Sword of the Spirit – The Pride of Life #1289

Posted on March 23, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1289

“The Pride of Life”

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. – 1 John 2:16

I take pride in my work. I am proud to have served my country in the US Navy. I am proud of my children and grandchildren. So where do you draw the line between good pride and the pride of life that God’s Word calls sin?

The line is crossed when we consider ourselves better than others.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3

The pride of life is self-exalting and boastful. We see ourselves as a king when we are a mere pawn. Jesus taught a parable that illustrates this.

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off… beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 18:10-14

Our reference Scripture states that the pride of life is from the world. It is inexorably linked with the lust of the eyes and of the flesh. This triple threat of sin is found first in the Garden of Eden when Eve was tempted by the devil.

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. – Genesis 3:5-6

We are tempted with the triple threat of sin through the advertising that we are subjected to at every turn from billboards to television and social media targeted ads.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15

The pride of life takes on different characteristics: It can be boasting about a title, political position, pedigree, net worth, number of patents or books published.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips; As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. – Proverbs 27:2; James 4:16

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5

It can be the judgmental and covetous attitude of a single income parent toward those families with dual incomes and many possessions.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic…- James 3:14-16

The pride of life is evident in the heart of a Christian who is self-righteous and considers others as ‘less spiritual’.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself; Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. – Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:12

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10:18

How do we defend against the pride of life? To put it simply: we must die to this world. When we are baptized in Christ Jesus, we symbolize our death to this world and our resurrection into a new life as Jesus’ disciple.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Galatians 6:14; Romans 6:4

This is not a once and done battle. The struggle is real, and it is a daily denial of the flesh and walking in the abiding presence of Jesus.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23

This Easter season, reflect on how Jesus, fully God and fully man, was subjected to the same temptations while in the wilderness following His baptism and yet He remained true to His mission setting an example for us to also deny the flesh, take up our cross and follow Him.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5-8

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Sword of the Spirit – The Tempter Came #1288

Posted on March 17, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1288

“The Tempter Came”

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” – Matthew 4:2-3

Jesus was hungry, and the tempter came. Perhaps you have been in a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for the Easter celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. Have you experienced the temptation to break the fast and give in to the flesh?

Fasting is a self-imposed ‘law’, and it is in our nature to break the law. ‘Wet Paint – Do Not Touch’, and we touch it. ‘Speed Limit 55’, and we set our cruise control for 60.

Beginning with ‘but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat’ and the Ten Commandments, God’s Law reveals to us how utterly powerless our flesh is to be righteous before Him. This revelation from the Law drives us to look to Jesus for help. The tempter comes and seeks to deceive and keep us from seeing the light of the Gospel.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:4

The Tempter Comes When We Are Pridefully Self-Sufficient

Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. – 1 Corinthians 10:12

The deceiver tells us that we can be good enough and righteous enough in our own strength to earn salvation. The Truth is that only Jesus can keep us from falling and present us faultless before God.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8

The Tempter Comes When We Choose To Walk In The Shadows

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” For at one time, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. – John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8

Our flesh desires the pleasures of this world, some of which are detrimental to our physical and spiritual well-being. So, on occasion, we ‘dip our toe’ in the shadows of sin. We will watch that movie, play that game, go to that bar, flirt with that person, or fellowship with the wrong crowd thinking that we ‘can handle it’. The reality is that walking in the shadows becomes more frequent and the shadows eventually become a walk in the darkness.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. – 1 John 1:6

The Tempter Comes When We Are Weakened

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. – Proverbs 23:4

Many people are forced to work long hours and multiple jobs to provide for their families in this tough economy. However, many more of us need to be honest with ourselves as to our motives regarding excess work. Many of us are chasing the mammon of the world: money, power, and prestige and it takes a toll on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health making us vulnerable to the tempter.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction; It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil… – 1 Timothy 6:9; Psalm 127:2

The Tempter Comes When We Love The World

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world… – 1 John 2:15-17

The deceiver tells us that ‘The one who dies with the most toys, wins.’ Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. – Matthew 6:24

The Tempter Comes Even When We Are In Fellowship With Believers

Little children, let no one deceive you; And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. – 1 John 3:7; 2 Corinthians 11:14

It is not enough to be a ‘church goer’. The deceiver used Scripture to tempt Jesus in the desert and he will use it out of context to deceive us today. We must avoid religiosity and seek a relationship with Jesus. We must study the Word – the whole counsel of the Word, and not just be spoon fed a denominational doctrine of man a few times each month.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits…; Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. – Matthew 7:15-16; Ephesians 5:6

May you walk in the light of Christ, equipped for the spiritual battle that will come against you.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

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Sword of the Spirit – Pay Attention #1287

Posted on March 10, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1287

“Pay Attention”

Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it… For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. – Micah 1:2-3

Heads Up!

