Category Archives: God’s Will

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

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This article shares God’s method to handle temptation and help us through our troubles in life. It also tells us that some these trials – but not all- come from God to show us a better way and leads us to obedience.

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

Temptation, by its very nature, feels wrong. God’s moral law is written in the heart of every human being (Romans 1:20), and when a sinful temptation is introduced, our consciences immediately sense danger. However, the temptation itself is not the sin. Jesus was tempted (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1-13), but He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Sin occurs when we mishandle temptation.

There are two avenues by which we are tempted: Satan and our own sinful flesh. Acts 5 gives an example of someone tempted by Satan. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, wanting to appear more spiritual than they really were, lied to the apostles and pretended they were giving as an offering the full price of some property they had sold. Peter confronted them: “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”(verse 3). In this instance, Peter knew that the temptation to lie had come from Satan. Ananias and his wife both gave in to that temptation (verses 7-10). The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot is also attributed to Satan’s influence (Luke 22:3; John 13:2).

Ultimately, since Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the father of lies (John 8:44), all evil originates with him. However, our own selfish nature is an ally of Satan’s. We need no prompting from Satan to entertain sinful ideas. James 1:13-14 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Even though we may desire to do good, we are all tempted. No one is above it, even someone like the apostle Paul. He shared his own struggle of flesh against spirit when he wrote in Romans 7:22-23, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”

Temptation is not of itself sinful. It becomes sin when we allow the temptation to become action, even in our minds. Lust, for example, is sin even though it may never be acted upon (Matthew 5:28). Covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are all sins of the heart; even though they may not be apparent to anyone else, they are still sin (Romans 1:29; Mark 7:21-22). When we give in to the temptation to entertain such thoughts, they take root in our hearts and defile us (Matthew 15:18–19). When we yield to temptation, we replace the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:19-23). And, many times, what was first entertained as a thought becomes action (see James 1:15).

The best defense against giving in to temptation is to flee at the first suggestion. Joseph is a great example of someone who did not allow temptation to become sin (Genesis 39:6–12). Although tempted to sin sexually, he did not give the temptation time to take root. He used the legs God gave him and physically fled. Rather than stay in a potentially dangerous situation and try to talk, reason, justify, explain, or otherwise weaken his resolve, Joseph took off. The temptation was not sin for him because he dealt with it in a God-honoring way. It could easily have become sin if Joseph had stayed around and tried to overcome the temptation in his own strength.

Romans 13:13-14 (ESV) gives us a guideline for avoiding situations that can lead to temptation. “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” If we determine to “make no provision for the flesh,” we will keep ourselves out of situations that may prove too tempting. When we put ourselves in situations where we know we will be tempted, we are asking for trouble. God promises to provide a “way of escape” when we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13), but often that way is to avoid the situation altogether. “Flee the evil desires of youth” (2 Timothy 2:22). Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:4), but we have a responsibility to pay attention to the direction God is leading us and avoid temptation whenever we can.

12 Ways to Overcome Temptation – From The Bible

1. Avoid and/or flee from it. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

“She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” -Gen 39:12

2. Offer your mind and thoughts to God. He knows better than we do what is good.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Phil 4:8

3. Work on overcoming your selfishness. True Love doesn’t know selfishness. Because, if you love Jesus you don’t belong to yourself

“and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” -1 Cor 3:23

4. Expect and be ready for temptation. We need to be prepared for Spiritual battle.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” -Eph 6:13

5. Remind yourself of the consequences of sin.

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Gal5:19-21

6. Memorize God’s Word. Filling our minds with the thoughts of God and having them readily available to us is very wise.

“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” -Luke 11:28

7. Cultivate a sense of God’s presence in prayer. But don’t just listen – obey.

“Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey.” -Deut 5:27

8. Frequent confession heals us and we start over spiritually healthy.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” -James 5:16

9. Accountability helps us avoid sin. When we are accountable to both man and God it helps us overcome temptation.

“Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” -Genesis 4:9

10. Understand who your true enemy is and his tactics.

“Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” -Eph 6:12-13

11. Think of your heavenly reward and not just of this life.

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12

12. Receive the Eucharist regularly. Those who do have Jesus abide in them and they abide in Jesus.

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.” -John 6:56-57

Bible Verses About Temptation – Scriptures on How To Resist & Overcome Temptation

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – What Does The Bible Say About Resisting Temptation?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

One of the most important things to remember is that temptation is common to mankind.

It’s not a question of if you will be tempted, just a question of when.

Feeling tempted does not make you a bad person or a weak Christian – it just makes you human.

But the second half of this verse is my favorite – “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

In the midst of our temptation, we often feel alone, like nobody else could understand the struggle we are dealing with. That’s a lie from the enemy.

God is with us every second of our temptation and knows how hard we are fighting. And, He is a God of grace, so He provides a way out.

Our job is not to avoid all temptation, but instead to remember to look for the way out that God is providing.

This was the Bible verse that was at the core of us creating the 3 Ps to fight food cravings. I have thought, written, memorized, spoken, and sung this verse thousands of times when I was tempted to turn to food to fix a problem that only God could fix.

2. Matthew 6:13 – Lead Us Not Into Temptation Verse

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13

Even though 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that we will experience temptation, it’s still a worthy prayer to ask God not to lead us into temptation.

This is even in a section of Scripture where Jesus was telling us exactly how to pray, so you know it’s important enough to ask!

3. Matthew 26:41 – Watch And Pray Verse For Protection

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

This verse is when Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples. He knows He is about to be crucified and He asked them to be on the lookout for Him to give him time to pray.

When He came back after just an hour, the disciples were asleep and He spoke this verse to Peter.

Jesus understands our sinful nature so well. He knows that most of the time, our intentions are good. He also knows that we are not strong enough to fight temptation on our own.

Our responsibility is to be watchful and ask God for His strength to fight temptation because we can’t do it without Him.

4. James 1:13-15 – What Does God Say About Temptation?

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15

The enemy is cunning and creative. He doesn’t tend to go straight for obviously sinful things to lure us in.

He starts by teasing us with little desires that seem harmless at the time. Then he continues to grow that desire slowly, almost imperceptibly, until we are all-out sinning, driving a huge wedge in between our relationship with God and others.

As I mentioned, a major sin of mine was food. It started off with “no big deal” things like eating a few extra bites. Before I knew it, I “needed” food so badly that I was waiting until my family was asleep, sneaking into our pantry, stealing food that belonged to everybody, and hiding in my bedroom in the middle of the night eating boxes of Little Debbies and fruit snacks (and then sneaking around again to hide all of the evidence).

My food problem became a character problem.

And that’s how sin so often works.

Be on guard and watch those “no big deal” desires carefully.

5. Luke 4:2 – How Did Jesus Overcome Temptation?

Where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Luke 4:2

This Bible verse is talking about when Jesus was in the desert for 40 days of temptation with the devil.

It’s a story I’ve heard since I was a child but when I take the time to actually envision the 40 straight days of temptation Jesus endured, having to battle every human need of his screaming out for attention each day, I am so thankful.

I’m so thankful God sent His Son here to not just know about the devil’s schemes but to experience every temptation that we would be faced.

It’s comforting to know that He understands. He went through it all. It makes me feel not so alone in those tough moments and it gives me hope.

Because He has gone through it Himself, His help is personal and relatable, not distant and disconnected.

6. Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus Has Been Tempted In Every Way

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

This is the perfect follow-up for Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.

“…we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”

He is proof that God will show us a way out.

He is living out the promises of Scripture that we are not alone and that we can fight temptation when we lean into God’s strength.

