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Williams New Testament translation for Matthew 5:37
37. But your way of speaking must be a simple `Yes' or `No.' Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. How sound and sure is the speech that is proceeding from your mouth? Are you absolutely sure that what you say is what you mean? Are others around you sure of where you are coming from or are you one of those that claim to be one of God’s people, but yet still friendly with the worlds way of thinking? The world and its way of thinking is full of nice guys, okie dokie people that don’t like to ripple the water; people that would rather tickle ears than feed the spirit; professing themselves to be wise, they actually are fools. Practice what you preach, being a written epistle that is easily known and read of all men so that there is no doubt about who you really are and who you are a representation of. Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) Some of the definitions for the word idle include, inactive, lazy, as well as useless words that obviously are not spiritual and not bringing life to the hearers. These words can come in the form of flattery, saying one thing but meaning another, presenting a false front, words that you will need to give account of before our heavenly Father and basically explain to Him why you lied. If you are not sure what to say, or cannot say it faithfully, then it would be best kept unsaid until a time you knew was appropriate. Maybe your perception of a situation isn’t totally clear, so rather than shoot first and aim second, you need to make sure of who or what you’re pointing at before you fire a round. The church of God, which is His people, really need to understand how important our words truly are, because as we see in the above verses they can definitely make or break your fellowship with the Father; and if not checked, even to the point of eternal damnation. Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (KJV) The word of God is very clear on how to handle a matter, especially between the brethren. As we see in the above verses there is a very clear and orderly pattern for how things should be dealt with in the Church. However, despite how clear and precise it is laid out, most of the time it is handled in reverse and sometimes to the point of making molehills into gigantic mountains of strife and contention, let alone the backbiting. If you have an issue with someone concerning their walk with the Lord, after hopefully praying about the situation first, then it would be fitting to go and discuss the matter with the individual first, face to face to see if it can be resolved. Maybe what ends up getting resolved is your own take on the situation and how what you perceived was a problem was actually more of a simple misunderstanding, lack of communication if you would, which the enemy was more than delighted to throw fuel on the fire to keep it burning. If the issue does in fact turn out to be something that needs to be dealt with, and the person you spoke to wasn’t very open and wanted a clearer explanation, or wasn’t receptive to resolving the matter, then you can take one or two more with you, which not only refers to brethren, but having at least two spiritual witnesses of the word of God to back up your claims. I have seen firsthand what happens when this order is reversed; how when a situation arises among the brethren it first gets published to everyone else other than to the person involved in the matter. Then after a public proclamation is made to everyone else, sometimes they find out that it wasn’t really such an issue, rather their own personal differences which were based more on their carnal senses and not their spiritual ones. Simply put in laymen’s terms, whatsoever is not of faith is sin; if you can’t faithfully say something to a person’s face, then by God you should not be saying and spewing this petty nonsense to everyone else’s face. Talk about speaking in an unknown tongue; nothing is more unknown and contrary to our Lord than backbiting, strives, and petty contentions over things that have nothing to do with salvation, but rather personal misguided jealousies of people who think they are getting the short end of the stick. When you sin against the brethren, as the Bible says, you are sinning against Christ Himself. A fire can be a good thing; it can be used for cleansing metals, cooking and heating, but it can be a deadly destructive force if it is fanned with winds of the tongue, a wildfire out of control that destroys anything in its path. Proverbs 27:3-6 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. (4) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (5) Open rebuke is better than secret love. (6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (KJV) The Bible tells us that the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, it is similar to a stone or how about a millstone; you know the one that is tied to those that offend others and then cast into the sea. These factions and frictions that arise amongst the brethren, is it something spiritual or is it something else like envy, your own perception of how you viewed someone else’s walk? Faithful are the wounds of a friend, like with surgery, it cuts deep and hurts but it brings forth healing afterwards. Our Father considers that openness, even if it is in the form of rebuke, is better than a secret love; those whose mouth says one thing but their heart is far from it. And who can forget one of the most famous kisses of an enemy, the one by a man named Judas who was actually a follower of our Lord yet betrayed Him with a simple kiss as though he was still one of His. Are you an open book to those around you, like a written epistle, so that others know who you truly are and who you truly serve; like the term wearing your heart on your sleeve? Or are you more of a people pleaser, kissing up to others rather than taking a stand for who you are, or should I say who you should be a representation of? When you start kissing peoples anatomy you become a friend of the world, which the Bible clearly states is an enemy with God. Those words of faith that you promised God you would speak on His behalf are now idle useless words which are ready to perish and so will those that speak them. 