do.
Can He heal? Yes!
Can He deliver? Yes!
Can He restore your marriage? Yes!
Can He make a way out of no way? Of course!
But, those aren’t the only reasons we should come to Jesus, or tell people to come to Him. Who wants to be in relationship with someone only because of what you can do for them? We need to make sure that our prayers aren’t only about us, but that we consistently intercede for others.
We even need to be careful of how we teach giving, and why we give. I hear so many people say, “give so you can be blessed”. If that’s your only reason for giving, then that’s giving selfishly. We need to give so we can be a blessing, to fund Kingdom work, and out of obedience, not just so we can be blessed. We must also make sure we aren’t serving God only for personal glory because when we do we already have our reward (Matthew 6:2).
In John 6, the multitude followed Jesus after He fed over 5000, He told them that they followed Him not because of the signs they saw, but because they were filled with food. Jesus told them don’t labor for what is temporary, for what’s eternal. Read this entire powerful chapter (John 6) for context.
When people come to church, pray, serve God or give for what’s temporary, or carnal reasons, one of three things can happen…
God moves on their behalf and they leave…
God doesn’t move fast enough, and they leave…
…or we church people just run them away.
We must come to God and encourage people to come to God for SALVATION and for a real RELATIONSHIP with Him. And, must we must examine ourselves daily to make sure we are in relationship with God because we love Him…that we aren’t just USING Him for what we can get out of Him.
For some who claim to be so passionate about the bible, why aren’t more people concerned about something that Jesus explicitly and strictly forbade. We can’t take an oath of office on the same bible that forbids it.
You can’t pick and choose the sins that are important to you. This makes every first act of any office a sin…period.
Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV) 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of [a]old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
When things got tough, uncomfortable or uneasy you acted like you didn’t know Him. Have you comforted yourself in the company of His enemy? Have you ever followed Him from a distance?
Have you denied Him?
Mark 14:54 (NKJV)
54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
John 18:25 (NKJV)
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”
Are you more like Judas?
Have you ever turned your back on Jesus for money? For influence? To satisfy your flesh? Have you gotten discouraged because things didn’t turn out as you thought they would. Have you ever put your motives above God’s motives? Have you ever put Him to open shame?
Have you betrayed Him?
John 12:4-6 (NKJV)
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii[a] and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Matthew 26:14-17 (NKJV)
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. 17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Before we point a self-righteous finger at Peter or Judas, let us thank God for His grace and mercy because we have all been both of them.
Every time we yielded to our pride…our lust…temptation…
Every time we put others or ourselves before Him…
Every time we willingly lived contrary to His word…
Every time we influenced someone else to sin…
We have both denied and betrayed Him.
When we read about Peter denying Christ or Judas betraying Him, we are looking into a spiritual mirror.
Both were sorry for what they had done, but they both handled it differently.
Who are you more like?
Judas tried to return the money and was so grieved in His Spirit that he hung himself. He could have gotten on His knees and prayed for forgiveness. He could have rejoined the other eleven, admitted his mistake, and tell them he tried to return the money and been there when Jesus arose and ministered to them. They couldn’t have condemned him too much because they all scattered. Don’t you know that Jesus not only would have forgiven him, but commanded that his brother forgive him also? But, no. He hung himself in shame. If you have betrayed Him and not repented – you’re like Judas.
Matthew 27:3-10 (NKJV)
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”[a]
After Peter denied Jesus, he rejoined the other eleven. He ran to the grave to find that Jesus wasn’t there. He saw Thomas put his fingers in the wounds. He ate a seaside breakfast with the risen savior. And, Jesus restored Him to become one of His most powerful apostles. Judas could have done the same thing. If you have messed up, repented and been restored – you’re like Peter.
John 21:15-17 (NKJV)
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,[a] do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah,[b] do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,[c] do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Judas’ story ended in disgrace – Peters ended in grace.
So, even though we have all been like both, our stories don’t have to end like that of Judas.
It’s undeniable that sincere, devoted Christians don’t always agree on the interpretation and application of God’s word…the bible.
How many times have you been in a discussion and someone uses scripture to support ‘their’ point and you think to yourself, “Ummm, that’s not what that means.
One of the main reasons that there are so many different groups or denominations within Christianity is because sincere Christians don’t agree on what was meant by what God said in His inspired word.
