“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and MY SINS are not hid from thee.” Psalms 69:5
Here the Holy Spirit reveals to us that our “foolishness” and our “sins” are openly known by our Maker.
God knew the foolishness and wickedness of David’s heart and the hearts of all men (Jeremiah 17:9).
“Foolishness” is one of the sins Jesus cites as coming from corrupted hearts and is the opposite of authentic, honest worship. Anyone else realize how foolish they can be in many ways?
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:21-23
David spoke of “My Sins” which means he took personal responsibility for his sin instead of covering or making excuse for his sins. The sweet psalmist of Israel declared his sins, denounced, and confessed them to the LORD (Psalms 69:5).
God can and will work with the honest. He requires honesty for glory (Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15).
The LORD knows the wickedness of our hearts. If I choose not to be truly “crucified with Christ” and therefore dwell on wickedness of any kind, He sees all the thoughts that I allow to occupy my mind that are not holy, but sinful (“evil concupiscence” – see Colossians 3:5). He sees where the enemy or my own un-mortified sinful nature feeds thoughts to my mind. I have at times not guarded my heart by casting down wicked imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5; Proverbs 4:23). Can you relate? Yet, this must not be (Romans 8:5-8; 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24).
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (secret desire for that which is forbidden by God), and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Those who walk with the LORD, who is the “Prince of peace”, walk in purity of heart and “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” (Isaiah 9:6-7; Philippians 4:7)
“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” – Thomas Watson
The cross, purity of heart, and the peace of God go hand-in-hand. They are inseparable.
Did I mention Matthew 5:8? Smile. Have you memorized the words of our LORD recorded in Matthew 5:8?
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Without the present working of Christ in our lives, the thoughts of our hearts are “only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
It would be deceitful, self-deception on our part to believe we are going to “see God” – to walk with Him now and eternally be with God, without a purified heart, cleansed by the working of the LORD in our submitted lives. Who did Jesus tell us in going to “see God”?
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Every single day is the opportunity to overcome – yet this can only happen as we choose to do things God’s way – the cross (Romans 6-8; Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9; Galatians 2:20) | Sinless Perfectionism Exposed
The cross, the crucified life, is the divine answer to an impure heart and life.
Though many who claim Christ want to believe that they have no personal responsibility in their salvation, the Bible reveals the contrary.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
God doesn’t separate our current spiritual state from what we think/meditate upon. Scary huh? We can hide our true spiritual state from men but not the Almighty. We can smile and seem to be rejoicing and even ministering in the love of the LORD, and at the same time, allow iniquities to make a nest in our hearts and minds. The big question is; What am I entertaining in the theatre of my mind and heart?
“If I regard (approve; consider; enjoy; experience, gaze upon) iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalms 66:18
The Hebrew word for “regard” is RAAH. According to the definition of this Hebrew word used here, the word “regard” means to: presently approve, consider, enjoy, experience, gaze upon in one’s heart.
I am not a good person. Neither are you – “There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! (Romans 7:18, 24) The Cross!
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
Until we realize the depth of our depravity, we’re not going realize or understand the purpose of the cross Jesus ordained for your daily life (Luke 9:23-24). He desires to be at the center of your daily life and that requires you getting out of the way. The cross crucifies us out of His way!
ADMITTING our own poverty is the starting place for God’s grace to make us holy. Propping ones self up as holy or sinless perfection is a lie and a sham and is rooted in pride and self-righteousness.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (desperate for and wholly dependent upon God – not self): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
You are not holy in God’s eyes unless you are truly born again into Christ and presently abiding in He who alone is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
Yet instead of taking personal responsibility to be crucified with Christ, the evil nature wants to nit pick, to busy body the sins of others. According to the Son of God, the definition of a “hypocrite” is one who stands in judgment of others while he himself has sin in his own life that he hasn’t dealt with in repentance before a holy God (Matthew 7:1-5). Such a man is heaping undiluted judgment upon his own pate/head (James 2:13).
