Teaching; 6/6/2013 Have you ever been asked what is the most dangerous of sins? This question is one that we as believers, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ should ask. Not only ask but come to a clear understanding of that thing which wants to destroy us or to rob from us the blessings of the Lord. That thing which will not only effect our eternity, but also invades every relationship and every thing we place our hand to do. What is this Sin that is able to be so powerful in our lives that also can be hidden and disguised so even those around us may be fooled by it and even think that it is a good? Not only others but we ourselves can be totally fooled in thinking that this sin is actually a gift from God. In fact it is in the very places of gifting that often times this sin finds its rooting place where it can breed its fruit of deception, and death. BY now I am sure you have guessed that this sin is, PRIDE. Pride is like poison that can slowly seep into even the most committed of us. Yes, into teachers, Pastors, Evangelist, Prophets and Apostles, worship leaders, elders, deacons, board members, and members of the local church. This poison has one Objective and that is to block the flow of Holy Spirit in our lives. Pride is the king of folly or the king of the foolish, who have moved their trust from the Lord to themselves. They have forgotten that all we have is from the Lord. They have forgotten that all our gifts and talents have been given to us from God for the purpose of serving Him with these gifts through the life of the Holy Spirit. The foolish do not know they are foolish but think they are wise. The apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit tells these who think they are wise with all the wisdom of the age they live in to become fools to possess true wisdom which comes from above not from the earth. (1Co 3:18) Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks to be wise among you in this age, let him become foolish, that he may become wise. (1Co 3:19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it has been written, "He takes the wise in their own craftiness." (1Co 3:20) And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning’s of the wise, that they are worthless." -Psa. 93:11; MT-Psa. 94:11 These verses are Paul’s way of saying that all he had placed his hope in, all he was so sure was right, and the true wisdom of man, he let go of when He met the true wisdom of God. The true wisdom of man is Jesus Christ. (1Co 1:30) But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1Co 1:31) so that even as it has been written, "He that glories, let him glory in" the "Lord." Jer. 9:24 Isaiah points out where; the fundamental weakness of Lucifer was pride which caused his fall as the head angel in heaven. (Isa 14:12) Oh shining star, son of the morning, how you have fallen from the heavens! You weakening the nations, you are cut down to the ground. (Isa 14:13) For you have said In your heart, I will go up to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit in the mount of meeting, in the sides of the north. (Isa 14:14) I will rise over the heights of the clouds; I will be compared to the Most High. True humility is the ability to live by and for the life of another. We live through the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, (the Holy Spirit) and we have surrendered our life for His and His ways for our ways, and his desires for our own. Pride wants to make its own way and live by its own strength and wisdom. Pride does not fully understand that, when we lose our life we find it, that a seed must first fall into the ground and die before it can bear the fruit of its for-ordained destiny. Pride leads us to self sufficiency which at its core says I no longer need God. When we begin to make our decisions without first submitting to God, we are actually in rebellion. When we are not fully submitted to him we become separated or distant from him. James tells us that when we walk in pride God resists us. This is found in James. (Jas 4:5) Or do you think that vainly the Scripture says, The spirit which has dwelt in us yearns to envy? (Jas 4:6) But He gives greater grace. Because of this it says, "God sets Himself against proud ones, but He gives grace to humble ones." Prov. 3:34 (Jas 4:7) Then be subject to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:8) Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners! And purify your hearts, double minded ones! Pride is almost always the cause of relationships breaking apart or going through great valleys of despair and trouble. Pride it what broke apart the first of all relationships, the one between Creator God and his created one, Adam, the man made in God’s own image. Pride separated Adam from his rightful place ordained by God to walk daily with him in the Garden and receive from that relationship everything he would need to fulfill his mission and also fulfill his own personal life. Yes it was the voice of pride in the garden, the voice of Satan in the garden which deceived Eve and leads her to entice her husband to join in the rebellion which wanted to elevate itself above God. Jesus said unless you become as a little child you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. A little child is one who is in total dependency and trust in its parents. It is amazing as how when we grow into adolescence we are also very prone to cast of all parental boundaries or authority and want to become Lords of our own lives. Rebellion and pride seems to be living in us and just waiting to come-forth to exercise its dominion. In fact, it is as we have inherited the very DNA of pride from our parents in the Garden of Eden who received it from the tree of the knowledge of God and evil. Pride robs us from becoming great in the kingdom of God. (Mat 18:2) And having called forward a little child, Jesus set him in their midst. (Mat 18:3) And He said, Truly I say to you, Unless you convert and become as the little children, not at all can you enter into the kingdom of Heaven.(Mat 18:4) Then whoever will humble himself as this little child, this one is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven. Pride and greatness seem to be two words that should go together, yet in the Kingdom of God it is not pride that makes you great but humility. It is dependency not independence; it is the greatness that comes from obedience and submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. The Holy Spirit has been given to us so that like Adam we also can walk each day in fellowship with God. Talking with Him and receiving from Him each day what we need; receiving our instructions and our supply of His peace and grace to accomplish the purpose of the day. Fellowship is what Satan LOST. He hates it when he sees any believer enjoying the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as he is painfully reminded of what he gave up as the worship leader of heaven at the very throne of God. Pride gives up on grace and frustrates its purpose in our life. Pride prevents us from entering into the Holy of Holies before the throne of God where grace is dispensed in abundance for our every need. (Heb 4:16) Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and we may find grace for timely help. Pride says no I can handle this on my own, It has no understanding about love that has already provided. Pride will kill us if we let it, but God has provided for our sinful pride through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Why die, “live” and live continually through the life of Christ which abides in you. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you. Let the Holy Spirit carry your burdens and requests before the throne of God each day and teach you to taste and see that the Lord is good. Pride is a bitter wine which makes the heart sick. Come and drink of the Holy Spirits wine and be filled with the joy of Gods kingdom. Your heart will be glad that you did. Pride is surly a deadly sin. Let us forsake it. Let us draw near with a sure heart, a humble heart and trust solely on the blood of Jesus. Thank you Lord for the truth in your word that declares to us we are yours and no one take us from you. We submit ourslves to you gladly and rejoice that we are sons and daughters of your household. Amen! Love Dave
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:10:22 +0000
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