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (KJV) Oh and by the way, I would be negligent if I didn’t warn you about the effects of bringing truth to others around us, especially when we are surrounded by a fallen world, that the more you do open up and bring a message of salvation to, the less you will be welcomed with open arms. In fact if you are looking to be popular with mankind and the life of the party then you have chosen the wrong field, because just the opposite will take place. In fact all you need to do is go through the Bible and see those that stood up for the Lord were the ones the enemy did all he could to knock them down. Kind of like with sporting events, the guy with the ball is the target of the defense because he is the one in position to score and achieve the goal. So don’t take it personal people if you are rejected by mankind; in fact, the closer you get to the Lord the farther removed you will be from those that claim to be of God who are more interested in their own personal matters than our Lord’s. Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. (KJV) That favour, you will find first and foremost should be coming from God, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, and how He would have you handle a matter. If you are more concerned with pleasing people then you will be more apt to flatter them with smooth words rather than words of life that were intended to build them up, which is what they ignored in the first place. So basically speaking, you need to choose this day who you will truly serve because if you are not willing to speak words of life on behalf of our Father then He will just move on to someone else who is willing to; and then someday you can explain to Him all that idle chatter you chose to speak and all the idle people you chose to please instead of Him. Get real. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 11:11-14 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (12) Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. (13) Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. (14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (KJV)
God’s word was made flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus Christ, who was sent from God to deliver mankind from a death sentence to one of eternal life. The things our Lord did and demonstrated are still available to His people today; those that God sends to speak words of life and wake people up from their spiritual stupors. When you see the phrase sleep it does refer to death also. Lazarus is someone we can identify with ourselves. And as we read yesterday, a man who was stuck in darkness, bound up in grave clothes whose life stunk, and was being resurrected from his sleep by the word of the Lord. We too were dead in sin and trespasses but are now made alive again so that we are able to walk in newness of life in the Spirit, no longer bound by the desires of the flesh. Ephesians 5:14-16 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (KJV) Many think and are taught that someday there will be a wonderful resurrection to a new eternal life with Christ, and for many of them they can hardly wait for that day to come. Those that have their spiritual senses exercised today know that now it is time to awaken from our spiritual stupor, arise from the dead and walk in the light of the glorious gospel of Christ and the path He chose for us before the foundation of the world. Thayer’s definition for awake: 1453 egeiro- to arouse, to cause to rise a) to arouse from sleep, to awake b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life Romans 13:11-14 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV) Have you woken up from the dead; are you arising now and heeding the spiritual calling, or are you all caught up in the striving and cares of this life? Now it is high time; time for you to be seated in the heavenly places with Christ, and not stuck in this dead end realm of the flesh with its dead end results. Your salvation is near, the Lord Himself is standing at your door knocking on the heart to see if you will let Him in and give you new life. Like with the example of Lazarus, He is ready to roll away the old stony heart and set you free to the only liberty you will find, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So are you heeding the call of our Lord; are you stepping out in faith into a new realm so that you can be partakers of the heavenly gift that God sent to us through His Son Jesus Christ? Now is the day of salvation, now it is much nearer than you thought; so will you get up from your spiritual hangover and answer the call, or will you sleep in and miss out on an eternal heavenly reward which is rightfully yours for the taking? Have you put on the whole armor of God which is Jesus Christ so that you will no longer be taken down by the fiery darts of the enemy and put back to sleep? Walk in the Spirit of Christ so that you no longer have to be in bondage to the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling its deadly desires which are contrary to our Lord’s desire for you. 1 Corinthians 