No Goodness of Our Own

We cannot gain wisdom as long as we walk in pride. We cannot gain humility until we have felt the brokenness over sin in our own heart.

Without humility, without wisdom and without a desire to know God intimately we cannot have His wisdom. 

 

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

James 3:17 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."

Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."

Proverbs 24:3-7 "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth."

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"

Many people walk about today having a form of religion but have never been born again by the Holy Spirit. They are proud of who they think they are and what they think they know, but they miss the mark, because their trust is in their own abilities, their own specialness based on one thing and that is to be elevated above others. 

 

Until the we can admit openly our own failings while seeking Christ for the answers, we cannot be pleasing to God.

Isaiah 6:5 "5 Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Our first response to God for our salvation must be the realization of our own sinfulness and lack of ability to fix ourselves. Only then can we trust Christ and what He did for us. To die on our behalf because we had no goodness in us to be able to save ourselves. When we do this, Christ comes to live in us, beginning the process of cleansing us from our sin, making us humble and useful for His kingdom.

Lying By Omission is Sin

Did you know "lying by omission" is actually a sin. We may be telling the truth, but leave out information that actually gives the hearer the opposite impression of the event, causing them to end up believing a lie.

For instance someone may say "I went to the store yesterday and bought a banana", but in fact they bought a lot of other things too, failing to mention the other things.

The purpose was that, perhaps the spouse of the shopper asked them not to spend a lot of money until payday, but rather than honor the request of the spouse, the shopper buys what they want without regard for the amount and relays the message to their spouse that they bought "a" banana, which they did.

We may say the sin was the purchasing of more things than we agreed with our spouse. However, the real sin was not the money so much as the disregard for the desires of our spouse. The shopper disregarded the person by disregarding their desires. It was a demonstration of disrespect through dishonesty and lack of empathy for the feelings of someone else. It was about loving and respecting the person.

It was true they bought a banana, but they actually gave the impression that the banana was all they purchased, leaving the spouse with a half truth that was very different from the whole truth.

Whenever we deliberately leave out information to change the perception of an act, a half truth, we have just told a whole lie.

Whenever we choose to withhold information for the purpose of controlling others, we damage a relationship. Eventually those we do this with will catch on and begin to distrust us. When the trust in lost, that someone will not always tell us the truth, then the relationship goes down hill from there.

Trust can only be regained when the party who tells half truth lies, admits their sin of deception, then we know they are serious about not repeating it.

Without confession there is no assurance that a behavior will stop. It is the embarrassment of having to confess that works as a deterrent to repeat offenses.

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

Notice in the 1 John verse we see that we can only be cleansed of a sin if we confess it. God will not do a work in us until we have admitted our sin. One has to want to be fixed to receive forgiveness and cleansing.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Not only are we to confess to God our sins, but also to any person whom we have offended. As believers we are in relationships, one of those relationships is with Christ and the others are with those around us.

When we have offended a believer we are to reconcile with our brother or sister to be restored to the relationship. When we have offended a non-believer we are to confess to restore our witness as a follower of Christ.

My motto: Just admit the sin, ask forgiveness and take our lumps.

A truly humble person is not focused on whether or not someone will forgive them, but rather on their own heart and what needs to be done. If someone chooses not to forgive, it might make us sad, but it will not make us rage because we know we deserved it.

If someone is not forgiven and they rage over that, then they were probably only manipulating in the confession. True confession is sorry they harmed someone and is willing to take whatever is dished out for them.

We hope others will forgive, but that should not be the purpose, the purpose is to humble ourselves and obey God.

Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."

We cannot change our attitudes and actions until we have to go through the process of confession of sin. God will not change our heart if we have no desire to be changed.

Psalm 35:5 "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"

Acts 19:18 "Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices."

James 4:17 "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Psalm 51:1-5 "To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to never grow spiritually or emotionally? The answer is because they will never admit their need for change, they have a far too elevated view of their own importance and will not take the chance on being discovered as imperfect. It is the same "god" status that the devil displayed when he was thrown out of heaven.

Bottom line: confession not only brings spiritual growth and maturity, it also cleanses us to be free from the guilt of our sin. If we do not confess the guilt remains, grows and festers, causing a continuing hardening of the heart. If this process of ignoring guilt goes on too long, we become hard hearted possibly without the ability to feel guilt anymore.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 "1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,"

Do not allow your heart to be hardened through prideful resistance to confession. There is much more to be gained by going through the confession and forsaking process as laid out in Scripture, than we thought we would ever gain by hiding our sin, continually having to cover it, produce more lies to cover the first lie, it is a slippery slope without any benefits.