7. Galatians 6:1 – Watch Your Own Temptation When Helping Others

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

We live in a culture that is very accepting of sin. In fact, we are told that if we do not accept a wide variety of sins, we are closed-minded and unloving.

But, really, the opposite is true.

This verse is not demanding that we condemn each other, beating them down or berating them for their sin.

On the contrary, it is encouraging us to restore that person gently. It’s okay to call a sin a sin. Ignoring the severity of a situation doesn’t do anyone any favors. But gentleness and restoration are key in the process.

And this is another important reminder to be watchful. When we get close to another person’s sin, it’s possible to be lured in ourselves.

The temptation to minimize, rationalize, and point the finger of blame at someone or something else when it comes to sin is always there.

Keep your eyes wide open and fight hard against it!

8. Galatians 5:16-17 – Walk By The Spirit

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 5:16-17

Do you know those cartoons where the character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other?

I feel that so often – that battle in my soul.

Both characters have a voice in my head but they are in conflict with each other.

“You are not to do whatever you want.”

Those words really stick with me. In our society, doing what we want when we want has become a “human right,” so denying ourselves our momentary desires has become something labeled as cruel.

But God has a bigger plan for us than those momentary desires. He has a bigger purpose than us just simply pursuing what feels good.

And that plan involves us telling that alluring devil’s voice to hush and intentionally choosing to walk in the Spirit in those moments of temptation.

9. James 4:7 – Bible Verse About The Devil Tempting You

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

This verse in James goes right along with the last Scripture from Galatians.

When we resist the devil, he will flee.

We are children of God. It was not a one-time choice to follow Christ and surrender ourselves to our Savior.

It is a choice we make again and again, every single day, every time temptation creeps in.

10. Hebrews 2:14-15 – The Power To Overcome Temptation

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Hebrews 2:14-15

This is where the best news comes in. It’s great that we have Someone who can understand what we are going through, but the best part is that He is also our Savior who cut off the power of the devil in our lives.

It’s because of Jesus that we are free to choose what’s right in the face of temptation and be able to overcome it.

This isn’t a matter of willpower or personal strength. It’s a matter of Who you serve and we have a God who can take away the fear the devil uses when he tempts us (fear of not having enough, fear of not being enough, etc).

11. 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Resist Temptation Bible Verse

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9

This is one of my favorite verses on temptation because it creates such a powerful visual that sticks with me.

You respond much differently to temptation when you look at it for what it is – a prowling lion waiting to devour you – instead of what it feels like in the moment (something that will make you feel good).

Most of us would fight for our lives without hesitation but in those moments of “little” temptations, it doesn’t feel like it’s a worthy fight.

Every temptation is a worthy fight, my friends.

Resist and stand firm in your faith.

12. Ephesians 6:12 – Temptation Is A Spiritual Battle

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

This is the other part of temptation that is tricky. As much as I love the visual of the prowling lion, I’m not fighting an animal for my physical safety.

I’m fighting against evil in this dark world for my soul.

Temptation often comes in the form of physical things – tempting food, a charming man, an irresistible TV show that we can’t miss…but our struggle is not against those things. That’s just the surface level.

Our struggle with temptation is our fight against our selfishness.

13. James 4:17 – A Different Kind Of Temptation – Avoidance

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

James 4:17

We often think temptation has to look overtly sinful, like the 7 deadly sins.

But that struggle against our selfishness seeps into every decision we make throughout our days.

I can’t even count the number of times I knew I should have chosen differently. I saw an opportunity to love or to serve and I missed it. I didn’t act when I know I could have.

It’s easy not to feel guilty about those because it sure doesn’t feel like sinning when you’re not actively pursuing something sinful.

But that’s the sneaky part of sin! You can sin by missing those opportunities to do good, too.

Another good reason to be on guard and watchful, making the most of every opportunity.

14. James 1:12 – When Temptation Comes My Way…

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

And, remember, this is such a worthy fight.

Every temptation you fight, no matter how small, was a worthy battle.

There is no such thing as a “no big deal” temptation when you are dealing with matters of your heart and soul.

Don’t give up fighting, even when it feels like you fight the same battle 100 times a day (I use these Bible verses on endurance to help when I feel like giving up).

Persevere and the Lord has promised you the most beautiful of rewards.

15. Psalm 37:4 – Delight In The Lord

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

This verse is one of my favorites because it hits temptation at its core – your heart.

When we are taking delight in the Lord, our heart desires good things and our walk with Christ overflows with joy.

When we take delight in ourselves, our heart craves things that destroy us piece by piece and we end up feeling bitter that God is withholding things we love from us.

I don’t know about you, but I want to choose a life overflowing with joy, not bitterness and jealousy.

16. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee Temptation

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22

This verse encourages us to, not only run away from those tempting desires we have but to pursue good.

This isn’t about just sitting put and saying no to things all day every day.

It’s about running away from those harmful desires and running into the arms of Christ.

Pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace are some of the best ways to fight temptation.

17. Romans 12:21 – Overcome Evil With Good

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Which is the same thing this verse emphasizes.

Overcome evil with good.

Your good, godly choices make a difference. It’s one of the best ways to fight this battle.

18. 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

This verse describes such a clear differentiation – you either love the world or you love the Father.

Continue to challenge your choices, your motivations, and your heart to make sure you continue to stay on God’s path.

19. Ephesians 6:10-17 – Put On The Armor Of God To Fight Temptation

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

I’ve mentioned the “battle” and “fighting” all throughout this post, but these verses lay out the best way to prepare yourself for this battle.

IS THERE A SIN THAT GOD CANNOT FORGIVE?

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**Read the article and/or go to the bottom and watch the video

Most of the time this question is asked when the person thinks they have committed a grievous sin that certainly God can’t forgive. They even think they can’t even forgive that sin themselves. Many times, these people are not very close to God, but they are either trying to get closer to God or they are just beginning to think seriously about their salvation. Of course, they may be “lost” and don’t have any idea how to deal with that situation. Something likely has recently happened so profound that the thinking goes to a situation that certainly is out of the ordinary. That profound occurrence may be a challenge to our normal lifestyle or not part of what we believe. There is a story in the Bible that fits this description perfectly.

The story is about a man who was possessed by a demon. The Book of Mark relates this story in many details. Out of this story comes three extremely prominent opinions about Jesus and who He really is. These three opinions are that Jesus was 1) out of His mind, 2) an unreasonable radical, or 3) ruled by demons.

Mark 3:20-21 states, “²⁰Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹When his family^[^a^] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” It is said here that family thought Jesus was crazy. When this news got back to His family that they wanted to get to Him and take control of Him because they were convinced He was “out of His mind”. What about others who were not His family?

Mark 3:22, “²²And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” Here those described as teachers thought Jesus to be a radical. These people thought Jesus was possessed- a demon Himself. This opinion originated due to their thoughts that Jesus was acting like a demon when He cast out a demon. Then we see the third opinion in the Book of Matthew.

Matthew 12:22-24 states, “²²Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. ²³All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” ²⁴But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” The Pharisees clearly felt that Jesus was the ruler of demons- Beelzebub Himself. They felt Jesus had the demonic power of Satan. As usual, Jesus had an answer to these terrible opinions, but also as usual, Jesus was NOT upset. He had strong, brilliant comments.

Mark 3:23 begins Jesus’ answers, ²³So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? So, Jesus was telling them His answer by asking another question – a habit that Jesus used often. So, He asked: Are you saying that Satan casts out Satan? This was Jesus’ secular answer. Jesus deals with the kingdom issue in Mark 3:24, “²⁴If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand”. Jesus is saying that a kingdom divided against itself is doomed and can’t stand. This is clearly stating that nations and secular organizations must not be divided. This, by the way, is a warning for all nations and countries to be united. America today is quickly failing to be united on almost all issues and God’s judgment may be close at hand. Then Jesus turns to the social and spiritual answers in the next two verses in Mark.

