“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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Abiding
Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]

Explosive Podcast Featuring Expose’ of the prophesied end times wolves and rich Christology!
Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”:
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23
False leaders are to be marked, to be scoped out and labeled in order to protect God’s people.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (self-serving carnal appetites); and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Beware of the Band aid Bandit Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing!
There are no shortcuts in serving the LORD. One must deny self and take up the cross daily to follow Jesus.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
This is what gets to the root of that old man, that iniquitous evil bent, the flesh in us. Read Romans 6 each day this week prayerfully.
Lots of people, lots of fake pastors offering cross-less coping hacks, surface level “solutions” that have done nothing but perpetuate sinners in their sin. This is the same thing the greed-driven false prophets of old did…. in order to gain notice, to gain nickels, noses, and numbers for their own self-serving fleeting agenda to make merchandise of the people (2 Peter 2:1-3). A message without the cross is not the Gospel (Galatians 2:20; 6:14. etc.).
“They (the false leaders of Israel) have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11
They operate by the principle of “coddling them in their sin while you confiscate their cash.”
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (stealthily) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
False Prophets Promise Eternal Security to those Living in Sin. False Prophets give False Promises.
There are conditions to appropriating the promises of God. | Conditional Divine Promises
“They (the false leaders) say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace (with God); and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” Jeremiah 23:17
In other words, false prophets lead people to believe that they will continue to have peace with God while they are living in sin and that they are judgment proof. Same lie Satan told the man and woman in the Garden which led to their fall into sin (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Satan told Adam and Eve they would still be eternally secure if they sinned against God! Lie! Read Genesis 2:17 and 3:4 now. | Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
What was Satan’s first teaching? Is he really still teaching that same lie?
Like the “many false prophets” of our day, the prophets in Israel were promising “Peace, peace” to the people – peace between them and God – when judgment loomed on the horizon (Jeremiah 23:17; Matthew 24:11). This is exactly what the eternal security wolves do when they promise, they give assurance to those are living in sin. Promising peace to people living in sin and under divine condemnation is criminal and could only be the work of the enemies of Christ. Promising peace to sinful people is a money maker for now and yet will land the liars and their prey in hell. Nothing could be more clear from Holy Scripture. The vast majority of pastors today are wolves who do just this. The wages of sin is still death and all who die in sin will perish….. Wolves entertain goats and condone their temporary trinkets at the costs of their eternal souls….
No one is going to walk in peace and assurance just because they speak of it, claim it, or because they desire to have peace and assurance. No, it’s only when we obey the Word of God that His peace and assurance flood our being. There’s no short cut to obedience (1 John 3:16-18).
Of this, Adam Clarke writes:
“Peace, peace – Ye shall have prosperity – when there was none, and when God had determined that there should be none. Here the prophets prophesied falsely; and the people continued in sin, being deceived by the priests and the prophets.”
The wolves among us stick a band aid on a wound that needs surgery. Surgery would involve painfully cleaning out the infection, the deep cut sin had caused. This would be the only way to bring healing, wholeness. In contrast, false leaders deal only at the surface level…. in fear of losing their audience and money, they withhold the divine truth from the people – because they aren’t concerned about the people but rather themselves (Philippians 3:18-19).
“Jehovah directs him (Jeremiah) to pour . . . out the message of impending doom because of their covetousness, the falsehood of the prophets and priests, and their shamelessness. It is characteristic of false prophets to promise prosperity in a time of spiritual declension… They were covetous and deceitful, and dealt with problems superficially. For their shamelessness they would share in the coming time of punishment.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
Only obedience to Christ, to His cross message, will yield the fruit of freedom from sin.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The truth sets no one free from sin – until they obey Him, the Truth.
One man who recently discovered the divine power of the cross life shared:
“I’ve laid all my past sins at the feet of Jesus finally! Porn was 1 that I struggled with…it’s been gone 30 days now..1st time in 30 years…the pills are no more! Feels good to be truly saved my friend…thanks for all you do.”
Jesus forgives and sets free – as only He can do. Every other “source” is a lie.
Christ is Our Foundation
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4
The Sound Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures is the Way God Ordained that We Know Him
“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deuteronomy 32:1-4
The link between sound “doctrine” and being grounded in, knowing and dwelling in the LORD, “the Rock,” are inseparable.
Getting Gospel Grounded = Getting Grounded in Christ
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
The Gospel is all about Jesus and anyone not becoming increasingly grounded in knowing and worshipping Him, is being led astray.
Getting Gospel Grounded is getting grounded in Christ, in studying and knowing Him, the reason He came… not following the latest global gimmick or “global revival gimmick” that some false prophet is pushing to bring attention to himself…. when you are becoming grounded in Christ you will not be lured in by the gimmicks.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
3 truths that will greatly increase your grounding in Christ…
1. John 10 – Knowing, following, and hearing the voice of the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
2. John 15 – Abiding in Christ and thereby bearing the fruit that He alone can produce and that glorifies Him.
3. John 17 – Being one with Christ and the Father – prayerfully being brought deeper into that interpenetrational union with the Lord.
Knowing God
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Jesus Christ doesn’t need our acceptance, the acceptance of sinners – we are in utter need of His acceptance. We are all sinners and in desperate need of the acceptance of our Maker. Because we are separated from Him in our sin, God “commandeth all men every where to repent,” not to accept Him (Luke 13:3; John 1:12; Acts 17:30, etc.). When we admit we have sinned against Him and receive Jesus into our lives by faith, we are then and only then “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
