How God sees enablers!
Isaiah 1:221-23
"How the faithful city has become a harlot,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once lodged in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves a bribe
And chases after rewards.
They do not defend the orphan,
Nor does the widow’s plea come before them."
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
We Choose Our Friends According To Our Hearts
Proverbs 24:1-2
"Do not be envious of EVIL men, Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble."
The word for evil is Poneros means "bad, causing pain, causing trouble."
The evil man is a man of continual trouble, we are not to enable them or support them by making them our companions.
It is clear that if one hangs out with the bad crowd, they are the bad crowd, even if they don't participate in the evil the crowed does. We engage with people that we like to be with, the excuse that a young man just got in with a bad crowd, doesn't fly with God.
Matthew 12:34 ""You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart."
Luke 6:45 ""The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."
"Do not be envious of EVIL men, Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble."
The word for evil is Poneros means "bad, causing pain, causing trouble."
The evil man is a man of continual trouble, we are not to enable them or support them by making them our companions.
It is clear that if one hangs out with the bad crowd, they are the bad crowd, even if they don't participate in the evil the crowed does. We engage with people that we like to be with, the excuse that a young man just got in with a bad crowd, doesn't fly with God.
Matthew 12:34 ""You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart."
Luke 6:45 ""The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."
Do Not Touch What is Unclean
It is true that people who have rejected Christ are considered unclean by God.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
They Did It To Christ
Isaiah 53:3
"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
This is what they did to the King of Kings our Lord Jesus Christ! Why would we be surprised when they do it to us.
1 Peter 4:11-14
"11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
This is what they did to the King of Kings our Lord Jesus Christ! Why would we be surprised when they do it to us.
1 Peter 4:11-14
"11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
Do Not Resist God!
IF we desire to have a hardened heart then God gives us what we want by further hardening it so there is no return to a soft one.
Exodus 8:32 "But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go."
Exodus 9:12 "12 And the Lord [f]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses"
So if someone asks if Pharaoh hardened his own heart or did God harden his heart, the answer is both are true, God turned Pharaoh over to his own heart.
Exodus 8:32 "But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go."
Exodus 9:12 "12 And the Lord [f]hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses"
So if someone asks if Pharaoh hardened his own heart or did God harden his heart, the answer is both are true, God turned Pharaoh over to his own heart.
Struggles Help Us Learn
Life is not about the struggles but the lessons learned from the struggles. Those who have easy lives based on personal enjoyment, don't learn very much, they tend to be superficial ill equipped for anything of value.
We often say "no pain, no gain" in reference to physical prowess, but neglect to recognize the "no pain, no gain" in spiritual lessons of life.
James 1:2-8
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways"
We often say "no pain, no gain" in reference to physical prowess, but neglect to recognize the "no pain, no gain" in spiritual lessons of life.
James 1:2-8
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways"
The Narcissist Silent Treatment
When we know we are dealing with this monster "Narcissism", it is best to cut our losses and move on, there will never be any honest caring and reciprocal kindness in a relationship like this, it will always be one sided and continual manipulation.
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/silent-treatment-a-narcissistic-persons-preferred-weapon-0602145
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/silent-treatment-a-narcissistic-persons-preferred-weapon-0602145
We Can Know the Heart
Matthew 7:16 ""You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?"
We cannot separate the act from the person. A thief cannot steal if they don't already have theft in their heart. The heart comes first then the act after. We have been taught we cannot know the heart of a person, but God has shown us how we will know it.
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
We cannot separate the act from the person. A thief cannot steal if they don't already have theft in their heart. The heart comes first then the act after. We have been taught we cannot know the heart of a person, but God has shown us how we will know it.
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Secrets Show Guilt
It is without a doubt a sin to keep secrets that hide sin. God requires complete disclosure when it comes to sin.
Proverbs 28:13 " 13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
What is the purpose of hiding sin from the world? It is the fear that the world will see we are not what we claim to be. The world needs to see that we still sin and what we do about it, confess and forsake, this is a good witness to the world. To make the world believe we are perfect and sinless is to malign the true gospel, that Christ paid a debt we couldn't pay and that His blood covers our sin.
The world needs to understand that they cannot work their way to heaven and that hiding sin does not make it go away. They also need to understand that believers are all about truth. When we hide our sin, it is a form of lying, pretending it didn't happen to live a superficial life based on appearances rather than authenticity.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
There are those who would say that allowing sin in the church body to be exposed, would ruin our Christian witness, they feel a need to protect the name of Christ. This is lack of faith, God has clearly shown us what to do and what to be, to do anything else based on fear of man is lack of faith.
Perhaps these same people have forgotten that sin always gets out into the community in one way or another. It is better to confess that sin publicly allowing the unsaved world to know that believers do sin and what the response to that sin should be, confession and forsaking.
When there is true confession, a sorrow over offending a holy God, will cause us to think twice about giving into temptation again. Just being sorry we got caught is not true repentance, it is merely giving in because we are going to be punished anyway, perhaps confession will make people feel sorry for us.
1 Peter 3:13-22 "13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [k]reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if 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 spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
I have met those who are going to jail, who believe confessing will lighten their sentence or soften the hearts of the judge toward them, sadly there is no real sorrow over offending a holy God, which ought to be our first and most important response to sin. In the cases where there was true sorrow over offending God, we see there was not a return to the same sin. In the cases where there was only sorrow over getting caught, there is repeat sin later.
One of the things about hidden sin or sin covered up is that it leads the unbelieving world, who will find out, that believers are hypocrites, covering up their sin, they are no different from the world. We have seen this in the Catholic church, the cover-up was widespread and the world is finding out about it many years later.
