Stand Fast In The Lord

Posted on January 5, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Winggo Tse on Unsplash

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast IN THE LORD, my dearly beloved.

As Adrian Rogers once said, tonight “We’re going to do a checkup from the neck up”. What is the focus of your minds? Where is your head at?

Opening: I grew up in an era when cigarette smoking was falsely sold as something that was good for you. The magazine ad for Camels cigarettes had a doctor holding a pack of Camels. He said “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarettes”. An ad for Lucky Strike cigarettes stated 20, 679 Physicians recommend our product. Why? Because “Toasting the tobacco removes dangerous irritants that cause throat irritation and coughing”. Or “Us Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch”. They had the activated charcoal filter. And then there was the ad for Viceroys cigarettes, that had a man standing there saying “As your Dentist, I would recommend Viceroys”. All along the tobacco companies knew that the product they were selling was dangerous for the consumer. Yet their ads with the cowboy saying, “Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country” took your mind off of the fact that the warning label on the package said:

“Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health.”

The companies knew that to focus on the warning would not be good for the bottom line called profits. So they made it look good in the advertisements, knowing that their product was killing people. If you control the mind, you control the person.

Satan is a master at mind control.

As the Apostle Paul writes this letter we are studying, he is in prison. Not a prison like we think of today, but a miserable, rat infested, dark, with the smell of death in the air prison. Paul was imprisoned, and there wasn’t one single thing he could do to get out of that prison.

Christianity does not guarantee we will have sunny days every day, and steak dinners every night. In fact, Christians are more challenged than unbelievers in this fallen world. Satan our enemy will do two things over and over, because he has discovered these two things work. The Bible says that, number 1,

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) … the god of this world has BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

But if that doesn’t work, then Satan will try controlling the mind of the Church by controlling the individual Christians. Paul told us:

2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV) … I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent BEGUILD Eve through his subtilty, so YOUR MINDS SHOULD BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST.

Adrian Rogers said about our focal text:

“There are some right here tonight who are in a dungeon of despair. Others are surrounded by walls of resistance. And you’re trying to break out, but you’re not able to break out. There are others who are in chains of poor health. Others are behind iron bars of disappointment. Some are in the bondage of circumstance. And really, you can’t escape. There is no way out. Some have other things that restrain them, that bind them. Now, since Paul couldn’t get out, he decided to remodel the prison; he’d turn it into a palace.”

Paul Stood Fast In The Lord

Imprisoned, in misery, Paul remodeled his prison into a palace. He refused to let the dark place he was in drag him down. The devil loves to drag us down. Don’t let him. Stay “in the LORD”, not in yourself.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so STAND FAST IN THE LORD, my dearly beloved.

Word Study: The phrase “STAND FAST” is the Greek stēkō, which is means “to set your feet, to focus on so as to persevere”. The word is used in battle. In the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew text, a form of the word stēkō is found when Israel was stalled at the Red Sea. The people were frightened, for the Egyptian army was advancing, and they could not cross the sea. They cried out to Moses:

Exodus 14:11-12 (KJV) … Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Moses told Israel:

Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV) … Fear ye not, STAND STILL {Imperative of στήκετε, root stēkō}, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Israel was focused on their entrapment, their circumstances, the impassable Red Sea and the great armies advancing toward them. Moses commanded that they get their minds IN THE LORD.

Look at our focal text again:

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren DEARLY BELOVED and LONGED FOR, my joy and crown, so STAND FAST IN THE LORD, my dearly beloved.

Word Study: Why should we STAND FAST when tried? Why shouldn’t we just collapse as the unbeliever will do? Because God loves us. If you are God’s child by faith in Christ, you are DEARLY BELOVED, the Greek agapētos. This word is significant because it is a word that the Father used for God the Son first at His baptism:

Matthew 3:17 (KJV) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my BELOVED {agapētos} Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And then repeatedly throughout His earthly ministry (see Matthew 12:18; 17:5; Mark 12:6; Luke 3:22). Jesus is the dearly Beloved of the Father. We who belong to God by faith in the Beloved are, ourselves, dearly beloved (see Romans 1:7; 12:19; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1). The Christian is loved of God with an infinite love. Jesus told us:

John 16:27 (NKJV) … for the Father Himself LOVES YOU, BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOVED ME, and have BELIEVED THAT I CAME FORTH FROM GOD.

When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, believing Him to be the only Way unto the Father, the Father loves us. We share not only the righteousness of Christ, but the love of God is imputed to us by Grace. Even though Paul was in prison, he knew that he was still loved. The Scripture says:

Romans 8:37-39 (LSB) But in all these things we overwhelmingly CONQUER THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

Nothing separates us from the “LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD”. When tried, we are to “STAND FAST in the LORD”.

Stand Fast TOGETHER In The Lord

Philippians 4:2-3 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they BE OF THE SAME MIND IN THE LORD. 3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, HELP THOSE WOMEN which LABORED WITH ME IN THE GOSPEL, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are IN THE BOOK OF LIFE.

If the devil can’t get you focused on a dark valley, he will try and get you focused on the imperfection of another believer in the Church. You need to be focused IN THE LORD.

I have heard of a movement called Deconstruction, where people leave the Church and Christianity itself because of something another professing believer did or did not do. The devil loves to bring disharmony into the Church. But we need to realize three things, and keep this in the forefront of our minds:

1. We are all broken, imperfect, and subject to failure. If you don’t understand this, you are a Pharisee.

2. We are all saved by an unbroken, perfect, and flawless Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. As His children we are to live our lives so as to please HIM. Disharmony displeases Him, unless the disharmony is doctrinally based.

These two women, Euodias and Syntyche, had worked with the Apostle Paul. He said that they “LABORED WITH ME IN THE GOSPEL”. They were workers for the glory of God’s Kingdom. Paul considered them to be key workers. He noted that their names were “IN THE BOOK OF LIFE”, that is, based on the fruit of their profession they appeared to be saved by Grace. Yet they had somehow gotten turned sideways toward one another. What caused this rift? Paul doesn’t tell us. But he does ask those who are “TRUE YOKEFELLOWS”, true believers, along with “CLEMENT” to help them resolve their conflict.

What causes conflicts in the Church? It comes when we make things about ourselves, and do not keep our minds IN THE LORD. The Apostle wrote the Church at Rome (which was also experiencing disharmony):

Romans 14:4 (LSB) Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for THE LORD IS ABLE TO MAKE HIM STAND.