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (32) If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (33) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (34) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (KJV) Paul himself realized that in order to resurrect daily to this new life in Christ he would have to die on a daily basis. The outward or the old man continues to perish on a daily basis, because we are now walking by faith and relying more on our spiritual sight than the physical one. Our inward man should be renewed on a daily basis so that we stay awake and alert spiritually, and are not ambushed by the enemy. Are the eyes of your understanding enlightened to the things of the Spirit, or are they becoming heavy and you are drifting back to sleep again? Take heed to the warning in verse 33, because Paul did not say that evil communication might corrupt, but rather would corrupt good manners. These warnings are not put in the Bible just to fill in pages or finish a paragraph, but are there for the benefit of His people so they won’t be deceived back to sleep again, but rather stay awake and alert to the things of God. Some people are not aware of these things that many may consider little and trivial, but remember it only took a little leaven to leaven the whole lump, and for those that don’t operate in this knowledge, like Paul said, he speaks this to their shame. It’s one thing if the people of the world decide to ignore the word of the Lord and perish; it’s another to see God’s people perish because of their lack of knowledge in spiritual matters; which in the end is all that truly matters. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28) 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) The Bible says that we all need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, coming to an understanding of God’s plan of salvation for ourselves so that we no longer have to guess, but know who we are in Christ, and find our place within the body. Many that have had a spiritual awakening at some time, end up falling back to sleep, this after becoming weak and sickly. It’s because of their lack of discernment and diligence, as well in making the Lord their priority that they ended up in this condition. The Bible warns us of the many false prophets that shall come preaching damnable heresies to the point of denying the Lord, and they bring upon themselves swift destruction. Not only will the false prophets suffer eternal consequences because what should have been the bread of life was actually polluted and full of deadly spiritual diseases which eat like a cancer, but those that follow them and lend their support to them will also suffer the same consequences as well. So wake up Church; you have a Bible and you have access to the throne of God so that you can sit together with Christ on a daily basis and hear His words firsthand; they are spirit and they are life to those that hear. Don’t fall asleep at the wheel again and end up in a ditch spinning your wheels, but stay alert and follow the only path that leads to eternal life, the same path our leader and forerunner Jesus Christ followed Himself. God bless and keep the faith. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV)
Welcome to the realm of God where everything you thought, where all your priorities and what you esteemed so important, has suddenly changed and done an about face. Things that were important to you, things you thought would bring you peace have been discarded and replaced with the things of God; something completely opposite to what you have been taught all your life and were surrounded with before your conversion. God’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours, His reward is unending, with a promise of eternal joy and peace to those that are willing to enter His realm and remain there. Are the things you desire in line with the will of God, or is there a tug of war going on within you, something trying to pull you back into the realm of the flesh? Are you still trying to figure things out according to your own carnal thinking, and won’t accept anything else unless it is according to the outcome you determined? In the end it is our ways and our own thoughts that separate us from God, a God that is a lot easier to hear while He is near and still dear to our heart. I don’t believe mankind can measure the distance between the earth and heaven; which according to the Bible is so much higher than we could ever imagine or think. So with all this power that is available to each and every believer, with a God that determines a victory before one ever engages in a situation, why do we still at times overlook and neglect the only answer for mankind that will bring peace and joy, and provide a permanent escape from this present evil world? Luke 12:22-24 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. (23) The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. (24) Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (KJV) This is your assignment for today, do not take thought for your life or for the outward man, replace those thoughts with what is important to the spiritual man. All that effort and attention that has been put into our physical is going to be directed into the spiritual and what is required in order to please God. Every time you catch yourself drifting off and back into the realm of the flesh, stop, and replace those thoughts with what is needed to keep the spiritual man fed. And if you happen to see a raven or any other bird feeding somewhere, stop, and remind yourself, and ponder the fact that our heavenly Father provides food for His creation; so why would you doubt or think you have been overlooked by God, unless