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Backsliding Begins in the Heart
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Proverbs 14:14
The “backslider in heart” is one whose heart affections are not presently fixed upon the Lord and His kingdom. Usually, the backslider does not know he is slidden back. He has allowed his heart to wander by not taking his thoughts captive and has become deceived thereby. The “cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things” have entered in to “choke the word” because he has not tilled (cultivated) the soil of his heart through regular communion with the Savior along with obeying Him in the denial of the self-life (John 3:30; Luke 9:23-26).
Take notice in Proverbs 14:14 that backsliding is a matter of the heart.
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Proverbs 14:14
A person could be perfect in his Bible reading, praying, and attendance of church services, do many wonderful works, and still be in a backslidden state. The LORD sees all because “the Lord looketh upon the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he….” Proverbs 23:7
This revelation – that God sees the very motive of our inner man – should drive us to seek Him in fresh repentance and diligence to guard our hearts.
“Keep (guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
If we do not take control of our thoughts, our thoughts will take control of us and lead to our eternal ruin. A pure heart is a requirement for eternal life in Heaven:
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Who is going to “see God”? The “pure in heart.”
“God wants our heart, and our motivations for things we do mean a lot. WE must submit our will to Gods will and be in a heart relationship with God… Actions matter, but so do motivations for doing things.” Shirley Bruso
See Philippians 4:8 and 1 Peter 1:13 for the divine prescription for the thought life.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Remember how the Lord forewarned us that on the Day of Judgment, there would be those who called Him “Lord, Lord” and then they will say things like “have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” And yet, they will hear the horrific words of termination to their brutally eternal destination:
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness of heart).” Matthew 7:23
God have mercy upon me/us!
“Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” Matthew 10:26
God doesn’t separate who we are in His sight from what we think upon. This is a critical issue to the Lord.
Here’s more of His truth that reveals that the Lord sees us according to what we entertain in our hearts:
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he….” Proverbs 23:7
Note that “as he thinketh – so is he….” Wow!
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
Did you catch that!? “God SAW the WICKEDNESS…that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart…” Here the Lord defines to us that “wickedness” is based upon “the thoughts of the heart.” So, we see that one must not separate what he chooses to meditate upon in his heart, from what God sees and determines his state to be. He is either carnal/wicked, or “spiritual (Christlike).” Am I “carnally minded” or “spiritually minded”? (Romans 8:6) Such determines whether I am living in a spiritual state of “death” or “life”.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
We will eventually perform the things we give place to in our minds according to James 1:13-15). What should be realized is that although we will eventually perform the things we think upon, it doesn’t take the physical act to offend the one true God (James 1:14-15; Matthew 5:28). Note in the verse above, that to be “carnally minded” is “death” (separation from fellowship with God). Note the word, “minded” and the importance of this truth – it says nothing of physical performance (the act of sin/a transgression).
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (lawlessness), to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:17-24
If I do not cross-walk in the Spirit (will of God; see Romans 8:1-14), then my heart will ‘revert back to type’, which is revealed in many places in Scripture to be a state of wickedness before the LORD who is holy. Again, here is but one example:
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24; Psalms 39:4-5; Titus 3:5-7).
One man said:
“Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry out worst enemies within us.”
We must first realize that our hearts, without the divine influence of God’s grace, are iniquitous above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Then, we must realize that this state of heart is condemned by the Almighty (Romans 8:5-8).
“It is then, we say, in the successive stages of his experience, that the believer sees more distinctly, and adores more profoundly, and grasps more firmly, the finished righteousness of Christ. And what is the school in which he learns his nothingness, his poverty, his utter destitution? The school of deep and sanctified affliction. In no other school is it learned, and under no other teacher but God. Here his high thoughts are brought low, and the Lord alone is exalted.” Octavius Winslow
Where are God’s eyes pointed?
“The LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Can God look upon a wicked heart and be pleased?
“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…” Habakkuk 1:13
We cannot live in a wicked state of heart and be in fellowship with God who is holy. I cannot be dwelling upon hate, fornication of any kind, immorality, getting drunk, etc., and expect to maintain the fellowship of the One who is holy by nature, holiness personified (holiest of all – no one else as He is in His holy state of existence).
“The LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7), so there is no way of fooling Him, even when we look good on the outward in the sight of men.
“Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:23-24
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13
I must become transparent in my heart toward God – realizing that He sees all. All who don’t will face severe and eternal consequences on that final Day. God will not permit any person to remain in His kingdom who continues to allow that which He condemns to permeate their minds (Psalms 101:4,7; Revelation 21:27, etc.). What we think upon is a serious matter with the Most High. Meditating and burning inside with that which the LORD condemns is sin, and Jesus came and died and “condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3) We should decide not to fool ourselves. God is watching every thought and deed that we allow and perform, and He will judge us accordingly (2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 4:12-13). O LORD help us. Have mercy upon us.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
THE CANDLE OF THE LORD
The Lord looks upon the inward part of us – the heart. He constantly examines our inwards to see where we are. He judges such by what or who we are choosing to dwell upon.
“The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:27
Remember that after Adam sinned, the LORD asked Him “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9) Did the Creator of all that is, whose eyes are in every existing place, not know where Adam was physically? Of course He did. Was He not attempting to get Adam to realize where he was in his spiritual state now that he had sinned? This was so that Adam could have a repentant heart and be restored to Him.
This rhetorical question from the LORD seems to mean that He was searching Adam’s inwards to see if he realized his fallen state and need for restoration.
Here are a few more verses which illustrate the truth that God is viewing and searching out our inwards:
“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness…” Psalms 5:9
“Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.” Psalms 49:11
“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” Psalms 51:6
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24“
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:30
“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33
“And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.” Luke 11:39
“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:” Romans 7:22
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
The LORD sees all and if we allow to fester and perform sin in our mind/heart we are guilty before God of such (Matthew 5:28). He reads our hearts.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
This disciple would venture to say that each of us have sins that tempt us and that we have even stumbled and fallen into at times, or even willfully pursued them. Instead of covering those sins with denial or false doctrines, let us be “honest” and admit, confess and forsake these things and grow into a deeper life of worship to our Creator. (see Proverbs 28:13; Luke 8:15)
“He that covereth (hides) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh (turn away from entirely) them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
It is clear from this verse that the way we appropriate His “mercy” is by confessing and forsaking our sins. The LORD wants us to “prosper” and this is only possible through confessing and forsaking our sins, remaining in an abiding relationship with Christ who is holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8). You can be free, beloved, by honestly confessing to God and forsaking sin. Remember that Christ is the way to holiness. Holiness is not the way to Christ.
Also, to have a close friend in Christ whom you can confess to, when needed, is powerful (James 5:16). Bringing sinful darkness into the light by sharing your sin and struggles with another (who is sound in the faith), disarms the evil one who can only work in darkness (1 John 1:6; 2:9,11, etc.). Get your sins into the light! God’s liberty (freedom) will follow the confession of your sins to Him and one of His (if the situation warrants your confession to a Christian growth partner). Live James 5:16 which speaks of confessing our “faults” and not necessarily our sins to other brethren.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
We can live in His love and joy when we “walk in the light”, confessing and forsaking our darkness, our sins. To “walk in the light” is to continually admit and confess all shortcomings/sins and iniquities to the Savior and as we are led, walking in His wisdom, divulging some of our “faults” perhaps to other believers for prayer (James 5:16). You have an Advocate with the Father!
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1
Rejoice! As the LORD did in restoring beloved David, He will forgive, cleanse, and restore unto us the joy of His salvation, which is our strength, when we cry out to Him in repentance for a pure heart (Psalm 51; Nehemiah 8:10). The Lord will give you beauty for your ashes, you are His beloved (Isaiah 61:3).
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion (God’s people), to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” Psalms 51:6
Sin is not added up or treasured up to the righteous who get in and stay in God’s light (Isaiah 30:1; Romans 2:5-11; 1 John 1:7).
“Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7-8
The LORD will not impute (add up; keep count of) the sins of those who “walk in the light” by admitting, confessing, and forsaking their sins. All who don’t honestly admit their sins reveal by such that they are not in an abiding relationship with Christ, but rather are walking in darkness (John 15; 1 John 1:3-10).
What vanity to imagine that the LORD sees not and that we are okay in our sin. We must be honest and cease to attempt making the Word of God conform to our sins – justifying ourselves in them. This is wrong and is adding to and taking away from God’s holy Word. We are found to be liars if we do such (Proverbs 30:5-6). Lord help us.
