The Fuel Project Series walks through the history of mankind from a Biblical and Historical perspective. 70+ episodes talking about God and Mankind. Pretty interesting conversational pieces.
Category Archives: Church
Gossip & Slander
Gossip…
It’s funny.
The Bible talks about gossip and slander as significant sin issues.
Society is filled with people talking about people. Social media has exponentially allowed for the world wide conversation to escalate in epic proportion.
The definition of gossip is as follows…
1. casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.
2. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
3. rumor or report of an intimate nature
Slander is defined as…
- the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation
- a false and defamatory oral statement about a person
The irony about the topic of sin pertaining to conversation is that with so much talking going on seldom do we hear the preacher, teacher, TALK about this very issue.
This post isn’t to fault anyone, it’s simply a point to highlight because I cannot recall one message, aside from someone else writing on the subject in a blog that I read once upon a time.
Honestly speaking, having conversation about others, especially others that we’ve never actually had a conversation with in a negative light, a majority of the time, is fruitless, weak and unnecessary.
Personally, when I find myself talking about others, I ask myself if I’d say the same thing to the person’s face or in their presence. If I don’t feel as though I would say it to their face, I’d likely be guilty of gossip or slander and do my best to not say the thought or share the idea.
Let’s face it; gossip and slander are tools the accuser of the brethren uses against the saints, one to another. In a real sense, any time someone speaks gossip and slander, they are partnering with Satan. Frightening picture to behold, but it’s the reality.
Check out what the book of James has to say about the taming of the tongue…
2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a ]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of]nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. – James 3:2-12
If we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit guilt when it comes to both gossip and slander. Every single person on the planet is absolutely guilty of participating in these sins. No one is unique or guilt free.
So what do we do?
We pray. We pray to ask the Holy Spirit the power and self-control to not participate in such conversation. Ephesians 5:18-21 talks about what we are to speak to one another.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear ofGod.
Philippians also mentions the things in which we’re to think about as well…
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you
We pray that the Lord would give us the ability through His Spirit to tame the tongue, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. It’s possible through His leadership in Jesus’ name.
Come Lord Jesus come….
Know Your Enemy
This is a brilliant content piece with 80 parts to it. Walk through the sands of time to understand human history according to the Bible. I’m half way through at this point and have found this documentary of sorts, fascinating. Perfect for a long car ride or a Sunday morning.
Talking About Adultery Got John the Baptist Beheaded
Continuing the conversation about a “Great Wail” a couple of posts earlier. It’s interesting to note that it was John the Baptist’s talk about adultery to Herod that got him killed. Wow. Notice how touchy this particular discussion regarding “adultery” is for Herodias that she wants to kill John over it. Yeah, it’s a hot topic, not talked about much today. In fact, adultery is rampant, maybe more than ever? It’s everywhere. If we take a close look at what Jesus calls adultery it’s clear – the problem in America is widespread. We’ve all fallen short of the glory of God. Take a look at the scripture below as to exactly what the progression to John’s death looked like:
“17 For Herod, himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” – Mark 6:17-29
Woman Caught in Adultery
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
The woman who got caught in adultery is another great story. He who is without sin let him throw the first stone, paraphrasing Jesus. Nobody threw a stone and Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Stop committing adultery. Stop participating in it. End that relationship. Pretty straight forward. You got caught in this act. Stop committing the act and live.
So much of the Church seams to do one of two things, ignore the command to sin no more or remains ignorant of the words of Jesus as to how and what He identifies as adultery as mentioned in Matthew 5, along with other passages.
Could you imagine if more pastors started calling this particular issue out from the pulpit for what it is, not every week but simply talk about what Jesus says qualifies as marriage and that which does not? He really lays it out quite clearly. A pastor/preacher might lose his head or at least a large portion of the congregation, because let’s face it a MAJOR portion of the so called Church is quite alright with living in the sin of adultery. The flock would be reduced to a fraction of whatever the current numbers were. Instead, we’re focusing on gifts or prosperity or politics or take your pick. All of those things mentioned are wonderful and need to be discussed, yet, our families are falling apart at the seems. Satan absolutely hates people calling attention to this sin so much so that he had John the Baptist beheaded for it. I suspect we have NO idea how damaging this particular sin is upon marriages, family and humanity.
“But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.” (Proverbs 6:32 NLT)
Marriage and family is the very thing God created to be a picture and reflection of Himself in the earth and it’s coming unglued at the seems.
The very essence and nature of God is family. It’s so clear Satan is out to destroy the image and reflection of God in the earth, from conception to grave. He’s working to speed this process up exponentially. The people of the Lord need to take the earth back, rule and reign as God originally intended since the Garden – to take dominion.
All of creation groans for the revealing of the sons of God.