“Once Saved Always Saved”
No music instrumental music in worship service
Speaking in Tongues
Proper dress for men or women
Female ministers and pastors
Proper day to worship
Should we celebrate holidays
Tithing
Clean and unclean foods
Should there be priest in church
Is it a sin to drink alcohol
These are just a few of the points in which sincere Christians disagree, unfortunately sometimes to the point of contention. Whether it be huge doctrinal issues or individual disagreements in navigating ‘real life’ situations, too many times Christians are at odds when the word of God clearly said…
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV)
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Jesus Christ Himself was continually called a devil because He challenged how the religious elite interpreted and viewed the scriptures.
So, how do you know who is right and who is wrong? NO ONE!
It’s not about US being right or wrong, but who is in harmony with God’s truth. We must be careful not to fall into the mindset of trying to prove we are right. We didn’t create the world. We didn’t die on the cross. We have no authority to be ‘RIGHT’.
So our goal isn’t to be right, but to be in agreement with God’s truth. We can only have unity in the body of Christ when we adopt this mindset. Here are a few ways to tell who is in harmony with God’s truth.
Those who are willing to…
ACCEPT NO GROUP HAS IT ALL RIGHT
It’s interesting how groups and denomonations are so different, but each thinks they are ‘the closet to the truth’. As we grow in our faith, we realize that God doesn’t change, but our theology evolves and changes. That’s what Jesus did. He challenged their theology. Look at some of Jesus’ statement I Matthew 5…
Matthew 5:17(NKJV)
17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill…”
27 “You have heard it said…”
31 “Furthermore it has been said…”
33 Again you have heard it was said to those of old…”
We have to mature and secure enough to realize that we can challenge our theology, grow and change our thinking without implying that the word or God has changed. Every group, just as the religious leaders in the New Testament has to be willing to accept that they are currently believing and practicing some things that ARE NOT in harmony with God’s truth.
We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, but that does not mean we are not to hold one another accountable. The fact is that the Word of God demands that we do so…
Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV)
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them.
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)
17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
Galatians 6:1-2 (NASB)
6 Brethren, even if [a]anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
This responsibility doesn’t stop when it comes to holding leaders accountable as well, both spiritual…
1 Timothy 5:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
And political…
2 Samuel 12:1-13 (NKJV)
12 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. 3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. 4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this [a]shall surely die! 6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. 10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
David repented because the Prophet Nathan held him accountable.
Yeshua repeatedly rebuked the Pharisees for their sins and hypocrisy. Was that judging them?
However, these days, when sin is called out people get defensive and accuse the person or persons holding them accountable of judging.
Calling out sin is not judging. It’s our responsibility. Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, told us that we are capable of righteous judgment…
John 7:23-24 (NKJV)
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
He also asserted that we can tell what’s in a person’s heart by their fruit…their character…their consistent behavior…and the influence that their character yields…
Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I’m saying all that to say this…I have noticed a common reaction from both ‘conservatives’/’evangelicals’ and those in the LBGTQ movement when…
When someone calls out President Trump’s pride (an equal sin to shedding innocent blood per Provers 6:16-17), daily hurling of insults, speaking profanities at rallies while Christians cheer, boasting about his own accomplishments (Proverbs 27;2), and his admitted unrepentant, unforgiving attitude. He admitted publicly that he does not ask God for forgiveness, but tries to do better and doesn’t bring God into it — however when any of this is pointed out many conservatives who claim to be Christians are quick to respond…
YOU HATE THE PRESIDENT AND YOU ARE JUDGING HIM.
This is the exact same response that when the same conservatives who claim to be Christians call out the sin of those who practice homosexuality and support marriage between the same sex, when this sin is called out many in the LBGTQ are quick to respond…
YOU HATE LGBTQ PEOPLE AND YOU ARE JUDGING THEM.
Both groups have the same response, which comes from the same spirit of resistance to the truth — accusations of hate and judgment.
The apostle Paul wrote a very stern letter calling out the sins of the saints in the Corinthian church. He also called out a very public sin in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5, as well as those who condoned it. The church didn’t accuse Paul of ‘judging’ them, but repented and worked hard to rectify the matter…
2 Corinthians 7:8-13 (NIV)
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
Calling out sin is not casting stones, hate, judgment or condemnation. It is trying to help one another avoid condemnation.
God demands that we hate the SIN but not the SINNER, because we are all sinners who are only saved by the grace of God.
We must pray that leaders, conservatives, liberals, evangelicals, and atheists submit to God’s word, will, love, truth and salvation.
Nothing deep, profound or complex here. This is just a reminder or revelation that…
There’s always someone who has forgiven not only what you consider to be unforgivable, but also something much worse than what you refuse to forgive. And, God holds us all to the same level of accountability.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [a]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Situations such as this is when this verse is most applicable and powerful…
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
13 I can do all things (A)through [a]Christ who strengthens me.
One more thing. When God forgives us when we sin against Him, and truly repent…He remains in relationship with us.