Every Christian ultimately reports to Jesus. Paul went on to say:

Romans 14:7-10 (LSB) For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, WE LIVE FOR THE LORD, or if we die, WE DIE FOR THE LORD; therefore whether we live or die, WE ARE THE LORD’S. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you view your brother with contempt? For WE WILL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD.

The Church at war is the Church stalled. Jesus prayed for His Church that it would be unified (John 17:20-23). The Apostle wrote, “make every effort to keep yourselves united IN THE SPIRIT, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3). We will have disagreements at times, but we must always remember that we live IN THE LORD, seeking to please Him.

Rejoice IN THE LORD Always

Philippians 4:4-5 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS: and again I say, REJOICE. 5 Let your MODERATION be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Why could Paul rejoice though he was in a terrible prison? Why does he tell us to “REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS”. Because “The LORD is at hand”. God is with you no matter what you are going through. The Christian knows that …

The only HELL we will ever experience is on this earth!

Yes, we as believers have bad times. But we who are saved were purchased at a great price. The Bible says:

Romans 5:6-8 (HCSB) For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US!

1 Peter 3:18 (HCSB) For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, THE RIGHTEOUS FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS, THAT HE MIGHT BRING YOU TO GOD, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm.

It is not my PLACE that gives me rejoicing, nor my POSSESSIONS, but it is WHO POSSESSES me.

Illustrate: Grandma taught her grandson how to play Monopoly. At first, Granny won every game. But the little boy vowed, “I’m going to get good at this game, and one day I’ll beat you, grandma!” Sure enough, the day came when the little boy beat his grandma. As he began to gloat and mock Grandma, she said “Honey, there’s one more thing I need to teach you about this game”. With that, she picked up all the hotels, all the property, all the money, and put it back in the box. She told her grandson, “Honey, no matter what you do or how well you play, sooner or later it all goes back in the box”.

You dare not rejoice IN YOUR PROPERTY or in your CURRENT POSITION. Life changes quickly. No matter how much stuff you have, one day it all goes back in the box. All the hard earned money you make goes back in the box, into a house, a car, or a bank. All the food you eat is eventually flushed into a box, and leftovers are placed in a box and hauled away. All your property will one day belong to another, and at the end of this life your very body will go into a box and be buried in the ground. What matters most to me – and should matter to you – is that Jesus Christ has promised me that my soul will not be tossed into the box of hell, but when I leave this place I will forever be with Him. The Lord is at hand.

What will you do if, like God did with the Prophet Job, all is taken away tomorrow? Will you despair? Will you deconstruct your faith? Or will you rejoice because the LORD is AT HAND?

Illustrate: Adrian Rogers defined the difference between JOY and HAPPINESS. He said, “Happiness and joy are two different things. Happiness depends upon what happens, and that’s why we call it happiness. If your hap is good, you’re happy. If your hap is bad, you’re unhappy. … joy is like a thermostat. Happiness is like a thermometer. Joy controls conditions. Happiness registers conditions. The thermometer of your happiness can go up or down by what happens, but you regulate your life with joy.”

Our focus is to be on the Lord.

Philippians 4:4-5 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS: and again I say, REJOICE. 5 Let your MODERATION {epieikēs} be known unto all men. THE LORD IS AT HAND.

Word Study: The word rendered “MODERATION” is the Greek epieikēs, which means “patience”. If your faith is in you STUFF, and you lose all your STUFF, then you will not be patient, but outraged! But if your faith is in your SAVIOR, the fact that “THE LORD IS AT HAND”, then you will patiently endure. If you are going through it, God led you to it. The One Who led you TO it will lead you THROUGH it.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (KJV) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I WILL REJOICEin the LORD, I WILL JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. 19 The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

His freedom taken from him, the Apostle wrote:

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be CONTENT.

Word Study: The word rendered CONTENT is the Greek autarkēs, which means “to be complete in what I have, to be independent of external circumstances, needing no aid or support”. Paul was saying “I am satisfied where I am. Why? Because I am “IN THE LORD”. I thought as I looked at this text how important those words “IN THE LORD”are in the Bible. The phrase is found 111 times in the Scripture. The first time it’s used is with Abraham,

Genesis 15:6 … Abraham believed IN THE LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness

The beginning of salvation is to repent, and put all your trust and hope IN THE LORD. To believe that I am not able, but that God is. When you believe IN THE LORD, what you are saying is “Lord, I’m broken, but I know You’re not. I trust Your power. I trust Your knowledge. I trust Your plan for my life. I trust You, not me.”

How Do I Stay IN THE LORD? Focus On Him!

Philippians 4:6-7 Be CAREFUL {merimnao}for NOTHING; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Word Study: The phrase “Be CAREFUL for NOTHING”, literally means “do not WORRY or be ANXIOUS about ANYTHING”. When we begin to dwell on something that we cannot fix, something greater than us, then it takes us away from being “IN THE LORD”and focuses us on being “IN OURSELVES”. That’s exactly what the devil wants.

When our Lord Jesus was in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), having fasted 40 days and nights, He was very hungry. The devil came to Jesus and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread”. How did Jesus respond? “IT IS WRITTEN, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. Each time Jesus was tempted, He replied “IT IS WRITTEN”. Jesus knew Who He was. He knew the Lord was at hand. He submitted to God.

Paul tells us that – instead of worrying – “LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD”. How do we do this?

By PRAYER: We talk to our Heavenly Father. The LORD IS AT HAND.

By SUPPLICATION: We humble ourselves. Our prayers are requests, not demands. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). We dare not demand anything from God. What He decides is always best.

With THANKSGIVING: Thank God for what you do have. If God tells you NO, then be satisfied that this NO came from His loving heart. The LORD IS AT HAND.

Do not deconstruct your faith – grow in it. Jesus tells us:

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto you, {Do not worry} for your life,what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by {worrying} can add one cubit unto his stature?28 And why {do you worry about clothing}? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore {stop worrying}, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do {unbelievers} seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 {Do not worry} for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Let God have all of you!

Pastor Ralph Spaulding Cushman wrote this sweet poem:

I met God in the morning when the day was at its best.
And His presence came like sunrise, like a glory in my breast.
All day long His presence lingered
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed with perfect calmness o’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered.
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind
When I too had loosed the moorings
With the Presence left behind.
Now I think I know the secret, learned from many a troubled way.
You must meet Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day.

