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Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)
Did you ever stop and think about your senses, and what their purpose is? We have these senses that allow us to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste things in the outward realm, but did you know that you also have spiritual sensibility that gives you the same opportunity for the inward? As we see in verse 11 the writer refers to His spiritual insight, in the fact that the people had become dull in their spiritual hearing, and rather than teaching and leading by example, they needed to start over again. A child can only last so long on milk and then they need to be weaned and given solid food if they are going to grow. The same pattern holds true spiritually. If you are going to mature in the Lord then you need to taste the things of God that will provide the growth or you will end up malnourished. Verse 14 shows us that we need to exercise our senses so that we don’t let any unhealthy doctrine into our heart. As your physical body requires exercise to maintain good health, the same holds true with our spirit man, and being the fact that it is our inward man that will live on forever, would you not think it is time to attend to these senses, or should I say doesn’t that make sense? Psalms 34:8-9 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (9) O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (KJV) You wouldn’t eat rotten food; and watching someone eat out of a garbage can is not to pleasant either, so why would you do that spiritually? Have you ever been told to eat your carrots so that you could see better? Well the Lord has a diet for the heart which requires a daily dose of healthy doctrine, as well as an exercise regimen for those that want to grow strong and healthy. So take the taste test and make sure it is of the Lord, and then partake of His meat which will keep you strong and confident in the realm of the Spirit. Psalms 119:103-104 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (104) Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. (KJV) Once you have tasted the things of God, you find that it is the only thing that will satisfy the heart and fill the void in our lives with an abundance of peace. Don’t be fooled by drive through fast food doctrines of man, which look good to the outward, but are unhealthy to the inward. Luke 14:16-24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (17) And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (18) And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. (19) And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. (20) And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. (21) So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (22) And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. (23) And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (24) For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (KJV) What are your priorities? What excuse have you come up with for not partaking of the spiritual meal the Lord has prepared for all His people? Ever wonder why people become weak, sickly, and end up on their backside? In the physical realm the first thing a doctor will tell you is diet and exercise. In the spiritual realm the same holds true. How much of the meat of God’s word are you partaking of, as well as working your spiritual body to keep it healthy on a daily basis? Sometimes things that are healthy for us may not always taste as good as things that are not, and that is where it is up to each of us to discern and base our decisions on what is best for us and not on what is the most appealing. If you were to give a child a choice the menu would most likely consist of candy, ice cream, cakes and other colorful items that although they are the most appealing, would provide the least nourishment. As one matures though, they realize they will need to change their diet if they plan on living a healthy lifestyle. Remember the spirit is willing, it’s the flesh that is weak and would rather have what it wants and not what it needs. John 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. (KJV) The Lord ran into opposition Himself; letting the people know that if they kept His saying and relied on His word to feed their spirit man, then they would never have to taste of death, which means separation from Him. Of course the problem arose with the people here, and still arises with many today because they looked at this from the outward sense and not the inward, which is why the confusion set in. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (KJV) Our Lord paid the price for us and took upon Himself the sins of the whole world. Because the wages of sin is death, He spent three days and three nights in the belly of the earth separated from the Father so that we could be reconciled to Him and not have to spend an eternity tasting death ourselves. Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (KJV) So even if you happen to drink of something unhealthy and it just doesn’t taste right spiritually, you will be able to filter it out and not let it harm you because you have kept your spiritual immune system healthy by exercising your spiritual senses, discerning between what is good and what is evil. Today, exercise your spiritual senses so that you operate in the sensibility which leads to life. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)