Where are they? Take a look in the mirror. It’s you. It’s time to actually become the reflection of Jesus Christ in the earth. Look like Him. Talk like Him. Think like Him. Act like Him. Walk like Him. Heal like Him. Do miracles like Him. The works Jesus did and GREATER you will do. But first, you’ve got to DO what Jesus did, to do greater than He did.
Holy Ghost breathe. In Yeshua’s name. Amen.
Maturing the Bride of Christ by Francis Chan
Francis Chan is such a breath of fresh air for the body of Christ. I love this conversation on the picture of maturity. I am filled with anticipation for the Bride of Christ to move beyond the current plateau. It’s time to put the milk away.
Hey, we’re all guilty of falling short, and some of the antics Christians pull are down right silly. I’m guilty, and you’re guilty, so what do we do with it? Forgive. Forgiveness is this absent unspoken thing within the Church. People generally don’t do Matthew 18. People generally don’t go to their brother before leaving the gift at the altar to reconcile differences. Unforgiveness reigns in the heart of man, and yet the claimer of Christ still thinks they’re okay. “I’m okay.” Imagine how much different society would become or marriages for that matter with intentional forgiveness face-to-face. Credible. They’d be totally credible.
Is it just me or does the Church at times seem to be filled with false pretense and people attempting to play nice. Imagine for a second if the Church could get rid of being nice and start getting real? True love would begin to flow. Hearts could sit in an atmosphere where they might warm towards one another. Sure it might be challenging, awkward and on the other side of awkward, healing and love could spring forth. Real unity and fellowship of the brethren. Real honor will manifest.
Devoted. There’s a scary word for the Church. What a picture that word paints. Devotion for and to one another. Wow. Dedicated people drawn together in His love. Powerful.
Francis Chan is always concise, compassionate and to the point. Way to address the elephants in the room.
Lord, release. Release it and let the Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Mature us and make us Biblical. I forgive everyone, for everything, with my whole heart, my whole heart and I bless all those who have caused me harm intentionally or unintentionally. In Y’shua’s name. Thank You. Amen.
Roland and Heidi Baker on Dating, Romance, Marriage and Covenant
One word. Faith.
God bless the Bakers.
Francis Chan – Do you like Jesus?
Francis Chan. Nailed it.
To the Illiterate
To the illiterate.
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD.
“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.
“Behold, [the] days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this [is] His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. “Therefore, behold, [the] days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ “but, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”
My heart within me is broken Because of the prophets; All my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, And like a man whom wine has overcome, Because of the LORD, And because of His holy words.
For the land is full of adulterers; For because of a curse the land mourns. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course of life is evil, And their might [is] not right. “For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,” says the LORD. “Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery [ways]; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment,” says the LORD.
“And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: They prophesied by Baal And caused My people Israel to err. Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, “You shall have peace” ‘; And [to] everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’ ”
For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard [it]?
Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury–A violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings.
“[Am] I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ “How long will [this] be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed [they are] prophets of the deceit of their own heart, “who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.
“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD. “[Is] not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer [that] breaks the rock in pieces? “Therefore behold, I [am] against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor.
“Behold, I [am] against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’ “Behold, I [am] against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD.
“So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, ‘What is the oracle of the LORD?’ you shall then say to them, ‘What oracle?’ I will even forsake you,” says the LORD. “And [as for] the prophet and the priest and the people who say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ I will even punish that man and his house.
“Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the LORD answered?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ “And the oracle of the LORD you shall mention no more. For every man’s word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God.
“Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ “But since you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ ” ‘therefore behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and [will cast you] out of My presence.
‘And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’ ” – Jeremiah 23:1-40 NKJV
“A Beauty to Rescue…”
Have you ever heard these ideas in the Christian community? “A beauty to rescue…” “Fight for the beauty!” “Rescue the girl!” If you’ve been around the evangelical circles over the last 15 years or so now, I’m sure you have.
John Eldridge one of my favorite authors regarding masculinity, femininity, marriage and identity in Christ has been prolific in his writings upon such ideas. I’m super grateful for him, his writings and presence in the body of Christ.
Wild at Heart
Sacred Romance
Captivating
Waking the Dead
Fathered by God
Epic
Above is a short list of books he’s written. Wild at Heart is a personal favorite. Men, get this book and read it, great stuff!
I love the idea behind rescuing the beauty. I think it is right on and so needed, especially today. Men need to step up into their God given roles to lead and guide families. The biggest thing they can do to accomplish this end, starts with them on their knees. Prayer.
