OCULAR SIN
The Ocular Sin (Sin Committed Through Sight)
I
made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Job 31:1. These were the words of a man described earlier in Job1:1 as
perfect,upright,one who feared God and eschewed evil. Satan found
nothing evil to accuse him of. Satan rather made God to test Job's faith
in Him.
Christians have been called to live a blameless
life. A blameless life can be lived if one walks in the knowledge of
God's word. There is one area of life that many believes ignore. This
is the sin committed through sight which I have termed “ Ocular Sin.”
Ocular
sin is a sin committed through sight. This kind of sin is diverse but I
will like to touch on one area which many believers fall victim to. I
am using believers because it has clearly been written in the word of
God. This is the sin committed by lusting after the opposite sex
through sight. This comes about as a result of uncontrolled staring. I
will use four people in the bible who were victims to this kind of sin.
Potiphar's
wife (Genesis 39:1-13): Joseph was sold into slavery. He found himself
in the house of Potiphar.The bible says The Lord was with him and he
found favour in the eyes of his master Potiphor. Potiphar's wife saw
the beauty of the young man Joseph and couldn't control her inordinate
affection. It was upon seeing Joseph's beauty that made Potiphar's wife
to lust after Joseph. I personally believe that Potiphar's wife was
very beautiful . Joseph saw her daily yet Joseph did not allow his
passions to drive him but he walked in the fear of The Lord. Potiphar's
wife continued to lure him until Joseph fled. If Potiphar's wife had
not allowed her evil passions to drive her, I believe she could have
avoided that temptation.
Amnon(2 samuel 13) :
Amnon was one of the sons of David. Amnon was so distressed over his
sister Tamar that he lost his head. I believe Amnon's abominable act
started with a lustful look. Upon looking at his sister in a lustful
manner, he started developing unholy affection towards his sister.
Amnon ended up raping his sister. In James 1:15 the bible makes us to
know that the product of lust is sin. If Amnon had controlled his
desires it wouldn't had led to him defiling his sister which later
resulted in his death. If Amnon had sought better counsel from someone
who feared God, he wouldn't have ended up committing an abomination.
The friends you keep can determine the direction of your eyes.
Hophni
and Phinehas(1Samuel 2): They were the sons of Eli the high priest at
that time. The bible says they didn't know God. They were referred to
as the sons of Belial(corruption). These two men did not only take the
best part of the offerings offered to God but they also slept with the
woman who came to the temple. 2 peter 2:14 better explains the deeds
of Hophni and Phinehas. Their eyes were full of adultery which caused
them to sin unceasingly.Out of their uncontrolled affections these two
men ended up dying. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
David(2
Samuel 11): David, the most famous Jewish king and a man after God's
heart became a victim of this sin. David rose up from his bed and
walked upon the roof of his house. While strolling, David saw a
woman(Bathsheba) taking her bath. At that moment David had not sinned
because it wasn't deliberate. He went on to stare further and behold
the woman was very beautiful to look at. David then lusted after her
and sent for her. I believe if David had controlled his thoughts he
wouldn't have fallen into sin. David later confessed his sins and God
forgave him but he bore the repercussions. Oh poor David! A very famous
king but was a victim of ocular sin.
The eye is
the the light of the body. If your eye is single(sees the truth which
is the word of God) your whole body will be full of light but if your
eye is evil your whole body will be full of darkness. Matthew6:22-23
WHAT WAS JESUS' RESPONSE TO OCULAR SIN?
Matthew
5:28-29 : Jesus was teaching the multitude and made mention of a very
great offence which the Jewish scribes had ignored for ages. He talked
about lusting after a woman in the heart. I believe Jesus used the man
as the transgressor because much was not said about women during that
time. Anyway the law applies to both genders. When God gave Moses the
ten commandments, the last commandment was about coveteousness. The
word "covet" in Hebrew is "chamad". It has so many meanings but I will
like to use the word lust which is the subject of discussion here. The
last sentence in that commandment Exodus 20:17 is "do not covet
anything that is your neighbour's. This explains why this scripture
refers to both genders.Back to Jesus' statement. After opening the
multitude’s eyes on ocular sin, he further talked about its eternal
consequence if not controlled in the verse 29 of the chapter.