Don’t let the devil use you. Trust in the Lord! Stand fast in the Lord. Be of the same mind in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is at hand, dear Christian. Grow in Him.

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Don’t Play The Fool

Posted on January 5, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Rachel on Unsplash

When I was a little boy – just 14 years old – a song come out by a group called “The Main Ingredient”. It was their largest hit, called “Everybody Plays The Fool”.

Everybody plays the fool, sometime;
There’s no exception to the rule.
It may be factual, it may be cruel,
I ain’t lyin,
Everybody plays the fool.

The song was all about falling in love with the wrong person, and how it can make you end up looking like a fool. If you fall in love with the Person of Jesus Christ, and follow Him closely, you will never go wrong. In the Bible, the “Fool” properly is someone who rejects a loving and obedient relationship with Jesus in order to follow the other guy, Satan. In the Psalms we are twice told:

Psalm 14:1 (KJV) The FOOL {nāḇāl} hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.

Psalm 53:1 (KJV) The FOOL {nāḇāl} hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

Word Study: The Hebrew nāḇāl or “fool” refers to a godless person, a person who has rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who lives their lives totally apart from their Creator. In Proverbs 26:1-12we aren’t necessarily talking about lost people. There are five Hebrew words for “fool”:

nāḇāl – the godless person
baʿar – the person who acts brutish, like an animal
lets – the arrogant, mocking fool
pethi – the simple minded fool in the making

It is the fifth type of “fool” Proverbs 26 addresses: kesil, the morally stubborn person who knows better, but refuses wisdom or Bible truth.

It was this type of “fool” that Jesus spoke of when He said:

Matthew 7:26-27 (NKJV) … everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a FOOLISH {mōros} man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.

Our English word “moron” comes from the ancient Greek mōros. The word was brought into English by Psychologist Dr. Henry H. Goddard in 1910 to describe intellectual disability. As we read through Proverbs 26, the Bible is describing someone who knew building on sand next to a seashore was a bad idea, but who did it anyway. This action – kesil – is seen by those who adhere to common sense and Biblical sense as being mentally off.

Proverbs 26:1 (KJV) As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a FOOL {kᵊsîl}.

Proverbs 26:8 (KJV) As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a FOOL {kᵊsîl}.

Snow in summertime seems out of place. Rain during the time of harvest is not only out of place, but it is detrimental to the harvest. You really ought not to harvest wet produce – it quickly rots. Fools should never be honored. And yet, our society seems to idolize those who pursue foolish things. To idolize and vote for or cast your vote or support to a foolish person is to harm yourself. In verse 8 the foolish person wields useless power.

The stone in the sling only works if it is placed loosely in the sling. If BOUND to the sling, it is of no purpose, for the stone cannot be released against the enemy.

When you vote for a politician who has shown no common sense nor any Biblical sense in their lives, you are putting honor on someone who should not be receiving honor. You also put yourself at danger. Such a person cannot protect you in their office, but will likely abuse your trust while robbing your purse.

Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

The FOOL {kᵊsîl} will try and curse others without cause. When I read this verse, I thought of that travesty of television called “The View”. These women are often cursing and blaming people they don’t like, based on contrived allegations. What they are doing will – in the end – come to no effect. In Solomon’s world a curse was only effective if the basis of the curse was true. Had the person so cursed been actually guilty of what they were accused of?

There is an interesting story in 2 Samuel 16. As King David moved into that area with his men, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, the grandson of Jonathan, met him with provisions and blessings. David and Saul’s son Jonathan were best friends. Though Jonathan was deceased, David honored Mephibosheth, and he in turn honored King David.

But as David and his men came to Bahurim, near Jerusalem, in the territory of the Tribe of Benjamin. An obnoxious man, a FOOL {kᵊsîl} by the name of Shimei the son of Gera came out and cursed David and his men. The Bible says:

2 Samuel 16:5-8 (NKJV) He came out, CURSING CONTINUOUSLY AS HE CAME. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 Also SHIMEI SAID THUS when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! YOU BLOODTHIRSTY MAN, YOU ROGUE! 8 The LORD HAS BROUGHT UPON YOU ALL THE BLOOD OF THE HOUSE OF SAUL, in whose place you have reigned; and THE LORD HAS DELIVERED THE KINGDOM into the hand of Absalom your son. So now YOU ARE CAUGHT IN YOUR OWN EVIL, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”

One of David’s warriors Abishai the son of Zeruiah begged David, “Please, let me go over and TAKE OFF HIS HEAD”. David refused to allow Shimei to be punished.

2 Samuel 16:11-12 See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? LET HIM ALONE, AND LET HIM CURSE; for so THE LORD HAS ORDERED HIM. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that THE LORD WILL REPAY ME WITH GOOD for {SHIMEI’S} CURSING THIS DAY.

Rather than lower himself down to the level of Shimei, David in essence said “Since God allowed this cursing to happen, let it happen. The cursing is for my good. Let the man live. If God sent him, then I can’t undo the curse by killing him. And if God allowed it and I trust the Lord and honor him regardless, then God will in the end bless me.”

The curse of a fool is like a wandering bird. It flits about, but never lands on you. The causeless curse will not land on you. Just trust God, and do good!

Bruce Waltke wrote, “Since the Creator and Lord of history is the source of blessing and cursing through a fellow human being, the proverb infers that the undeserved/unfitting curse is ineffective because the Sovereign does not back it up.”

Proverbs 26:3 A WHIP for the HORSE, a BRIDLE for the ASS, and a ROD for the FOOL’S {kᵊsîl} BACK.

The HORSE that will not obey nor learn is often persuaded by pain, by the WHIP. Who yields the WHIP? Only the master of the horse! The owner of the horse has the right to inflict pain on that horse, especially if such pain will keep the animal from a worse estate. The ASS or the DONKEY, being more stubborn than the horse, will resist the whip, but will often be persuaded by theBRIDLEwhich pulls at the head and mouth. Again, the bridle is installed and used by the master of the donkey.

The FOOL, however, responds best to the ROD of punishment. Who provides that punishment? The Master of the Fool – God Himself.

It is not our place to punish the fool unless they have committed criminal acts, and we are in the place of law enforcement. Our Lord Jesus told us to let God avenge those who wrong us. The Scripture says:

Deuteronomy 32:35-36 (NKJV) VENGEANCE IS MINE, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’ 36 For THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE And have compassion on His servants

Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV)Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, FEED HIM; If he is thirsty, GIVE HIM A DRINK; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

We are not to lay the rod of punishment on the fool. God will deal with the fool. We are to do good even when bad is done to us. Does this mean we should ignore what the foolish do? No. They should be corrected BIBLICALLY, according to the Word of God.