You know that thing about reaping what you sow, with what measure you are willing to hear, is what is measured back at you, it’s true. If you don’t like our Lord’s message of salvation, and turn away and do your own thing, then the Lord doesn’t want to hear your excuses for allowing sin in your life. God has done all that is needed to bring you His plan of salvation and how to maintain a walk in the Spirit on a daily basis. And until you are willing and obedient to His plan, He will not listen to those that choose another path. However, if one is a doer of His word as well as a hearer, the line of communication is wide open to those that worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 11:41-44 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. (42) And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. (43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (KJV) How would you like to have this confidence and boldness to know that God does always hear your prayer, and then be able to expect His results as well? The words that we speak should always be life, and bring new life to those around us as well; resurrecting those areas in our walk that have bound us up and left us for dead also. The word of God is living and powerful and able to remove the stony heart from the dead, and give them a new life with a heart that is able to receive the things of God. Sometimes however the heart becomes hardened again and calloused to the voice of God, and we end up dead in our sins and trespasses because we don’t always like and agree with what God is asking of us. 2 Peter 3:3-6 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (KJV) When you are willingly ignorant and choose to ignore God, did you realize that He does the same in return? God warned the people back in the time of Noah, and was longsuffering enough to give them one hundred and twenty years time before he brought the flood upon them. Today we have many scoffers who stand in the pulpits and claim to be of God, who tickle the ears and preach doctrines based on blessings without any concern for consequences or personal responsibility of the believer. As long as people attend certain organizations and follow guidelines and standards which are beneficial only to the leaders and not the congregation, they will find that these self-serving doctrines of man which look good and sound good to the outward man, are nothing more than an abomination to God, and they will be ignored by Him until they choose to follow His path. Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (KJV) Have things seemed stale in your life at times? Does it seem like you are in a holding pattern, ready to move forward but stuck in the mud? Are you like Lazarus, all bound up and things that were once alive in your walk now seem dead? Basically your life stinks. Do you have confidence in your prayers, knowing and not just hoping or guessing the Lord hears you? Some think that God is holding back on them, or that He plays favorites, when the reality is that He is ready, willing, and more than able to respond to those that are willing to respond to Him; doing the walk as well as the talk. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (KJV) Think of it this way, as long as you cover your ears and are not willing to listen, neither will God listen to you. God has a path of life for you to walk on, which He ordained for you before the foundation of the world, and will only fellowship with those that are willing to walk with Him on this path. He will not alter and change His plan for anyone; especially the creation that thinks it knows better than the Creator. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV) What if you were out at sea in a boat and fell overboard, and someone threw you a life preserver, but you chose to ignore it because it wasn’t a color you liked. People get that way with God; the way of escape is always available, the opportunity for salvation is always there, but they don’t like the answer they received, or are not willing to do what is necessary to keep them from drowning in destruction and perdition. If you don’t like God’s plan of salvation, I can assure you there is not another ship coming along to bring you anything better. The fact is that most of the ships that set sail these days in the name of the Lord, have large gaping holes in their doctrines, and are headed for shipwreck. Isaiah 1:15-16 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (16) Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (KJV) Have you ever seen a child that doesn’t want to hear a parent’s instructions? They plug their ears, close their eyes, or make noises to drown out the voice of the parent. From the parent’s point of view, how do you handle the situation when the child demands something from you, having been just ignored? Be not deceived, God is not mocked, what you sow is what you reap, and you will not get a response from Father until you are willing to respond to Him, only this time try it with some humility. 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) Wouldn’t you rather know that He hears your prayer, and not just guess or hope maybe you caught the Lord in a good mood this time? God is not moody like man, nor does He play favorites with anyone, but is longsuffering toward all of us, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance so that He can work effectively in each and every one of us. So remember Church, if you turn a deaf ear to Him, don’t expect to be treated any differently in return. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 4:23-24 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (24) And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. (KJV)