This is not minimizing the pain of what someone did to hurt you, just reminding that God expects you to forgive it, especially if you want your sins forgiven.
Matthew 6:14-16 (NKJV)
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
From blogging, to music, to ministry… we’re in this TWOgether! Our prayer is that God’s gifts of exhortation, edification, equipping, admonition, inspiration and salvation are perfected in every ‘seed we have planted in the ground’ to bring forth a bountiful harvest for the Kingdom of God!
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears (A)fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Every culture must acknowledge, admit and repent of the behavior that is displeasing to God and destructive to their subculture and society as a whole. Doing so does not let the other cultures ‘off the hook’, but ensures it’s own success in spite of what other cultures do, or don’t do.
Even though Black people (or African Americans if you prefer) are not culpable for the culture, heritage and legacy of slavery in America, there are many Black people who would not have been slaves had it not been for other Black people who in some way participated in their capture or sell.
Unfortunately that same counter-productive and dysfunctional behavior had become an accepted part of Black or African American culture today.
So,
Even if the rest of America never…
Pays any attention to or participated in our protests….
Acknowledges our cries of systematic racism…
Takes down another statue or monument…
Awards another Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe etc. to a well-deserving Black person…
Promotes another qualified Black employee…
Patronizes another Black business…
Elects another Black candidate…
Are WE going to continue…
Senselessly killing one another…
Selling drugs in our own community…
Undermining one another’s success for whatever reason (Crabs in a barrel)…
Complaining about ‘the man’ but becoming ‘the man’ to each other when we acquire influence…
Showing favoritism and internal racism based on skin tone in our own race…
Overlooking a more qualified Black candidate for someone in our fraternity or sorority…
Allowing our men to be emasculated…
Allowing our women to carry the weight of many of our families…
Requiring ‘payola’, gifts and predatory contracts to get access to the music industry…
Squandering the sacrifices of those who died for our freedom (Black, White and everyone else) equality, equity and civil rights by accepting mediocrity, complacency, apathy and turning our backs on the God of our salvation?
Remember, the NAACP, NEGRO LEAGUES,NATIONAL NEGRO COLLEGE FUND, BET and other entities were created because we weren’t included. Now that we are included more into society, many now say those organizations are racist…forgetting why they were created in the first place.
Maybe other cultures have gained more in society because they are as hungry as our grandparents and great grandparents used to be.
Maybe, without public outcries, they have quietly worked to prove their equality and value.
We must stop giving ammunition to those who oppose us by doing the same thing we are asking the majority to do…,
Acknowledge our cultural challenges and sins.
Work internally within our families, homes, churches and organizations to change our culture where needed.
To master Emotional Intelligence.
To become even more established in our relationship to God through Yeshua, the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who was not white and was worshipped by Black people long before most people in Europe.
Acts 8:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [a]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
Acts 2:5-11 (NKJV)
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [a]language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [b]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
Acts 13:1 (KJV)
13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
I know some people won’t like this, but if it provokes thought and dialogue, I’ve done my job.
We can’t put our faith in a person, political party, or even people responding to our legitimate complaints…our faith must be in God, Yah, through our Savior Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ)…and our own responsibility to change our world through Him.
There is a horrible Christian subculture that is trying to take over the identity of those who believe in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Especially in America, Christianity is being characterized by mean-spirited, insulting, gun-loving radicals who aren’t much different than what they love to identify as ‘radical-Islam’.
The fact is that if the devil can provoke us to become mean, he can destroy anyone’s desire to become a part of the Kingdom of God.
If the devil can make us ‘mean’, he can change our motives. It’s not about what God wants anymore, but…
about feeding our anger…
about proving we are right…
about condemnation rather than salvation.
Is your anger at sin truly about what God wants or doesn’t want, or about which sins you want to be angry about?
Too many Christians condemn the HIGH PROFILE sins, while excusing pride, insults, arrogance, idolatry, blasphemy and the sins that they have decided that God isn’t as concerned about.
My wife once told me after a sermon, “What you said was good, and true, but I think you lost some of the people because you were preaching like you were angry.”
At first I made excuses, but when I thought about it, she was right. Was I angry at the sin, or was I angry at the sinner? Who do we really think we can convert through ‘fussing at them’ all the time?
When we’re angry, we open the door for our flesh to speak louder than God’s spirit.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give [a]place to the devil.
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
No matter how much we may feel that we are passionate about the right thing, if we don’t spread God’s word in love, we are doing more harm than good, and He will hold us accountable for being a stumbling block.