Based
on the earlier assertions that I have made, believers and again I use
the word believers because we have knowledge of the word and will of
God and as a matter of fact we have to deal with this area of our life.
We are living in an age where anything goes.
Morality is
on the decline. The fear of God has left our society and the masses
are walking after the imagination of their heart but there is one thing
we should bear in mind. The kingdom of God is not for filthy people.
It is made for holy people. The same God who slayed Hophni and Phinehas
for continually committing ocular sin is the same today.
Today,
pornography is the order of the day. Many young people are lured into
it out of ignorance. The devil makes people to believe that by watching
these explicit materials, they can control their sexual desires. It is
a very big lie. Watching these explicit materials is like feeding
poison into your system. it works slowly but very effective.Some people
may not watch pornography but the kind of movies and soap operas they
watch do not glorify God. Many will raise eyebrows here but dear reader
I want to ask you a question? Tell me if you can invite Jesus into
your room to watch a movie or a soap opera where two people are engaged
in an amoral act? Certainly not! I am not saying people should stop
watching movies or soap operas but they should make a good choice. A
choice which will not defile them. Remember a little leaven leaveneth
the whole lump 1 Cor 5:6. You may not be aware of the effects until it
affects your salvation. Beloved if you find yourself in this category,
renounce it in Jesus name and ask for forgiveness.
Sexual
immorality is on the ascendency as a result of what people watch. The
kind of apparel people put on causes others to sin. Many believers have
backslided as a result of what they watched. My dear friends is better
we all dress to glorify Jesus covering the sensitive parts of our
bodies. Remember the scripture says the offence will definetely come but
woe to the one through whom the offence comes.(Matthew 18:7). Let us
do all things to glorify God. Let us not live according to our senses
but live under the influence of The Spirit.
HOW DO I GET OVER OCULAR SIN?
For
God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness 1Thess 4:7.
Beloved I am suggesting some points which can help you overcome ocular
sin.
It is the will of God that we walk in holiness, watch in holiness, think holy because that is what we have been called to do.
I.
Confess your sins 1John 1:8-9: You have to admit that it is a sin and
confess sincerely to God. Remember God knows all things and nothing can
be hidden from Him.
2. Renounce and Repent
Genuinely: In Jesus' sermons about His Kingdom, He often talked about
repentance. Without genuine repentance you cannot enter heaven. Renounce
this sin. Say it aloud and repent from it with a genuine heart.
3.
Ask For God's Strength to Overcome the Temptation: It is God who works
in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2;13. Just
accept the fact the fact that you can't do it on your own. Ask God
daily to help you walk in His will. Ask in faith. Initially, symptoms of
the past will try to surface but act in faith and believe God is
faithful.
4.Ask God to Turn Your Eyes From Evil:
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy
way.Psalm 119:37. This was a prayer of David and I believe he was so
passionate about this prayer topic. So must you dear friend. It should
be your daily prayer that the Lord should turn your eyes from watching
worthless things(anything that arouses lust in you). Also tell Him to
revive you so that you can walk in His ways.
Dear Friend
as you read this I believe you will be blessed. Remember Jesus is
concerned about every detail of your life and He is there to help you
carry your load. Just ask for His helping hand and He will be there for
you.
Glory To Jesus
OCULAR SIN
Monday 27 August 2012
GUARD AGAINST PRIDE
1Peter 5:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [a]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
Who then is a proud person? Throughout the bible the Lord has showed His repugnance towards pride. We often associate pride to an act of arrogance on one's part. Pride goes beyond actions. The little whisperings, the secret intentions in our hearts can also be pride. Thinking that you can do something by your own strength is pride. Not being thankful to God is also pride. Taking decisions without consulting God is also pride. High mindedness can't be left out.
