Hearing: Never Changing

I've discussed this with the pastor. I empathize with him! It's an almost thankless profession and preachers must preach because they love others. There is no other explanation. On a much smaller scale I have experienced this as a Sunday School Teacher and lay preacher for years. I say "lay preacher" because I fill in in the absence of the regular preacher. However, it's enough to get a small taste of his angst. People hear, even listen, but the fail to apply! They are without excuse!

Romans 1:20 "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:"

Although, even without teaching and preaching, people have no excuse for not "getting it", they are entirely callous if they "don't get it" when it's preached. Get what? A saved ("safed") person is a new creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Let me paraphrase this in two ways so that you can "get it": "New creatures become different persons." and "Christians are to CHANGE!"  I can say without qualification that most Christians never change to a large extent in their daily living. They want "fire insurance" (to be saved from hell), but they don't want the "life assurance", which is reward for their service! I'm not sure the fire insurance is all that God had in mind. His desire is that we mimic him. When we become a "new person" the new is to be "printed" on the perfect "pattern". Because it's a mere "print" and not the original work, it will never be as good, but it can be an imperfect replication. Of course that perfect pattern is Jesus and the "print" is sanctification.

Ephesians 5:25b "...as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." 

 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What does "sanctify" mean? It means that Christ sets Christians "apart as holy". That's the process of becoming "a new creation" or a "different person". Paul even defined what "sanctification" is: "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish". Jesus said "be ye holy for I am holy"  (1 Peter 1:16 from Leviticus 20:7).

A person strives toward holiness by endeavoring to be like Jesus. However, since God is always with us, he still ministers to us through the Holy Spirit. Striving toward holiness is being attentive to the direction of the Holy Spirit (our Comforter) who leads and guides us, or at least he does if we are sensitive to his presence!

What is it that Christians do? How is it that we are sanctified? It's by obedience. Baptism presents to the world a new person cleansed by the blood of Jesus. It's a mockery if we ascend from the water a new person and put our old "clothes" (flesh) right back on!

Mark 2:22 "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."

In effect as a Christian we need to change! That old flesh must truly be replaced with new! That's not what most "Christians" do! Why? Because it doesn't please "the flesh", the "self". Even Christians still fight change. They claim Christ as savior, but still live for the devil. If they're "new persons" sanctified by the blood of Jesus, then they sure fool me! We are called to make a sacrifice:

 Romans 12:1 "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."

As a Christian, we are to be like Jesus. He came to serve, and to be like Jesus, we are to serve. How do we serve Jesus? We become the sacrifice! We sacrifice our will and replace it with God's will. Jesus even tells us that we pray in that manner; that "God's will be done". We become the epitome of what Jesus taught!

It's easy to quit cursing, attend church, and give up bad habits; but the things of the heart are strongholds! People just won't give up anger, selfishness, being inconsiderate, gossip, bad-mouthing, nor pride! Without doing those things "Christians" are little more than wet hypocrites!

This is the attitude which the preacher faces on a weekly basis! Sure they hear and may even listen, but they seem to never change. Is the preacher preaching in futility? It appears so. It's only for the few who desire to be to sacrifice themselves to Jesus that keeps the preacher motivated. His desire to see souls saved and people living for Jesus is why he teaches the word of God each Sunday. If there is no change, that people never live holy, is his job and effort in futility? We are getting to the point where the services of a preacher may no longer be needed because people seem to never heed the message. Pray for the preacher!

As I write my Daily Thought my goal is to tell others about Jesus and holy living. It's not merely for others that I write, but for myself! I want to live a more sanctified (holy) life and studying the very words of God allows me to be sensitive to his Spirit who is still here. By reading and studying the Most Holy God it makes this hypocrite (sic) want to change. Indeed "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". Make that flesh as strong as the spirit. Seek God, be holy and the devil will flee!

Gossiping

Gossip is an enormous problem even in Christian circles! "Gossip" is bits of conversations between people which are not known to be truth. When commenting about another, the comment is meant to belittle or condemn. Such comments often exaggerate a partial truth to make things appear to be worse than they are! As such "gossip" is not very charitable nor kind, and are meant to hurt. Of course Christians often say "Bless his heart!" and then the put-downs commence.

Christians most often don't "smoke, drink or chew, or hang out with those who do", but they sure know how to destroy the character of people! Gossip is intended to cause strife (bitterness) and is Satan's tactic to undermine those who should be brothers and sisters in Christ! Scripture says this about gossip:

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV) "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."