When sin is confessed openly and the life of the sinner has changed, there is no fear of it being exposed later, everyone already knows. The punishment is executed and the sinner continues without any fear of being found out later.
The best witness on the part of the believer is to own whatever sin we have, while praying for deliverance from it. To cover it up only makes the one who sinned feel that they can get away with it, there will be no shame, making it easier to continue in it. It also leaves the sinner with continual fear of being found out later.
The world is going to accuse us even when we don't sin, fearing the world brings a snare, as God's Word says. To hide sin to avoid the anger of the unsaved world, will only make them more hostile when they find out. When we are humble owning our sin, confessing openly, then is when the unsaved world takes notice.
When we have sinned, are forgiven and humbled, we are completely accepting of the punishment that will come. We make no excuses and do not attempt to get out of punishment. We take our licks like a grown up, causing all guilt and fear to leave us.
When we are forgiven by God, because of true sorrow over offending Him, we can live free even in the face of accusations we can say confidently and without shame; "Yes I did a very bad thing, I confessed it and the Lord forgave me." It is amazing how freeing confession and openness can be.
No one can hold anything over our heads if everything is out in the open. Placing others in bondage to secrets only makes for weak and fearful relationships.
Psalm 90:8 "
8 "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence."
When we know God sees all our sins, wouldn't it make sense that our fear would be more toward God than men. We cannot hide from God so hiding from men makes no sense, the most important One sees it all anyway.
Luke 8:17 "17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light."
To enjoy freedom in Christ after a sin has been confessed and forsaken, is not about what man will do to us, but about the lovely and precious forgiveness of God.
True freedom from our sin comes from confession, forsaking and God's forgiveness. The world needs to see it all, that they might realize they too can confess their sin, be forgiven and cleansed by Christ.
Proverbs 28:13 " 13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
What is the purpose of hiding sin from the world? It is the fear that the world will see we are not what we claim to be. The world needs to see that we still sin and what we do about it, confess and forsake, this is a good witness to the world. To make the world believe we are perfect and sinless is to malign the true gospel, that Christ paid a debt we couldn't pay and that His blood covers our sin.
The world needs to understand that they cannot work their way to heaven and that hiding sin does not make it go away. They also need to understand that believers are all about truth. When we hide our sin, it is a form of lying, pretending it didn't happen to live a superficial life based on appearances rather than authenticity.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
There are those who would say that allowing sin in the church body to be exposed, would ruin our Christian witness, they feel a need to protect the name of Christ. This is lack of faith, God has clearly shown us what to do and what to be, to do anything else based on fear of man is lack of faith.
Perhaps these same people have forgotten that sin always gets out into the community in one way or another. It is better to confess that sin publicly allowing the unsaved world to know that believers do sin and what the response to that sin should be, confession and forsaking.
When there is true confession, a sorrow over offending a holy God, will cause us to think twice about giving into temptation again. Just being sorry we got caught is not true repentance, it is merely giving in because we are going to be punished anyway, perhaps confession will make people feel sorry for us.
1 Peter 3:13-22 "13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [k]reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if 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 spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
I have met those who are going to jail, who believe confessing will lighten their sentence or soften the hearts of the judge toward them, sadly there is no real sorrow over offending a holy God, which ought to be our first and most important response to sin. In the cases where there was true sorrow over offending God, we see there was not a return to the same sin. In the cases where there was only sorrow over getting caught, there is repeat sin later.
One of the things about hidden sin or sin covered up is that it leads the unbelieving world, who will find out, that believers are hypocrites, covering up their sin, they are no different from the world. We have seen this in the Catholic church, the cover-up was widespread and the world is finding out about it many years later.
When sin is confessed openly and the life of the sinner has changed, there is no fear of it being exposed later, everyone already knows. The punishment is executed and the sinner continues without any fear of being found out later.
The best witness on the part of the believer is to own whatever sin we have, while praying for deliverance from it. To cover it up only makes the one who sinned feel that they can get away with it, there will be no shame, making it easier to continue in it. It also leaves the sinner with continual fear of being found out later.
The world is going to accuse us even when we don't sin, fearing the world brings a snare, as God's Word says. To hide sin to avoid the anger of the unsaved world, will only make them more hostile when they find out. When we are humble owning our sin, confessing openly, then is when the unsaved world takes notice.
When we have sinned, are forgiven and humbled, we are completely accepting of the punishment that will come. We make no excuses and do not attempt to get out of punishment. We take our licks like a grown up, causing all guilt and fear to leave us.
When we are forgiven by God, because of true sorrow over offending Him, we can live free even in the face of accusations we can say confidently and without shame; "Yes I did a very bad thing, I confessed it and the Lord forgave me." It is amazing how freeing confession and openness can be.
No one can hold anything over our heads if everything is out in the open. Placing others in bondage to secrets only makes for weak and fearful relationships.
Psalm 90:8 "
8 "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence."
When we know God sees all our sins, wouldn't it make sense that our fear would be more toward God than men. We cannot hide from God so hiding from men makes no sense, the most important One sees it all anyway.
Luke 8:17 "17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light."
To enjoy freedom in Christ after a sin has been confessed and forsaken, is not about what man will do to us, but about the lovely and precious forgiveness of God.
True freedom from our sin comes from confession, forsaking and God's forgiveness. The world needs to see it all, that they might realize they too can confess their sin, be forgiven and cleansed by Christ.
They Hate The Truth
They will hate us for telling the truth, even those who claim to be Christians will do whatever they can to malign us. Thank the Lord He tells us that all believers will experience this.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484930651689805&set=a.327824647400407.1073741826.100005186238061&type=1&theater
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