Stop and take notice of your tone…your expression… your attitude…your motives, and make sure that the enemy hasn’t hijacked your intentions, just as he did Judas Iscariot. Remember, he was among those who were sent out to cast out demons and work miracles, but the enemy defiled his intentions and motives…
Luke 22:3 (NKJV)
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
When I see the behavior of some who call themselves believers online, on television, on social media… it think about what my wife told me.
If you can’t spread your faith in love, keep it to yourself.
Don’t get it twisted. This is not just a self-righteous, judgmental platitude…it’s biblical truth.
Why is God anti-gay?
Because God is anti-adultery, but not anti-adulterer.
He’s anti-fornication, but not anti-fornicator.
He’s anti-murder, but not anti-murderer
He’s anti-malice, but not anti-malicious.
He’s anti-hate, but not anti-hater.
He’s anti-lie, but not anti-liar.
He’s anti-foolishness, but not anti-fool.
He’s anti-pride, but not anti-proud person.
He’s anti-greed, but not anti-greedy person.
I think you get the picture. God is anti-sin, but He is not anti-sinner. Even though there are those trying to now establish that homosexuality is not a sin. It still is. Even though many people are trying to say that that’s not what Sodom and Gomorrah was about. It still was (Genesis 19). Even though many people are trying to say that Jesus never addressed homosexuality, He still did (Matthew 19:4-6)FOR THOSE WHO SAY JESUS NEVER ADDRESSED HOMOSEXUALITY…. And even though people are refuting what Paul said about it, it’s still truth (Romans 1:24-27).
Calling out homosexuality, as well as any other sins, is not hate…it’s our responsibility (Ezekiel 33:1-11, Romans 6:23). But, we must always remember…
To do so in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).
To remember that we are all sinners saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8).
So no matter what your sin may be, God still loves you!
God is anti-sin, but He is never anti-you!
1 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
If people weren’t loyal to the Son of God, don’t expect them to be loyal to you.
No matter how well people speak of you, never believe your own press.
People will honor you, celebrate you, respect you, follow you…dig you as long as
you are meeting their expectations of you…
as you are adding value to their lives…
being who they feel you should be.
Look at what Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, said after His first miracle.
John 2:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the (A)signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He (B)knew all men,
Personally, I don’t base fidelity on family, race, nation or any earthly relationship, but only on how others are led in their relationship with God.
Just like the LORD, with any of us people could shout HOSANNA at the beginning of the week and CRUCIFY HIM at the end of the week.
I’m confident that I’m not the only one who can relate to the title of this piece. Both conservatives and liberals criticize me, mock me and feel that I’m as wrong as two left shoes.
I’m a Black man who as much as I’m concerned with social justice, equality and equity for my people still try to approach the world from a God’s Kingdom perspective. I feel that the Kingdom of God is a nation within a nation, so I make my decisions based on the leader of that ‘nation’, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
On one hand many of the efforts to champion the cause of social justice, equality and equity for Black people is intermingled with efforts to champion the LGBTQ movement, same-sex marriage and abortion.
On the other hand, I can’t support a leader who embodies the very character of the devil and predicted behavior of the antichrist… proud, boastful, unrepentant, unforgiving, arrogant, insulting, constantly accusing, blaming and never accepting accountability. These are all biblically quoted abominations, but conservatives condone, excuse, justify and enable his behavior because they choose his abominations over the abominations of abortion and homosexuality. I have seen crowds of Christians laugh and cheer as he hurls out profanities within his speeches. Mr. Trump has wrapped himself into the causes important to conservative evangelicals just as the devil disguises himself as an angel of light. Even though he is not the antichrist, he is using the very tactics that the bible predicts will be used by the antichrist…he will make things look great to many.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NASB)
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Because of where I stand…
I’ve had many liberals tell me that I hate gay people (which I don’t) and that I am judging them when I point out that lifestyle as sin.
I’ve had many conservatives tell me that I hate the President (which I don’t) and that I am judging him when I point out his pride, insults, and ungodly behavior.
Notice that they both make the same accusations.
Liberals have criticized me for speaking out against abortion and conservatives have criticized me for reminding them God does not view abortion as a greater abomination than pride…
Proverbs 6:16-17 (NKJV)
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A[b] proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
The fact is…
I’m not putting my faith in any man, Biden or Trump.
I’m not putting my faith in any party, Democrat or Republican
The fact is…
I’m not putting my faith in any man, Biden or Trump.
I’m not putting my faith in any party, Democrat or Republican.
The fact that both liberals and conservatives sometimes feel I’m on the wrong side confirms for me that I’m on the right side.