We should ask ourselves a sobering question: Is the sin I am allowing myself to be lured into, worth spending eternity in hell for? Is the momentary pleasure worth a trip to forever torment?
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1:13-16
Look at 2 Timothy 4:3-5:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions…”
According to JESUS, Judgment Day will hold a great surprise for “many” (Matthew 7:21-23). “Many” who were once saved will hear the devastating and irrevocable verdict from the Judge of all the earth – “depart from me, ye that worker iniquity (lawlessness).” Like Judas, who was sent by JESUS Christ to “preach…Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give”, these people accomplished great things for the LORD in their earthly lives, but neglected to continue in the grace of God, to endure to the end as did the wise virgins, and “by transgression fell.” (Matthew 10:7-8; 25:1-13; Acts 1:25).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness).” Matthew 7:21-23
I must deal with my sins and not justify myself in them or attempt to change God’s Word to make myself feel better temporarily while violating His holy law (Romans 7:12-14). This is a form of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.” Psalms 69:5
Is it not cowardly to vainly attempt to change the clear teachings of Scripture to conform to our own desires? This is what many are being taught by many of modern day leaders who manipulate, dance around, and purposely evade certain Scriptures and texts in order to keep their little game going.
Those who teach the unconditional eternal security message are a perfect example of those teachers whom God warned us to stay clear of who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin).” Beloved, you must acknowledge your faults and refuse to find temporary “comfort” in this deceitful message which has no reconciliation with the fear of the LORD found in the Scriptures (see Psalms 2:11-12). This grace-no-matter-what message is the very myth Satan designed to successfully disengage Adam and Eve from fellowship with God (See Gen. 2:17 and 3:4). It worked. It still works. Those who espouse the unbiblical OSAS (once saved always saved) message forsake the fear of the LORD and have invited the evil one into their lives, whether they realize it or not (1 Timothy 4:1-2). The price we must pay when embracing a false doctrine is weighty and can ultimately result in denying the LORD and being damned to hell eternally (Jonah 2:8; Hosea 4:6, etc.).
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
One might ask, how are these deceivers who teach this license to sin doctrine, “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ”??? The answer is simple; they are teaching people an unconditional eternal security which JESUS never taught. This is causing those who are misled to offend God by living in sin. This is the doctrine of lawlessness – antinomianism. This is the doctrine of Balaam which causes God’s people to sin and therefore lose His favor and fellowship (Revelation 2:14). Restraint is removed where this doctrine is taught. This was and is Satan’s desire – that’s why he started this message to the first man and woman and still uses it. Remember that “There is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) In teaching this no-fear-of-God doctrine of devils, they deny the Lord. To the contrary, the Son of God taught a conditional eternal security. See Matthew 7:21, 10:22; Luke 8:13; Revelation 2:26; 3:14-15….).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
REPENTING AND CONFESSING THE SIN OF UNRIGHTEOUS THOUGHTS
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD (repent – turn back to the LORD), and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:7-9
Repenting and exchanging of our thoughts is realizing with a heart of humility that God’s ways and thoughts are superior to ours and making an exchange by replacing our thinking with His. His thinking is His logos, the very “thoughts of His heart”, His written Word to us, the Bible (Psalms 33:11).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, please purify my heart and make my heart pliable and teachable to You. Please help me to become transparent and confess any and all sin to You and forsake them. Please use those around me who are mature whom You have placed in my life (James 5:16; Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:24-26). Quicken me to cast down all thoughts of wickedness that enter my mind through my own heart or the evil one. I love You LORD Jesus. Please purify my heart as You alone can do, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Adultery
“Flee Fornication” [podcast]
One of the greatest fears any parent in our day should have, would be for their child to grow up and NOT have a genuinely God fearing mate. Pray saints. Pray parents. Sanctify yourselves. “Come out of her” (Revelation 18:4).
“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Leviticus 19:29
Example of prostitution: Whoring out one’s daughter would be to send them to college to learn the ways of the world, of Satan who is “the god of this world,” where they are taught how to fulfill the role of the man—and not a woman (1 Timothy 5:14). No godly parent does such.