How vital is our hearing; not only getting the message, but knowing who it is coming from as well? Like with a cell phone, a dropped call can change the message; not getting the message through in its entirety, changing and distorting the message being delivered. I compare our spiritual hearing with a radio, it takes a while to dial into the right frequency, getting rid of the static and noise of other channels in order to get the station with the information you are listening for. Along the way you will catch bits and pieces of other conversations, loud music, loud talk radio, before you find the easy listening channel with the information you are seeking. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (KJV) Knowing the voice of the Lord, and dialing into His frequency will help you understand who the message is coming from, and what the spiritual meaning of it is. So if you get some loud, boisterous, finger pointing, condescending, voice coming at you trying to remind you of the past, or anything else that is not peaceable, change the channel. 1Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: (12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (KJV) There are many winds of doctrine out there; lots of earth shattering fire and brimstone preachers out there that rant and rave thinking they will be heard for their much speaking. But after all the noise and distractions, all the static and distortions of the world, it’s that still small, loving gentle voice of God that we should be listening for, and tuning out the rest of the noise. How many parents would talk to their children like that, yelling and hollering all the time, and telling them how worthless they are? How many children would want to listen to a parent ranting and raving all the time as well? Granted, God does discipline and correct us, but it is done in love, for our benefit. So who are you listening to? Is it building you up spiritually giving you the confidence and peace you are seeking, or is it pulling you down with doubt and confusion? If so, you need to check the number and dial again. It’s important to take the time to pray and talk to God; but be ready to hear His answer as well, so that when He calls back he doesn’t get a busy signal from our end. Isaiah 30:9-10 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: (10) Who say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: (KJV) Some people have selective hearing. Rather than hear the message delivered by Christ, they would rather hear things that fit their lifestyle. Ever wonder why there are so many different denominations in this country alone. What’s wrong with just being a Christian? Christ like, was the intention I believe. Oh, but all these man-made titles and doctrines are like going to a clothing store, if it doesn’t fit we can alter it and make it look good. Whatever happened to one Lord, one faith? Kind of like a telemarketer, the devil uses the lines of communication to distort the message and steal your identity in Christ. Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV) The Lord is standing at the door of your heart, ringing the bell. Like a pizza delivery man, He has a hot spiritual meal ready to serve to those that will open up and let Him have access to their house. So get the door, this time it is not Dominos. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 13:15-16 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (KJV)
Did you ever stop and ponder the fact that as your physical body has senses, sight and sound being so vital; your spirit man has senses as well. And if you have ever wondered how important the sense of sight is, just take some time blindfolded, and try getting from one point to another. Just imagine how difficult it is spiritually as well, trying to find the narrow path of life that leads to Father’s house, and not able to see where you are going. Mark 4:33-34 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. (34) But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. (KJV) One of the keys which you will find valuable in understanding the Bible for yourself, and eliminating any doubts or gray areas, is how much time you spend alone with Father on a daily basis so that your spiritual eyes will be enlightened. Parables are not a couple of animals standing in a farmer’s field, although sad to say there is a lot of bull being shoveled around, but rather a symbolic analogy, the correlation between something in the physical realm and the spiritual meaning of it. Understanding with the heart, seeing the hidden meaning of the scriptures, is what will enlighten the path of life for you, and allow you to see God’s true meaning and intention for your own walk as well. Romans 1:20-22 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (KJV) Many start out with good intentions, but somewhere along the line they end up sidetracked and misled; mostly because they don’t take the time themselves to establish a personal relationship with the Father on a daily basis. When the blind follow the blind, they both end up in a ditch and are no longer walking the path of life which is the way of escape from this present evil world. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (KJV) Many people buy water filters for their home use, it filters out the impurities and leaves you with the pure water. The Holy Ghost is like a purifier as well, it takes the hidden meaning of the parables and removes the cloud or veil of the flesh, and you are left with the pure word of God, the simplicity, a clear understanding revealed; comparing or interpreting the spiritual things with spiritual people. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (KJV) It’s when we lean to our own understanding that we miss the intended purpose of the Word of God; the understanding becomes darkened, and we miss the interpretation. Ever try to get directions from a person who is from another country, someone that speaks another language? Without an interpreter you might as well have a snickers bar, you’re not going anywhere for a while. The same holds true in the spiritual realm as well. You entered into a whole new life, a whole different realm than what you had been living before. And without an interpreter to help you along, you will end up misguided and led astray as well. Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. (KJV) So which way are you headed? Who are you getting your directions from? Jesus Christ walked the path of life to victory; are you following in His footsteps? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (KJV)