We must pray that all leaders submit to God’s word, will, love, truth and salvation.
And, both sides must stop condemning those who disagree, because there is no lesser of two evils.
When you stop and take look, you can see God’s wisdom in everything…and I mean EVERYTHING!
God’s first institution established in His Kingdom was the family. He put man and woman together with a plan. He told us to be fruitful and multiply because God wasn’t going to continue creating men from dust or women from men’s ribs.
God gave us the gift of physical intimacy (sex) to bring children into the world, and to enhance our marriages. God wants us to enjoy one another just as much as he wants us to enjoy Him, and that’s very clear in the bible.
Proverbs 5:19 (NKJV)
As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.
Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
He even told husbands and wives to ‘take care of each other’ intimately so that neither is tempted…
1 Corinthians 7: 1-5
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:
It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
God made sex a physical crescendo that builds to a climactic, brief culmination of intense pleasure sought after by both those who are married and unfortunately, unmarried….We will use the euphemism ‘THE BIG O’. Everything God did has a holy purpose. It’s not God’s fault that we misuse His gift…and what a perfect gift!
Here’s where God’s wisdom comes in.
God knew…
If we were going to ‘be fruitful and multiply’…
If we were going to have long, healthy marriages…
Our gift would need to be something we look forward to…something we crave and not something we dread.
Few people want the physical crescendo without the ‘BIG O’…
And, few people want the ‘BIG O’ to come too soon…
But, dig this!
As much as we enjoy…
As much we anticipate the ‘BIG O’.
As much as we enjoy reaching that brief moment of euphoria…God was wise enough to make it brief.
It’s brief enough for us to look forward to it, but it’s short enough for us to enjoy it.
Think about it…no one would be able to withstand 5, 10, 15 uninterrupted minutes of the ‘BIG O’. I don’t even know if our bodies could take it.
If the ‘BIG O’ was too big or too long…we would dread it.
If the ‘BIG O’ was too big we would avoid it.
There would be no ‘be fruitful and multiply’.
There would be a strain on marriages due to lack of intimacy.
Even the most holy person can admit that a well-timed ‘BIG O’ is just the pressure release valve needed sometime to relieve us of the stresses of life.
God knew just how good to make it…Just how strong to make it…and just how long to make it.
I told you when you stop and look at it, you can see God’s wisdom in EVERYTHING.
It’s easy to see why the apostle Paul proclaimed…
Romans 11:33 (NKJV)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
When we try to justify our faith through our American politics, something will always ‘slip through the cracks’. People on both sides are judging others by their myopic views based on the sins and values they choose to politicize.
Many people who are passionately against abortion (as we all should be, yes it is sin) feel justified by prioritizing that over issues of social injustice, equality and equity that concern the living. God makes it clear that there are other abominations equal to those which are politicized…
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV)
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A[b] PROUD look, A lying tongue, HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD AMONG BRETHERN.
As much as it may seem right to some of us, God does not prioritize the unborn over those who are born. And, you can’t ignore the concerns of the living for those who aren’t living ‘yet.’ The fact is that God is just as sovereign over the unborn soul as He is over the soul that has died.
Remember what Yeshua said…
Mark 12:26-27 (NKJV)
26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly [a]mistaken.”
Be confident that God is sovereign over those who are not yet born…
Romans 9:10-13 (NKJV)
10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
God is God of the unborn, the living and the dead, but Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ died for those who are guilty and alive…
1 Peter 3:17-19 (NASB)
17 For it is better, if [a]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [b]spirit; 19 in [c]which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
God doesn’t give priority to a sin just because we decide to do so, and quite frankly, he doesn’t give priority to those who are not yet born over those who are.
Again, abortion is wrong, but it’s not more wrong that injustice…
Don’t forget the REAL reasons that God sent Israel and Judah into exile…
Isaiah 10:1-3 (NASB)
Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record [a]unjust decisions, 2 So as to [b]deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor of My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the [c]orphans. 3 Now what will you do in the day of punishment, And in the devastation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your [d]wealth?
We have all done it before. We asked God to forgive us, and promised Him that we wouldn’t do it again…then found ourselves right back in the same behavior again, and sometimes again and again.
Has this ever been you? Sure, we all have.
I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Whether you slipped up or carefully planned your presumptuous (premeditated sin in the 1st degree), you did NOT surprise God when you messed up.
Psalm 19:13 (NKJV)
13 Keep back Your servant also from PRESUMPTUOUS sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of [a]great transgression.
Think about this, David was ordained King and a man after God’s own heart, God already knew that we was going to see Bathsheba bathing, lust after her, abuse his authority and have her brought to him, have sex with her, get her pregnant and then carefully plan to have her husband Uriah (who was very loyal to him) killed to conceal the sin. David did not take God by surprise.