you haven’t taken the time to hear Him, and you have been overlooking simple ways that He has been trying to speak with you? While many people think they will find the deep things of God by reading the book of Revelation, determining the end times and how it will play out, the depth of God is in the simple things that are so often overlooked and missed by man that are right in front of us if we will only listen. Luke 12:25-27 (25) And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? (26) If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (27) Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (KJV) A cubit is about 39 inches; a little more than a yard, about the length of a step we take in our walk. So when on this path of life that God ordained and chose for you before the foundation of the world, which of you can take that next step without knowing the direction God is asking, or trying to lead you in? If you are not able to do these simple, least assignments, then why would you be taking thought for the rest of your walk? Reading your Bible is important on a daily basis as well as stopping and listening; hearing God speak with you on an individual basis so that you are able to hear and receive the spiritual message within His word. It’s the simplicity of the gospel of Christ that is missed by many, because they compare the scriptures to what they have learned in the past, thinking it takes someone smart to understand them, when all God asks of us is to be willing and obedient to His word. It is those that humble themselves that are exalted, and able to see and understand the things of God. Like looking at how beautiful the lilies of the field are; they didn’t toil like Solomon and mankind, rather they grew into something beautiful that God had intended them to be without the toiling. Luke 12:28-30 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (29) And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (30) For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. (KJV) Someday this world and its fashion are going to burn up and be replaced with a new one. With this in mind, what is or should be your priority? What is it that you should be seeking after that really has any meaning or eternal purpose? All these things that we have need of our Father has already promised to provide, and already knew what we would have need of before the foundation of the world. Let’s start giving credit where credit is due. After all parents, didn’t you plan on the provisions for your own children once you found out they were on the way and about to be brought into this realm? And yet with this in mind don’t you think God thought of this as well? Not only did He think of it, He has promised to supply all our need as well. Do you think you can do a better job than He can; and with this in mind why do we spend so much time taking thought for something God promised was a done deal? You wouldn’t be so doubtful if you kept God a priority, and didn’t allow all those negative thoughts to take root and become a stronghold; rather you would be casting that out as soon as it manifested, and tried to enter your heart. Luke 12:31-32 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (KJV) As a parent didn’t you enjoy sharing things with your children, and giving them the best you could? Our Father in heaven has never neglected His own, and promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Yet how often do we hold Him to His promise, and trust that what He promised He was able to do above and beyond what we could ever ask or think of, like the heavens above the earth? So today, prioritize and get things in order. God first, then these things are added, not the things first then we will get around to the God stuff. Keep it simple. God speaks to us in many ways, and His message goes beyond just what we read in His word. If one is attentive they can hear Him anywhere, anytime, and stay built up in the word of God, and not doubt what the Lord has promised to those that believe. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 12:1-2 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (2) They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (KJV)
How do the people of God go from one day serving Him, to the next day acting like the devil? It all comes down to what they have allowed into the heart; and like a virus, once it gets into the heart it will spread quickly and bring one down. Like in a courtroom, all the defense team has to do is present reasonable doubt or the appearance of it. The same holds true with the Christian and their daily encounters in life, the trial of their faith. If you take the time to study the evidence presented in the word of God you will have a rock solid case without any holes in it, and you will stand up and prevail in your daily encounters. But if you have let down your guard and have not taken the time to prepare your case then you will start entertaining doubts, and second guessing rather than knowing God’s verdict in the matter. Remember, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, which will either be words of spirit and life, or spirit and death, depending on where your heart truly is. The trial of your faith; are you ready for it, have you taken the time to study the evidence, or do you have double vision, flip flopping back and forth? 