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

These verses seem to contradict one another, but they do not. The intent of verse 4 is “do not lower yourself down to the level of the fool when talking with them”.

Our Lord Jesus was always careful as to speak only when He could refer to the Scripture.

When a woman taken in adultery was brought before Jesus (John 8:3-9), the Pharisees repeatedly asked Jesus should the woman be stoned or not. The Bible says,

John 8:6-7 (NKJV) This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Jesus did not reply to these fools until He replied with the Word of God (Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 17:6-7, “the hands of the witnesses shall be FIRST against him to put him to death”). Jesus did not lower Himself to debating with these silly foolish Pharisees!

When Jesus was first brought before Pilate to be judged, Pilate sent Him to Herod to be judged. The Bible says:

Luke 23:9-11 (NKJV) {Herod} questioned Him with many words, but HE ANSWERED HIM NOTHING. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Brought back before Pilate to be judged for crucifixion, we read:

Matthew 27:12-14 (NKJV) And while {Jesus} was being accused by the chief priests and elders, HE ANSWERED NOTHING. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But HE ANSWERED HIM NOT ONE WORD, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Jesus said nothing because He was fulfilling Scripture:

Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH.

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Verse 4 refers to using your own opinion to address the fool. When you return an argument to a fool with your opinion, then “YOU ARE LIKE UNTO HIM”. Verse 5 tells us that fools should be corrected – but only with the Master’s truths. Tell the fool “thus saith the Lord” or “it is written”. Do not trust in yourself, but in God and His provision.

Proverbs 26:6-7, 9 He that sendeth a MESSAGE by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a PARABLE in the mouth of fools. … As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a PARABLE in the mouths of fools.

When a fool says something, it doesn’t come from God. Cutting off a messenger’s feet makes it impossible for him to deliver a message. Giving a fool wise sayings to deliver is to waste your time. God sends His Word through committed believers who love Him. Those whom He chooses are not fools, but those who faithfully relay that which He has said.

Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV) EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30 (NKJV) As for God, His way is perfect; the WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN.

God would not send His message by a FOOL {kᵊsîl}. If He sent His message by a FOOL, then it would be like cutting off the feet of the message. It would defeat the message. A parable in the mouth of a fool does not travel well – it limps. The message is screeching, like a drunkard with a thorn in his hand. The fool takes the message of God’s Word out of context, and no good comes of it.

Illustrate: A black man from Ghana who called himself Ebo Enoch or the Ebo Noah prophesied that God would send a three year rain on the earth this past Christmas, wiping out all creation. Ebo claimed that God had told him to build a series of Noah style wooden arks told people their only salvation was to get on his arks before the deadline. When no rains came, Ebo said that he prayed and God gave him more time to build more arks. People sold everything they owned to get to Ebo. Without funds, now they are stranded without hope. Oh, by the way, Ebo bought a new Mercedes Benz worth $89,000.

You can’t make this stuff up!

Our Lord Jesus spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:12). God will not put parables nor messages in the mouths of fools.

Proverbs 26:10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the FOOL {kᵊsîl}, and rewardeth TRANSGRESSORS {ʿāḇar}.

Bible teacher David Guzik notes:

“God’s guidance and governing over all things extends to the fool and the transgressor. He will make sure they get what is due, as both their hire and their wages. … “As He made all so He maintains all, even the evil and the unthankful…or He allows them a livelihood, gives them their portion in this life, fills their bellies with his good treasure, but by it sends leanness into their souls, or if He fattens them, it is to fit them for destruction, as fated ware is fitted for the meat market.” (Trapp)

Dr. R.G. Lee wrote in his sermon “Payday Someday”:

“‘According to God’s constitution of the world, the wrongdoer will be abundantly punished’. The fathers sow the wind and the children reap the whirlwind. One generation labors to scatter tares, and the next generation reaps tares and retribution immeasurable. To the individual who goes not the direction God points, a terrible pay-day comes. To the nation which forgets God, payday will come in the awful realization of the truth that the ‘nations which forget God shall be turned into hell.’ When nations trample on the principles of the Almighty, the result is that the world is beaten with many stripes. We have seen nations slide into Gehenna — and the smoke of their torment has gone up before our eyes day and night. To the home that has no room for the Christ, death and grave clothes are certain. ‘Ichabod’ will be written about the church that soft-pedals on unpleasant truth or that stands not unwaveringly for ‘the faith once delivered’ — and it will acknowledge its retribution in that it will become ‘a drifting sepulcher manned by a frozen crew.’ A man can prostitute God’s holy Name to profane lips if he will, but he is forewarned as to the pay-day in the words: ‘The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain (Ex. 20:7).’”

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a FOOL {kᵊsîl} returneth to his folly.

The mark of the fool is that they do not learn from their failures. Sin sickens the soul. The Bible pictures the fool as someone who, doing wrong and suffering for it, returns to the same wrong to drink of it again. What is worse than a fool?

Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own CONCEIT {ʿayin}? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Word Study: The word rendered “CONCEIT” is the Hebrew ʿayin, which means “eyes”. Those who cannot be taught – who are wise in their own eyes – can never be reached. The fool, bad as he or she is, have more hope than the self righteous or the self certain. Someone once said,

“The greatest fool is the fool who does not know he is a fool”.

Pride blocks wisdom. Those who would be wise need to first have “fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7). Those who would be wise need to be willing to listen to others, to not believe themselves the center of the universe (Proverbs 12:15). Wisdom requires humility (Proverbs 11:2). As we are told in:

1 Peter 5:5-7 (KJV) Yes, all of you BE SUBMISSIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I’ll be preaching a message from Ephesians 5:21 this Sunday morning called “Submission Is Not A Dirty Word”. Since I’m heading there next, I think I’ll stop for tonight. Hope you’ll be with us this Sunday. May God touch your hearts with His Wisdom.

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Only A Fool Would Cancel Christmas

Posted on December 31, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And SHE SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it MIGHT BE FULFILLED which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and HE CALLED HIS NAME JESUS.