Pride is not only about how snubbish or self sufficient one may be. False humility can also be pride. What do I mean by false humility? Moses' action upon seeing the burning bush was an act of false humility. Moses was looking at his frailties rather than believing God to use him.
1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king’s order was detestable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Satan stirred up pride in King David to conduct a census which The Lord never instructed.The devil tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories. The act in itself was not wrong but David was moved by pride instead of consulting God. The Lord had allowed Moses to conduct a census so there was a possibility that censuses were taken from time to time. When David took it upon himself he acted out of pride .
Exodus 30:12
12 When you take the census of the Israelites, every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them that no plague may fall upon them when you number them.
None of us is too skilled not to fall into pride proud. Pride is going against divine instructions, resisting divine help and taking up divine authority that has not been bestowed upon us. Many of us think our neighbor is the proud one because he speaks arrogantly, shows off but we forget that one way or the other we are also walking in pride. It may not be evident like Herod who received praise from the people but it still makes us transgressors. Many want to always get the better of others. For some when they are offended they think the other party has to come and apologise before they make room for forgiveness. Pride can only leave our hearts completely through total surrender to The Lord. There must be a willingness and an act of obedience to counter pride. If we are willing to submit to God's word in total obedience, we can overcome pride. May The Lord show us areas of our lives where we are still prideful. It is dangerous to assume that you are living in humility whereas you are proud. Don't be caught naked like the church in Laodicea. May The Lord search our hearts thoroughly. May He help us to walk in total submission to His will. We should guard against pride daily lest our hearts harden.
Glory To Jesus
GUARD AGAINT PRIDE
1Peter 5:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [a]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
Who then is a proud person? Throughout the bible the Lord has showed His repugnance towards pride. We often associate pride to an act of arrogance on one's part. Pride goes beyond actions. The little whisperings, the secret intentions in our hearts can also be pride. Thinking that you can do something by your own strength is pride. Not being thankful to God is also pride. Taking decisions without consulting God is also pride. High mindedness can't be left out.
Pride is not only about how snubbish or self sufficient one may be. False humility can also be pride. What do I mean by false humility? Moses' action upon seeing the burning bush was an act of false humility. Moses was looking at his frailties rather than believing God to use him.
1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king’s order was detestable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Satan stirred up pride in King David to conduct a census which The Lord never instructed.The devil tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories. The act in itself was not wrong but David was moved by pride instead of consulting God. The Lord had allowed Moses to conduct a census so there was a possibility that censuses were taken from time to time. When David took it upon himself he acted out of pride .
Exodus 30:12
12 When you take the census of the Israelites, every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them that no plague may fall upon them when you number them.
None of us is too skilled not to fall into pride proud. Pride is going against divine instructions, resisting divine help and taking up divine authority that has not been bestowed upon us. Many of us think our neighbor is the proud one because he speaks arrogantly, shows off but we forget that one way or the other we are also walking in pride. It may not be evident like Herod who received praise from the people but it still makes us transgressors. Many want to always get the better of others. For some when they are offended they think the other party has to come and apologise before they make room for forgiveness. Pride can only leave our hearts completely through total surrender to The Lord. There must be a willingness and an act of obedience to counter pride. If we are willing to submit to God's word in total obedience, we can overcome pride. May The Lord show us areas of our lives where we are still prideful. It is dangerous to assume that you are living in humility whereas you are proud. Don't be caught naked like the church in Laodicea. May The Lord search our hearts thoroughly. May He help us to walk in total submission to His will. We should guard against pride daily lest our hearts harden.
Glory To Jesus
THE DEVIL, OUR FLESH, OUR SOUL
3 of man's greatest enemies are his flesh, his soul and the devil. The devil feeds on the two. Way back in the garden of Eden, a curse was pronounced on the serpent(devil).