Having seen you buy his lies, Satan is laughing you all the way into hell, the bank of unrepentant sinners.
Whoredom has and does today destroy nations. We are seeing a once strong America brought to its knees for the whoredom, namely of those who vainly claim Christ as Savior.
“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have COMMITTED FORNICATION with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Revelation 18:3
“And the kings of the earth, who have COMMITTED FORNICATION and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.” Revelation 18:9
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and ADULTEROUS generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.” Matthew 12:39
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Flee Fornication
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
“The Pure in Heart”
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Only those who are born again and die with a pure heart will be with the LORD.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7
“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1 Timothy 1:19
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
On the topic of fornication brother Allen Campbell writes:
“Someone asked me if it’s okay to have relations with a person you love. No, having relations with your boyfriend or girlfriend is called fornication and is a serious sin, because it’s a sin against your own body. Your body is a temple for the Holy Ghost that is in you. Since your body belongs to God, for it has been bought with a price, we must glorify God with our bodies. If you’re committing fornication or adultery and do not repent, then you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 KJV – Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:7-8 KJV – He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Let’s LEARN Scripture, BELIEVE and OBEY our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”
Fornication of Many Forms—all life-destroying and condemned by God
The word “immoral” appears exactly ZERO times in God’s Word, the King James Bible.
“Fornication” appears 36 times.
“Adultery” appears 40 times.
“Lust(s) appears 43 times.
“sodomite(s)” appears 5 times.
Let’s never use the words “sexually immoral” again. Let’s use God’s words for such sin. After all, the use of the phrase “sexually immoral” is subject to sinful man’s definition while the Bible words listed above are clear and convicting.
It’s not “promiscuous”—a word found no where in God’s Word (KJB). The Bible calls all sin outside of the marriage between one man and one woman “fornication.”
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION:” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Say it with me out loud: “call it what it IS!”
WE often hear of counterfeits, pretending to be Christians, say things like “Well, I don’t care what you do behind closed doors.” To one such lost soul, the following reply was given:
GOD cares about the souls of men for whom He sent His only begotten Son to die (John 3:16). He cares about all “sexuality,” that is, as it pertains to “fornication” which is any and all sex outside of the marriage bed between one man and one woman. ALL, every fornicator is going to burn in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14, etc.).
Sex is Only Safe in Marriage – between one man and one woman.
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4
All fornication is sin.
ALL sex outside of that which is between one man and one woman in marriage, is sin. “Fornication” includes every form of sexual perversion.
All forms of fornication is sin. Fornication is any sexual activity with self or anyone outside of ones opposite sex marriage partner.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“What about people who are in a relationship and live together and supposedly are not having sex?”
REPLY:
Good morning sister. I didn’t quite understand the first part of your question but as far as living together, cohabiting, such should be for married people only. “FLEE fornication” right? It seems that our LORD’s Word hems us in…. either marry or flee. Seems we have to determine if we truly desire to marry that person and if so, move into doing so, or flee.
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
As we see exemplified by the beloved Joseph, when tempted by Potipher’s wife, he dashed! Why? Fornication cannot be overcome otherwise or by staying in the fire and expecting not to be burned (Genesis 39).
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-2
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God has a beautiful plan. – If we will simply do things HIS way and no other. HE is able. HE is greater than anything you face today. Memorize Ephesians 3:20 and Mark 10:27, now.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
A Life Pleasing to God
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
God has a beautiful plan. Perhaps, at least in part, God’s “Thou shalt” nots mean “Don’t hurt yourself”!
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Articles
The Victory of the Cross [podcast]
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the
Lord Jesus, THAT the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway
delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal
flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.”
2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Many feel hopeless, like they can never overcome the flesh.
Yet, we know that God is able to bring the victory He
ordained in our lives through the crucified life He
commanded that we walk in. “For ye are dead, and your life
is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Powerful ministry that bears fruit for the glory of God only
comes out of the cross life with Christ whereby you are dead
and buried and Christ is raising you up by His grace, and His
power is filling, propelling and flowing through your life to
minister His truth and love to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
As we consent to our own death and burial, Jesus raises us
upward in HIS divine strength. Divine empowerment in the
life of the disciple of Jesus comes from His resurrection grace
working in our lives as we consent to our own dying—death
and burial. Death and burial precede God raising us up. God
cannot raise us up if we aren’t dead and buried. This cross
concept is at the center of our walk with Jesus, whose death,
burial and resurrection are enacted in our own lives daily
(Romans 6).
