1 John 4:5
English Standard Version
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.
It's Monday again and a new work week is beginning. My week already has a million things piled up, but I know I can only walk through one thing at a time, and I just keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, so I have peace through it all. I pray your week starts off great!
After yesterday's verse the follower of Jesus should be rock solid and boldly standing against false spirits and teachings. Now verse 5 is just a simple statement on the surface but there is much more behind it. Here is the Amplified translation of this verse:
1 John 4:5 (Amplified Bible) --- They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the world listens closely and pays attention to them.
As I sat and talked with the Lord on this 1 Timothy 4:3-4 jumped to the front of my mind.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 --- For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].
As I typed this up and was reflecting on just how many people fall and a lot walk willingly, into the traps of false teachers, false prophets, and false spirits, it really saddened my heart. Then it started to be an overwhelming feeling, but God quickly reminded me He is bigger than feelings. Not only that He pointed me right back to my opening of this post, it may be a million x million but with eyes fixed on Jesus, I can take one step at a time following Him! He has overcome the world, so I don't have to.
I spent many years doing one on one men's ministry and I can honestly tell you if your eyes are not on the Lord when working with people it can be extremely easy to get frustrated, upset and even angry or bitter. So many times, people are eager to meet and discuss challenges, issues, and struggles, but few are willing to take the Luke 9:23 path. Instead, opting to do nothing, citing being too busy. Which don't get me wrong, life is beyond busy, but if it's too busy for Jesus, there's a priority problem. Many seek out worldly remedies they can control which change surface things, but never the roots of them. It usually ends with the same struggles, same issues, just more frustration every week because nothing is truly different.
What's the Luke 9:23 path? It's the path that doesn't tickle your ear very much.
Luke 9:23 --- And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
Well, I've said a lot and really the scriptures above say it all much better than I ever could. Be the Berean, read it for yourself, talk to Him yourself, and see what He tells you!
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