God already knew Noah was going to get drunk after he delivered him and his family in the flood (Genesis Chapter 9).
God already knew that Abraham was going to sleep with Hagar when it was taking too long for Isaac to be born (Genesis Chapter 16).
God already knew that Jacob was going to lie to steal Esau’s blessing (Genesis Chapter 27).
Yeshua already knew when He called Peter that he would deny Him three times (John Chapter 18).
And, God already knew when you accepted His Son as Lord and Savior that you would ____________________________. ( You fill in the blank. You know what you did or are doing).
Their sin didn’t disqualify them and yours doesn’t disqualify you.
Think about this. It wasn’t David’s sexual sin that disqualified him from building a house for God, as he longed to do. It was his violence (2 Samuel Chapter 7).
Notice that David’s sin did not disqualify him from being King, He did not have to surrender his ‘thrown’.
David’s sin did not mean the Psalms that God gave us through Him could no longer be sung, read or prayed.
David’s sin did not disqualify Him from being a man after God’s own heart.
Why? Because David repented (2 Samuel Chapter 12 and Psalm 51), unlike King Saul, who he succeeded. Saul never repented and He was rejected by God and lost the throne to David (1 Samuel Chapters 15-16).
The key is repentance. Yes, you may slip up. You may even stay in that sin for a season. But, the fact that you weren’t comfortable in that sin is proof that God’s Holy Spirit was convicting you. The fact that you aren’t comfortable in that sin, if you’re in it right now, is proof that the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) won’t allow you to have any peace right now. It proves that you are His.
You didn’t catch God by surprise. If you’re practicing a sin right now that you know hurts God…stop right now, before God stops you. If you have repented…be strong and don’t go back.
Be encouraged. God already knew everything you would do when He chose you!
Your sin didn’t or doesn’t disqualify you, as long as you truly repent…now.
The devil is a deceiver and the father of lies, and remember, that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) proclaimed this not to the overt, perverse ‘sinners’ but to the ‘elite’, self-righteous, religious leaders of the time. This same ‘spirit’ lives on in many people who claim to be believers today…
John 8:44 (NKJV)
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
The fact is that he has been doing his thing long before we got here, and quite frankly he is good at it.
But, God didn’t leave us defenseless against his schemes…
2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Leaders whose purpose is to deceive the saints WILL NOT ADMIT TO BE EVIL!
It’s our responsibility to recognize who the devil is working through. Just as we are created in God’s image, which means we have His attributes and character, those who are being led by the enemy have his attributes.
So, no matter what a leader may CLAIM to stand for, if their character hasn’t and doesn’t align with God’s character…beware. The fact is that the man of lawlessness will come with lying wonders that are designed to deceive the very elect…
Matthew 24:24 (NKJV)
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Remember, the Jews were expecting the Messiah (Christ) to be a political and military leader as well as spiritual.
But here’s the more grave admonition. If they share the attributes of the Adversary, don’t be fooled by their deception, so you won’t be a partaker of their sins. Here are a few from Holy scripture…
These signs pertain to ALL leaders, world, national, local, professional and spiritual!
1. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY ACCUSING & PLACING BLAME…
This is a direct attribute of the devil. One of his titles, given by God, is the Accuser of the ‘brethren’…
Revelation 12:10 (NKJV)
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
I recommend that you don’t just beware of leaders who openly stand for evil, but for those who have the subtle attributes of the enemy. Beware of those whose character is to always accuse and never accept accountability. Be honest with yourself. Do you know any leaders that fit this description?
2. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE FULL OF PRIDE…
This is another direct attribute of the enemy that can’t be ignored or discounted. The bible makes it clear that PRIDE which is the first mentioned among deadly sins, in fact, it’s mentioned just before ‘hands that shed innocent blood’ which in manifested one way through abortion. Pride is just as deadly and just as much an abomination as abortion. God does not permit us to be proud of ANYTHING! Our nation. Our race. Our children. Our accomplishments. Instead, He demands we be THANKFUL for these things. One of the enemy’s most acceptable strategies is convincing believers that pride is okay in some situations. Do you know of any leaders whose looks and mouths are full of pride? Beware!
3. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY BOASTING ABOUT THEMSELVES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS…
This attribute is a direct fruit of pride and God warns to watch for it in both the Old and New Testatments. God told us that the spirit of the antichrist was already at work even in the 1st Century…
John 4:3 (NASB)
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
We prove what we ‘confess’ by our lifestyle and words. That’s why Jesus said many who call Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will not enter into His Kingdom.