Mark 3:25 says, “²⁵If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

This is Jesus’ social answer to demon situation. It states that a house or family need to be united and not against family members.

Mark 3:26, ²⁶And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.” This the spiritual answer from Jesus. It says that it is spiritually impossible for Satan to be divided from himself. So, Jesus provides the proof that He cannot be Satan if Jesus eliminates demons. Because He healed the demon possessed the man and drove the demon out of the man. This says that Satan cannot divide himself from himself- a demon.

Mark 3:27, “²⁷In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.” Jesus gives us some very good insight with this quote. A strong man must be bound to overcome him. So, Jesus reasons that the most terrible beast (Satan) flees at the appearance of Jesus. After the demon was removed from the man, the man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go tell others. The demon could not get back into the man because of the appearance and presence of Jesus. So, we learn that with Jesus us in us Satan flees and can’t get to us. The Apostle John reconfirms this in 1 John 4:4, ⁴You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” To followers of Jesus, He is divine. We must believe that Jesus is God, the Son of God.

Then Mark records an answer to our question about is there a sin that cannot be forgiven. Mark 3:28-30, ²⁸Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” ³⁰He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” This is also recorded in Matthew 12:32, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” This is saying that the one who blasphemes or speaks against the Holy Spirit has an unclean spirit, a sinner uncleaned, and that person is doomed for eternity.

So, back to our original question-“What is the unpardonable Sin?” Let’s start with, “What it is Not!” It is not cursing Jesus, adultery, murder, nor even suicide and many others. “What is it?” It is rare, it is rehearsed, it is repeated sin by some religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They kept it up by rejecting Jesus over and over. To be specific, it was religious sin by Scribes. They were denying the deity of Jesus. This very different from a person today who is anxious over a sin they have committed and may think that is the unpardonable sin. However, this anxiety is not that one that is unpardonable because they are not denying that sin- just concerned over it.

Harden your heart against God and then God’s word makes no impact on us. We must believe in Jesus, who He is, that He died for our sins, and was resurrected. Then we must invite Him into our heart. Death makes it final for us if we confess and believe before that death. So, Believe!!!! We have been forgiven for all our sins. Romans 3:23, “²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”. This tells us that All – not just some but all- have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So. ALL must confess our sins and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Thanks to Dr. David Jeremiah and The Holy Spirit

KNOWING GOD

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What does it mean to know God?

To know God is to recognize His voice, be well-acquainted with His ways, be able to discern His sovereign will, and be fully assured of His perfect character. The more we know God as our Lord and Best Friend, the more we can live with spiritual authority, hope, joy, and peace.

Purpose of knowing God

“You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously.” From that definition, knowing God’s purpose for our lives means ability to understand the purpose of our creation. Understanding the specific assignment for man on earth.

Seven steps to knowing God

Step 1: You must recognize that God loves you. …

Step 2: Admit you need help. …

Step 3: Believe that Jesus Christ is the only way. …

Step 4: Receive Jesus Christ as your own Savior. …

Step 5: Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is now your Lord and friend. …

Step 6: Recognize you now belong to God’s family –the Church

We are able to think clearly when we listen to God over all other voices, regardless the source. Our hearts are satisfied as we encounter God through His Word.

Read Psalm 119:17-18

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

These two Verses are to Pray Every Time You Open God’s Word.

The Bible teaches us that we should be abiding in God and in His Word. It teaches us that we should meditate on His Word day and night. It teaches us to talk about it, teach it, see the world through it, and live according to it. But the Bible also tells us how we should come to God’s Word, what we should be looking for, and what it should do in us. In Psalm 119:17-18 we see these three things.

The Spirit gives Life. The Psalmist pleads with God to open his eyes in order that he may see wondrous things out of His law. In other words, unless God graciously grants sight, wisdom, discernment, and beauty, the Word of God will look like lifeless, irrelevant ink and paper. Paul reveals this in 1 Corinthians 2:11-14 “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Paul shows us, just like the Psalmist prays, that in order to understand the thoughts of God, and the things freely given us by God, we need the Spirit of God. The natural person will come to the word of God and in boredom see foolishness. However, even the believer can have the tendency to approach God’s Word like the old man. There are times when we as believers read a passage with impure motives simply to check a box or gain some man-centered profit. When this happens, there is no beauty being beheld. There is no conviction or reproof. There is no life being imparted. Remember Jesus Himself said that “it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63). This means that the believer must come to the Word of God.

Read Psalm 119:19-22

¹⁹I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
²¹You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.
²²Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.

I [am] a stranger in the earth
As all his fathers were, and all the saints are; not to divine and spiritual things; to God, and communion with him; to Christ, and the knowledge of him; to the Spirit, and his operations in their hearts; to their own hearts, and the plague of them; to the Gospel, and its truths; nor to the people of God, and fellowship with them: but to the world, among whom they are, not being known, valued, and respected by them; and they also behaving as strangers to the world, having no fellowship with them in their sinful works; as also not being natives here, but belonging to another city and country, an heavenly one; see ( 1 Chronicles 29:15 ) ;

Hide not thy commandments from me;
The doctrines of the Gospel, the word which God has commanded to a thousand generations; which is pure, and enlightens the eyes, and so needful to strangers in their pilgrimage, ( Psalms 19:8 ) ( 105:8 ) ; which God sometimes hides from the wise and prudent, and which the psalmist here deprecates with respect to himself, ( Matthew 11:25 Matthew 11:26 ) . Or the precepts of the world may be meant, which are a light to the feet, and a lamp to the paths, a good direction to those who travel and strangers in the way: David, being such one, prayed that these might not be hid from him, but be showed unto him; that he might know his way, and not go out of it; but walk as a child of light, wisely and circumspectly.

My soul breaks for the longing
His heart was just ready to break, and his soul fainted; he was ready to die, through a vehement desire of enjoying the object longed for, after mentioned; “hope deferred makes the heart sick”, ( Proverbs 13:1 Proverbs 13:2 ) ; the phrase is expressive of the greatness, vehemence, and eagerness of his mind after the thing he desired, which follows:

[that it hath] unto thy judgments at all times;
Not the judgments of God on wicked men, though these are desirable for the glorifying of his justice; nor his dark dispensations of providence, though good men cannot but desire and long for the time when these judgments shall be made manifest: but rather the righteous laws and precepts of God are designed, which he desired to have a more perfect knowledge of, and yield a more constant obedience unto; or, best of all, the doctrines of grace and righteousness, that should be more clearly revealed in the times of the Messiah; who was to set judgment in the earth, his Gospel; and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and glorify the justice of God; than which nothing was more earnestly and importunately wished and longed for by Old Testament saints.

Thou hast rebuked the proud
Which some understand of the fallen angels, who, in proud wrath, left their habitations, because they would not be subject to the Son of God in human nature; wherefore he scattered them in the imaginations of their hearts, and cast down these mighty ones into hell, where they are reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day. Others of the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ’s time, this psalm being suited, as is thought, to Gospel times; who were proud of their own righteousness, and despised others less holy than themselves; and submitted not to the righteousness of Christ, whom he often rebuked, and at last punished. Rather all proud atheistical persons, profane and wicked men, are meant; who, Pharaoh like, say, who is the Lord that we should obey him? who reckon, their tongues to be their own, and employ them both against God and men, and regard neither: these God resists, sets himself against, and sooner or later severely punishes; for in the things they deal proudly he is above them, ( Exodus 18:11 ) ;

[that are] cursed which do err from thy commandments;
according to the law of God, being transgressors of it, and will hear the awful sentence, “go, ye cursed”, ( Matthew 25:41 ) . The Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, join this with the next clause: “cursed are they which do err from thy commandments”; from the way of them, not observing them; from the end of them, Christ, not looking to him for righteousness.