Christ is the Answer, Humility a Necessity

Narcissistic abusers attempt to isolate the victim or scapegoat, since the best way to stay in control and lord it over someone, is to remove all other input from outside sources in the life of the victim.

The narcissist feels threatened by the input of others because they hate accountability. If they are with a victim long enough the victim will often begin to act like the narcissist thinking their behavior is righteous and normal, when in fact it is deviant.

In Christianity, the true Christianity, we are accountable to one another on some level. The narcissist hates any form of accountability, it means that they are not perfect as they love to believe about themselves.

In the Word of God we are never taught to "lord it over" or control another human being. We are told to share the truth and allow the hearer to decide for themselves. When the hearer will not listen to truth and are blatantly rebellious then we are to walk away and leave them to the Lord.

Matthew 20:25 "…24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,…"

There is a movement within Christendom that promotes the idea that the leaders and husbands should be served without question, while they are allowed to abuse emotionally those in their charge. This movement is evil and patently against what the Bible teaches.

God teaches in His word that leaders are to be servants first, caring deeply about the welfare and needs of those they serve. Any leaders who promotes absolute allegiance to him and expects to be served, is an evil leader.

All believers in the body are accountable to all other believers. We all have a voice in the lives of each other, even though our calling may be different from another believer, we are not less or more than any other believer.

Proverbs 27:17
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Galatians 6:1-2
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."

James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

Ephesians 4:25
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

A narcissists does not have the ability to place themselves in someone else's shoes to understand their needs. Everything is all about getting what they want, no matter how anyone else feels about it.

The most narcissistic people are those who have been excessively praised all their lives and who have had few if any rules placed on them as children or young adults. They are trained that rules are for others, not for them. They are enraged at the idea that anyone should question them or call them to account about their behavior.

One of the most tell tale signs of a selfish person is their embarrassment at manners and courtesy. They hate these things because it means that they must defer to others.

In this individualistic culture in America, people have been raised and taught to believe that no one else has a right to speak into their lives truth unless it praises or elevates them. Many people are incredulous when any attempt is made to discuss a matter that might make them accountable or appear that they have need of change in their heart or the way they conduct themselves.

This is what the teaching of self esteem has created, self absorbed, glory seeking people who cannot tolerate correction to help them see a need for change. This is the reason they do not change over time, as they grow older, they only become worse.

It is only through Christ that they can change, but even then, it is only through deep crisis that they would ever be broken enough to see their need for Christ, they already see themselves in god like status, why would they ever need to submit to an unseen God when they are their own god.

Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"

Proverbs 15:21-23 "…21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight. 22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. 23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!…"

Those who listen to wise counsel will see progress in their walk. Those who think they are above counsel, attempting to make themselves superior to everyone else, will see prosperity for a time, but overall will lose in the long run.

I Don't Keep The Commandments

I don't keep the ten commandments, I walk with Christ. I can't do anything else except love His principles and His laws. It isn't a matter of trying real hard to keep them, they are simply a part of me.

Do I have to tell myself to eat food, no that comes naturally without too much thinking, it is natural and normal. That's how it is for the believer, they don't have to think about not stealing, they just hate the act of stealing, don't want any part of it. It comes naturally for the believer to not steal. In fact if they accidently picked up something in a store, forgot they had it and walked out, they panic to get back to the store and return it. The idea of taking things that don't belong to them, no matter how small is unthinkable.

When we have trusted Christ He places His commandments in our heart, we love them. However they are irritating to those who are unsaved who come in contact with a believer.

The Spirit within us is aggravating to the spirit within an unsaved person. They think they don't like us, so they conjure up reasons we must be doing something bad or wrong. They think we are causing them to dislike us, but in reality it is Christ Whom they are drastically uncomfortable with.

I have been accused of being a "goody two shoes", not sure what that means, but it was used many years ago to describe someone who didn't break the rules, who enjoyed obeying authority. When there is a slight of disobedience, there is deep conviction, no matter how small the infraction is, because of that intense sense of displeasing God.

Before I was born again I obeyed authority to keep out of trouble. After becoming born again I wasn't concerned about keeping out of trouble, but rather that God would be unhappy with me.