The "whisperer" is the person who gossips. The intent is to cause strife and the method is by dishonesty.  Let me give an example:

John makes flattering comments about Lucy's car. Unknown to Lucy is that John is in the market for a new car and John flatters because Lucy's car would suit his needs and satisfy him. John buys a car like Lucy's only better.  Lucy tells friends "John is so covetous... he bought a car like mine to spite me and he even had to better me!" You see that has partial truth, but Lucy, who is unaware of what goes through John's mind, exaggerates to make John look bad to others. Lucy is dishonest by doing that, she keeps it low key so John won't know what she said, and it's meant to undermine John's integrity. Gossip hurt! What hurts worse is that John and Lucy are friends (sic).

People are cruel! To make themselves appear to be better, included, accepted, or to get even; people gossip! Satan likes that and smiles because the gossiper is doing the devil's dirty work, and they even do it with pleasure. The tongue can sting and sting it will!

Romans 3:12 (ESV) 12 "All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. 13 “Their throat is an open grave;  they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips.14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

The tongue is a powerful weapon. When it's used to build-up and encourage it's the tool of angels. When used to destroy and put-down it's a tool of demons! Gossip is of the demons. Those who gossip are being used by demons to hurt others! Gossip is unfair and destructive, especially since the one who is the subject of gossip is unaware; he or she can't even defend themselves against vicious attacks!

When I'm a subject of gossip I'm hurt. When I do wrong to others they are obligated and I expect them to be honest with me. They should share their concerns to the person who they perceive as wrong. Let me use and example:

I had  a person who held animosity toward me for we were in conflict over legal issues. Because of the conflict, the other person told those around me "Larry uses drugs." That was meant to make me the villain! For those who knew me "Larry hates drug usage and always has!" I don't even use drugs prescribed to me if they influence my thought processes. When others heard that lie they often added things as "Yes, I saw him in a new sports car! Boy how he's changed!" Yes, I had purchased an old Mustang, which was truth, but the truth was used to append the accusation. My friend (sic) who added to the false accusation was spreading gossip. It was to further the strife between me and the person with whom I had the conflict! A genuine friend told me about the gossip because that true friend knew me well enough that "Larry would never do drugs!" Now, that's a friend!

Gossip has two communicators: the teller and the listener. Listening to gossip is as bad as telling it, if they don't take a stand!

Titus 3:10 (ESV) "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him..."

The Godly person warns another not to gossip. If the warning is not effective, then the Godly person will "have nothing more to do with him"!  The hearer of gossip is to warn, then flee if the plea fails! Good Christians not only do not gossip, but they don't listen to it, nor repeat it! It's unfair!

 Matthew 7:12a (ESV) “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them..."

No, we don't gossip about others regardless of how bad they are! We wouldn't want them to do that against us. What are we to do? Do things which encourages the other person; those things which show love. That's what we would want from them!

Never feel as if you need to "get your two-bits in"! Never embellish criticism another person is piling on someone else. Gossip stinks and those who gossip are stinkers! Actually, we should never say anything negative behind a person's back. Try that, you'll like it! You'll be blessed.

And if you have anything good to say about a person, say it to their face. They will be blessed and there will be no misunderstanding!

Folks, the Bible is not complimentary about gossipers! Don't do it! What takes years to build-up a tid-bit of gossip can tear down!

1 Timothy 5:13 (ESV) "Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."

If you're like me, when I wrong others, or perceive to wrong others, tell me about it! That's the Christian thing to do. Do that for me and I will for you.

Judging Temptation

We all have a gift. Yes, you do too! Because we're human we have temptations. Many Christians behave as if they're never tempted. They may even look upon others in a bad light who have temptation.  Judging people by how they're tempted is the worst sin possible. It's unfair and scripture speaks harshly about being unfair:

Matthew 7:2 "...with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

Usually people focus in on Matthew 7:1 which is "judge not".   However, what I want to focus on is the problem of the person who judges. A "mote" is a "speck" and a "beam" is a squared log which is hewed to a certain size. When one gets a "speck" in their eye it may not be intentional. The wind can deliver that to any person's eye. Temptation is one of those specks. On the other hand a beam is created by work. One takes a natural log, sizes it, planes it and makes it suitable to pleasure.

While the speck may be only a temptation, a beam takes much work. The speck is a planted idea which a person acquires because he is exposed to it, while a beam is weighty. Yes, the beam represents full-blown premeditated sin!