The Devil Is Killing America With “Feelings”

We live in a “feelings” day. Over half of our nation is driven by not FACTS, but FEELINGS. You see it on the news. It doesn’t matter if it’s FOX or CNN, it’s all about FEELINGS. FOX was talking about a fellow that was imprisoned in England for a social media post, bemoaning the loss of “Second Amendment” privileges. Did you read what the man posted? It was horrible. He was advocating MURDER and ARSON against a people group! The man ought to be in jail – or a psychiatric hospital!

You see it on social media. People attacking one another, rather than focusing on FACTS. People mocking other people rather than sharing ideas.

Confused and emotional people attack people, because they rely not on facts but on feelings. The wise, the Christ follower is supposed to attack devilish ideologies or thoughts, not people. We are to be a factual people.

Think about the protests going on around our country. People marching at a “No Kings” rally. Our First Amendment protects your right to march. There are “No Kings” in America. If there were a king, you could expect execution, imprisonment, torture, and loss of property. Have you EVER SEEN BRAVEHEART?

You can march against fascism. Most people don’t know what fascism is. If our country were fascist, the marchers would be arrested and imprisoned, tortured and interrogated, executed or just “disappeared”, placed in forced labor or concentration camps, and whole families were brutally disciplined. The First Amendment protects us from what the citizens of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Francoist Spain (under Francisco Franco), or Imperial Japan went through. It protects us from what Communist China’s and Northern Korea’s citizens suffer daily.

The First Amendment protects us from state run religions like the Muslim nations and the Catholic nations of years past. Czechoslovakian Christian Martyrs like Jan Hus (pronounced yahn hoose) was burned at the stake in by order of the Council of Constance (a Catholic church council) on July 6, 1415, after refusing to recant his views. Brother Hus preached:

👉 The Bible is the final authority (not popes or councils)

👉 Salvation is by grace through faith alone (not indulgences or works), and

👉 All believers are priests (no need for a special clerical class to mediate)

Before dying in flames, Jan said: “You are now burning a goose [“Hus” means goose in Czech], but in 100 years God will raise up a swan you will not be able to burn or silence.”

Mormons under Joseph Smith murdered those who departed from their faith. Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus kill those who will not convert. They feel that they are doing the right thing. Beloved, Jesus said:

Matthew 12:25 (NKJV) Every KINGDON DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION, and every city or house divided against itself WILL NOT STAND.

Be it nation, community, or church, we cannot stand. We cannot stand based on FEELINGS, because FEELINGS come from a broken heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) The HEART [is] DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, And desperately wicked …

Mark 7:21-23 (NKJV) For from within, OUT OF THE HEART OF {PEOPLE}, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Our hearts are not naturally pure. People are not innately good. God tells us to take our broken hearts to HIM, and let HIM fix them.

Proverbs 3:5 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART and lean not on your own understanding.

Give your HEARTS, your FEELINGS to Jesus. Put that on the back burner, and do as Jesus did. Ask yourself, “What does the FACTS teach? What is the reality? What does God say in His Word?”. King David was a broken man like we are – but he cast himself on the Lord. He said:

Psalm 51:8-12 (NKJV) Make me hear joy and gladness, [That] the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O God, And RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF MY SALVATION, And uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit.

The devil wants you living your life by feelings. God says, no, come to Me. God’s Word says you must “confess with your MOUTH that JESUS IS LORD, and believe IN YOUR HEART that God raised Him from the dead … then you SHALL BE SAVED” (Romans 10:9). You are not saved by feelings, but by facts, Bible truths.

What If Joseph Has Went On “Feelings”?

Matthew 1:18-19 (KJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER, SHE WAS FOUND WITH CHILD of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, BEING A JUST MAN, and not willing to make her a public example, WAS MINDED TO PUT HER AWAY PRIVILY.

Every year we come to the Christmas story. We think about Mary, we think about Jesus. That’s fine. But I want you to take a minute and wonder about this: HOW IMPORTANT WAS JOSEPH TO THIS EVENT? The Bible says of Joseph that he was:

BEING A JUST MAN

The phrase “JUST MAN” tells us that Joseph was a man who walked with God. God uses the “JUST MAN”. When God sought to rid the world of out of control evil, He chose “Noah, a JUST MAN” (Genesis 6:9). Those who are “JUST MEN” trust in God’s Word, not in their feelings. “The just man walketh in his integrity” (Proverbs 20:7). A “JUST MAN” is not perfect, but he looks to the Lord and is blessed:

Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) For a JUST MAN falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Mary is with Child, but Joseph has not consummated the marriage yet. They had not yet “COME TOGETHER” as husband and wife should. Imagine this! You’re a man, and your intended Bride is with child. What will control you? Your feelings? If Joseph had been controlled by his feelings, Mary might not have been killed, but she would have been shamed and shunned by her world. Among ancient Judaism people were executed for adultery – but were called to accountability for fornication. Mary would have been a cast out.

Joseph loved Mary, but walking in his integrity as a just man he could not marry her. Joseph thought Mary was involved in egregious sin (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). If led by feelings, he would have made her estate public. Instead he was “MINDED” to “PUT HER AWAY” or divorce her quietly.

Had Joseph went on feelings, Jesus Christ would never have been born into this world. Jesus is the “Only Begotten” of the Father. As Eternal God, Jesus has always been with the Father. As long as there is God, which is forever, Jesus has been with God. It was planned by the Father that humanity be redeemed from the slave market of sin by the Incarnation of Christ.

Matthew 1:20 (KJV) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

Joseph was a “JUST” man, but he wasn’t perfect. When the Messiah came, He had to be born a perfect Man, completely without sin. The Bible says that after Adam sinned, Yahweh told the Serpent (Satan):

Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.

This is what theologians call the Protoevangelium or the first preaching of the Good News of the Messiah. When Adam sinned, he brought sin into the world. The Scripture says:

Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

By following his feelings instead of the fact of God’s Word, Adam brought sin into the world. God cannot look the other way on sin. God detests sin! So Yahweh promised Satan that Serpent that “the SEED OF THE WOMAN” would come and crush his head – though He Himself would be injured (but not forever). The Messiah would come – not through the seed of the man but the seed of the woman. By man sin entered into the world. Man cannot fix sin. But if sin were to be forgiven, and the wrong righted, then a Perfect Man would have to do so.

This is why there was a virgin birth.

Joseph, though a “Just Man”, was not a perfect Man. Being imperfect, he could not sire the Messiah. But God could. God the Holy Spirit worked within Mary to create a Perfect and Sinless Man. This was the same thing that the Angel Gabriel told Mary:

Luke 1:35 (KJV) … The HOLY GHOST SHALL COME UPON THEE, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also THAT HOLY THING which shall be born of thee SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD.