A good healthy spiritual diet is what will keep one strong in the Lord and the power of His might; allowing in anything contrary to sound doctrine is like food poisoning. One of the definitions of sorry refers to anger, and being consumed with anger can easily lead one astray and steal the joy from the heart. James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: (20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (KJV) Will you react in the flesh, or respond in the spirit? Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (KJV) Ready, shoot, aim, oops, that will leave a mark. Ever spend time watching children? If they get angry, they lash out; if they have something to say, they just speak it. Those that mature in the Lord will take the time to hear the whole matter, to listen to Father’s response, not blame others. Oh but he made me mad, or that makes me angry. The Lord said you are made in His image and likeness, a new creation, old things are passed away. Is it so much that someone else made you mad, or was it more your choice to allow that into your temple, and let anger and frustration of your own life drown out the voice of God? Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (KJV) Bitterness is like a poison, it doesn’t take much, but if allowed into our spirit can consume a person, by which many have allowed themselves to be defiled. Sometimes we don’t like what we see in others, because it reflects things we know in our own walk that need to be dealt with. Ever see a warning label on a product? If it is a hazard that can lead to death, like a poison, it is marked with the skull and cross bone label. Understanding the fact that wrath and anger are a big Yuk as well, will keep the channel of communication alive and well within us also. I have seen people on the news who call themselves Christians, who go out and protest against issues, pointing the finger at people with threats of hell and destruction to those that sin. It is true that there will definitely be consequences for these actions, but protesting in anger and threats, is not the love of God that will win people over; especially when the Lord Himself said that he that is without sin could be the one to cast the first stone. Sufficient to say by the way, that not a stone was thrown after that statement. Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (26) But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (KJV) Have you ever made a mistake, knowing you blew it, and asked the Lord for His forgiveness? Even to the point of Lord please, I won’t let that happen again. Are you as willing to forgive others as you would want to be forgiven? Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV) If you multiply 7x70, you end up with 490. Does that mean that after 490 times you don’t have to forgive anymore? Or rather might it be an illustration? Even after we have forgiven someone, or have been forgiven ourselves, how many times does the enemy come back and try to remind us again of the trespass, and try to re-grow a root of bitterness that was pulled up and thrown away? So stay on Guard, be alert, watch and pray always; and don’t let these things enter in again and choke the life out of the new creation working in you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV)
You know, it’s up to you personally to hear the message being delivered by God through Christ so that you can know for yourself what the true meaning of it is. There is a line if you would, where once you cross it there is no going back, at least not in peace. Those that entered the Lord’s realm did so because they examined themselves and realized that they were in dire need of something better, that being our Lord and His truth that would set them free. When people don’t discern or rightly divide the truth, the meaning of the Word of God, then they enter a realm of darkness, where if continued in makes them weak; some become spiritually sick as well, and some are sleepwalking, claiming to be serving our Lord but yet they are still walking according to the flesh. For many they just blindly accept whatever is thrown their way in the form of man’s doctrine and then wonder why they don’t get any real results, something of substance. Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV) Nothing will pull a person down quicker than a lousy diet and a lack of exercise. Spiritually the same holds true; those that should have been teaching needed to be re-taught themselves because they had become dull in their hearing, that being, hearing the Word of God. Many do hear things that many claim to be of God, but only a few really take the time and effort to seek for themselves the true meaning and interpretation of the Word. Strong’s definition for ‘dull’: 3576 nothros (no-thros'); from a derivative of 3541; sluggish, i.e. (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid: KJV-- dull, slothful. Not a very pleasant picture, someone that should have been strong in the Lord and the power of His might is now basically useless, you know, like when the salt has lost its savor? Verse 14 uses the term ‘strong meat’ which would make one strong if they are partaking of it. However, if one is not properly exercising their Spiritual senses instead of rejecting the unhealthy things, they accept them wholeheartedly and end up weak and sick. Isn’t that one of the first things that you as a parent try to teach the children, how to eat a healthy diet so that they don’t end up sick? Well, for those that should be leading by example, what kind of spiritual diet have you been partaking of, and is it something that is building you up or pulling you down? 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (KJV) Hmmm, there is that word ‘many’ again; you know, like many false prophets that would arise and deceive many? How about the many that are called and yet only a few are chosen; so what happened to the ‘many’? Well many are bedridden, having not shown up for their spiritual calling, but rather they called in sick because they have become weak, weakened by doctrines that are man-made with man-made unhealthy additives, shortcuts would be another way of describing it. Many are asleep as well, because rather than give ear to the Lord and His correction (chastening is another way of putting it) they spend more time trying to appease man rather than God which is why they are in the category of ‘the many’. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) God did His part and sent His Son so that we could be furnished with everything needed to walk His path of life. Oh it is so nice to hear about the blessings of God and all the good stuff that goes along with them, but how about some of the other things, like reproof or correction, you know, like when you were a child and would rather have the dessert instead of the broccoli? Well, just like with all those sugar coated doctrines that we have out there, the payoff is that they are not healthy, and neither are those that partake of them and don’t take the time to rightly divide or get the Lord’s true take on the meaning. For many they hear only what they want to hear and discard the rest, which is like watching children in a school cafeteria, most of what is discarded is what is the healthiest. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (KJV) The scriptures were to inspire us, to make us perfect (which means mature), not stuck in the carnal realm acting like a bunch of babies. Many people associate themselves more with an organization rather than the Word of God. They become dependent and stuck on the doctrine or denomination, and can quote their beliefs more than the truth. When I hear many claim that they are associated with a denomination it tells me that they hold more to man than God; after all, what denominational name did the Lord attach to Himself? Ever hear a child trying to speak their first words? Most of what they say is something they hear from others. 1 Corinthians 13:10-11 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) There is a line drawn that separates soul from Spirit, a realm that separates the men from the children. One has come, a perfect sacrifice, so that we could have a perfect mature understanding for ourselves of God’s plan of salvation; which by the way, one of the definitions of salvation is health. What kind of health spiritually are you in today, and what kind of diet are you partaking of? If it is Spiritual then it will bring life as well as a healthy walk with the Lord, while anything else will leave one weak, sickly, and basically sleeping like a baby. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. I John 2:26-28 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (KJV)
This week we wanted to concentrate on doctrine; what we are listening to, and who is it really coming from? The anointing you have received is the only one that can teach you personally who you are in Christ and where your place in His body of believers is. Take notice of the statement in verse 27 that say’s, even as. You have every opportunity to abide in the realm of the Spirit and continue growing and developing confidence in what the Lord is speaking as opposed to what man settles for. If you sense your walk with the Lord is a bit stale and there is not much forward progress, you need only to get your spiritual Q-Tips out and remove the buildup of doubt you have allowed back in. Mark 4:1-3 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: (KJV) The Lord uses parables to illustrate how His kingdom operates. Those that have the eyes of their spiritual understanding opened will understand His doctrine, while all others will end up drowning in destruction and perdition because they decided man’s way was easier. Mark 4:21-25 And he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. (KJV) A Spiritual candle is lit in heaven and those that take a seat to hear the Lord’s doctrine will be able to see and understand what is taking place. The ball is in your court, you can take salvation all the way, or you can have an eternity to ponder what should have been. Do you desire to be closer to the Lord? Then get closer so that you can hear His voice better. Step out in faith and more will be given. It’s not the hearers that are justified; it takes some movement on our part before anything else is added. For those that don’t progress daily, it gives the enemy an opportunity to steal your confidence, and impede your forward progress home. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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