“Churching the Un-Churched” is the stated goal of the apostate modern local churches that litter America’s landscape.
False churches today seek to sell families on the need to join their country club where’s there’s fun for the whole family. These beguilers cater to the urban family to build their church business, with no intention of preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel (Jude 3-4). Their goal is to entertain and to grow their church enterpri$e and not to ground their prey in Christ (Colossians, etc.). It’s all surface level, cosmetics. There is no repentance, no blood of Jesus, no King James Bible, no cross – no crucified life, no Holy Ghost baptism, no repentance, no personal holiness, no Christology, no readiness for the soon return of Christ, etc. The apostate modern church world exposed.
TODAY: A dear Christian young lady asked me why I am not part of a church group any longer. A gently-communicated litany of doctrines purposely not being taught in the modern churches ensued. Also the fact that that the King James Bible is no where to be found. They only use pitifully lame fake “bibles.” It’s a busine$$ to the modern pastors who refuse to preach cardinal biblical doctrines such as the divinity of Christ (Christology), hell, repentance, judgment to come, confessing and cleansing ourselves of all sin, the return of Christ and being ready for it at all times, the cross – crucified life, etc.
God is Calling Us to Follow Jesus – not Mere Men
Hebrews 6:17 speaks of “the immutability of his counsel.” Because of the immutability of the LORD Jesus Christ, the divine Author and Finisher of our faith, there is no muting His counsel, His Word. It is eternal and unchanging (Psalms 119:89; 146:6; Mark 13:1; John 10:35, etc.). God is eternal divine perfection and therefore His Word, His truth, His counsel cannot be muted, silenced, set aside, or changed.
So many looking for a word and not THE Word.
“God forbid”
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
The Gospel centric disciple revels in, is immersed in the glory of the Savior. He understands that salvation is about Christ and not himself.
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:2-7
Paul made a determination.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
From the very foundation of the world and forever more, the Gospel, salvation has always been and will always be about Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God – the crucified, buried, and raised again Savior of the world.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
Religion is perhaps Satan’s greatest tool to wedge itself between the “one Mediator” and the people – before and after one is saved.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Abiding Fruit. Light Shining.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Perhaps the greatest spiritual blessing teeming in and overflowing from the lives of believers that allows for powerfully moving evangelism, is the joy of the LORD. Moved men move men. Yes, men filled with the Holy Spirit’s fruit, the love, the joy, and the peace of God, are powerfully used of God to win men to Himself (Galatians 5:16-23). No sinner, no backslider has these treasures but every one of them desires them! The fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in Christ’s saints is a big part of that light Jesus instructed us to let “shine” before men.
Being is more important than doing. Abiding in Christ, rooted and grounded, assures that “fruit,” “more fruit,” and “much fruit” will be produced in our lives (John 15:1-16).
Emanating from the Jesus-worshiping Gospel-grounded disciple will be every dimension of Heaven’s fruit and glorious fragrance
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Gospel Foundation
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3
Is “the foundation of God” being laid in your personal life? (2 Timothy 2:19) If you are not diligently, daily, relentlessly, and perpetually in God’s Word, not only is His foundation not being built, you are backslidden and in utter need of repentance before it’s too late.
Those without the proper, the biblical foundation, will fall instead of flourish – with no exception (Psalm 1). Our LORD taught concerning the absolute necessity of being deeply rooted and grounded in Him.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49
Summation:
- Worshiping, trusting, and obeying God are essential.
- Abiding in Christ guarantees the fruitfulness that glorifies Him.
- Every life not carefully founded, soundly grounded in Christ, on His stated terms, His Word, will be washed away in the coming storms and judgment.
- Only those whose lives which are built upon the foundation of obedience to the Word of God will be left standing before the LORD for eternal blessing.
- Great shall be the irrevocable ruin in hell of all who refused to do things God’s way in their brief earthly life.
Read Psalm 1 and 92.
In these final days, you can get all scared, sulk, filled and paralyzed with fear, OR you can settle down and get deeper, as you “search the scriptures” (John 5:39-40; Psalms 119:165).
Jesus is washing and sanctifying the bride He’s returning for. Like the five wise virgins, Christ’s true bride is in love with Him, ever and eagerly looking for His soon return, the Marriage of the Lamb, the Great Bridegroom with His true bride and their dwelling place, the New Jerusalem (Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 21). This remnant body is submitting to Christ (John 13:8; 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-10).
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3
Crisis Management Mode vs Perpetually Dwelling in His Word
The modern church world, run by lightweight seminarians, are perpetually in crisis management mode, never building “the foundation of God” in the lives of God’s people (2 Timothy 2:19).
Perpetual Blessings require perpetual fellowship with Heaven’s coming KING.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Continually seeking the LORD guarantees that you remain full of His strength, His joy, His divine peace.
Running to the LORD continually is essential. Instead of praying and the reading of God’s Word being simply a crisis management reaction, why not make it our meat, our lifestyle – that which we do daily, diligently, and fervently?
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
Are you running to Jesus?
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
If you are going to established in divine peace, if you are going to be “safe,” you must run to and remain grounded at the feet of Christ! Read Philippians 3:1-3.
Get filled, stay full, keep your lamp filled and overflowing (Matthew 25:1-13).
Matthew 7
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 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. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:19-29
Hindrances to a sound, solid foundation.
“And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:16-19
Satan is the great distractor. His job, his work is to “steal, to kill, and to destroy” so as to cheat you out of the abundant life Jesus came to give you.
“The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

