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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. James 3:17-18 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. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (KJV)
James 3:17-18 (from Matthew Henry’s Commentary) III. We have the lovely picture of that wisdom which is from above more fully drawn, and set in opposition to this which is from beneath: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, etc., v. 17, 18. Observe here, True wisdom is God’s gift. It is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. It consists of these several things:--
The wisdom from above is God’s gift which is able to make us wise unto salvation; it is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. We neither receive it of man, neither are we taught it, but it is freely given by the revelation of Jesus Christ, the good and perfect gift from the Father of lights above through His Spirit. Without Christ there is no wisdom from above and there will be no fruit sown of righteousness in peace. For He is our peace, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. My beloved brethren, I pray that your faith stands firm in the power and wisdom of God, and not in the wisdom of man this day; for the wisdom from above is Christ, and the power of God is Christ, and in Him all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are available unto you to be fruitful in the Spirit so making peace. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. (KJV)
Some of God’s people throw words out haphazardly because they react in the flesh and have not yet learned to respond in the Spirit. When you enter your prayer closet are you going to hear what the Lord has for you this day, or are you going to tell him what you think is going to work instead? Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools. Pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. (KJV) When you committed your life to Christ you vowed to give Him all of it, not just bits and pieces, or second hand stuff that you were discarding anyway. It’s time to pay up Church; and I am not talking about tithing which is all that the false prophets seem to focus on today. Because of the lack of their commitment to the Lord they have to hit up the people to make up for the shortfall. Instead, I am talking about presenting yourself daily as a living sacrifice; where you have died to your own thoughts and ways and are now open for something that works and gets results. 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; (KJV) All those thoughts and ideas you thought would work, or all that advice you have been giving to God, put it in the vain column and move on or your reality check will keep bouncing and be stamped with N.S.F, non sufficient faith. You will never understand how to walk in the wisdom of God until you realize how foolish your own limited carnal understanding really is. 1 Corinthians 1:18-20 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (KJV) The preaching of the cross of Christ is a spiritual one; where we keep our own thoughts and carnal wisdom nailed to it no matter how much the flesh struggles to hang onto them. It’s only when you allow your own wisdom to be destroyed that God can replace it with His. So where are all these wise guys and know it all’s according to the flesh going to end up? Well, right along with all the other fools that thought they knew more than God. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (KJV) Mans’ religions and doctrines are foolish and a waste of time. By renewing your mind daily in the Lord you get to operate with the wisdom of God which is only found in Christ. After all look where He ended up, isn’t that where you intend to end up also? God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)
The wisdom being referred to is a spiritual wisdom from above; revealed to those who desire to worship the Lord in Spirit, and just as importantly, in truth. Those who are referred to as perfect in verse 6 are the ones that have matured in Christ and are now walking in His wisdom, because they have walked away from their own. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (KJV) People have a partial understanding of things based on their limited outward interpretations; however, the real growth and maturity takes place when you eliminate the outward and see in the realm of the Spirit where you will have more of a perfect or mature understanding of how salvation truly works instead of being tossed back and forth like some dried out tumble weed in winds of doctrines. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 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. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV) I can look back at some of the childish things that I have done even after having been born again; however, once I was able to get the blinders of my childish ways removed, I was able to see a more clear and perfect way of serving the Lord in the realm of the Spirit. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. (KJV) There comes a point in every believer’s walk where they arrive at a crossroad, one where they either continue to walk closer to the Lord, or begin a downward spiral by walking back into the realm of the flesh. If you are going to truly mature in Christ and know His doctrine for yourself then you will find that you will need to remove the childish influences of your past in order to do so. Dearly loved, have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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