Genesis 3:14
And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
Genesis 3: 19
In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.
There is a correlation between vs 15 and 19. God told the serpent that also represents the devil that he was going to feed on dust. In vs 19 He told the man that he was going to return to dust because he came from dust. We all know that the part of man that comes from the dust is his flesh. Again we know that the devil does not eat dust but feeds on eggs and weaker animals. God was trying to say that the devil was going to feed on the perishable part of man which is his flesh. The devil continuously feeds on the human flesh. He stirs up emotions such as greed, selfishness, anger, pride and so on and so forth.
Galatians 5: 19-21
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh also means the bi-product of the flesh if it is given the opportunity to yield. In order words the fruit that the flesh produces when given the chance. That's why the bible tells us to crucify the flesh daily.
Romans 12: 1- 2
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Here the apostle Paul takes about two things which instructs they go under transformation. First he talks about the body that must be presented as a living sacrifice. Secondly he talks about the mind that must be renewed. The mind is a sub of the soul. Often you will find believers who are truly born again but they have missed these two elements needed in their walk. The sacrifice and the transformation of the mind. The mind is renewed by knowledge of God's word that's why King David said that the entrance of God's word brings light.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Again in Psalm 19: 7a King David wrote the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. In Romans 7 the apostle Paul talks about the law and the knowledge it brings about sin. Let me be a bit practical. Lets say before I only knew that fornication or adultery was a physical act then one day I read in my bible that mental fornication is a sin. At that moment I have been exposed to the truth and my mind has been enlightened. This truth will go a long way in changing the way I think. Another example of winning metal battles can be found in Luke 4: 1-4.
Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit
2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ([a]tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.
3 Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].
4 And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone [b]but by every word and expression of God.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days the devil tempted him. As to whether the devil appeared to Him physically or he was playing mental games with The Lord the bible did not state but I believe it was more of a mental game. Assuming Jesus did not know the scriptures, He would have lost that battle. The devil comes around looking for loop holes so he can tempt us. He stirs up an emotion in our bodies and feeds our minds with evil thoughts that's why it is very important to study the scriptures. Sometimes he impresses thoughts which looks like your own. Be careful of the thoughts that you entertain. In my personal observation, I noticed that there are so many things in our hearts that are hidden and it often comes out when we are in a state of ecstasy or in an angry mood. Sometimes we make utterances that we never thought we could make. Why?
I have come to understand that the very evil thoughts and emotions that were not cast out sometime ago manifests in another form and it comes out more dangerous. Check the thoughts that occupy your mind. Check the emotions that you feel. If you often feel lustful you should know that sometime ago you opened the door for lust. If you are feeling so much hate and anger know that sometime ago you opened the door for them. If you are feeling envy know that you didnt take control of your thoughts and emotions when that seemingly harmless envious thought crossed your mind. We should learn to guard our hearts at all times. We should constantly bind and cast out evil thoughts that flood our minds. We should stay away from the things that easily tempt us. We can bind and cast out evil thoughts in Jesus' name. Our minds can be transformed by the entrance of God's word. What about our flesh?
The flesh needs the cross.
1 Peter 4 : 1
So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having [the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
Galatians 2: 20
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
First Peter talks about Jesus suffering in our place. Secondly he talks about arming ourselves to also suffer in the flesh and have the mind of Christ. What was the mind of Christ? His mind was to put to death our sinful nature that He bore in His body. What are we to do? Peter talked about the suffering of Christ in the flesh and we arming ourselves. Why are we to arm ourselves? Because crucifying the flesh is painful. It takes suffering. As the flesh continues to suffer on the cross it dies. Lets consider Paul's statement in Galatians 2: 20. He had come to a stage in his life where his flesh had totally been crucified. After his flesh had died there was a resurrected Christ living in him. The resurrected Christ in him was empowering him. Paul was not living by his own will but by the will of Jesus who was living in Him. Mortification of the flesh is not easy but it is possible.