This is like eating trashy, no-nutritional-value snacks, filling up on them and then having no room, no appetite for the steak and potatoes. What happens then? In an hour or less, your body is craving real nutrition. Junk food is a cheap substitute for real food that fills and nourishes the body. In the same way, eating the steak and potatoes of God’s Word fills the mind, the heart, and the life of all who banquet at the table of sound doctrine.
There are so many, the majority of those doing ministry, who have their flashy lures they use to draw you in and yet the shallow content only leaves you remaining in the entanglements, the snares of sin and the world…
What’s the LORD convicting you of friend? Could it be that He’s drawing you aside to Himself, to tuck your feet under His infinitely bountiful table…. drawing you to come and dine, to feast with Him?
These novices issue forth constant promises of God blessing you, of His favor and blessing being upon your life. Yet there’s no mention of any of the divinely stated conditions. This leaves those empty who who are being preyed upon and led astray, wondering what’s missing. These who flash the shiny lures to catch your eye, perhaps do so to gain you as a follower. Yet, what has this ever done to root and ground your heart and life in Christ?
Ever heard the saying, “All that glitters is not gold”?



Abiding
The Evil Winds of Satan with Judge Travis Bryan III [podcast]

Acts 27
The Significance of the Shipwreck
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
The cross message, as taught from the Bible via brother Travis Bryan III, is unsurpassed the world over. His understanding of the cross life, his understanding of the cross message, is a gift from God to us all. What a gift he has been granted to teach the cross. Many will be in glory as a result. The cross is essential to eternal glory (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6, etc.).
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Abiding
Warned and Safe [podcast]

“By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4
PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach
- Preach
- WARN
- Teach
Lynne Parker writes:
“I truly believe Christians will be tried by the Word in this hour. There is no more riding the fence or taking a neutral position. God Himself will place us all in a position to stand or fall according to the Word. “Deception” and its sister “delusion” are gripping the Body of Christ – like a dark cloud it is covering the land. The false dominion (NAR) theology and signs and wonders movement has effectively conditioned multitudes to forsake the authority of God’s Word and embrace their subjective feelings as guidance in discernment concerns. But in these latter days only those who divorce their feelings and trust only in God’s Word and have developed a love for the truth will overcome the devil’s schemes. Sadly many will be lost – it’s unfolding right before us.”
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