Men, we need to be praying for the women in our lives. We need to mature in the things of God and His Word. We need to be worshipers in Spirit and Truth. This is how we fight for their freedom, identity, family relationships, healing of the brokenness they’ve encountered growing up and all the other stuff. Loving the women in our lives as Christ would have us to is how we “fight for them.” The battle is constant. The enemy – Satan is continually looking for whom he shall steal from, kill and devour like a lion.
Whether the women in our lives know it or not, admit it or not, they need you. They need men of God contending for their hearts, minds, emotions, relationships, and for them to simply mature in their relationship to Jesus. Men, it’s time to create a refuge, a safe place for women to develop relationship – without alterior motives of what you can get from them. We need to look at women as sisters in the Lord, not as objects (as the world’s message way too often communicates.)
With that being said, ladies, what it means for a man to “fight for the damsel,” does not mean that he “rescues” her from her family and steals her away with him, leaving her with little or no connection to them. It does not mean that she starts a fight with someone to see if he will literally fight for her because she’s acting foolish (though he will probably still rescue her.) It does not mean that she manipulate the relationship, breaking up with him and seeing if he starts buying flowers, chocolates and begs her to take him back – thus “fighting for her and proving his love.” It does not mean if she likes him and wants to be in a relationship with him that she either treat him really really nicely (beyond normalcy for a short period of time) or if she doesn’t get what she wants that she stops being nice to him, being his friend, etc. Just because she may desire relationship with him (or not) please do not treat him more or less than anything but as a brother in Christ. If she isn’t getting what she wants out of the relationship, communicate it, rather than stop being his friend leaving him clueless.
Too often I see or hear about these kind of behaviors or attitudes, it’s unfortunate. Such behavior is simply immature, manipulative and completely unnecessary. If a woman is behaving this way towards a mature man who knows the Lord, he will see through this fairly easily. His response will be to pray for her. He will pray that she matures. He will pray that she sees the deception behind manipulative, controlling behavior patterns and will not bow to such attitudes. He will continue to love her, let her make choices for herself and maintain healthy boundaries in the relationship that are proper, good and fitting for her and him.
Please don’t mistake his response or what some may perceive as a lack of response as though he’s “not fighting for her, doesn’t really love her, or isn’t truly committed.” He may be waiting for his prayers to be answered. He may simply be waiting for her to mature and grow up a little, while demonstrating love as well as he can with where they both are at currently in this thing called life.
There are two sides to every relationship. Chances are there’s issues coming from both parties in any given story. In the realm of relationships guys have much to grow in and improve upon. Ladies, pray for men. Men need you and your prayers, even though sometimes they don’t admit it. Men may not want to be rescued, but they do need your prayers.
The truth is men and women are on the same team. We are not each other’s enemy. Satan is the enemy and we need to work together – united through the Holy Spirit. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for praying for and forgiving each other with your whole heart. What the world needs now is real love expressing itself through the body of Christ (the Church). They will know us by our agape love…
PRAYER
Father in heaven, help your children understand their roles. Let women be celebrated for their unique qualities. Let men be celebrated for their unique qualities. Let there be peace between the genders. Let Your desire for male and female relationships come forth in the earth. Bring healing to men and women in the body of Christ. Bring an increase of maturity in Christ for both men and women right now. Lord there’s such an attack on relationship, marriage, and family in this hour. I ask that you bring restoration, reconciliation and healing to male, female relationships everywhere. Let men rise up spiritually to rightly follow you Jesus and lead the family well. We need your help Holy Spirit. Father, let women be cared for, protected, healed, and grow in maturity of your Word, character and deed. Let there be light in this arena and expose all darkness. Let Your glory cover the earth. In Y’shua’s name. Thank You. Amen.
Men fight for, rescue and lead the beauty, as Jesus would!
Is coveting the worst sin?
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” – Exodus 20:17
‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ – Deuteronomy 5:21
Lately, I have spent more and more time meditating on why “coveting” is so bad in the eyes of YHWH. One of the ten commandments is you shall not covet. Seemingly this idea of coveting is much lesser than some of the other commandments, such as murdering someone. So what does “covet” actually mean?
covet – to want (something that you do not have) very much
to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably
Notice how Scripture defines what not to do regarding the idea of coveting. Do not desire anything that is essentially, not ours. This is a major problem in society today. Essentially our entire culture is constructed upon the idea “getting that next conquest” whatever that might be. Marketing continually bombards our lives and minds with the message, “Your life is incomplete without this possession, skill, talent, gift, relationship, status, idea, etc.”
Coveting in a very real sense is the first sin. Eve and then Adam desired that which was not meant for them. Take a look at Genesis 3.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6
Through out the beginning of Genesis 3 we see satan at work “marketing” the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Focusing on deceiving Eve, he then gets Adam. Eve was deceived, she ate of the fruit because it was desirable to her. Adam then ate the fruit not because he was deceived, but because he knew without eating of the fruit, separation would ever be between Eve and himself. Adam desired Eve – coveting her over YHWH and His Word. Satan twists and lies about the reality of the Tree, specifically the ramifications of what will happen once they part-take.