Temptation is not a sin. However, people judge others using the metric of temptation. "Temptation" is the desire to do things of the flesh. While some things of the flesh are distasteful to many, each one of us have our own things with which we struggle.

2 Corinthians 10:3 "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;"

From this passage it is seen that God can pull down our strongholds. Those "strongholds" are particular sins which Christians struggle to submit to God. It's the things we are tempted with daily and which controls our life. Temptations are our "imaginations"; those things which we "exalt over the things we know to be God's will". Paul had imaginations with which he struggled, and so does everyone else!

Temptation is not sin. If it was Jesus would be a tremendously sinful God because he was tempted by Satan with a lure of power and prestige.

Matthew 4:1 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil... 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

Herein we learn much about temptation. Temptations are pleasurable, thus are enticing. Anyone can be tempted for Jesus was! Temptation is always by the devil. God is not a tempter. The person tempted has a choice what to do with the temptation (sin or not sin). And if a person withstands temptation, the devil flees and angels minister. Those who are tempted have not sinned, and those, as did Jesus, who stand upright in temptation are rewarded by the comfort of God's angels.

Now to be honest, Jesus allowed himself to be tested by temptation to demonstrate to us that he knows what it's like to be tempted. Yes, Jesus, being "of the flesh" had desires just as all men do, but because he withstood sin, he unlike us, was never "in the flesh". Being "of the flesh" is God's design, but being "in the flesh" is Satan's lure for us to come stand under his spiritual tree. Being "in the flesh" is serving sin. That Jesus never did, but we do, although, like Jesus, we have a choice.

Should we allow ourselves to be tempted? Is that a wise thing to do? We must remember from the Book Of Job that God allows Satan to toy with us. Satan is never allowed to kill us, but he can wave any temptation which he wants in front of our face; and he does. He even uses others as instruments of temptation. One thing that is noted of Job, though. He never put himself in a position to be tempted, but Satan came to him. Job was beyond reproach. He tread not where devil's walk! The devil came to him from going "to and fro". He came to Job specifically because Job was  righteous man!

The devil needs to spend little time with those who are already his. For the best "bang for his buck" Satan goes after those who belong to God, as did Job. Whoever endeavors to live a righteous life WILL BE tempted. Satan even tempted Jesus because he thought Jesus would fall! Therefore, meek "Joe" (the Christians name here) WILL BE tempted by the devil to undermine Jesus. Yes, when the Christian sins, he's not doomed to hell, but Jesus is denigrated. Satan wants you to lose your faith, but even if you don't, by sinning you prop Satan up as Prince in the face of Jesus. And as we know, God is a jealous God!

People look at Christians with a magnifying glass. Even other Christians use a 100X lens to find those specks. Satan wants them to do that! Why? Because if we are looking at another person we fail to examine our own lives. The righteous Christian is tempted and sometimes sins, but those who judge harshly aren't satisfied with finding sin, their high magnification can even detect temptation, and use it against you! Satan delights in our focus on others while ignoring our own logs.

We all go where all "men have gone before us", paraphrasing Star Trek's introduction.

Luke 22:40 "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."

Since temptations are "tests" of our faith which God allows Satan to administer, we can successfully resist temptation by not exposing ourselves to it. If we pray to God, the devil will flee and his temptations will go with it, just as it did with Jesus!

 Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

The righteous desire to remain pure. That's because the Spirit is guiding and directing us. However, at the same time the devil is putting obstacles in our paths. He knows our "kryptonite", what the weakness is which pulls us down. We "enter not into temptation" by not going where temptation is! If we're tempted by alcohol, we don't go around those who imbibe. If we are tempted to steal, we stay away from things which we cannot afford. If lust is a temptation, we stay away from places which encourages that desire. If we have weak faith, we stay away from people who speak smooth words. We have an obligation to stay away from temptation because we don't have the faith of God! We are of little faith, and Satan will test what faith we have!

In summary, never ever judge others by a different metric than that which you would want to be judged. That's not fair, and if you do that, God will judge you by the same metric. Never look at another's temptation and and judge, even while neglecting the rampant sin in your own life. That is a technique of the devil to get you to fall!  The Lord Jesus summed this up quite well in his prayer for you:

Matthew 6:14  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

In the Greek "trespass" in this passage is the "slip" of a person, either accidentally or willful. We are to forgive others their slip because we slip too. The flesh walks on a slippery slope and if we walk on a slope we will fail, just as will anybody else.