Father help us to crucify our flesh daily. Give us the grace not to follow the dictates of our hearts. May your word lighten the dark parts of our minds as we read and hear it.
Glory To Jesus
THE DEVIL, OUR FLESH, OUR SOUL
3 of man's greatest enemies are his flesh, his soul and the devil. The devil feeds on the two. Way back in the garden of Eden, a curse was pronounced on the serpent(devil).
Genesis 3:14
And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
Genesis 3: 19
In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.
There is a correlation between vs 15 and 19. God told the serpent that also represents the devil that he was going to feed on dust. In vs 19 He told the man that he was going to return to dust because he came from dust. We all know that the part of man that comes from the dust is his flesh. Again we know that the devil does not eat dust but feeds on eggs and weaker animals. God was trying to say that the devil was going to feed on the perishable part of man which is his flesh. The devil continuously feeds on the human flesh. He stirs up emotions such as greed, selfishness, anger, pride and so on and so forth.
Galatians 5: 19-21
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh also means the bi-product of the flesh if it is given the opportunity to yield. In order words the fruit that the flesh produces when given the chance. That's why the bible tells us to crucify the flesh daily.
Romans 12: 1- 2
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Here the apostle Paul takes about two things which instructs they go under transformation. First he talks about the body that must be presented as a living sacrifice. Secondly he talks about the mind that must be renewed. The mind is a sub of the soul. Often you will find believers who are truly born again but they have missed these two elements needed in their walk. The sacrifice and the transformation of the mind. The mind is renewed by knowledge of God's word that's why King David said that the entrance of God's word brings light.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Again in Psalm 19: 7a King David wrote the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. In Romans 7 the apostle Paul talks about the law and the knowledge it brings about sin. Let me be a bit practical. Lets say before I only knew that fornication or adultery was a physical act then one day I read in my bible that mental fornication is a sin. At that moment I have been exposed to the truth and my mind has been enlightened. This truth will go a long way in changing the way I think. Another example of winning metal battles can be found in Luke 4: 1-4.
Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit
2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ([a]tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.
3 Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].
4 And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone [b]but by every word and expression of God.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days the devil tempted him. As to whether the devil appeared to Him physically or he was playing mental games with The Lord the bible did not state but I believe it was more of a mental game. Assuming Jesus did not know the scriptures, He would have lost that battle. The devil comes around looking for loop holes so he can tempt us. He stirs up an emotion in our bodies and feeds our minds with evil thoughts that's why it is very important to study the scriptures. Sometimes he impresses thoughts which looks like your own. Be careful of the thoughts that you entertain. In my personal observation, I noticed that there are so many things in our hearts that are hidden and it often comes out when we are in a state of ecstasy or in an angry mood. Sometimes we make utterances that we never thought we could make. Why?
I have come to understand that the very evil thoughts and emotions that were not cast out sometime ago manifests in another form and it comes out more dangerous. Check the thoughts that occupy your mind. Check the emotions that you feel. If you often feel lustful you should know that sometime ago you opened the door for lust. If you are feeling so much hate and anger know that sometime ago you opened the door for them. If you are feeling envy know that you didnt take control of your thoughts and emotions when that seemingly harmless envious thought crossed your mind. We should learn to guard our hearts at all times. We should constantly bind and cast out evil thoughts that flood our minds. We should stay away from the things that easily tempt us. We can bind and cast out evil thoughts in Jesus' name. Our minds can be transformed by the entrance of God's word. What about our flesh?
The flesh needs the cross.