Ten-Hut!

Listen Up!

Attention on deck!

We, the church – the Body of Christ – need a wake-up call – a call to attention. We have succumbed to the siren call of the pleasures of the world and largely live and move and have our being in the drunken stupor of compromise.

And he came and found them sleeping, and he said … Could you not watch one hour? – Mark 14:37

I tell you…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:8

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings and Relationships.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”- 1 Corinthians 15:33

‘Bad company’ does not necessarily have to be people. Our surroundings can be bad company. Pay attention to how you are entertained, what you watch and the games you play. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable in such company with Jesus standing at your side. If it feels wrong, or you are embarrassed that you brought Jesus with you into that context, avoid it!

Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? – Proverbs 6:27-28

Immorality can sneak up on us and, if we do not pay attention, we can find ourselves crossing a line that we have told ourselves we would never cross.

Pay attention to the time spent in relationships with members of the opposite sex that are not your spouse. It can be innocent enough like carpooling, a coworker project team member, a school lab partner, or a team sports doubles partner. Intimacy begins subtly in the mind and heart. Pay attention that it does not transition to innocent touches, embraces or more. Flee immorality!

With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast – Proverbs 7:21-22

Pay Attention to the Word of God

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. – Proverbs 1:20; Hebrews 2:1

We become vulnerable and spiritually weak when we neglect the reading, studying, and praying the Word of God. It is through the Word of God that we hear ‘Listen Up! Pay Attention! We cannot heed the warning if we refuse to listen.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching… – 1 Timothy 4:16

Pay Attention to the Leading of the Holy Spirit

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings; Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; – Proverbs 4:20; Proverbs 2:2

The Holy Spirit ties it all together for us. He gives us the ‘Heads Up! gut check’ when we are about to cross the line. He brings to mind the Truth of the Word of God that we have studied as a light for the path we are to take.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

Pay Attention to Subtle Temptations that Slowly but Surely Draw You into Sin.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:9

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. – Luke 21:34

Our flesh is easily deceived and drawn into sin. It would be a no-brainer to put up our defenses and flee were Satan to come at us looking like the grotesque, evil, repulsive character that Hollywood likes to portray him as. But instead, he approaches us in disguise.

…For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. – 2 Corinthians 11:14

So, we must be all the more diligent in heeding the Word of God’s call to ‘Pay Attention’ and be dressed for battle with the full armor of God.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour; The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. – Matthew 25:13; Nahum 2:1

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. – Matthew 24:5-8

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…. – 2 Peter 1:19

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour; Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Matthew 25:13; Matthew 24:44

May you heed the warning to ‘Pay Attention’ and be found ready when He returns.

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Sword of the Spirit – Cause to Sin #1286

Posted on March 3, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1286

“Cause to Sin”

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. – Luke 17:1-2

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. … And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. – Matthew 5:29-32

Make no mistake about it. Jesus is serious about sin. He is not advocating self-mutilation, but He is making a point: Do what it takes to live a holy life and don’t be a stumbling block to others in their pursuit of holiness.

And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. – Deuteronomy 7:26

The Truth of this Word is as applicable to us today as it was in Old Testament times. What kind of immorality are we piping into our homes and devices over cable and internet? What are we exposing ourselves and our children to? Jesus says, ‘You shall utterly detest and abhor it.’ ‘Take drastic measures!’

Use Internet filters to shield your children (and yourself) from immoral temptation.

Be a parent and monitor your children’s internet use.

Be a parent and monitor how your children dress and who they hang out with.

Be a parent and block Movies, Video Games, Music Videos, and Social Media that are fraught with sex, vulgarity, profanity, and the promotion of abominable lifestyles. ‘…cut it off and throw it away.’