Now for confession time: I am tempted. Sometimes I sin. It's not something that I delight in, but do anyhow, in spite of my strong faith.  Because I'm not Jesus, and a mere man, I fail, because " the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak". I wish I was always strong, but sometimes I'm not. Others should rebuke me for my sins, but if they rebuke me for my temptations, they need to have a little talk with Jesus, for he too was tempted.

Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

(i.e., apply the Golden Rule. That's the fair thing to do!)

Critters in the Attic

As I crept up those stairs;
a stairway to slumberland I crept.
In the darkness were eerie stares;
staring critters where I slept!

Hairs were frozen in humid heat;
heat in the sun bathed space.
My heart slammed hard as it beat;
beating hard as it raced!

Above my head I could hear its breath.
Breathing hard because of me.
The unseen critter was as death;
deathly fear of what I could not see!

I knew it was there, there was not doubt.
Doubting not, dare I  scream?
As an army made to rout;
Routed , I fled instantly, so it seems!

What I saw not, yet I feared;
fearing what my mind made real.
Scared of death as it leered!
Leering at me I could feel!

This old attic scared me for sure;
surely scared by an unknown critter!
Nevermore will sleep be my lure;
luring me to this creature's litter!

Over the years it left my home.
Home to me is clear of fright!
Where does this critter now roam?
Roaming the neighborhood all the night!

How Close Is Hell?

Why did the chicken cross the road? She was playing Russian Roulette with the devil. Don't blame the devil. He just wanted some fried chicken. He had the fire; all he needed was the meat!

I'm making light of a serious possibility, but it's to make a point: Hell may be one careless step away! However, we know that most people die a natural death and you are going to have a long life; or so we all think! Accidents can be avoided, but the fickle finger of fate is more elusive. You may have cancer right now! It may be lurking in your organs, bones or skin, not yet being symptomatic. Tomorrow it's possible that "all hell will break loose". Your cancerous cells may go on a rampage.

A friend of mine, let's call him Mark, was a healthy late 30's body builder. He was the epitome of health. One day he went running, finished his run, hopped in his SUV and started the trip home. Within  a couple of blocks, Mark's SUV ran off the road. No, he didn't have an accident; he died! Mark had an undiagnosed defective heart valve. Mark was a Christian. He went to his reward, but for one reason: he had submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ! Death for him was a few blocks away, but he was two blocks from heaven.

Suppose that is you. Then for you, if you haven't been born again, hell is just a few blocks away and it's a surprise trip. We are all a mere few blocks from our eternal home. I'm prepared for the trip. Are you?

James 4:13 "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Right now; this instant your life can be whisked from you! Let's say for instance that a crazed terrorist is rampaging where you are and firing wildly. What would you do? You would, unless you freeze, seek refuge from death! You may hide under the desk or run for your life and risk being shot in fleeing. However, you WOULD take steps to avoid dying!

 Revelation 218 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

We all have two lives. I know; cats have nine, but we only have two. Somehow we got shortchanged because we have a soul; or did we? It's up to us!

Right now, I fear death, and so do you! Even if you're about to take your own life, you fear that! We all fear the returning to the dust from whence we came. That's the death I fear, but we ALL are going to "live" a second "life". For Christians, that second life is eternal prosperity and bliss. Even those who hate church right now will love praising the Lord face-to-face!

On the other hand, for the "unbelieving" etc., they will die again. It's the 'second death". Earlier I put life and live in quotations. For sinners who fail to accept Jesus that second life is "living death". When a person suffers the second death, he (or she) will "burneth with fire and brimstone" FOREVER. You see the "second death" never ends.

Matthew 25:46a "And these (unbelievers) shall go away into everlasting punishment..."

Imagine if you will, in hell, being both living and dead at the same time, suffering with tremendous pain and isolation from love and friendship all the while. The searing heat burning the flesh day and night, and then being renewed only to burn again! There is no dream even worse than hell's fury. Even nice people who fail to accept Jesus will be no more than hateful zombies who tend to the realm of the devil.

Preacher's don't preach on hell anymore. Negativity is not in vogue! If punishment is preached, people merely take their unrighteous buttocks to another church where only smiles are allowed. Everybody wears their Sunday face. They put on a facade of love and friendship while inside they stew in rebellion and guilt. I'm sorry, "guilt" is no longer in vogue! Even though guilt is a tool of the Holy Ghost, churches don't want people to feel it. It has negative connotations, and with guilt people can't smile.