“The cross is the answer to loving Jesus more. Your flesh is enmity (hatred) against God. It is the enemy of God and lives in rebellion against Him. It will not submit (Romans 8:7-8). Unless the carnal mind is crucified this rebellion and hatred towards God lives inside you and will be in a constant war with your flesh and the Spirit of God. They are polar opposites! One is light and the other is darkness. The darkness (flesh) must go to the cross to be dead and buried so Jesus can breath into you His newness of life (Romans 6). Then we can begin to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. And with the love of the Lord we can love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).” Karen Cochran
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, I am here and now crucified
with Christ. I am dead and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
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Abiding
Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance
HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON – THROUGH HIS PEOPLE
“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11
THERE is no time to waste – Jesus is coming. We must get the Word of God into the hearts of people, in every way, via any and all communication mediums available to us today. And this is the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Let’s roll saints!
“We are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
The graphic below is for the order I just placed with the publisher for a fresh supply of the ministry books.
This ministry outreach, ministering God’s Word to thousands daily, is a vehicle for our LORD’s Word. What’s needed is more disciples who will monthly support it, who will put fuel in the tank in order to propel it forward to reach more and more people with the Gospel of our LORD Jesus. Will you answer that call?
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Does it make sense to put a percentage of our earnings into a 401K (or other earthly investment) and not force feed a portion off the top, with a cheerful heart to Christ’s eternal kingdom work? (Read Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
It has been wisely concluded from what Jesus taught, that:
“The way we spend our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts.”
Is God truly first in your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33, etc.).
There are no rich men, there is no religious or otherwise organization supporting this Gospel ministry outreach. Just regular people who know and love Jesus and the whole counsel of His truth and are growing in His grace daily with the other members of His remnant body (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18). There are monthly bills that only get paid by having the actual, the literal money in the account. In turn God turns that giving of earthly money to HIS work into heavenly treasure for all who give (Luke 16:9-11; Acts 20:35). These expenses are incurred by pushing the Word of God to the hearts and minds of the people and available to be paid and that’s God’s opportunity placed in YOUR lap to supply. In response, what is the LORD going to do? (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:17, etc.)
“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:9-11
When Jesus says here to “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness …,” what does He mean? This writer would like to encourage the reader to delve into this passage, to pray that the LORD will open the eyes of your understanding concerning what He seeks to communicate to your heart.
Of this passage, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:
“16:9 We should make friends for ourselves by means of unrighteous mammon. That is, we should use money and other material things in such a way as to win souls for Christ and thus form friendships that will endure throughout eternity. Pierson stated it clearly:
‘Money can be used to buy Bibles, books, tracts and thus, indirectly, the souls of men. Thus what was material and temporal becomes immortal, becomes non-material, spiritual and eternal. Here is a man who has 100. He may spend it all on a banquet or an evening party, in which case the next day there is nothing to show for it. On the other hand, he invests in Bibles … It buys … copies of the Word of God. These he judiciously sows as seed of the kingdom, and that seed springs up into a harvest, not of Bibles but of souls. Out of the unrighteous, he has made immortal friends, who when he fails, receive him into everlasting habitations.’
This then is the teaching of our Lord. By the wise investment of material possessions, we can have part in the eternal blessing of men and women. We can make sure that when we arrive at the gates of heaven, there will be a welcoming committee of those who were saved through our sacrificial giving and prayers. These people will thank us saying, ‘It was you who invited me here.’”
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (God’s Word), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (eternal harvest, reward) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
Christ’s Kingdom and His Gift to us to Participate, is Practical
Will you choose to part with temporal money to reap eternal, unending, irrevocable benefits?