I was reading Elmer Towns book “Learning From God’s Imperfect People”, and came across this quote:

“How can you be more perfect? By getting a vision of what God can do through you, or more importantly, what God can do with you.”

Joseph could not create the Messiah. But he could get out of the way, and support Yeshua as He took upon Himself human flesh. Joseph loved Mary, and loved the Lord. Love is the laying down of your life – and your rights – in order to bless another. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends”.

Joseph laid down his life for Mary and the Messiah, so that the Messiah could one day lay down His life for us. “God loved us, and sent His Son to be the satisfactory payment for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Matthew 1:21 (KJV) And SHE SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

In the ancient world, the father usually named the child. Joseph was not the father, so he could not name the child. God was the Father of the Messiah.

It was prophesied of the Messiah:

Isaiah 53:9-10 (NKJV) And THEY MADE HIS GRAVE WITH THE WICKED–But WITH THE RICH AT HIS DEATH, Because He had DONE NO VIOLENCE, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT IN HIS MOUTH. 10 Yet it PLEASED THE LORD TO BRUISE HIM; He has put [Him] to grief. When YOU MAKE HIS SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN, He shall see [His] seed, He shall prolong [His] days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

Jesus would grow up to die on Calvary for our sins. He would die between two thieves, a man found innocent by Pilate the Governor, yet nonetheless executed. He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. Jesus would die on Calvary for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him who KNEW NO SIN [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Because Jesus, pure and sinless, bore our sins, we can believe on Him and receive His righteousness.

Christmas Is A Commemoration Of God’s Love

Matthew 1:21-22 (KJV) And SHE SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it MIGHT BE FULFILLED which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Christmas commemorates a time when God kept His promise. God always keeps His promises. God promised that He would step into creation. Why? We see it in the text:

YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS: for He shall SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS

Word Study: The Bible says in 1 John 3:5, “He was MANIFESTED or REVEALED {through incarnation} TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS; and IN HIM IS NO SIN”. Why did the Father name the Messiah “Jesus”? The name “JESUS” is the Greek iēsous, which is equivalent to the Hebrew Yehoshua (or Joshua), which means “The Lord saves”. One of the heroes of Judaism was Joshua, the man who led Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua led God’s people into a Promised Land that was physical. Jesus leads His people into the Kingdom of God, a much greater blessing. Joshua saved God’s people from the enemies who occupied the Promised Land. Jesus saves God’s people from slavery to sin and Satan.

Jesus came to save us from our sins. Sin separates us from God, and robs us of the joy of living. Sin brings death and disease, slavery and suffering. Jesus saved us from more than hell. He saved us from a life without God both now, and into eternity!

Joseph was to name the Messiah “Jesus” or “The Lord saves”. The Bible goes on to tell us that this was a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, “THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us”. One reference I found noted:

“‘Emmanuel’ is a title, not necessarily a personal name. In Hebrew culture, to be ‘called’ something often meant to be known as or to embody that reality—not that it would be the name on a birth certificate. So ‘Emmanuel’ describes who the Child is, not what people would shout when calling Him for dinner.”

Christmas commemorates the great love that God had for us imperfect humans. He sent His Eternal Son from glory to this broken world. Jesus came not to be “Superglue” or “Duct Tape”. He didn’t come to put a patch on us. The Messiah came to “save His people from their sins”. God did this supernaturally by taking Eternal God and containing Him in Finite but Perfect Man. Only God could do that.

About this time every year the Liberals and the Progressives begin telling us how they feel when we speak of Christmas. I’ve heard it called “A War On Christmas”. The war on Christmas, on Christ Himself, has always been here. It was there in the Garden of Eden, it was there when Noah built an Ark, it was there when God called Abraham. Beloved, our war is “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Several years ago the Washington Post ran an article by a Jewish woman named Julia Ioffe. It was titled “Please don’t wish me ‘Merry Christmas’”. She wrote:

“Christmas is a lovely holiday, but it is definitely not a secular one. It is a celebration of Christ, as its very name implies. … Whenever I hear the name, I hear the “Christ” in it. To me, it’s strange that many of its celebrants do not. … “This is always the time of year I feel most excluded from society,” one Jewish friend told me. Another told me it made him feel “un-American.”” …. There’s something a little deranged about taunting someone of another faith with “Merry Christmas” after they’ve politely asked for a recusal. It feels out of step with what Christians say this holiday — and Christianity — is all about: peace, love and mercy. It feels, instead, to be of a piece with the warring tribalism that has consumed our politics.”

When someone – especially a Jew – tells you “Don’t wish me Merry Christmas”, understand you are talking the color red to a blind person. They do not see it. To them, Jesus is just a Rabbi or a Teacher of just another world religion. Jesus is much more than this. Jesus is THE Christ. The reason there are Jews is because God chose to send the Messiah through Israel. He came “to the Jew first, but also to the Gentile” (Romans 1:6; 2:9-10). God sent the Messiah through Mary and Joseph to save whosoever will.

Israel exists because of Jesus. It continues to exist because of Jesus. Jesus will return, and rule Israel. No Jew is saved apart from Jesus.

God made a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) that through his progeny “all peoples on earth will be blessed”. Israel was chosen to be the CONTAINER through Whom the Messiah, the Christ would come. Having come, He came to save Israel – and us – from our sins.

Beloved, only a fool would want to cancel Christmas. Only a fool would reject the wonderful message that God gives us at Christmas. Oh, how I hope in the midst of this holiday buying and wrapping of presents, setting of trees, that you forget the great Gift of the Messiah that God gave us.

Merry Christmas!

Posted in Christmas, Christmas Sermons, Matthew, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Can’t Run Looking Backwards

Posted on December 31, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

Philippians 3:12-14 (KJV) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I’ve seen a lot of horror movies, and found out one of the biggest problems people have is running away while looking backward. You can’t run looking backward. Well, you can, but you’ll fall and become a victim rather than a victor.

Running while looking backwards makes for victims, not victors.

Life is very much like a race – maybe that’s why we’re called the human race. It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. If you stop running, they throw dirt on you. People run their race pursuing all types of things. The run their race depending on their own power, on their ego, on the I can do all things.