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8 NKJV
What was their response to this new fallen state? Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of the Creator of heaven and earth. This is the problem of humanity. We all hide ourselves from God because of our sin. Yet, the presence of the LORD is what brings victory over satan, sin and darkness.
Looking at Exodus we see how the one thing Moses desired from YHWH was, His Presence.
And He said, “My Presence will go [with you], and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go [with us], do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15 NKJV
God’s presence slays giants. God’s presence takes out every work of the evil one. His presence is the answer to our lives and victory in the earth. Joshua and the Israelite’s crushed all the giants because the presence of the LORD went before them. Whatever is going on in our lives at any given moment, inviting God into that situation will completely disarm any work of darkness.
“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. 20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” – John 3:19-21 NKJV
There are several reasons why we do not want an ounce of coveting in our lives, here are just a few.
- Coveting leads to bigger levels of sin. When we act upon wrong desire the door for increased pain and suffering opens wider and wider. War, stealing, murder, adultery and divorce spawn from the sin of covetousness.
James chapter 4 communicates this reality perfectly, take a look.
Where do wars and fights [come] from among you? Do [they] not [come] from your [desires for] pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend [it] on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?[James 4:1-5 NKJV]
- Coveting reveals an ungrateful, unthankful and unappreciative heart. Rather than focusing on all the blessings YHWH has provided to us, we focus on our lack. We focus on what we do not have.
Adam and Eve had everything they could ever need or want. They had all the power in the Garden, they were in charge. They had the best status – dominion and stewardship over the earth. This couple possessed everything. Adam and Eve had all the wealth they could possibly desire. Their work did not even make them break a sweat, it was easy. On top of position and possession, they had the presence of the Most High. Satan turned their attention from what they had, to what they did not. Some how they bought into the lie that what they had was not good and God was some how holding out on them. They became unappreciative and discontent.
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. – Luke 6:35 NKJV
Notice how in Luke, unthankfulness is associated with being an evil thing.
We need to be a people of thanksgiving, gratitude and appreciation. God is good. He is working so everything that occurs in our lives is working out for our own good.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, [And] into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, [and] bless His name. 5 For the LORD [is] good; His mercy [is] everlasting, And His truth [endures] to all generations. Psalms 100:4-5 NKJV
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. – Romans 8:28 NKJV
- Coveting calls YHWH a liar. It says to Him, “God, You’re not trustworthy. I don’t believe what You tell me is true. I don’t believe the things that are currently a part of my life or not a part of my life, are actually for my own good.”
God jealously desires us. Yet we go after the things of the world – position, power, or material possessions. Somehow satan continues to feed us the same lie over and over, generation after generation.
Coveting says, “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” Satan wants us to jump the fence, again and again – in search of the “greenest.” Dis-contentedness and covetousness go hand in hand. If we are discontent we can bet covetousness is taking place. The truth is, the grass is not greener, it is simply a different color. The search is real, but what are we searching for? Are we searching for Jesus or the most money in the bank, the most power on the planet, the most attractive spouse, etc.?
Paul understood this well. He was fully contented in the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. He knew that all of his life was in the hands of the Creator to such a degree he could make this statement:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
Conclusion
If we trust our current reality – relationships, resources, position to the Most High, there’s no room for sin to expand within our hearts and lives. God is good and is worthy to be trusted with all of life’s details. We can trust Him implicitly. Our responsibility is simple:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 NKJV
His Word promises:
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. – Psalms 37:4 NKJV
Prayer
Father in Heaven, You are trustworthy. You are good. Thank You for all that is transpiring in the earth right now over and around my life. Thank You for the relationships in my life. Thank you for the relationships that are not in my life. Thank You for my daily bread. Thank You that everything transpiring in my life is according to Your perfect will. Be magnified today YHWH. Thank You for Your peace, rest and contentment. Most of all thank You for the presence of the Holy Spirit residing within me this day because Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose on the 3rd day to save me from death and sin. I also ask that the sin of covetousness be cast down from the hearts of man. I ask that hearts of gratitude and thanksgiving arise in the hearts of man today, more and more and more. Lastly Lord, I do not want anything that is not mine. I only want what You have for me. I gladly receive all that You have for me. I trust You. I repent for any time I have wanted something that is not mine and that you do not have for me. Let everyone be blessed fully with what You have given to them. Thank You for your generosity upon their lives. I celebrate Your goodness upon the people around me. Bless my friends, bless my family, bless my acquaintances, and bless those that say bad things about me. Thank You! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