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! Therefore, let us… decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. – Matthew 18:7; Romans 14:13

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

You may say that you are not under law but under grace and all things are lawful for you. While this is true, God’s Word also says that you have an obligation to deny your ‘right’ and in love, deny yourself and consider others that may stumble because of the exercise of your freedom.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak; Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. – 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Corinthians 8:13

Our Christian walk must be characterized as a selfless consideration of others. We must always remain conscious of the fact that our actions influence others. We are all impressionable and are influenced by our environment and the actions, habits, and language of those around us. Are we an influence for the holy life that Jesus commands, or are we an influence for a life compromised by the corrupted world environment?

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works… And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. – Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 10:24

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life; Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling; You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – John 8:12; 1 John 2:10; Matthew 5:14-16

The Great Commission is not a commandment reserved for Pastors, Evangelists, and Missionaries. It is a commandment for everyone that is a born-again Christian.

Therefore, go and make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…– Matthew 28:19-20

We are commanded to love others as Jesus loves us – sacrificially, denying self and considering the spiritual well-being of others first.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you; So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – John 15:12; 1 Corinthians 10:31

By the abiding presence and power of the Holy Spirit, may your Christian walk be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block to others.

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Sword of the Spirit – Alive in Jesus #1285

Posted on February 25, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1285

“Alive In Jesus”

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

Life. Our world society is conflicted in its understanding of it. When does it begin? How did it originate? What happens when it ends? Is there meaning and purpose in it?

When worldly wisdom rejects the Word of God, the Truth about such questions is lost and we become fools.

For what can be known about God is plain to them because … his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. – Romans 1:19-22

Alive In Christ Before We Are Born – Just as when God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed life in him, so we too receive the breath of God at the moment of conception whether in the womb or in vitro.

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. – Genesis 2:7

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16

On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. – Psalm 22:10

Alive In Christ When We Are Born Again – Even though we are born into this world with a sin nature, God made a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to receive salvation and eternal life through Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

And you, who were dead in your trespasses … God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. – Colossians 2:13; Romans 6:11

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. – John 3:5

Alive In Christ With Purpose and Meaning – Our life has meaning as we abide in Christ and bring glory to God in all that we do.

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Alive In Christ For Eternity – God gives us life for eternity through Jesus. There is no other way. There is no other Name by which we have eternal life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live – John 11:25

We are born with the breath of God, His Holy Spirit, which draws us to a decision to accept salvation through Jesus and we are born again by the Spirit. We then live and move and have our being in Jesus Christ bringing glory to God in all that we do in this life. Then we die physically but our spirit made alive through Jesus remains alive for eternity with Him.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. – 1 Corinthians 15:22

Life. The answers are in the Truth of God’s Word. May you have abundant life in Jesus.

For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’ – Acts 17:28

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Sword of the Spirit – Lovingkindness #1284

Posted on February 18, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1284

“Lovingkindness”

The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness. – Jeremiah 31:3 (NASB 1995)

Lovingkindness. It is a word that we do not often use in our everyday language. Translated from the Hebrew word, ‘Hesed’ it conveys faithful love in action. It is a tenderness and consideration of others.

God’s Hesed denotes His persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, mercy, devotion, and steadfast love. It is His lovingkindness that draws us to Him. Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness. – Jeremiah 31:3

We use the word, ‘love’ in such a manner today that it has become watered down and devoid of meaning. We say we love our spouse. We also say we love our car and pizza. The word Hesed (Hebrew) and its equivalent ‘Charis’ (Greek) take the meaning of love to a deeper, demonstrable level. Lovingkindness is love in action. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God’s lovingkindness.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Jesus demonstrated lovingkindness throughout His ministry and set an example for us at the Last Supper.

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? … If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. – John 13:12-15

We must do more than give a Valentine’s Day card, flowers, and a box of chocolate to show our love to our spouse. Lovingkindness must be demonstrated 24/7, 365 days/year through caring, consideration, tenderness, and forgiveness. Our love must be real and evident in everyday actions.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

The fruit of the Spirit must be evident in our daily lives. The synergy of the fruit of the Spirit becomes demonstrable lovingkindness toward others.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness – Galatians 5:22

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:12-13

May the lovingkindness of the Lord bless you and others through you.

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Sword of the Spirit – Wait #1283

Posted on February 11, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1283

“Wait”

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14

I do not wait well. I prefer activity to inactivity. I fidget. I pace. I become impatient while waiting. This is a character trait that the Lord has worked to modify in me for His good purpose. I still pace, but now I call it my prayer walk.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. – Psalm 130:6

I recall being on night watch duty in the Navy and waiting, walking my rounds, and longing for sunrise and to be relieved of duty. This is the sense of passionate, anticipatory waiting that the Psalmist is conveying that we need to have in waiting for the Lord.