Remove from me reproach and contempt
Or, “roll [it] from me” ^F21. It lay as a load, as a heavy burden upon him, which pressed him sore; and he therefore desired ease from it, being probably in a low frame of soul; otherwise, saints do and should rejoice when reproached for Christ’s sake; and esteem it, with Moses, more than all the treasures in Egypt, being what is common to them with their Lord.

For I have kept that testimonies;
which was the reason why he was reproached and despised; for having a regard to the word of God and embracing and professing the doctrines of it. Thus the word of the Lord was made a reproach to Jeremiah, or he was reproached for delivering it; as many good men have been vilified, and have suffered for the testimony of Jesus, ( Jeremiah 20:8 ) ( Revelation 1:9 ) ; and for walking according to the directions, of it; wicked men thinking it strange they do not run into the same excess of not with them, and therefore speak evil of them.

Read Psalm 119:23-24

²³Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

²⁴Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Princes also did sit and speak against me, The princes in the court of Saul, who suggested to him that David sought his hurt; the princes of his own court, Absalom, his own son, a prince of the blood, and Ahithophel, a counsellor of state: or the princes of the Gentiles, as Jarchi; so the princes of the Philistines spoke against him in a very disdainful manner, “make this fellow return to his place again”, 1 Samuel 29:4. Such as these might speak against him, as they sat and rode in their chariots; when at their tables, conversing together; or at their council boards, forming schemes against him: the phrase denotes their constant practice, as Kimchi observes; see Psalm 50:20; herein David was a type of Christ, whom the princes of this world conspired against, and whose life they took away, Psalm 2:2;

But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes; what the princes did or said against him did not divert his mind, or take off his thoughts from the word of God, and the ordinances of it; he thought of them, he spoke and discoursed of them; he declared them, as the word^F23 sometimes signifies, and so the Targum takes it here; he was not afraid nor ashamed to profess his regard unto them: as Daniel, when he knew that the presidents and princes had obtained a royal decree, and the writing was signed; yet went into his chamber, as at other times, and kneeled down and prayed to God, Daniel 6:10.

Thy testimonies also are my delight. Or “delights”^F24; exceeding delightful to me. The whole of Scripture is so to a good man; he delights in the law of God, after the inward man; the Gospel is a joyful sound to him; the doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Christ, are very pleasant; the promises of it give more joy than the finding of a great spoil; and the precepts and ordinances of it are not grievous, but ways of pleasantness and peace;

And my counsellors; or, “the men of my counsel”; though David took counsel with men about affairs of state; yet concerning spiritual ones, or what related to his soul, and the concerns of that, not they, but the Scriptures, were the men of his counsel. The Gospel is the whole counsel of God relating to salvation; in it Christ, the wonderful Counsellor, gives advice to saints and sinners: the whole word of God may be profitably consulted on every occasion, and in every circumstance in which a child of God may be; all Scripture, being divinely inspired, is profitable for doctrine, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16.

When we seek God through His Word, our relationship is strengthened. We Grow in Christ. This helps us face opposition and keep the right perspective concerning our lives. Only God’s Word can keep us focused and thinking clearly and correctly about life. We must listen first and foremost to God and His Word, and then test and measure all the other competing voices in light of how God commands us to live.

WE STAND TOGETHER IN SPIRITUAL BATTLES

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The world is at war and every human being is involved in the conflict- and I am not talking about the effects of the virus. This is a NOT a war of country against country, it is a spiritual battle. As believers, we often don’t think in these terms. Sometimes what we can’t see becomes our greatest problem. However, only by realizing we are in this fight can we stand in Christ against Satan and his wiles. There are so many times where Satan is attempting to do everything, he can to stop Christians and Christianity. He uses all types of sources, people, and issues to cause us major problems. Jesus said that when we stand up for Him, we will face persecution. God does not send His children into battle ill-equipped. God provides spiritual armor by which we can engage and triumph over the enemy. We stand strong with God’s armor and the support of others.

Read Ephesians 6:10-13

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

In conclusion, be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless strength. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s craftiness. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. (Phillips)

It is clear that we are fighting a spiritual war against enemies who are far greater in numbers, intelligence, subtlety, and power than Israel had to wage war against in terms of the Amalekites, the Moabites, and so forth. In addition, our enemy is invisible. Paul tells us to “stand,” a military term for holding on to a position. In effect, before one can launch an attack, he must first hold the position he is in. In the Phillips translation, the word “against” is used four times, probably to stress the determined hostility that our enemy has. The Christian soldier is confronting something that, as a soldier, he could not overcome except that he himself also has invisible help to draw upon as a resource. In military strategy, perhaps one of the most basic of all rules is never to underestimate the enemy. Our struggle is not merely against human foes, yet we find, in other places, that it is a war to the death. In fact, here in Ephesians 6, this idea is hidden in the Greek. It is a war to the death against supernatural forces. The word “powers” denotes those who aspire to world control, and ancient writers used the term to designate the savior gods of pagan religions. That is who we are fighting against—demons!

Our warfare, then, has all the trappings of a literal war, but it is something that we cannot see what is happening nonetheless. The qualities that we need to fight this war are not things we have inherently. We have to be given them by God. Our relationship with God is of supreme importance as to whether we are going to have the proper resources to fight this battle. We have to go to Him to get them, and we also need to be on good terms before He gives them to us.

One of the most valuable of all of these resources is the mindset that we are involved in a war. There are times when we, as a soldier, are going to face privation and hardship. There are going to be times of pain—both physical and mental. There are going to be times of sorrow that may lead us to depression or even bitterness. There will be occasions when we will be in fear and feel a great sense of insecurity. There are times we will win our battles, but other times we will lose and thus feel guilty and maybe depressed. There are going to be times of obedience that give a feeling of exhilaration and of being in control, as well as times of disobedience when just the opposite will be the effect. There will also be times when we will be aware that God is disciplining us—sometimes in terms of punishment for sin and at other times in training to prepare us to master what we are doing. There will be times of sacrifice and even times of death. Nevertheless, all of these are part and parcel of a soldier’s life.

Read Ephesians 6:14-17

¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

6:14-17 RSV

This armor defends us under attack and makes it possible for us to stand in an evil day. How accurately the apostle describes our experience — continually facing evil days, days in which everything seems to go wrong, when trouble comes, tragedy strikes, difficulties occur, or discouragement sets in, and we wonder what is happening in the world and in our personal lives. We have looked at the specific form in which this attack occurs. We have noted the source of it, and the ubiquity of it. It comes from every side and in every waking moment of our lives. Always it is an attempt to derail our Christian faith, to upset our lives, to destroy our morale, to defeat our hopes, and deny our claims. This conflict is experienced by men everywhere; it is not unique to Christians. But it is only the Christian who is in a place to fight back. As Christians we are delivered by Christ from the unconscious control of Satan and are thus able to resist the attack of the devil, to fight back, and to overcome. The Christian does this by putting on the armor of God.

