Fear Causes Sin

Proverbs 23:7
"7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.""

Whatever way we think is what drives us to actions. Deep down in our soul is the essence of how we think, whether we realize it or not.

Our thoughts produce actions, no matter how much we wish to justify ourselves we cannot separate our thoughts from our actions.

If there is contempt in the heart there are mean spirited actions, sometimes covert, sometimes overt, but in either case the heart is engaging in hatred.

If there is love in the heart there are kind actions that are demonstrated.

Satan plants fear in the heart of the controller causing the controller to generate drama and trouble toward those he wishes to harm. Those who walk in fear feel a sense of the need to control others either to protect themselves or to get what they want from those they dominate.

Those who readily attack others when there is no good reason, are showing their inner fear of losing control of themselves and others.

The devil plants thoughts of fear in hearts leaving his victims feeling vulnerable. When someone feels a loss of control they will act in irrational ways to gain back what they believe they have lost.

We see this in politics, churches and families as we move through this life.

1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering."

Many people compare themselves with others, even inaccurately to justify their elevated position in their own minds. Rather than comparing their status with God they can feel superior by comparing themselves with others around them. This causes a controlling spirit to attempt to dominate others.

2 Corinthians 10:12-16
"12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Those who attempt to control others through manipulation and intimidation are demonstrating a fearful spirit. They cannot be trusting Christ and free in their soul when domination is present.

So What's the Difference?

The False Jesus

The Truck is Coming

Funny how people would not call it "negative" if we were shouting at them to run because a truck was coming at them in the street. They would even thank us that we saved their life.

However, when we warn them about their lost state for the unbeliever or the sin in the life of a believer we are called too negative or fanatical.

The joy in the born again believer is great even when we are maligned, mocked and discarded for our love of Christ and His Word.

We ought to be speaking "Bibleze", everyday all the time for every situation.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Positive Affirmations Keep People Stuck

"Positive Affirmations" as so many psychologists claim are helpful to a low self esteem, do not work and tend to keep us stuck in the past or the unproductive present.

God tells us to evaluate ourselves, when we can see ourselves in truth we can confess that and are ready for a change in ourselves that move us toward productivity. When we confess to God our flaws then He can work in us, growing us in holiness.

We are not wonderful, we need work and the confession of that moves us toward improvement. Improvement is far more valuable than ruminating on what we think we are or want to pretend we are.

Those who are able to admit flaws and sins are the ones who will move forward in cleansing to become the person God wants us to be.

Those who cannot admit their flaws openly, the ones who think they must appear perfect to become the god in the eyes of others, will not grow. These people are stuck in a fantasy world of make believe. Their goal is to "appear" better than others, self elevation is their motivation.

Those who are humble and desire to improve will be praying for God to show them their flaws while trusting that He will do a work in them. The more we obey of God's word because we desire to be changed by Him, the more we will grow.

Those who obey God's word for appearances sake only, will not grow, they will only have a thin veneer of righteousness that is easily disrupted at the slightest storm.

Those who obey God to be loyal to Him will see a strength in themselves that grows every day. They know that strength is not themselves but Christ working in them. These people are happier and more fulfilled because they are not concerned with what others think of them, only what God thinks of them.

John 14:20
"In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."

Romans 8:10
"If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness."

Those who walk in the Spirit will be those who have a love greater than any half hearted deed to glorify self. Self is not on the throne in those who love Him, He is on the throne of their lives.

Ephesians 3:17-19
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

The Babies that Hate to Lose

I continue to be flabbergasted as the rudeness and childishness of this world. The American's are the biggest babies of all.

Back in the day when we were in elementary school we were taught what is called "sportsmanship", that is to say we show joy for the other person who did better than we did no matter how we felt about losing. Don't tell me this next generation is a good one. Sure there may be some who are, but for the most part this is the most selfish self absorbed bunch of whinny babies I have ever seen. Here is an article that tells about the woman who won and those who acted like babies'

"For anyone who doesn’t know this is Naomi Osaka. She is 20 years old and on Saturday night she became the US Open champion. She received no coaching, broke zero rackets, and treated the umpire and her opponent with respect throughout. Unfortunately nobody is talking about her." 🎾💪🏼🏆

Born Again or Merely a Church Attendee?

When I have asked people if they are born again their response was, " I go to ....thus and such church." I explained to them that church attendance does not save anyone, which led into the gospel message. I don't think I was preaching to the choir. Sadly this is the state of many people who attend churches every week.

John 3:3 "3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

There are many non-believers in the church buildings who think they are going to heaven but will hear these frightening words unless they repent and trust Christ.

Matthew 7: 21-23 "
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"