Opening: The Rap singer Fifty Cent (Curtis James Jackson III) had an album called “Get Rich or Die Trying”. He’s rich – he has lots of money. His net worth is estimated at $60 million. Yet when you look at his life, what does he really have? He was shot 9 times in 2000 and said when he survived, he believed in “God”. But his faith is in himself, on the Irather than Jesus. In an interview with beliefnet he said:

“I believe in God. I didn’t survive being shot nine times for nothing. I didn’t claw my way out of the ‘hood just ’cause it was something to do. I know I‘ve got a purpose – a reason for being on this planet. I don’t think I‘ve done everything I‘m supposed to do yet. But I do know this: I ain’t going nowhere ’til I‘ve done it all.”

In this one paragraph the Rapper used the word “I” eleven times – but “God” only once”. I didn’t bring this out to put the Rapper down, but this is the mindset of many people in our world today. They want to be spiritual, but their focus is I. This man, like many others, run the race looking at the I, at themselves. This will wear you out.

You Can’t Run Looking Backward: I’m reminded of the singer “Whitney Houston”. Whitney believed in God. Raised a Baptist, she said “I learned to sing in church. Church is where I got my strength. … God is the source of my talent. I never thought it was mine. … I know He’s real, because He lives inside of me.” Yet Whitney died at just 48 years old, drowned in a bathtub with cocaine found in her system. I don’t know if Whitney was saved or not, but I do know that if she was saved, a Child of God, she tried running her race looking backward. I don’t doubt she was a child of God, but even children of God hurt themselves if their eyes are on the wrong thing. Our Jesus said:

Luke 9:62 (NKJV) No one, having put his hand to the plow, and LOOKING BACK, is fit for the kingdom of God.

If you are a Christian, God has called you into salvation to serve Him. You need to realize ….

Your Life – Both Physical As Well as Spiritual –
Is A Stewardship, A Gift Given By God

Philippians 3:12 (KJV) Not as though I had already ATTAINED {lambanō}, either were already PERFECT {teleioō}: but I FOLLOW AFTER {diōkō}

A lot of people looked at the life of the Apostle Paul and thought, “Paul, you’ve arrived! You’re at the top of your game! There’s nothing left for you to do. Jesus called you on the Damascus Road to go to the Gentiles to preach the Gospel. Yes, you have been persecuted. But you’ve started Churches all over the place. God has used you in wonderful ways to spread the Gospel. YOU ARE THE MAN!” Paul replies,

“No, I HAVE NOT reached the goal or seized the prize”
{lambanō}
“No, I am NOT PERFECT. This is NOT a finished product”
{teleioō}
“I am still STRIVING, RUNNING SWIFTLY toward the goal”

What was Paul’s goal? What did he want to achieve? The rest of verse 12 seems convoluted, but it’s not. He says:

I FOLLOW AFTER {strive, run swiftly with all my strength}, if that I may APPREHEND {katalambanō} that for which also I am APPREHEND {katalambanō} of Christ Jesus.

Word Study: The word “APPREHEND” {the Greek katalambanō} means “to grab so as to possess”. What’s he’s saying is that “Jesus laid hold on me for a purpose – and I want to find and achieve that purpose that Jesus has for me”. Let’s read this in other versions for clarity:

[NKJV] I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

[ESV] I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul is saying “God made me for a purpose. God saved me for a purpose. I will keep striving, I will keep following Jesus until I fulfill His purpose for my life”

Those who are lost wander about, looking for purpose. If you have detached yourself from God Himself, then your life will be purposeless. It was not God’s purpose for Adam to destroy himself with sin, and to get himself banished from Paradise. Adam made this decision. God wants the very best for our lives.

When Israel disobeyed God for 70 Sabbatical years, the Lord had them exiled as a nation for 70 years. As Israel despaired under Babylonian captivity, the Lord told His people:

Jeremiah 29:10-13 (ESV) For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I WILL visit you, and I WILL fulfill to you My promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, declares the LORD, plans for WELFARE and NOT FOR EVIL, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME, and I WILL HEAR YOU. 13 You will SEEK ME AND FIND ME, when you SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

God wants the best for each and every one of us. He gave us life. He purchased us salvation in Christ Jesus. What does God expect of us? He wants us to FOLLOW HIM, to FOCUS ON JESUS, to PURSUE THE MESSIAH. We are to realize that we are NOT COMPLETE, and will never be complete in this life. We are all imperfect. We know nothing. We understand nothing. God is all in all.

What Satan is constantly doing is trying to get us to follow the I. To make life about ourselves. To make ourselves the center of all things. Beloved, this type of life is destined to fail.

If You’re Still Breathing, You Haven’t Arrived

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have APPREHENDED {katalambanō}

Paul says, “I’m not there yet. I’ve not arrived.” So many of you think, “When I was young I did these things, but now I’m older I have no purpose, no plan, no thing that I must do”. Beloved, if you are still on this earth, you HAVE NOT ARRIVED. The Apostle wasn’t done yet. God wasn’t done with him. Do you know when God is done with you? When the preacher says a few words over your empty shell. When they put your earthly body in a resting place. But while you are alive,

1 Jesus Christ wants to save you if you are yet lost. While Paul was Saul, he couldn’t really be used of God. Jesus must reach you. You must say yes to Him and Him alone. People say, “Why won’t God use me?” The answer is He will not use a dead thing. Every work you do apart from Jesus is a dead work. God is good, but you are not.

“No one is good – except God ALONE” (Mark 10:18, NIV)

The Bible tells us that “there is NO ONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not even one. There is no one who seeks after God, no one who understands. All have turned away from God, and have become worthless. There is no one who DOES GOOD, no, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12, AP). The lost person without Jesus cannot do even one good thing that God considers worthy. The lost person is enslaved to sinfulness. The saved person follows the Lord Jesus.

John 8:34-36 (NKJV) Jesus answered them, Most assuredly, I say to you, WHOEVER COMMITS SIN IS A SLAVE OF SIN. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, [but] a son abides forever. 36 Therefore IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU SHALL BE FREE INDEED.

You need Jesus. Jesus Christ came to save sinners, broken people like you and I. You are a child of the devil if you are not in love with Jesus. The father you have, is the one you will serve. Jesus said, “{if} you are of your father the DEVIL, and the desires of your father you want to do”. We are all born into this world lost and undone. But Jesus Christ came into this world to save you from your sins. He came to change you, from a servant of sin to a servant of God. When you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, God changes you from the inside out. The Bible says:

Romans 6:16-18 (ESV) Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who WERE ONCE SLAVES OF SIN have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN, have BECOME SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The one God uses must be first saved by Grace in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.