1 Kings 18:21-22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (KJV) In an election year, one of the biggest criticisms of the candidates, one of the biggest accusations that are made between them is their flip flopping on the issues. Instead of giving a straight answer and holding to it, they jump back and forth to appease the people and win their approval. This same mindset holds true in the spiritual realm; many that have begun their campaign with the Lord begin with good intentions but end up selling out to popular opinions and doctrines of man which are based more on a people pleasing head knowledge than on a true commitment from the heart. As we see Elijah was one amongst many others; rather than hold fast to the Lord many had allowed the people to be more of an influence on their heart than the word of God. Has your walk and commitment to the Lord come to a halt also, because rather than hold fast to His word you have been swayed by the people and their opinions? The Lord would rather have us hot or cold. It will be those that are in the middle that He will spue out of His mouth if they continue to waver between opinions. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) Once you ask God for His help and His wisdom then it is up to you to follow through with your commitment despite what many others are doing or believing. Like going to a doctor and seeking his counsel for whatever the ailment is, and whatever he prescribes for the treatment. So if he gives you a prescription and you don’t follow through and take the medicine then it is not his fault if you end up getting worse. The same holds true with our Lord, when we ask of Him we need to ask in faith, and follow through with what He prescribes in order to stay healthy. The reason one becomes double minded is because they were double hearted, no longer renewing the mind with the truth but rather introducing doubt and confusion which is not of God. It is easy to tell who the unstable person is by what is coming out of the mouth; and the more unstable one becomes the more they are blown off course with winds of doctrine and end up shipwrecked. What you allow into the heart is what is going to come out of your mouth; and the enemy is referred to a roaring lion, one who is waiting to pounce on the weak by listening to their confession and the instability that is coming forth from their mouth. Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV) How did all this junk and garbage get into the heart in the first place? If you ate nothing but junk food all the time how healthy would the heart be? By eating all this spiritual junk food you wonder why you waver and doubt at times. As vital an organ this is to our physical man how much more to our spiritual being? And if you had been more watchful of your temple you would not have allowed the thief to break through and turn God’s house into a dumping ground. While many still hold to outward appearances and physical laws and rituals, it’s the heart that matters to God, and what the true motives are that concerns Him. I can assure you that there are many that if they knew they had a winning lottery ticket would find a safe place to keep it and make sure nothing got to it and defiled it. So how much more should we keep a watch on our spiritual treasure chest, which after all affects our eternal life and not just the short term time we spend here. You wouldn’t let someone back up to your house with a garbage truck and dump it into your living room, so why do so many allow the devil to come into God’s temple and dump a load in their heart? How healthy would that be, let alone how soon before it would be declared unfit and not suitable for habitation? What are you listening to, what are you watching, what do you spend your time meditating on? If it is the things of God then you will be walking with Him and acting like Him. If it is anything else it will manifest itself in a way that will be most unpleasant. Proverbs 23:4-7 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. (5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: (7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (KJV) As a man thinks in his heart is truly who he will be; whether it be of God or the prince of this world. Are you seeking the riches of this realm as many others have fallen for and are drowning in destruction and despair, or are you seeking the spiritual treasures of wisdom and knowledge which can only be found in Christ, and those that are truly one of His? No man can serve two masters; and the Bible is quite clear that you cannot serve God and money at the same time. Those that engage in these doctrines become double hearted and double minded, no longer able to receive anything from God. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV) Time to clean out that mess that has gotten in the heart and wash it away with the living waters of truth so that you will no longer be double minded, flip flopping back and forth between the things of God and the things of this realm. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ezekiel 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV)
Now keep in mind that this heart transplant is referring to the spiritual realm, so in order to operate in it we need a new heart. Once you receive this new heart you will then be able to receive the things of God and walk in the realm of faith. A new spirit will open the eyes of our understanding and allow us to see the things of God. Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV) Our old man was having heart attacks, unable to ward off the virus of sin which was corrupting him/her, and eventually would lead to death if not dealt with. So in order to restore spiritual health one needs to take out the old stony heart and its hardened arteries and replace it with a new heart which will renew the mind and keep the new man healthy. The old stony heart is like the old tablets that the Ten Commandments were written on which were heavy and hard to deal with. The new heart is like one of clay which the potter, our Lord, can mold and shape a lot better than the stony one. Our old heart was limited to the things of this fleshy realm and unable to see beyond it. The new heart is one of the Spirit and gives us access to the spiritual realm of God, one that is able to receive and give us an understanding into the things of God. Thayer’s definition for the heart: 2588 kardia- the heart a) that organ in the animal body which is the center of the circulation of the blood, and, hence, was regarded as the seat of physical life b) denotes the center of all physical and spiritual life a) the vigor and sense of physical life b) the center and seat of spiritual life 1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors 2) used of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence 3) used of the will and character 4) used of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions c) used of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate Our new heart is able to take the life changing things of God and pump them through our body and into the mind so that we can keep ourselves renewed and reminded of who we are in Christ. A spiritual man requires a spiritual heart so that they can come to an understanding of how to live in the Spirit and no longer be in bondage to the things of the flesh. I think of the heart as being similar to a distributor in a car, it takes all the electrical energy and distributes it to the headlights and other electrical parts so that the driver can have a clear view of the path in front of them. Though many Christians still try to comprehend God from their own thinking, with limited head knowledge, it’s only those that serve Him from the heart, with a new heart, that will be able to see and understand how to walk effectively in this realm of the Spirit. 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) Thayer’s definition for wax gross: 3975 pachuno- 1) to make thick, to make fat, to fatten 2) metaphorically, to make stupid (to render the soul dull or callous) An interesting definition for the phrase ‘wax gross’. When the heart and its arteries thicken, it begins to slow or stop the life giving flow of blood to the rest of the body, which eventually will lead to the body shutting down, thus requiring a transplant. Unless there is a flow of the word of God continually going through your spiritual man you too will find the heart hardening, cutting off the flow from it also. Many people today still push and promote head knowledge and Bible memorization, thinking that will draw them closer to the Lord. But unless one has a change of heart and allows the word of God into their heart, they will not come to an understanding of who God is and what their place in the body of Christ is either. Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (KJV) When one trusts in his/her own heart, they are leaning back to their own understanding, and are about to fall. When one walks wisely in the wisdom of God they are able to keep the body in subjection to the Spirit and continue in the will of God, which is being delivered from this present evil world and not entangled with the affairs of it. Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (KJV) Without faith, the ability to hear the message delivered by Christ, you will not be able to come to an understanding or comprehend the love of God which is being shed abroad in your heart. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because rather than allowing Him into the heart you are still trying to comprehend and operate according to the old carnal fallen nature, which will leave one on the outside instead of a partaker of His love. This love of God and the fullness of it, go above and beyond anything we could ever ask or think; and once you have truly experienced it for yourself, it is not something you ever want to let go of or neglect. Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (KJV) With a new heart will come a new desire; not for the things of this life but for the things of God. These are the desires that God will give to those that love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul. Where your treasure is this day, right now, is where your heart will be, and will get rooted and grounded in, whether it is the things of God or the things of the world. Do you desire to partake of the new spiritual treasure that God has for His people? Then it will require a new heart with a whole new way of thinking in order to access this eternal treasure of the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (KJV)
Listen to a person talk and it only takes a few minutes or less to hear what realm they are operating in, and what their priorities in life truly are. We have been talking this week about the things of God which are spiritual, and the things of man which only deal with the physical realm. Once you are born anew into the realm of the Spirit it takes a daily dose of prayer and the word of God to keep your mind renewed on the things of God, or else one will fall back into the things of this fallen realm looking for peace and fulfillment in things the Lord has asked you to let go of. The mind is the battle ground for the believer because that is where they will either hold God to be true and man the liar, or they will fall into the category of where man tells God that He is the liar because of simple unbelief in His word. Romans 8:8-10 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (KJV) So what do you think? What is your mind being filled with today? If your priority is in this realm and pleasing those of this fallen one, then it will not be pleasing to God. If you don’t have the Spirit of Christ and a working knowledge of the spiritual realm of the Son of God, then you are none of His. Are you listening to the good news of the gospel of Christ, or are you spending all your time caught up in the news of the world which is old news and leads to a dead end to those stuck in it? With an election year coming upon us, and so many promises of liberty and freedom, in the end no matter what man tries to accomplish in the flesh as long as there is still mans’ fallen lower nature ruling these people, things will continue to spiral downward until the Lord returns and sets things in His order. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 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. (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) The mind is a terrible thing to waste; and what a waste it will be to those that find out what they had access to and how they neglected the gift of God, and ended up settling for some cheap imitation of the devil. Christ in you is the only hope of glory. So the more you step out and operate in His realm, the more you will think on the things that He does and truly be an imitator of Him and not of man. Christ is the Son of the living God, and so are you if you continue in the faith grounded and settled in the things of the Spirit, not letting your outward senses rule and dictate your outcome, but rather allow His word to accomplish the things that are pleasing in God’s sight. So how do you see things today, at this moment? Are you looking at life and expecting the best, confident your outcome is victorious and complete knowing you have done all to stand in the things of God, or are you still coming up short and frustrated because you are still leaning to your own understanding, and limiting God? Philippians 4:7-8 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) Do you desire to keep this peace of God working in your life? Then what are you meditating on today? Do you see victory and confidence in your walk the way Christ Jesus was able to walk, or are you thinking the worst and just hoping someday it might happen, or some people have all the luck? By the way, that word luck should not be a part of a Christian’s vocabulary, which sad to say still is. The word luck means chance, and leaves one on iffy ground rather than operating in the blessings of God which are a sure thing. So if you are waiting for a lucky break to come along in your life, the only break you will end up with is between you and your heavenly Father; trying to serve a spiritual God on fleshly terms and conditions which are not on His turf. Keep your mind out of the gutter, and keep it in the heavenly realm (verse 8) if you wish to get the desired results you have prayed for. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) When an army goes into a battle zone they make sure ahead of time that they are prepared and armed for the situation so that they can protect themselves. With the access to the things of God which He has provided us, why would you enter your day not taking the time to arm yourself also? The devil and his workers are still launching fiery darts so that they can inflame our lower nature, and try to get our old lusts burning again. Like with wildfires, the fire department will stay around and keep dousing the hot spots so that they don’t flare up again and cause more death and destruction. The same holds true in the spiritual realm, our shield of faith which is kept up and running by the renewing of the mind will continue to keep those darts quenched with living waters. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) There are a lot of talkers, who claim to be of God and know Him, but they act just like the people of this world, and are still stuck in the realm of the flesh because they haven’t renewed their mind with the things of God. It takes one to know one; so if you want to act like a man of God then you need to get to know One personally so that you can break free from this fallen realm and operate in a higher dimension of the Spiritual one. If you don’t have the mind of Christ then you are none of His, and unable to walk in the Spirit. It’s a God thing, and it is available to any that are willing to forsake the things of this life and walk in the things of His. God bless and expect the best because you serve the best. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Be wise in your thoughts, and useful in your actions. Your thoughts will bring you to where you are today and take you to where you will be tomorrow.
What are you thinking on, pondering? Is it uplifting or is it pulling you down into a pit of despair. Are your thoughts leading to peace? Being renewed in the spirit of your mind with the Word of God will lead you in peace and strength to walk in obedience and allow you to overcome the cares and concerns of everyday life; casting all your care upon God so that He can do the caring for you and lead you in peace. Your mind renewed on a daily basis will keep you operating with the mind of Christ and walking in the Spirit so as to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh by the leading of the carnal mind; which as you know can easily bring about thoughts that can lead to sin, despair, and spiritual death if not dealt with immediately. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Dearly loved, a mind renewed is a beautiful thing; so think on things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things so that you can be led by the Spirit today in doing the will of God and being prepared for whatever tomorrow brings. Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV) Let your steps be ordered by the Lord and then you shall delight in His way. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. |
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