Don’t ignore the scriptures about leaders whose mouths are full of boasting…
Daniel 7:8 (NASB)
8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, [a]this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.
Proverbs 27:2 (NKJV)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11(NASB)
9 that is, the one whose [a]coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and [b]signs and false wonders, 10 and with [c]all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God [d]will send upon them [e]a deluding influence so that they will believe [f]what is false,
Revelation 13:5 (NIV)
5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.
Do you know of a leader whose mouth is full of boasting about him or herself? This person doesn’t have to be the anti-christ to be operating in the spirit of the antichrist to prepare hearts and minds for his coming.
4. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO REFUSE TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, GIVE FORGIVENESS OR REPENT…
When you carefully read about King Saul and King David, the thing that made David ‘a man after God’s own heart’ was that he had a heart of repentance, while Saul did not. Repentance isn’t saying I’m sorry, but actually turning from your sin with Godly sorrow. David allowed the Prophet Nathan to hold him accountable for his sin, and he repented…
Psalm 51 (NKJV)
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just [a]when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
5. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHOSE CHARACTER DOESN’T ALIGN WITH WHAT THEY CLAIM TO STAND FOR…
No matter what we claim to ‘stand for’ we prove our faith in God through Yeshua the Messiah with our behavior. Are we perfect? No. But, it’s clear when someones overall character doesn’t align with what God commands. For example, I have seen one particular leader use profanity during speeches while crowds of people who claimed to be believers cheered, laughed and encouraged this behavior that God clearly forbids.
James 3:9-11 (NKJV)
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [a]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
I’ve seen believers make excuses for a leader who not only has never been known for his faith or integrity, but unrepentantly bragged about his past sinful exploits…rather than hold him accountable. This is enabling him just as much as enabling a dope addict by feeding his or her habit…
Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV)
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them.
When we don’t hold one another accountable, we become partakers of the same sins…
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
6. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO CONSTANTLY HURL INSULTS…
We all insult one another sometimes, however, if we’re honest with ourselves, there are some people that have made hurling insults a part of their very character. This is of the devil, and Jesus Himself said it leads to hell fire…
Matthew 5:22 (NLT)
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[a] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[b] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[c] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[d]
Remember, the enemy does not attempt to deceive believers by admitting to be evil, but disguising himself as an angel of light. Also remember that the wolf comes in sheep’s clothing…
Matthew 7:15 (KJV)
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
We are made in the image of our invisible God by displaying the Fruit of His Spirit, many of which our modern culture considers to be ‘weak’…
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Israel didn’t become exiled because of the overt ‘sinners’ in the land, but because of the spiritual compromise, pride, and hypocrisy of believers. That’s why God said…
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
This article is intended to be an admonition for believers. Most of the time, these admonitions were rejected in the bible. Be careful of any spirit that would provoke you to immediately reject it.
Don’t forget that Herod was a great builder and political leader who even like John the Baptist, but was an enemy of our Lord and Savior…
Mark 6:20 (NLT)
20 for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
I intentionally didn’t call any names, so if the name of a particular leader comes to mind, maybe it’s because they fit they description.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Remember, these signs pertain to ALL leaders, world, national, local, professional and spiritual!
And let us always pray that they submit to God’s will, word, love, truth and salvation!
God intends for marriage to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, no matter how much our modern society makes and accepts excuses to ‘get out of it’. Especially what we call ‘irreconcilable differences’ or ‘we’re just growing apart’.
Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)
16 “For the Lord God of Israel says
That He hates divorce,
For it covers one’s garment with violence,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
“Therefore take heed to your spirit,
That you do not deal treacherously.”
Matthew 19:4-8 (NKJV)
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who [a]made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.”7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
God knows that no matter how much you love one another, that no two people will be the same after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 plus years of marriage. It’s impossible. Yes, you will grow apart in some areas of your lives. But, that doesn’t have to come between you.
Think about this. If God expected the arranged marriages to last in the bible days, He expects us to stay with the spouse that we choose.
How can we be ministers of reconciliation for God’s Kingdom if we can’t even reconcile the differences in our homes?
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
In the words of Al Green, “Let’s stay together”
Here are a few more of my articles on Godly Marriage:
We have all been the antagonist in at least one chapter of someone’s story.
We are not always the hero.
We are not always the victim.
SOMETIMES, WE WERE THE DARK SIDE!
Sometimes we were the monster.
OUR CULTURE CREATES MONSTERS WHO THINK THEY’RE HEROES!
How many people have you given a good reason to hate you?
How many people has the enemy used you as a stumbling block?