1 Peter 4 : 1
So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having [the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
Galatians 2: 20
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
First Peter talks about Jesus suffering in our place. Secondly he talks about arming ourselves to also suffer in the flesh and have the mind of Christ. What was the mind of Christ? His mind was to put to death our sinful nature that He bore in His body. What are we to do? Peter talked about the suffering of Christ in the flesh and we arming ourselves. Why are we to arm ourselves? Because crucifying the flesh is painful. It takes suffering. As the flesh continues to suffer on the cross it dies. Lets consider Paul's statement in Galatians 2: 20. He had come to a stage in his life where his flesh had totally been crucified. After his flesh had died there was a resurrected Christ living in him. The resurrected Christ in him was empowering him. Paul was not living by his own will but by the will of Jesus who was living in Him. Mortification of the flesh is not easy but it is possible.
Father help us to crucify our flesh daily. Give us the grace not to follow the dictates of our hearts. May your word lighten the dark parts of our minds as we read and hear it.
Glory To Jesus
YOUR FRUIT MUST REMAIN
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Many of us have either read or heard Jesus' teaching in John 15 regarding the vine and the branches. The Lord likens our relationship with Him to a vine and its branches. The branches are dependent on the vine. Without the vine the branches will either die or wither. The branches continuously get its nourishment from the vine. Branches are repeatedly pruned in order to bear more fruit. A vinedresser continuously works on branches lest some die or wither. A branch that is not able to bear fruit either dies or withers. When a branch dies or withers it becomes useless as a result it is cut off and cast into fire. If an unfruitful vine continuously suffers from diseases it is also cut off lest the disease affects the more fruitful branches.
Our relationship with God is best illustrated using the vine and the branches. Our continuous abidance in The Lord produces more fruit and results in prayer. The Lord empowers us as long as we remain in Him. Our abidance in The Lord goes with a lot of training. He has to repeatedly prune us so we can bear the fruit that He desires. What fruit does the Lord desire us to bear?
Galatians 5: 22-23.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Our habitual fellowship with The Lord causes us to bear more of these 9 fruits. Fruit bearing is supposed to start the day we gave our lives to The Lord. Though early signs of fruits may not always be visible to us but the work of The Holy Spirit begins. One of the works of The Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to transform him into the image of Christ. The beauty of a fruit is not seen in its early stages until it fully matures and begins to blossom. In the same way a new believer does not have much fruit to show but as he continues to abide in The Lord his life takes shape and he bears more fruit.
Naturally we feel attracted to fruits that are ripe and disease free. Likewise unbelievers see the inward and outward glory of a believer. Although they have a contrasting lifestyle, the unbeliever sees the attractive nature of a fruit bearing believer. Fruit bearing does not necessarily depend on how long one received salvation. One may have known The Lord for a long time but he may not have much fruit to show. We bear more fruit when we fully surrender our lives to The Lord. As we surrender fully He severs the bad fruit from our lives and nourish us so that we can bear the fruit that He desires.
Looking at the foundational text, The Lord was commissioning His disciples to go and bear fruit. His commission took effect shortly after His resurrection. The apostles habitually fellowshiped with The Lord. Their fruits were visible to all. Their fruit remained even in the Lord's physical absence. They never lacked spiritually. Their works were evident of their fruits. In our dispensation we have been given the same commission. We are to show the world our fruits and our fruit should remain. Sometimes we claim we are on fire for God only to fizzle out soon. Most of us have become spasmodic believers. There is no consistency in our fruit bearing. Other believers are non-existent.
One may be experiencing joy after praying or singing to The Lord but the next moment he may experience signs of depression. That's a sign of a bad fruit. A thorn among lilies. These mixed feelings are often caused by our unfaithfulness in our walk with God. When ones prayer, worship and bible reading is ebbing then you know he is certainly bearing bad fruits or he is in the process. We should continuously examine our lives daily to see if we are bearing more fruit or we are allowing a bad fruit to grow alongside the good fruit. A bad fruit is like a pest or disease that attacks a branch. When a branch is attacked by a disease it doesn't produce the fruit that the vinedresser requires. Likewise when we feed on negative emotions and bad behavior like anger,strife,envy, we do not produce the kind of fruit that The Lord requires.