This passage addresses itself to us in a figurative way, but it is speaking of very realistic things which I hope we have captured in this series. We have already seen that the armor is Christ: Christ Jesus made available to us day by day. The first three pieces of this armor pictures Christ as the truth, i.e., the basic secret to life, the ground of reality; then Christ as our righteousness, the One on whose merits we stand before God and are accepted; and Christ as our peace, the source of our morale, of our inner strength, of that which gives purpose to life. All this is fulfillment of our Lord’s words, “you in me,” (John 14:20b). Then the last three pieces of this armor set forth the truth of “I in you” (John 14:20c) — Christ appropriated and applied to life. We looked at the shield of faith, which involves applying general truth to specific situations, i.e., acting upon our belief. Nothing can be done without faith. God’s power is made available only in faith. Then we looked at the helmet of hope, which is to use the fact of the return of Jesus Christ as a guide in evaluating the worth of movements in our own day, a guide to where history is going, what is happening, and where it will all come out. Now, we come to the last of these pieces of the armor of the Christian — “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The first thing we must say immediately about it is that, again, this is Christ. Christ is our life, if we are Christians at all, but this is Christ made available to us in practical ways through the saying of his Word. I think it is very important to stress this. It is so easy to be Christians in general, but not in specifics. It is so very easy to have a vague sense of following Christ, but not know exactly, in specific terms, what this means. But that is why the Word of God has been given to us, for it is that which makes Christianity manageable. Christian truth as a whole is more than we can handle. It has to be broken down into manageable pieces. This is what the Word of God does.

In writing to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God,” (Colossians 3:16 RSV). By this he is indicating that the authority of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Scripture are one and the same. There are many today who challenge this. There are many voices which tell us that as Christians we must follow Christ and accept the authority of Christ, but we need not accept the authority of the Bible. But Paul answers that one by calling the Scriptures “the word of Christ.” You cannot separate the two. The authority of Scripture is the authority of Jesus Christ. They are indivisible. To attempt to distinguish the two is like asking which blade of a pair of scissors is more important, or which leg of a pair of pants is more necessary. We know Christ through the Bible, and we understand the Bible through the knowledge of Christ. The two cannot be separated. That is why Paul calls it “the word of Christ.”

Now in the phrase, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” it is important to see that it is not the complete Bible which is referred to by the phrase, “the word of God.” Let us do a little donkey work, if you will permit me. There are two words used in Scripture for “the word of God.” There is the familiar word, logos, which is used in the opening verse of John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God,” (John 1:1). Then there is another word, used less frequently, rhema, which is somewhat different in meaning. Logos refers to the total utterance of God, the complete revelation of what God has said. Rhema means a specific saying of God, a passage or a verse which has special application to an immediate situation; to use a modern term, it is the Word of God used existentially, i.e., applied to experience, to our existence.

Rhema is the word used here. The “sword of the Spirit” is the saying of God applied to a specific situation. This is the great weapon placed in the hands of a believer. Perhaps all of us have had some experience with this. We have all read passages of Scripture when the words suddenly seemed to come alive, take on flesh and bones, and leap out of the page at us, or grow eyes that follow us around everywhere we go, or develop a voice that echoes in our ears until we cannot get away from it. We have had this experience: Perhaps in some moment of temptation or doubt, when we were assailed by what Paul calls here “the flaming darts of the evil one.” But it has been answered immediately by a passage of Scripture which flashed to mind, something we had not been thinking of at all, but which supplied the needed answer.

Or perhaps we have been asked a question, and for a moment it has caught us off guard; we did not know how to answer and were about to say, “I don’t know,” when suddenly we had a moment of illumination and a word of Scripture came to mind, and we saw what the answer was. Perhaps this experience has come while sitting in a meeting where some passage has come home to our heart with strange and powerful effect upon us. We have been greatly moved, and, in that moment, we made a deep, permanent decision. All this is the rhema of God, the sayings of God which strike home like arrows to the heart. That is why this is called “the sword of the Spirit,” because it is not only originated by him as the author of the Word, but it is also recalled to mind by the Spirit and made powerful by him in our lives. It is his answer to the attack of the devil, who comes to discourage us, defeat us, lure us aside, deceive us, misguide us, or mislead us in some way — but then a word comes to mind instantly. This is the sword of the Spirit.

Read Ephesians 6:18-20

¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

There is a very strong and powerful relationship between putting on the armor of God and praying. These two things belong together; in fact, one grows out of the other. It is not enough to put on the armor of God; you must also pray. It is not enough to pray; you must also have put on the armor of God. It is impossible to divide these two. As we have been attempting to see, putting on the armor of God is not something merely figurative, it is an actual thing you do. It is remembering what Christ is to you and thinking through the implications of it in terms of your present struggle and experience. Putting on the armor is essentially something that is done in the realm of your thought life. We have been trying to make that clear. It is an adjustment of the attitude of your heart to reality, to things as they really are. It is thinking through the implications of the fact which revelation discloses. This is always the necessary thing to do in trying to face life.

Our problem with life is that we do not see it as it is. We are so deluded by it we suffer from such strange illusions. It looks to us to be quite different than it is and this is why we desperately need and must have the revelation of the facts of Scripture. Life is what God has declared it to be. When we face it on that basis, we discover the revelation is right, it is accurate, it does describe what is happening. And more, it tells us why things happen and what lies behind them. All this is part of putting on this armor, appropriating Christ to your life in terms of your present situation. It is all done in the realm of the thought life. So, the complement to putting on the armor of God, the activity which results from it, is to pray. First to think through and then to pray.

Notice the order of this. This is extremely important. The apostle does not reverse this and say, first pray and then put on the armor of God. This is what we try to do, and this is why our prayer life is so feeble, so impotent. There is great practical help here if we follow carefully the designated order of Scripture. I think most Christians, if they were honest, would confess that they are dissatisfied with their prayer life. They feel it is inadequate and perhaps infrequent. All of us at times struggle to improve ourselves. Sometimes we struggle to improve the quality as well as the quantity of our prayer lives. Sometimes we adopt schedules we attempt to maintain, or long lists of names and projects and places we try to remember in prayer, or we attempt to discipline ourselves in some way to a greater ministry in this realm. In other words, we begin with the doing, but when we do this we are starting at the wrong place. We are violating our basic human nature in doing it this way. The place to start is not with the doing, but with the thinking.

This is always the place to start in motivating human life, and this is what the apostle suggests. Prayer follows putting on the armor of God. It is a natural, normal outgrowth. Now, I am not suggesting that there is no place for Christian discipline; there is. I am not suggesting that we will not need to take our wills and put them to a task and follow through. There is this need. But the place where discipline should come in is not, first, in prayer, but in doing what is involved in “putting on the armor of God.” First, think through the implications of our faith, and then prayer will follow naturally much more easily. When it comes in that order it will be thoughtful prayer, prayer which has meaning and significance. It will he relevant prayer. Paul’s prayers were answered since he continued to proclaim the good news about Jesus until the end. Paul prayed at all times in the Spirit.

GOD’S WILL – THE BIBLE

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GOD’S WILL AND THE BIBLE

Bookstore shelves (where they still exist) are full of books claiming to guide us and show us what to do. Pick a subject, and someone is ready to give you direction on the matter. This is nothing new. Solomon said, “There is no end to the making of many books” (Eccl. 12:12). The ultimate guidance we need comes from God, and one of the ways He has revealed His Will is through the pages of Scripture. Remember in last week’s lesson notes I said that to knew God’s Will it could begin by being in God’s Word. In Psalm 19:7 it states, “the instruction of the Lord’s perfect”. Another new statement from this week’s lesson is “God gives us direction through His Word.”

