SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1369

“Denial”

For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. – Revelation 3:17

Our reference Scripture are words spoken by Jesus to the Christian church of Laodicea whom He calls lukewarm. They were unenthusiastic, uninterested, and halfhearted about their relationship with Him.

These same words are applicable today to those of us who profess to be Christians and are lackadaisical in our faith. They are also applicable to unbelievers who deny their need for a Savior altogether. Both groups are living in a state of denial.

None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one… There is no fear of God before their eyes. – Romans 3:10-18

In Denial About the Need for Salvation Through Jesus – There are two eternal destinations that are ahead of each of us: Heaven, and Hell. We deny the Truth of the Word of God when we believe the lie that we do not need salvation or that there is no Hell.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 13:41-42

We deny the Truth of the Word of God when we believe that we can earn the right to go to Heaven by doing good works.

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment; For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 64:6

In Denial That We Need Jesus’ Help Through Trials – Have you ever asked someone if they had a prayer request – something you could pray to the Lord for on their behalf – only to have them respond, ‘No. I am good.’ It is because of foolish pride that we attempt to ‘go it alone’ and not prayerfully seek the Lord’s help through our trials.

Humble yourselves before the Lord; Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – James 4:10; Philippians 4:6

In Denial About Needing Jesus’ Sustaining Help in Life – We deny the Truth of the Word of God when we discount our need for His abiding presence and the gifts of the Spirit to empower us to do life in this world.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge…so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4

In Denial about Continual Growth in Faith and Relationship with Jesus – There are some who believe that after they have accepted salvation through Christ there is no more to be done.

Believing in Jesus is only the first step. We must deny ourself and not His call upon our life. Following Him is the rest of our Christian journey.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Mark 8:34

We must acknowledge and not deny our need to be born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus means to continually live a transformed life and imitating His example. It is a lifelong process of learning His Word, growth in faith and relying on God’s grace.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

In Denial About Your Ability to Serve – God does not call the qualified – He qualifies the called. We deny the Truth of the Word of God when we make excuses that we do not have time, or that we are unqualified to minister and serve. Your obedience to His call upon your life releases the Holy Spirit’s power to work through you to minister to others. It is always about Him and His power and never about our ability.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

May the Holy Spirit speak the clear Truth of the Word of God into your heart and mind.

May you deny your flesh and embracing the Truth of the Gospel, grow in faith and service as you wholeheartedly follow Jesus.