If we do not produce the desired fruit then it means our fruit did not remain. If we continue to produce bad fruit we will eventually be severed and cast into fire. The commission is to bear fruit that remains. As we go into the world our fruit is supposed to testify of us. A believer mus t be known for his fruit before his gifts. If our fruits do not remain we will eventually fall for the world and be corrupted. We can only bear good fruits if we habitually spend more time with The Lord.
Glory To Jesus
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Many of us have either read or heard Jesus' teaching in John 15 regarding the vine and the branches. The Lord likens our relationship with Him to a vine and its branches. The branches are dependent on the vine. Without the vine the branches will either die or wither. The branches continuously get its nourishment from the vine. Branches are repeatedly pruned in order to bear more fruit. A vinedresser continuously works on branches lest some die or wither. A branch that is not able to bear fruit either dies or withers. When a branch dies or withers it becomes useless as a result it is cut off and cast into fire. If an unfruitful vine continuously suffers from diseases it is also cut off lest the disease affects the more fruitful branches.
Our relationship with God is best illustrated using the vine and the branches. Our continuous abidance in The Lord produces more fruit and results in prayer. The Lord empowers us as long as we remain in Him. Our abidance in The Lord goes with a lot of training. He has to repeatedly prune us so we can bear the fruit that He desires. What fruit does the Lord desire us to bear?
Galatians 5: 22-23.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Our habitual fellowship with The Lord causes us to bear more of these 9 fruits. Fruit bearing is supposed to start the day we gave our lives to The Lord. Though early signs of fruits may not always be visible to us but the work of The Holy Spirit begins. One of the works of The Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to transform him into the image of Christ. The beauty of a fruit is not seen in its early stages until it fully matures and begins to blossom. In the same way a new believer does not have much fruit to show but as he continues to abide in The Lord his life takes shape and he bears more fruit.
Naturally we feel attracted to fruits that are ripe and disease free. Likewise unbelievers see the inward and outward glory of a believer. Although they have a contrasting lifestyle, the unbeliever sees the attractive nature of a fruit bearing believer. Fruit bearing does not necessarily depend on how long one received salvation. One may have known The Lord for a long time but he may not have much fruit to show. We bear more fruit when we fully surrender our lives to The Lord. As we surrender fully He severs the bad fruit from our lives and nourish us so that we can bear the fruit that He desires.
Looking at the foundational text, The Lord was commissioning His disciples to go and bear fruit. His commission took effect shortly after His resurrection. The apostles habitually fellowshiped with The Lord. Their fruits were visible to all. Their fruit remained even in the Lord's physical absence. They never lacked spiritually. Their works were evident of their fruits. In our dispensation we have been given the same commission. We are to show the world our fruits and our fruit should remain. Sometimes we claim we are on fire for God only to fizzle out soon. Most of us have become spasmodic believers. There is no consistency in our fruit bearing. Other believers are non-existent.
One may be experiencing joy after praying or singing to The Lord but the next moment he may experience signs of depression. That's a sign of a bad fruit. A thorn among lilies. These mixed feelings are often caused by our unfaithfulness in our walk with God. When ones prayer, worship and bible reading is ebbing then you know he is certainly bearing bad fruits or he is in the process. We should continuously examine our lives daily to see if we are bearing more fruit or we are allowing a bad fruit to grow alongside the good fruit. A bad fruit is like a pest or disease that attacks a branch. When a branch is attacked by a disease it doesn't produce the fruit that the vinedresser requires. Likewise when we feed on negative emotions and bad behavior like anger,strife,envy, we do not produce the kind of fruit that The Lord requires.
If we do not produce the desired fruit then it means our fruit did not remain. If we continue to produce bad fruit we will eventually be severed and cast into fire. The commission is to bear fruit that remains. As we go into the world our fruit is supposed to testify of us. A believer mus t be known for his fruit before his gifts. If our fruits do not remain we will eventually fall for the world and be corrupted. We can only bear good fruits if we habitually spend more time with The Lord.
Glory To Jesus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)