I liken it to the way a dog reacts to his master. If the master shows any anger at the dog the dog cowers in sadness, licks the masters hand and rolls over on his back as a sign of submission to gain back the approval of the master.

Believers are like that dog, they just hate displeasing God, it also transfers to our attitude toward others. We hate to be mean, it displeases God to be unkind and we can't stand to hurt anyone even the animals. Empathy is a huge part of the existence of a believer.

When there is no empathy, little kindness and much covert meanness, I have to wonder if the person who does this is even saved.

God works His principles into our hearts, even before we know all the principles we are compelled to follow them. God also places a yearning in the hearts of those who have become born again, a yearning for His Word.

1 John 3:13-15 "…13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.…"

We Got What We Wanted, Now Live With It

The blessings are off this country and have been for some time. We have not felt the full impact of the loss of blessing but it has been here nonetheless.

Our families are destroyed, our babies murdered, homosexuality embraced and promoted, every form of deviant behavior is being legalized along with drugs. What part of this is a blessing.

When God takes off His blessing all He has to do is give us our head, allow us to run amuck in our sin and that alone will destroy us.

Then there is the added curse of foreigners taking over our government, bringing carnage we have not yet seen in this country. Even our president is a foreigner of sorts who has throw God out to replace Him with the false god of Islam.

So "how is all that freedom to do what ever you want, when you want it, the way you want it" working out for you?

Trusting Christ in a Disaster

With all the earthquake activity around the world right now and the 9 pointer that is expected in our region soon, there should be concern from those who are not born again.

To those who do not know Christ as their Savior, I ask this; "do you know where you will go if you died in that earthquake?"

The possibility of thousands of deaths due to natural disasters is quite real now as we pass through the time in history when God is unleashing on the earth deadlier than usual weather and quakes.

For believers I want to remind you that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God, when disaster comes, even if we are without human companionship we are never alone.

Christ said He would never leave us or forsake us and that He would always provide. Granted, we will not be living as we did before, but more simply without creature comforts and pleasure toys.

When we realize that our goal is not to have all we desire on this earth, or to engage in every form of personal delight, we can rest in and enjoy God's protection no matter what comes.

The believers who survive any disaster will have the answers for those who do not yet know Christ. We can bring hope to the hopeless and comfort to the devastated.

Perhaps our mission as believers has not yet arrived. It is the believers who will bring stability in a world full of chaos and uncertainty.

Above all, we must remember that God has a purpose for us in all things, when we keep our eyes focused on Him, we will get through anything or we will die and float away to heaven. Either way, we can trust in Christ no matter what comes.

Proverbs 3:5 "…4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.…"

If we do this, we can ask God in the middle of a disaster which way to go, how to accomplish necessary work and He WILL answer our call for help, we can count on it.

They Won't Listen and They Will Mock

Personally I used to feel devastated by the way people were acting, I spent many long hours trying to figure out, while I was doing my normal routine, what could "I" do about this or that, how could I get people to listen to me. Guess what.....they never listened.

When I was the only one in my circle of friends, family and church who was saying "self esteem" teaching was evil and contrary to God's Word, they were all treating me like I had two heads.

Now even the secular psychologists are seeing the dramatic increase in narcissism, some attributing it to the self esteem teaching, praising children for every little thing while building up their pride. Sadly the church will not let go of the teaching even though some seculars are letting go of it.

The way that I have handled it has been to pray continually, learn as much about the nature of these end times and realize it is not the end of anything, but the beginning of birth pangs for leaving this world.

Now I am able to see the humor in some of the foolishness, while praying often for the persecuted believers. I still get aggravated but never devastated any more.
I have even been able to put behind me relationships that are not God honoring, continual drama and self promotion was something I encountered regularly, even those who loved to feel spiritually superior walked about with a swagger in the step and a haughty look on their face.

The day the Lord opened my eyes to what was happening was the day of total freedom from all this mess, now I watch but I do not engage, now I observe but it does not become a part of who I am.

I see life now as though I am watching a movie, it isn't about me at all, but about the end times scenario, the culmination of evil doing it's thing right before Christ comes. I feel empathy for those who are victims, but I also know if they turn to Christ, He will show them the way and He will strengthen them as He has strengthened me.

Isaiah 41:9-11 "…9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. 10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' 11 "Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.…"