There are times in life that the Lord wants us to wait on Him before we act. God uses these periods of waiting to develop our Christian character. Waiting is Hoping. Hoping is Trusting. Waiting develops the Spiritual fruit of Patience and the sum results in the Peace of God through it all.

Waiting is not passive inactivity. It requires you to engage your heart and mind and spirit in prayer, praise, reading the Word, and worship.

Taking Matters In Our Own Hands – Our flesh wants to take control. Our fickle hearts quickly forget the times that the Lord has come through for us, so we choose not to wait for Him and take matters in our own hands. This always has poor and sometimes disastrous results.

Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; – Psalm 106:12-14

Waiting prayerfully – We counter our need for control through prayer, calling to mind the Truth of His Word.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. – Lamentations 3:21-26

Wait Continually – We wait for God and by His Holy Spirit we are strengthened with courage.

So, you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” – Hosea 12:6

But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. – Psalm 38:15

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! – Psalm 31:24

Hope through Faith – Our waiting in faith develops hope and patience.

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:25

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope; – Psalm 130:5

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. – Psalm 62:5

Trust in Waiting – Waiting in hope builds our trust as we let the Truth of His Word soak deeply in our spirit.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure…Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! – Psalm 40:1-4

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22

Patience in Waiting – Waiting in hope and trust develops the spiritual fruit of patience in us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. – Galatians 5:22

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. – James 5:7

Peace – Waiting, Hoping, Trusting, and Patience brings a peace that the world cannot understand.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:5-7

What is God asking you to wait on Him for? A business decision? Whom to marry? A career direction? Healing of your body? To battle with an oppressor or against an injustice? A financial need? A job? What school to attend?

May your prayer in times of waiting be as that of the Psalmist and may the Truth of the Word of God through Isaiah encourage and strengthen you.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust…

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;

For you I wait all the day long; …

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles;

They shall run and not be weary;

They shall walk and not faint. – Psalm 25:1-5; Isaiah 40:28-31

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Sword of the Spirit – Wisdom of the Wise #1282

Posted on February 4, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1282

“Wisdom of the Wise”

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? – 1 Corinthians 1:19-20

I remember my Dad asking me, ‘Are you wise or otherwise?’ As a teenager I thought I had greater wisdom and knowledge than my parents, and my Dad would often ask me that question to knock me off my ‘high horse’. The foolish ‘wisdom’ of this world is like that of a prideful, cocky teenager.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. – Proverbs 3:7

Worldly wisdom foolishness begins with denying the existence of the one, true, God.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. – Psalm 14:1

Worldly wisdom denies the absolute Truth of His Word. It is a house built on sand.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. …. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. – Matthew 7:24-26

Worldly wisdom worships created things: Mother Earth, Sexual Immorality and more.

Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. – Romans 1:24-25

Worldly wisdom accepts the mantra, ‘If it feels good, do it’. It is hedonistic and self-centered.

The foolishness of worldly wisdom accepts the lie that gender is based on how one chooses to feel at the moment. It foolishly embraces non-binary, genderfluid, bigender, demigender and a plethora of other gender concepts all vying for equal rights. Worldly wisdom stems from a debased mind that refuses to acknowledge the one, true, God.

For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. – Romans 1:26-28

Worldly wisdom believes that ‘The one who dies with the most toys, wins.’

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ – Luke 12:20

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – 1 John 2:15; Matthew 6:33

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

Worldly wisdom twists facts and truth to suit their wants and desires.

The innocent victims in this situation are our unborn children. On one hand someone can be convicted of murder if they injure a pregnant woman, and her unborn child dies. Meanwhile, that same child’s life could be taken legally and brutally through a partial birth abortion. This is utter foolishness and an abomination before God.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…. – Proverbs 6:16-19

You shall not murder. – Exodus 20:13

Worldly wisdom considers God’s Wisdom to be foolish.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:10

The world will persecute Christians because the righteousness of God compels us to ‘go against the flow’. We must stand firm and continue to boldly proclaim the inerrant Truth of the Word of God and pray that the Holy Spirit will turn hearts back to Him.

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. – Proverbs 14:33

Make no mistake about it: God will not be mocked. (Galatians 6:7) There will come a day when God deals justly with the foolish wisdom of this world.