Now, for my personal testimony: Preachers in my church preached on hell, it's reality and punishment there. They "scared the hell out of me" because my goal was to escape eternal punishment which was due me! I got on my knees and cried for mercy. Why? To save my own lousy skin (and soul), I turned to Jesus. He is the way because of his grace!

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Grace is the giving of his "gift" which is "eternal life", in contrast to eternal death and punishment. Because I deserve the second death, but accepted Jesus's gift,  I will have eternal life. Yes, I saved my skin from the second death! Was I born again because I loved Jesus? Not at all, I was saved (safed) because I love me! I only came to love Jesus after he saved me. You see, he doesn't merely save those who already love him. He saves even those who despise him, but believe in and trust him for deliverance!

Let's say that I'm hiding from a terrorist who's trying to kill me. One of his buddies has a change of heart and rescues me from certain death. I allow him to lead me by the hand out of danger. I don't love the guy, but I  trust him because the options (death) are even more fearful. He leads me to safety even though I don't even know him. After I get out of harms way I love the guy! I want to please him and do all I can to compliment him and make him a hero. Now Jesus is no bad guy, but this is still demonstrative of why we turn to Jesus for our safety.

Excuse me for a second. Death is knocking at my door. If I answer, I won't be able to finish this. I think I'll wait right here. Maybe death will go away for awhile! I see a shadow at my window. It's the grim reaper. He's a persistent fellow. Maybe he will bare with me and I'll have another day! That may be the case, but it may be my turn. I'm saved by the propitiation of Jesus's blood. I'm not ready to go with him, but he may take me anyhow. However, if he does I have hope. If he's there for you, do you have hope?

Remember: "Satan already has the fire and all he needs is the meat!" and "Only you can prevent (your name here) fires!" by trusting in Jesus.

Two Plans for You

My brother, Dale, is a really nice guy who keeps to himself. He's happy being alone. Dale likes to hunt. It's in his nature. On the other hand Dale is a great animal lover. He would never harm any for sport. This good-natured man wouldn't harm an animal, but he shot himself! Yes, after his gun jammed, as he was checking it out, he actually did the proverbial: Dale shot himself in the foot!

Right now I'm worried! I know "the end of the story", but until then there will be much persecution. Biblical prophecy spells out in much detail what we have coming as earthlings. Without even reading the Bible people fulfill what it says they will do. That's no accident! There are two plans for mankind: God's will is that all will be saved from ourselves and the bizarre plan is that Satan wants us to destroy ourselves! Let's first look at God's plan:

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Is that not a good plan? God never ever had a plan A and a plan B. It was always that no one should perish; that we would live forever! There is one person who may stand in the way of God's mission to be accomplished: It's I! That "I" is whoever you are. The self seeks destruction and only by the grace of God ("he gave") can we  be saved from ourselves! Satan doesn't make us do anything. We always choose the will of God or to do and say things which undermine God. Satan's doesn't really want you in hell! He merely wants you to disobey God for his own satisfaction. You are just a tool for him to pretend to the throne of God!

Now, let's look at Satan's plan:

John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

That passage summarizes Satan's plan for you! First off, his plan is based on deceit. However, God's word tells you Satan's plan for Satan's is secret. It's pleasure (lusts) with which he gains your confidence. It's basically the old adage of "trading your soul to the devil for gain". Satan, according to God, who knows him well, "was a murderer from the beginning". You will do what your "father" wills you to do. Satan's plan is that you murder! Who does he want you to murder? YOU!!!!!

Satan wants your life. It's not your earthly life that he wants. It's your soul. His plan for you is that you murder yourself! Guess what? That's what most people are doing.

Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"

In effect you are your own idol; and ironically you are destroying your own idol, but don't even realize it! That's what the Liar wants you to do, and he's so clever that you are toppling your own idol while actually believe that you are appeasing it! Those "lusts" are appeasing your God all the while it's doomed because of the desire for pleasure. Silly us! It's as if we turn on our own gas as we enter the death chamber because it smells so sweet. Deception is Satan's M.O. for destroying you. He doesn't even pull the trigger. You shoot yourself figuratively speaking.

No look at God's plan. It offers a tangible reward: eternal life. Then compare it to Satan's plan: that you should self-destruct! Choose wisely, eternity is at stake! Don't be like Dale. Don't shoot yourself in the foot!