Read Psalm 19:7-10

From the author of several Christians books -C.S. Lewis- he is quoted as saying-

“In memorizing the second half of Psalm 19 I wanted to get a good understanding of the terms used for God’s revelation of Himself through the many facets of his instruction to us. I don’t own a commentary on the Psalms in book form but the commentaries from Matthew Henry, John Gill, Adam Clarke, Charles Spurgeon, Keil & Delitzsch, John MacArthur (from a sermon) and Derek Kidner (from the library) more than suffice. Even after reading through all of them I still feel like I’m still just beginning to mine the depths of what this text offers (not to mention Psalm 119!). So I would like to write down a synopsis of just these verses based on commentaries and my own thoughts and observations to further embed these ideas in my brain and cause me to ponder further.”

The instruction of the Lord is perfect!

The HCSB uses the word instruction for tôrâh instead of the usual law here so as not to confuse it with only the law of Moses or the Decalogue (ten commandments) [tôrâh] does not in itself mean the law, but a pointing out, instruction, doctrine or teaching”. It’s a complete divine instruction of God’s will for man’s life and conduct. On a side note, the Bible isn’t just an instruction manual for us. It’s so much more than that. It’s God revealing Himself, His purposes, how He has dealt with people and His redemption story. How much more wonderful this is than a mere instruction manual.

Since God does not reside in our constraint of time, His law is timeless and includes the gospel message and all of His revealed word to us, not just the law as it was revealed up to the time of David when he wrote this Psalm. It’s somewhat prophetic in that way. Regarding the word perfect John MacArthur says, “I remember the first time I studied Psalm 19, many, many years ago, I wanted to really know what perfect meant. So I went back and I got all the Hebrew lexicons off my shelf and I remember spending several hours chasing this word ‘perfect’ all over the place, trying to wring out of it everything that I could so I would have a grasp of it. And after many hours of study, I came to the conclusion that what it means is perfect. A bit disappointing after all the effort, but that’s

exactly what it means…perfect.” He qualifies that as meaning–not as opposed to imperfect but as opposed to incomplete.

The law of the Lord is sufficient for “everything we need for life and godliness”. (2 Peter 1:3). Psalm 19:7b Reviving the soul; Restoring, reviving, refreshing, or converting; turning to God or back to God. In any case, transformation takes place. Psalm 19:7c
The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, I think that some of the obvious examples of His testimony are what He has said audibly about Himself and His Son. But more comprehensively it is God disclosing His character, His will and His nature–who He is. (cf. 1 John 5:9). You can know that what He says about Himself is trustworthy. Believing He is who He says he is–this is vital for trusting Him and making it through hard times. (Psalm 119:92).

The precepts of the Lord are right (19:8a).

Precept In a general sense, any commandment or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; but applied particularly to commands respecting moral conduct. The ten commandments are so many precepts for the regulation of our moral conduct. Synonyms for precepts would be commandments, decrees or statutes, which many other translations use. All of His precepts are always right and always leading people in righteousness and in the right path. (Proverbs 8:8) They are always well meaning and for our well-being.
Making the heart glad (19:8b).

Having His precepts written on our hearts leads us to a right mind which gives us joy. They satisfy our desire for morality. Retire and read thy Bible to be glad (Charles Spurgeon).
The commandment of the Lord is radiant (19:8c).

HCSB and TNIV use the word radiant, some clear, most others pure. The commandment itself is pure, not adulterated by any person. It also purifies us. The word radiant is used because light is pure. It may also be looking forward to the next line.
Making the eyes light up (19:8d).

His commandment gives us discernment to see what’s earthly and what’s spiritual; what is of the world and what is of true value. It gives us understanding not only externally but internally–showing us our own sin. (Proverbs 6:23)
The fear of the Lord is pure (19:9a).

His instruction taken to heart causes us to fear, venerate, reverence and be in awe of the Lord. Its purpose is to purify (John 15:2-3), as purified silver or gold.

Enduring forever (19:9b)

The fear of the Lord is perpetual. The coming of Jesus does not and should not alter our fear of the Lord, even though Jesus calls us friends. (John 15:14) The fear of the Lord is in opposition to all false ways of reverencing (or not reverencing) Him.
The ordinances of the Lord are reliable (19:9c).

The ordinances or judgments of the Lord are unquestionable and need no excuse to justify them. All that He has decided is right and proper.

Altogether righteous (19:9d).

Any one of them or all of them together are righteous. They are all alike in their righteousness. Clarke would say that, “they are truth [reliable] and righteousness united.” Spurgeon, “no exception may be taken to a single clause separately, or to the book as a whole.”

They are more desirable than gold- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter

than honey- than honey dripping from the comb (19:10)

Here obviously each idea is intensified. Here the Psalm author *David) likely thinks of them as being not only more valuable than money, but more money than we would know what to do with. Obviously, honey is sweet. Honey dripping from the comb is very different than the honey we would get at the store. It is said that honey from the comb has, “a sweetness, richness and flavor, far beyond what it has after it becomes exposed to the air.” God’s instruction is more satisfying than any earthly pleasure we can imagine. This is the truth. Is this the estimation of God’s Word? We should pray that it will be, and more and more so.

Read Psalm 19:11-14

God’s word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God’s commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses easy, life truly valuable, and death itself truly desirable. David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins he had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten or overlooked. All discoveries of sin made to us by the law, should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His dependence was the same with that of every Christian who says, Surely, in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength. No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine ..Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much affected with the excellence of the word of God; and much affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of it, and the danger we are in by.

Who can understand his errors? – It is not possible, without much of the Divine light, to understand all our deviations from, not only the letter, but the spirituality, of the Divine law. Frequent self-examination, and walking in the light, are essentially necessary to the requisite degree of spiritual perfection. .Cleanse thou me from secret faults – David says from those which I have committed, and have forgotten; from those for which I have not repented; from those which have been committed in my heart, but have not been brought to act in my life; from those which I have committed without knowing that they were sins, sins of ignorance; and from those which I have committed in private, for which I should blush and be confounded were they to be made public.

From presumptuous sins – Sins committed not through frailty or surprise, but those which are the offspring of thought, purpose, and deliberation. Sins against judgment, light, and conscience. The words might be translated, Preserve thy servant also from the proud; from tyrannical governors, i.e., from evil spirits. Let them not have dominion over me – Let me never be brought into a habit of sinning. He who sins presumptuously will soon be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Then shall I be upright – Let me be preserved from all the evil that the craft and malice of the devil or man work against me, then shall I continue to walk uprightly, and shall be innocent from the great transgression – from habitual sinning, from apostasy, from my easily-besetting sin.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart. David asks still more expressly to be fortified by the grace of God, and thus enabled to live an upright and holy life. The substance of the verse is this: I beseech thee, O God, not only to keep me from breaking forth into the external acts of transgression, but also to frame my tongue and my heart to the obedience of thy law. We know how difficult it is, even for the most perfect, so to bridle their words and thoughts, as that nothing may pass through their heart or mouth which is contrary to the will of God; and yet this inward purity is what the law chiefly requires of us. Now, the rarer this virtue — the rarer this strict control of the heart and of the tongue is, let us learn so much the more the necessity of our being governed by the Holy Spirit, in order to regulate our life uprightly and honestly. By the word acceptable, the Psalmist shows that the only rule of living well is for men to endeavor to please God, and to be approved of him. The concluding words, in which he calls God his strength and his redeemer, he employs to confirm himself in the assured confidence of obtaining his requests.

David uses three titles for God: My Lord, My Rock, and My Redeemer. David’s earnest desire was to be blameless and cleansed, and acceptable to the Lord. He knew that all those conditions would come as he was dependent upon God and obedient to God’s Will as was revealed in His Word. We must depend on God the same way.

GOD’S WILL- THE GLORY OF GOD

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GOD’S WILL AND THE GLORY OF GOD

Describe any awe-inspiring experience that surprised your or took your breath away.

