Recently, I have encountered many followers of Christ that have a spirit of haughtiness. Yes, there is power in His name and yes, God tells us that we become part of that power when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. We know there are many spiritual gifts that come with accepting Him and being obedient to His Will. However, we are ALWAYS to behave humbly. The power is not our own and any blessings, favor and mercy we receive is for His Glory, NOT OURS.
Before you say that you have not ever behaved this way, I will list a few examples of what I mean:
David coveted His servant’s wife (although he was the king of Israel and possessed greatness above all, being blessed with great power by the LORD), and lifted within his heart a hatred toward his servant, Uriah, because he believed he was entitled to more than God blessed him with (2Samuel 11). HAVE YOU EVER FELT AND PURSUED GETTING MORE THAN WHAT GOD HAS CHOSEN TO BLESS YOU WITH?
Solomon, although given wisdom by God above all man, rebelled against God’s commandment and married women that believed in other gods, resulting in Solomon’s heart being turned away from God (1Kings 11). HAVE YOU EVER DATED, BECOME FRIENDS WITH, OR ENTERTAINED THE COMPANY OF SOMEONE THAT HAS OPENLY DISCUSSED OR SHOWN THEIR CONTEMPT FOR GOD (THROUGH ACTIONS) YET YOU CONTINUE TO BE AROUND THEM?
Peter, although he loved Jesus Christ, denied Him three times. Jesus told Peter that this was going to happen but Peter responded in disbelief, denying that the flesh is weak and prayer was needed to fight off satan and the temptations he floods man with (Mark 14:29&30,66-72). HAVE YOU EVER BELIEVED YOU COULD CONTROL A SITUATION AND FIGHT TEMPTATION WITHOUT THE HELP OF CHRIST? ONLY TO BRING OUR FLAWS TO THE FOREFRONT…
These are just a few examples of haughtiness. When the Spirit of the Lord is within you, it is important to obey it at all times. Do not believe that you are above God in any area, or above the temptations that satan sends to ALL MANKIND, including you! Christ tells us to remove the beam from our eye before we clear the mote from out brother’s eye (Matt 7:3-5). He is telling us that it is simple for satan to deceive and we (often inadvertently) attempt to make God’s power our own. In doing this, satan is able to reveal our flaws and snatch us from under the protection of Christ, JUST AS HE TRIED TO EXPOSE MAN’S WEAKNESSES AND IN THE PROCESS, SHOWED HIS OWN (covetousness, envying, jealousy, overall hatred toward man). Do we want to be as satan or as Christ?! The Lord teaches us, in John 8:44, that those allowing satan to rule them are those that do NOT abide in truth! When we abide in truth, we BELIEVE ALL THINGS THAT THE LORD TEACHES US…. We BELIEVE what the Lord says about satan’s character. We do attempt to prove God wrong, nor do we become as satan, lifting our hearts above God.
I ask that you evaluate your motives in ALL that you do. When you minister the Word of God, is it to bring souls to God, as a humble vessel… Or is it to become a recognized person within this world? When you say you love the LORD, are you willing to lay down your life for him, or are you saying this to make people believe you are a “good person?” When you do for someone, are you doing it in joy and knowing it is the Will of God, or are you doing it to receive a blessing in return? When you enter a relationship (friends, dating, marriage, etc.) are you looking to show the love of Christ to them or are you looking more toward receiving it?
I pray for your understanding and growth regarding this topic!
The true meaning of righteousness is that in everything you think to do, before you do it, you look for the way that this action will please and benefit God. If these people had been acting in the best interest of God.... You'd have nothing to write about. Great Post.
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