On Strife and Wrath

As a Christian we're all supposed to change, We have submitted ourselves as a "living sacrifice". That is what's "holy and acceptable" for us to do and it's expected of us (Romans 12:1)! When we sacrifice ourselves it's the event where we cut off the "things of the flesh" which are
"the motions of sin" (Romans 7:5). When we submit ourselves by doing these things we have assisted God in making the new person. We're a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)! As a result of being "born again" (John 3:3) Christians have their slate wiped clean (Romans 3:25). God "forgets" what is done in the past, and so must we (Philipians 3:13).

As a new creature, we get to start all over. Although Jesus died for all our sins (1 John 1:9), we still have liberty to sin forthwith (Galatians 5:1). We are not bound by rules and regulations, but in our freedom we are not to be let ourselves be slaves again to sin (Galatians 2:4). If we become encumbered again we are in great spiritual trouble. Our very souls are at stake (2 Peter 2:20).

With that said, I found it fairly easy to cease and desist with observable sinning. Almost immediately I quit the foul language (I didn't even curse before I was born-again), the drinking of alcohol, the telling of off-color jokes, the stealing, the watching of adult movies and the reading or looking at prurient literature. I was a "new creature" so I attempted to be "new" to those who were watching! These things are the "easy" part of being a new creation, but it's the things unseen to which I hang on to, "the flesh". My members, even my tongue, have been cleansed, but my mind lagged behind. The things of the heart which destroy the spirit are still there. Yes I have the freedom to drink, smoke, curse, etc., but those are the things with which by ceasing them, I show the Lord the love he deserves!

I had little trouble quitting things because that is my reasonable service to do. Many Christians, of course, can't even quit the "easy" sinning. It makes one wonder where the things unseen are! My own things of the heart are a constant struggle, and if you're honest, they are for you too! Paul had the same problem with "the flesh" which we have (Romans 7:14-20). Paul, a righteous man, was still a slave to sin!

There are things of "the flesh" with which Christians still struggle:

Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

No, we're all not guilty of all these sins, but most of us manifest many of them and covertly do others! The one which most Christians fail to overcome is "strife". Of course "wrath" is an outcome of "strife", but it's strife which is the root sin. Of course we still wrestle with all the things of the flesh inside, but they pale compared to strife! "Strife" is the anger (wrath) associated with being confronted with disagreeable issues. It's becoming "enraged" rather than understanding or forgiving. A judgmental heart becomes enraged. Some judge others for the same things with which they still struggle. Sometimes even the strife with another is the self's attempt to transfer inner guilt or inappropriate actions to another person!

"Strife" is the outcome of loving the self more than others! As Christians the only tool we have to show our love for God is loving others. When we strive with others, especially friends, we fail to show God that we love him. We all did awful things and still do! However, Jesus, because of his love still loved us so much that he shed his own blood and died on the cross for us (John 3:16). A basic value of Christians should, no... must,  be loving others. If we strive with others we are missing the mark!

Now let's be honest! Even those of us who have pride in "not doing things" hide another thing: we have animosity toward others. We are accusatory and act as if we have never had sin in our own lives. Let one person do one wrong thing against another, and the Christian has "road rage". The Christian pulls out his mental handgun and shoots to kill! He or she kills the friend who they are to love by being unforgiving and even accusatory! I would hate to be the accused in a court with Christians such as these on the jury! The evidence against a person is when they perform the sin. If a person is tempted, it's only Satan who sins, but the jury convicts the tempted as if they did the act! That's not a demonstration of justice nor love!

However, the Christian has an obligation to stay away from sin, and that we fail to do! We all fail to "enter not into temptation" as we're told to do. We watch and pray for Satan to flee from us:

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Staying away from temptation is being beyond reproach. When accused, if we enter not into temptation, there is not a case to be had. The "spiritual Grand Jury" has no premise on which to indict! In fact, by not exposing ourselves to temptation, we can never be tempted, let alone  accused!

Those who are discerning are beyond reproach. That's what I believe, but sometimes my judgment is poor and I fail to practice that well. Satan is a strong adversary, and he attacks Christians who are strong harder than those who're under his spell already. We're never too strong to not be under attack, but we can put a wall up to help us endure!

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

The submission is our living sacrifice and when we cut off the flesh, the devil will flee! By hanging on to any strife, wrath, etc. Satan has a place to strike just as if there is fornication or any other sin which we harbor.

James 4: 11 "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."

In short put that strife aside. James wrote here a restatement of the Golden Rule!