The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them? Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” – Jeremiah 8:9; Isaiah 29:14

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Sword of the Spirit – Fire and Hammer #1281

Posted on January 28, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1281

“Fire and Hammer”

Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.

What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? – Jeremiah 23:28-29

Jesus testified to Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth to which Pilate responded, ‘What is truth?’

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” – John 18:38

This is a question we ask ourselves today as well especially concerning the application of the Word of God to our daily lives.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

If we truly want to know the Truth of the Word of God, then we must spend time – every day – in the Word, reading, praying, and meditating upon it. If our only exposure to the Word is a Sunday sermon than we are spiritually anorexic and vulnerable to false teaching, interpretation, and application of the Word of God.

If we say we do not have time for daily Bible study, we lie and deceive ourselves. We make time for what is important to us – we all do. Seek His kingdom first – Trust Him to order the rest of your day perfectly.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

Now …they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11

Our reference Scripture speaks of the difference between false teaching (straw) and the Word of God (wheat). Let’s examine this Scripture more closely.

False Teaching:

What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.

False teaching has no life and no power – it is dead like straw.

The Word of God is like wheat that sustains life and has the power to bear seed to spread the Truth of the Gospel to others.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Rightly Dividing the Word:

Let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. To rightly divide the Word of truth is to “cut it straight.”

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved … rightly handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

We must not avoid or soften the hard teachings seeking to make the Word of God more inclusive. To do so seeks to blend the light of the Word with the darkness of the world making truth a gray area by which the vulnerable are led astray.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1 Timothy 4:16

The Fire of the Word of God:

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord… When we read and hear the Truth of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is like a refiner’s fire in us.

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Luke 3:16

…the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:7

The Holy Spirit fire burns away the impurities in our life bringing repentance. We are born-again into a new life that can fulfill the purpose God has planned for us.

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; – Proverbs 25:4

The Hammer of the Word of God:

Is not my word … like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? The Truth of the Word of God will not only be a burning refining fire but also a hammer – a hammer that breaks a hardened heart of stone and breaks the chains that hold us in bondage to sin.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High… He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart. – Psalm 107:10-14

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

May the Holy Spirit refine and shape you through the fire and hammer of the Word of God as you read, listen, study, and meditate on the Truth of His Word each day.

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Sword of the Spirit – Cover Up #1280

Posted on January 21, 2024 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1280

“Cover Up”

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. – Luke 12:2

It is in our nature to sin and to cover it up. We see this innate behavior from the very beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. – Genesis 3:8

As it is impossible to run away from our shadow, or hide behind a skinny tree, we also cannot hide our sin from God. David attempted to hide his sin and cover it up with another sin.

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah… “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting… that he may be struck down and die.” … But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. – 2 Samuel 11:14-27

David thought he had gotten away with adultery and murder, and he took Uriah’s widow, Bathsheba, as his own. Then the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his ‘hidden’ sin by telling him a parable.

He (David) said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die… Nathan said to David, “You are the man! – 2 Samuel 12:5, 7

We fool ourselves when we deny our sin. We are even greater fools when we know we have sinned and try to cover it up and hide it from others and God.

…Behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. – Numbers 32:23

O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. – Psalm 69:5

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins, in the light of your presence. – Psalm 90:8

We are like an open book before God. We can cover things up and hide them from our fellow man, but nothing is hidden from God.

For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. – Jeremiah 16:17

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. – Psalm 139:1-2

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13

The good news of the Gospel is that, knowing us as He does, God still loves us. He loves us enough to bear the punishment for our sins. He died in our place in the person of Jesus so that we can receive forgiveness and salvation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:10-14

What secret sin are you in denial about?

What behavior or habit does the Holy Spirit give you a ‘gut check’ when you do it? You know God is showing you that it is an obstacle and hindrance in your relationship with Him, yet you ‘cover it up’ and rationalize the behavior as acceptable.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8

It is well past due time to come out of the shadows and into the light of Christ. Call on Him. Confess to Him. Repent and turn away from your secret sin and God is faithful to forgive you.

David confessed and repented, and God forgave his adultery and murder. None of us are steeped too deeply in sin that God cannot reach us and restore us to Him through Jesus.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. – Acts 3:19

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

May you be set free through Jesus, our Lord and Savior from the chains and burdens of harbored, covered up secret sin.

So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36

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