An order has been placed for 20 more of the ministry books from the publisher ($125). The plan is to order this supply monthly for the next 3 months – and hand them out, person-to-person. Face-to-face, person-to-person gifting people on a daily basis, usually after they’ve received ministry, is a super-charged transfer of heavenly blessing (Philippians 1:19). As you know if you’ve read any of the ministry’s books, they are Christ-centered, Scripture-rich original Gospel volumes. Holy Scripture is on each page and put in bold print. In the rear of each book is the way to make peace with God. It leads them right to Jesus via and beginning with the biblical truth that we have “all sinned” against our God (Romans 3).
If you wish, feel free to help fund this part of the ministry exploits currently transpiring to get God’s Word in the hearts of more and more people.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
The glorious Gospel of our LORD Jesus is communicated, disseminated, and received via His Word.
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his GRACE, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might PREACH him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” Galatians 1:15-16
As we can all witness, there are so many hungry souls wandering about in this fallen world who desire to receive the Word of God. The personal touch, contact is powerful – as it was when our LORD directed beloved Philip to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch whom our LORD consequently saves (Acts 8:26-40). And some, many and actually most of the people being reached are our beloved brethren who are looking for sustenance. I meet them each and every week. They are hungering and thirsting after His righteousness. Let’s be there for them saints.
Perhaps this can spread to where we are able to drop ship a supply books to some of the ministries this outreach supplies and has for years. If each of us does our simple part, great blessings will result.
Lately I’ve been handing out lots of the Moments with Our Master devotional books. People love them……. This week I had a lengthy breakfast meeting with a rich young ruler type young man. He articulated that all of his earthly success has left him empty in this world. It was a Scripture-rich time. Garrett gladly received a copy of the Moments devotional book and said “Let’s do this again.” His heart was filled with joy during and after that fellowship. He told me that in the past, as he walked with the LORD daily, his life was so much better. With a large smile he said “Man, I’d just walk down the street like I was floating 2 feet off the ground, filled with the joy and love of Jesus, sharing it with others.” Garrett texted me back the next morning with this:
“Appreciate you giving me that book. It’s convenient to use in the mornings.” Garrett
So, as we can witness, this Scripture-rich devotional book is the launching place for this man to seek and walk with the LORD. As usual, all of the ministry’s materials constantly exhort the readers/listeners to get into God’s Word daily for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
I know you’ll agree that the Garrett’s of our world matter to our LORD and we are the very “ambassadors” Christ has sent to bless them (2 Corinthians 5:20)! We are the delivery personnel of Heaven – handing out to people the treasure of Christ!
Just a few days ago, I gave 1 copy each to a young couple who I’ve become friends with at the gym (18 years old each). They were happy to receive this gift. First, as I like to do, I asked them if they like to read. One of them said they were currently “searching for something to read.” As usual when giving them the books, I opened one copy of the books and showed them that “there’s one devotional for each day of the year, all on one page. It begins with a Scripture, a few words, and a prayer at the end.” This way they see just how simple it is – and gives them a track to run on, a foundation to build their day upon. EVERY searching person is looking for this very thing. Their lives are meaningless, empty, and lacking the presence of the LORD. This is where we come in saints. As usual, I like to share with them that “This is a great way to begin the day.”
After qualifying the situation by asking people “Do you like to read?” I then ask them if I can give them a book and the answer is always a “Yes.” I then go fetch a book and gift them with it.
The season must now end where the Great Commission work of our LORD is shorted. Let’s fuel up and fill the Gospel war chest saints. It’s right under out noses – as God has placed it there! Let us each do our part (John 4:36; 1 Samuel 30:24).
Anyone who wishes to jump in and begin underwriting the kingdom opportunity cost for this is welcome.
Earthly expenses to do ministry, the most important and only eternal work in the earth, is the kingdom opportunity lying right in front of each of us (Matthew 6:19-21).
“May God empower us through the Holy Ghost to bring not a few guests to the wedding banquet; as we walk in the Spirit with the love of Christ flowing in and through our daily lives, and as we sow in tears; knowing that we shall reap with joy: because He that promised is faithful. To God be the glory in Jesus Name, Amen.” Jon Crane
Let’s review:
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 125:5-6
YOU cannot do it. I certainly can’t do anything without Christ.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
Surrender, right? Yes.
Jesus Christ is LORD. He’s our coming King.
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