Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
What do you do in secret?
When you consider your secret life, the life you live when no one is looking or around, are you content? Do you feel that you are consistent in how you talk, how you think, what you look at and what you say? Today, I would like to express to you the importance of your secret life and what it should and should not look like. May you be challenged and encouraged by God's Word, as it pierces into our hearts.
Secret Sin. John 3:19-20 says, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." Every human has this in common: their flesh loves darkness. Within each of us is a nature from Adam that strives against God and longs for temporal pleasure. And as unbelievers(and sadly believers are here too), there is a desire to keep our sin a secret. Whether its by doing sin behind closed doors, so no one can see, or by covering it over by justification or explanation, sin enjoys the darkness. As one matures in Christ, victory over pride begins to be won and honest acknowledgment of sin occurs, leading to victory over such sin. Now, I would like to show you what your secret life should look like.
Secret Giving. Matthew 6:2-4 says, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." The life of the believer should be one filled with secret giving. One that looks not for praise from men, but praise from God. Do you have a heart that longs to give to others secretly?
Secret Prayer. Matthew 6:6 says, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Having secret fellowship, communion and communication with the Father is essential to spiritual growth. The temptation is to do all spiritual activity in the open (at church, Bible Studies or Christian get togethers), and forget the importance of doing it when no one is around. Again, this gets back to attempting to please men, or please God. Your neighbor may be truly captivated by your powerful prayer, but if it is not backed up by continual communication with the Father in secret, God is not impressed.
Secret Fasting. Matthew 6:17-18 says, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Discipling our bodies in any area is difficult, and as humans, when we face difficult situations we tend to want others to know about it in some way. Check your heart. When you sacrifice for the Lord, do you desire others to know of it? Do you look for their approval or praise? Seek the approval of Christ and then practice it in secret.
As you strive for holiness, remember it is God who sees in secret, both our sin and our sacrifices. May He be well pleased with our humble acknowledgment of our struggles and our strict silence of our sacrifices.
Secret Sin. John 3:19-20 says, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." Every human has this in common: their flesh loves darkness. Within each of us is a nature from Adam that strives against God and longs for temporal pleasure. And as unbelievers(and sadly believers are here too), there is a desire to keep our sin a secret. Whether its by doing sin behind closed doors, so no one can see, or by covering it over by justification or explanation, sin enjoys the darkness. As one matures in Christ, victory over pride begins to be won and honest acknowledgment of sin occurs, leading to victory over such sin. Now, I would like to show you what your secret life should look like.
Secret Giving. Matthew 6:2-4 says, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." The life of the believer should be one filled with secret giving. One that looks not for praise from men, but praise from God. Do you have a heart that longs to give to others secretly?
Secret Prayer. Matthew 6:6 says, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Having secret fellowship, communion and communication with the Father is essential to spiritual growth. The temptation is to do all spiritual activity in the open (at church, Bible Studies or Christian get togethers), and forget the importance of doing it when no one is around. Again, this gets back to attempting to please men, or please God. Your neighbor may be truly captivated by your powerful prayer, but if it is not backed up by continual communication with the Father in secret, God is not impressed.
Secret Fasting. Matthew 6:17-18 says, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Discipling our bodies in any area is difficult, and as humans, when we face difficult situations we tend to want others to know about it in some way. Check your heart. When you sacrifice for the Lord, do you desire others to know of it? Do you look for their approval or praise? Seek the approval of Christ and then practice it in secret.
As you strive for holiness, remember it is God who sees in secret, both our sin and our sacrifices. May He be well pleased with our humble acknowledgment of our struggles and our strict silence of our sacrifices.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Deception from within
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..."
How important it is for each of us to not lean on our own understanding or thinking, because deception will soon follow. We must wholly lean on the Holy Scriptures for our continued guidance. The trouble is, the distancing from God's Word is not only occurring in the world, but in the church. We have groups that profess to be Christian that formulate doctrine and teachings that are not based on Scripture. This is sad. What is even sadder is that millions of people follow such teaching, thinking it is genuine. Do not be decieved. Study God's Word. Be a worker that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
May God richly bless you as you move from leaning on your own(or others) understanding and trust only in the Word of God.
How important it is for each of us to not lean on our own understanding or thinking, because deception will soon follow. We must wholly lean on the Holy Scriptures for our continued guidance. The trouble is, the distancing from God's Word is not only occurring in the world, but in the church. We have groups that profess to be Christian that formulate doctrine and teachings that are not based on Scripture. This is sad. What is even sadder is that millions of people follow such teaching, thinking it is genuine. Do not be decieved. Study God's Word. Be a worker that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
May God richly bless you as you move from leaning on your own(or others) understanding and trust only in the Word of God.
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