When we view a beautiful sunrise or sunset we marvel at the beauty of creation and glorify the Creator who made it. We bring glory to God when we obey His Will. Different world religions offer wrong perceptions of how God works in the world. Some see His acts as capricious and seemingly on a whim. Others view God as distant and uncaring. Many think our God is the same as theirs- which is very wrong and causes much concern. But the Bible reveals the true nature of God: the all-powerful God who acts in holiness and love on a personal level. Jesus also showed us the death of Lazarus that God always works for His glory. Reminder: one of the real reasons we were created and exist is to glorify God daily.

Read John 11:1-4

Lazarus, of Bethany – John, who seldom relates anything but what the other evangelists have omitted, does not tell us what gave rise to that familiar acquaintance and friendship that subsisted between our Lord and this family. It is surprising that the other evangelists have omitted so remarkable an account as this is, in which some of the finest traits in our Lord’s character are exhibited. The conjecture of Grotius has a good deal of weight. He thinks that the other three evangelists wrote their histories during the life of Lazarus; and that they did not mention him for fear of exciting the malice of the Jews against him. And indeed we find, from John 12:10, that they sought to put Lazarus to death also, that our Lord might not have one monument of his power and goodness remaining in the land. Probably both Lazarus and his sisters were dead before John wrote. Bethany was situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem. Several have observed that “there is a large gap in John’s history of Christ in this place. What is mentioned in the preceding chapter passed at the feast of the dedication, John 10:22, about the middle of our December. This miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead seems to have been wrought but a little before the following The Passover, in the end of March or April. This seems to be close to the time at which Jesus was crucified, as may be gathered from verses 54 and 55 of this chapter, and from John 12:9.” John has, therefore, according to the commentary’s calculation, omitted to mention the several miracles which our Lord wrought for above three months after the things mentioned in the preceding chapter. This entire chapter deals with the resurrection of Lazarus.

The town of Mary – The place where she lived. At that place also lived Simon the leper Matthew 26:6, and there our Lord spent considerable part of his time when he was in Judea. It was that Mary which anointed – There is much disagreement between learned men relative to the two anointings of our Lord, and the persons who performed these acts. The various conjectures concerning these points the reader will find in the notes on Matthew 26:7, etc., but particularly at the end of that chapter. Why should Bethany be called the town of Martha and Mary, and not of Lazarus? The reason appears to be,, that Martha and Mary had been well known by that anointing of our Lord, which is mentioned Luke 7:37; but the name of Lazarus had not been mentioned till now. So, there being no transaction by which he could properly be brought into view. Therefore that the anointing, should have its full force, thus thinking seems to have been the reason of that familiarity which subsisted between our Lord and this family; and, on this ground, they could confidently send for our Lord when Lazarus fell sick. This seems a very reasonable conjecture; and it is very likely that the familiarity arose out of the anointing.

He whom thou loves is sick – Nothing could be more simple, nor more modest, than this prayer: they do not say, Come and heal him: or, Command the disease to depart even where thou art, and it will obey thee: – they content themselves with simply stating the case, and using an indirect but a most forcible argument, to induce our Lord to show forth his power and goodness: – He is sick, and thou loves him; therefore thou canst neither abandon him, not us. They believed that he had power to heal him John 11:21, though they did not then seem to suppose that he could raise him if he died. Perhaps there were two reasons why they sent for him; one, because they supposed he would be desirous of seeing his friend; the other, because they supposed he could restore him. In sickness we should implore the aid and presence of Jesus. He only can restore us and our friends; he only can perform for us the office of a friend when all other friends fail; and he only can cheer us with the hope of a blessed resurrection.]

This sickness is not unto death – The word “death” here is equivalent to remaining under death, Romans 6:23. “The wages of sin is death” – permanent or unchanging death, opposed to eternal life. Jesus evidently did not intend to deny that he would die. The words which he immediately adds show that he would expire, and that he would raise him up to show forth the power and glory of God. Compare John 11:11. Those words cannot be understood on any other supposition than that he expected to raise him up. The Savior often used expressions similar to this to fix the attention on what he was about to say in explanation. The sense may be thus expressed: “His sickness is not fatal. It is not designed for his death, but to furnish an opportunity for a signal display of the glory of God, and to furnish a standing proof of the truth of religion. It is intended to exhibit the power of the Son of God, and to be a proof at once of the truth of his mission; of his friendship for this family; of his mild, tender, special love as a man; of his power and glory as the Messiah; and of the great doctrine that the dead will rise.

Read John 11:38-43

For too many years now, unbelieving scholars and teachers have been scoffing at Christians and their faith, hoping to shame us into silence. They wish to convince themselves and others that faith is “believing in what isn’t real or true.” Is our faith ill-founded? Does our faith hang by an intellectual thread? Is faith required because there is too little evidence to support the claims of the Bible? Not at all! In this Scripture, I am going to suggest something absolutely amazing, at least in the light of those scholars who are also scoffers. I am going to suggest that faith in Jesus Christ is the only reasonable response to biblical revelation. I will further say that it is unbelief that is unbelievable, and that faith in Jesus Christ is the only “reasonable” response to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In our text, Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave with a prayer and a shout. Providentially, a crowd is present at the grave sight, not only to witness this miracle, but to participate in it. As a result of this amazing miracle, many of those who are there come to a faith in Jesus and the Messiah. Some do not, and these folks report what has happened to the Jewish religious leaders, who set in motion a plan to arrest and kill Jesus. By their own words, these leaders of Israel reveal that their unbelief is not due to a lack of evidence, but stems from their desire to protect their own selfish interests. Let us look carefully at this amazing event and its aftermath to learn the lessons God has for us in this text

Serious opposition to Jesus in Jerusalem begins in chapter 5, when Jesus heals the paralytic on a Sabbath, instructing him to take up his bed and walk, and defending His actions by claiming to be God. Jesus retreats to Galilee in chapter 6, where He feeds the 5,000 and teaches that He is the “bread of life.” In chapter 7, Jesus returns to Jerusalem once again for the Feast of Tabernacles. The issue of the healing of the paralytic on the Sabbath is once again raised (see 7:23), and soon the Pharisees and chief priests send out the temple police to arrest Jesus. They return, but without the Master. These men explain that they did not arrest Jesus because they have never heard anyone teach as He does (7:45-46). In chapter 8, Jesus claims to be the “light of the world” (8:12), and then in chapter 9, He undergirds His claim by giving sight to a man born blind. When Jesus claims to be the good Shepherd in chapter 10, He clearly implies that the Jewish religious leaders are “thieves and robbers,” who abuse the sheep. The Jewish religious leaders react by seeking to kill Him, but they fail, once again. Jesus therefore leaves Judea once again, establishing His base of operations at the Jordan River, where John the Baptist formerly carried on his ministry (10:40-42). It is the life-threatening illness of Lazarus which results in a desperate message from Martha and Mary, urging Jesus to come back to the little village of Bethany, just a stone’s throw from Jerusalem. Jesus deliberately delays His journey to Bethany until Lazarus dies. When He finally arrives near the home of the two sisters He loves, Lazarus has already been buried for four days. Both sisters are perplexed by our Lord’s delay, but both nevertheless reaffirm their faith in Him. By the end of verse 37, Jesus has just arrived at the tomb where Lazarus is buried. It is here that we take a few lessons from Jesus.