Sometimes we were Pharaoh.
Sometimes we were Peter.
Sometimes we were Judas.
Always be willing to forgive, even when you feel they do deserve it, because there’s always someone who feels we don’t.
Think about all the times God watched us deny, and betray Him…yet He still is always ready to forgive us.
He expects us to do the same.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (CJB)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, violent assertiveness and slander, along with all spitefulness. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted; and forgive each other, just as in the Messiah God has also forgiven you.
We experience the physical world through our 5 senses. Would you even know you that the world was real if you had not ONE sense?
No sight?
No hearing?
No smell?
No taste?
No touch?
As real as this world is, we only know it’s real because of our five senses. We experience the world through our senses. They make us aware of the evidence that the world is real.
Faith is the spiritual equivalent to all five of our spiritual senses. It is our faith that enables us to experience the spiritual world that we can’t see.
Atheists claim God isn’t real because they say there is no evidence. This is because they aren’t exercising the measure of faith that God has given all of us, so just as a person with no senses can’t experience the physical world, they can’t experience God
Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Think about it, God’s word confirms that faith is our sixth sense through which we see, hear, touch, smell and even taste God…
SEE
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.
HEAR
Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
John 10:27 (NKJV)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
TOUCH
Matthew 8:3 (NKJV)
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 17:7 (NKJV)
7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
SMELL
2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Ezekiel 20:41 (NKVJV)
41 I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles.
TASTE
Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
And just as our physical senses need to be enhanced through wearing glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids etc., so does our faith need enhancing through prayer, studying God’s word, praise and sincere worship.
So, please don’t neglect your spiritual sixth sense!
Feed your faith!
Exercise your faith!
Take care of your faith just as much as you do your 5 physical senses.
God give us clues as to which spirit someone is really being led by, whether its His Holy Spirit or the enemy. We all may boast about our accomplishments every now and then, however some people do it so often, it’s become an aspect of their character.
It’s their personality and you’re not surprised when you hear them do it.
Quite simply, this is not of God. Notice what Proverbs Chapter 27 Verse 2 state (this is the Complete Jewish Bible translation)…
Beware of people, especially leaders. who are known for constantly bragging about themselves. the Bible makes it clear their behavior/character is being led by the enemy.
Have you ever noticed that the very man that God used to tell us…
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
…did just that, in his old age? He departed from being obedient to God in his relationships.
We all know that the Bible teaches us that King Solomon was the most wise man who has ever lived.
God used him to channel words of wisdom from the spiritual to the physical world. He is an example of how a person who has total devotion to God can allow others, especially people they love, to come between them and their relationship with God.
Most people know that Solomon had many wives and concubines in spite of what God warned in Deuteronomy Chapter 17…
Deuteronomy 17:15-17 (NKJV)
15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ 17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.
Solomon’s love and devotion for his ‘illegal’ wives caused him to put them before God. He built idols and shrines for the ‘gods’ they served and it made God very angry…but this didn’t catch God by surprise. He knew what Solomon would do even when He ordained him to be king. The fact is that God uses imperfect people to carry out His perfect will. But, there are consequences when we ‘betray’ God.
Solomon ruined his season of peace and rest by provoking God to stir up enemies against him…
1 Kings 11:11-14 (NKJV)
11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 12 Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.“14 Now the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was a descendant of the king in Edom.
No matter how wise you may be. No matter what God has accomplished through you. No matter how many ‘good seeds’ you have sown….If you don’t remain diligent in obedience, the devil can get a foothold in your life and cause you to stumble and hurt our God.
If it can happen to the most wise man to ever live, it can happen to any of us.
Have you ever noticed that many times in order to be healed physically, we must endure some pain?
Sometimes we have to have our skin PIERCED by needles.
Sometimes we must endure being CUT open with a scalpel.
How many times have you noticed an itch or irritation as a cut or sore heals?
Medicines can taste unpleasant.
Pills can be hard to swallow.
Most prescriptions have some uncomfortable side effects.
Even emotionally as we process the pain of disappointments and losses in our lives, we endure some emotional and psychological pain.
Yes, time heals wounds, but as we heal…we endure pain.
If we think about it, it’s only fair because Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, endured such great pain for us.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.
Hebrews 9:22
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Romans 15:3
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.
It is no surprise that what takes place in the physical realm is a shadow of what takes place in the spiritual realm.
Hebrews 8:5
who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “Seethatyou make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Take a moment to thank our Lord for enduring such shame and pain for us.
The next time that you need…
A shot…
Surgery…
Or experience a painful memory just look at it as if we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings and remember…HEALING HURTS.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 