During a good portion of my lifetime, science has been used to oppose the Bible and the Christian faith. In thousands of classrooms across our country, professors and teachers have asked their students, “Does anyone here believe in the Bible?” or “Is anyone here a Christian?” My daughter was in such a class in a secular university, and one of a very few (if, indeed, there were any others) who raised her hand, acknowledging her belief in the Bible and her faith in Jesus Christ. The professor responded by sneering at her as though she was ill-informed and ignorant, or, at best, naive. For too many years now, unbelieving scholars and teachers have been scoffing at Christians and their faith, hoping to shame us into silence. They wish to convince themselves and others that faith is “believing in what isn’t real or true.” Is our faith ill-founded? Does our faith hang by an intellectual thread? Is faith required because there is too little evidence to support the claims of the Bible? Not at all!

In this message, I am going to suggest something absolutely amazing, at least in the light of those scholars who are also scoffers. I am going to suggest that faith in Jesus Christ is the only reasonable response to biblical revelation. I will further say that it is unbelief that is unbelievable, and that faith in Jesus Christ is the only “reasonable” response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In our text, Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave with a prayer and a shout. Providentially, a crowd is present at the grave sight, not only to witness this miracle, but to participate in it. As a result of this amazing miracle, many of those who are there come to a faith in Jesus and the Messiah. Some do not, and these folks report what has happened to the Jewish religious leaders, who set in motion a plan to arrest and kill Jesus. By their own words, these leaders of Israel reveal that their unbelief is not due to a lack of evidence, but stems from their desire to protect their own selfish interests. Let us look carefully at this amazing event and its aftermath to learn the lessons God has for us in this text.

Serious opposition to Jesus in Jerusalem begins in chapter 5, when Jesus heals the paralytic on a Sabbath, instructing him to take up his bed and walk, and defending His actions by claiming to be God. Jesus retreats to Galilee in chapter 6, where He feeds the 5,000 and teaches that He is the “bread of life.” In chapter 7, Jesus returns to Jerusalem once again for the Feast of Tabernacles. The issue of the healing of the paralytic on the Sabbath is once again raised (see 7:23), and soon the Pharisees and chief priests send out the temple police to arrest Jesus. They return, but without the Master. These men explain that they did not arrest Jesus because they have never heard anyone teach as He does (7:45-46). When Jesus claims to be the good Shepherd in chapter 10, He clearly implies that the Jewish religious leaders are “thieves and robbers,” who abuse the sheep. It is the life-threatening illness of Lazarus which results in a desperate message from Martha and Mary, urging Jesus to come back to the little village of Bethany, just a stone’s throw from Jerusalem. Jesus deliberately delays His journey to Bethany until Lazarus dies. When He finally arrives near the home of the two sisters He loves, Lazarus has already been buried for four days. Both sisters are perplexed by our Lord’s delay, but both nevertheless reaffirm their faith in Him. By the end of verse 37, Jesus has just arrived at the tomb where Lazarus is buried. It is here that we take up the account.

Jesus, intensely moved again, came to the tomb. (Now it was a cave, and a stone was placed across it.) 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, “Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried four days.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you that you have listened to me. 42 I knew that you always listen to me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he shouted in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.” Twice already, John has written of our Lord’s deep emotional response to the death of Lazarus, and more specifically, in response to the sorrow of Mary and those gathered there with her at the tomb of Lazarus. A sob erupts from Jesus, trembling as He continues to sob inwardly (verse 33). As He draws near the tomb where the body of His friend lies, Jesus bursts out in tears (verse 35). Now, in verse 38, John tells us that Jesus is “intensely moved again.” Jesus is truly touched with compassion as He enters into the grief of those gathered there to mourn the death of Lazarus.

Lazarus is buried in a cave, with a stone covering the opening. This sounds strikingly similar to the burial sight of our Lord (e.g. Matthew 27:60). The raising of Lazarus almost looks like a dress rehearsal for the resurrection of our Lord in the near future. Jesus orders the stone to be rolled away. We can’t be sure who Jesus orders to move the stone, or who actually does move it. It could be the disciples, of course, but it may just as well be others, such as some of those who have come to mourn with Mary. I am inclined to think that Jesus deliberately employs those other than His disciples to remove the stone. Doing this would seem to require some measure of faith on their part. Such personal involvement in this process makes these participants even better witnesses to the miracle which is about to occur.

It is Martha, however, who objects to our Lord’s instruction to remove the stone. She protests that too much time has passed. The body will certainly smell very bad, she explains. But beyond this, it just seems to reopen a very painful wound. It seems quite obvious that Martha is not expecting Jesus to perform any miracle here, and certainly not the raising of one who has been dead for several days. Earlier, Jesus assures her that if she believes, she will see the glory of God (verse 40). By calling this to her attention once again, Jesus is seeking to stretch her faith. Martha relents, and the stone is removed.

Our Lord then lifts His eyes to heaven and begins to pray to His heavenly Father. This is one of the few times in the Gospels that a public prayer of our Lord is recorded. Earlier He warned about the misuse of public prayers, which are only for show (Matthew 6:5). But Jesus consistently claims that He does His Father’s work, and that He works with God (see John 5:17, 19-23, 30, 37, 43). Martha has just testified that she believes whatever Jesus asks of the Father, He will give to Him (11:22). Our Lord’s prayer is intended to demonstrate that the miraculous raising of Lazarus is something that the Father does through the Son. It is a public testimony to the fact that the Father hears the Son, demonstrating His power and glory through Him. Jesus does not pray this prayer for His own benefit, but for the benefit of the crowd looking on (11:41-42). His prayer does not specifically petition the Father to raise Lazarus. Jesus does thank His Father because He hears His prayers. Our Lord’s petition here is that men might believe that He has been sent from the Father, and we know that this prayer was answered (see verse 45).

Having prayed in this manner, Jesus now cries out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (verse 43). It has quite often been observed that if Jesus had not specified “Lazarus,” every dead body in the region would have arisen from the dead. In shouting with a loud voice, Jesus reveals His confidence that the Father will hear Him, and that Lazarus will rise from the dead.

Read John 11:44-45

“Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go.” Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what He did believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. (John 11:43-46) All quibbles about how Lazarus might have been able to walk while still wrapped in the grave-clothes are on the same level of questions of how the dead in their tombs shall rise in judgment with all that weight upon them. It is not stated that Lazarus “walked out,” but that he “came forth.” The fiat of a divine commandment brought Lazarus out of the grave even if both of his legs were bound together, and not separately in the manner of the Egyptians. The separate binding of Lazarus’ legs has been supposed by some commentators in their gratuitous efforts to help the Lord (!) get Lazarus out after raising him FROM THE DEAD! Loose him, and let him go … Lazarus was still bound and could not “go” unless released. See under John 11:39.

Whatever similarities exist between Lazarus’ resurrection and the resurrection of all men at the last day, there is one great difference. Lazarus did not rise “through the tomb” as Jesus did but came forth out of it horizontally to the same life he had before, still cumbered with mortality, still subject to all conditions of earthly life. The holy record makes no concession to human curiosity. Enough for all men to know that the deed here recorded was an actual historical event, memorialized in the name of the village where it occurred, reported by those who saw it as a FACT, acted upon by the highest court in the Hebrew nation as an EVENT impossible of denial, and judged by them as so powerful a wonder that they decided to slay Jesus to keep everyone on earth from believing on him! This points to the glorious display of power and love that God has shown forth in Jesus. The truth of what Jesus did makes salvation possible for all who repent and believe in Jesus.

Revelations of Heaven

Prophecy / Divine Assistance

Category Archives: God’s Will

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

IS THERE A SIN THAT GOD CANNOT FORGIVE?

KNOWING GOD

WE STAND TOGETHER IN SPIRITUAL BATTLES

GOD’S WILL – THE BIBLE

GOD’S WILL- THE GLORY OF GOD