We are saved by casting our lives on God, by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. He made us on purpose. He remakes us on purpose.

2 Once saved, this is not the end of your journey. The saved spend the rest of their lives on this earth serving the Lord Who saved them. Our focus is to be on Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING {heîs} I DO, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul says that this is the “ONE THING {heîs} I DO”, that is, this is his focal point. He keeps his focus on “the PRIZE”. What is the prize the Christ follower seeks? To discover what it is that God wants us to do, then to DO IT. We are not to be hindered by our failures, our stumbles, but keep looking to Jesus. Paul said that he keeps …

FORGETTING those things which are BEHIND

We all fall. We all fail. Put the failures in the rear view mirror – and don’t dwell on it. You as a Christian are a creature in transition. You are a caterpillar God is changing into a butterfly. We are children of God, sons of God through Christ Jesus. The Bible says of the believer that I am a …

“new creature in Christ: OLD THINGS are PASSED AWAY; behold, ALL THINGS are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Your past should not define your present. This is what destroyed Israel.

When Israel was in Egypt, they were a nation of slaves. God told Israel:

Exodus 6:6 (ESV) … I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I WILL DELIVER YOU FROM SLAVERY to them, and I WILL REDEEM YOU with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.

and once Israel was freed, God reminded them …

Leviticus 26:13 (ESV) … I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that YOU SHOULD NOT BE THEIR SLAVES. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.

God said “OUT OF EGYPT I Called MY SON” (Matthew 2:15). Egypt is a picture of the lost, pagan, godless world. When God saves us, He calls us OUT OF EGYPT. What is it that God has said?

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (NKJV) Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, Says the LORD Almighty.

Israel was saved from Egypt. They PHYSICALLY came out of Egypt. But SPIRITUALLY they stayed in Egypt. Any time things got tough Israel didn’t look forward to Jesus, but looked BACK TO EGYPT. When they were trapped at the edge of the Red Sea with the armies of Egypt coming upon them, they cried out to Moses:

Exodus 14:11-12 (NKJV) … Because [there were] no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 [Is] this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘LET US ALONE THAT WE MAY SERVE THE EGYPTIANS’? For [it would have been] better for us to SERVE THE EGYPTIANS than that we should die in the wilderness.”

Rather than look UP to God, they looked BACK to Egypt. Though God saved Israel by parting the waters and by destroying the armies of Egypt, they continued to look to Egypt. In the wilderness of Sin they cried out:

Exodus 16:3 (NKJV) And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, when we sat by the pots of meat [and] when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

God gave them manna from Heaven, yet their minds were locked on Egypt. In Rephidim they found no water. Rather than look to God, they cried out:

Exodus 17:3 (NKJV) And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “WHY IS IT THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT US UP OUT OF EGYPT, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?

Is it any wonder that when Israel got to the base of Mount Sinai that they demanded of Aaron:

Exodus 32:1 (NKJV) Come, MAKE US GODS THAT SHALL GO BEFORE US; for [as for] this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

God saved them, but their minds were in Egypt. They quickly made “GODS” that they could worship, rather than turn to the God Who saved them from Egypt. God has said,

Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV) I [am] the LORD, that [is] My name; And MY GLORY I WILL NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER, Nor My praise to carved images.

If you are a Christian, you are to be in constant transition. Keep following Jesus. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Don’t let your failures define you.

You do not belong to Egypt any more, dear Christian. You are God’s possession. You are not slaves of sin, and of darkness. This is the land of the lost, not the Promised Land of the Christian.

forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before

Had the first generation kept their mind on the lord Who saved them, they could have gone into the Promised Land. But they didn’t. They kept looking backward. You cannot run the race set before you looking backward. If you do, you will stumble. You will fail. The Apostle Paul looked back over his past life, and learned from his mistakes. But he did not allow those mistakes to define him.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NKJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting [me] into the ministry, 13 although I WAS FORMERLY A BLASPHEMER, a PERSECUTOR, and an INSOLENT MAN; but I obtained mercy because I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul said “I am the LEAST OF THE APOSTLES. I am NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, because I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD” (1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13). He remembered, I am sure, the Christians he had murdered in his unbelieving ignorance. He remembered the bad things he did. But Paul remembered that Jesus brought him out of Egypt. He remembered that it was BY GRACE He was saved:

1 Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV) But BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME.

Paul remembered where he came from – and learned by it. Paul got his mind out of Egypt, and into the kingdom of Christ. His focus was on following Jesus.

reaching forth unto those things which are before

Beloved, you have not finished what God has planned for your life until you get to glory.

Immature Christians Focus On Egypt – And Lose The Prize Of The Victorious Life!

Philippians 3:15 (KJV) Let us therefore, as many as BE PERFECT {teleios, mature}, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Paul has already told us in verse 12 that he is not PERFECT {teleioō, Perfect Passive Indicative} or COMPLETE. So unless Paul is contradicting himself, Paul is not talking about perfection in verse 15. The word here is the Greek teleios which means “to be mature, of full age”. The NKJV renders this verse:

Therefore let us, as many as are MATURE, have this mind

If you are a Christian, if God the Holy Spirit lives inside you, then you will stop looking back to Egypt. If you are otherwise minded – that is, if you don’t agree with this, then if you are a Christian “God shall reveal even this unto you”. Those who are Christians, though they may deceive themselves for a while, will eventually be brought to a right and a righteous mind by God. Here’s the truth:

You cannot be a joyful Christian and wallow in Egypt!

To those who say, “I’m a Christian – but I think thus and so sin (as the Bible defines sin) is fine”, if you’re really a Christian God will change your mind.

God does not give one set of rules for one Christian, and another set of rules for another. This is hogwash!

Philippians 3:16-17 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, LET US WALK BY THE SAME RULE, LET US MIND THE SAME THING. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

If you are a Christian, you are a child of God, a member of the kingdom of God. You do NOT get to make your own rules. You must follow God’s directives. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you keep My commandments”:

John 14:15, 21 (KJV) If YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. … 21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME: and HE THAT LOVETH ME SHALL BE LOVED OF MY FATHER, and I WILL LOVE HIM, and will MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.

You don’t get to make your own rules. You are members of the kingdom of God. Even in the early Church, there were people who PROFESSED to be Christian …. but walked with their hearts in Egypt. Paul says of these:

Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST: 19 Whose END IS DESTRUCTION, whose GOD IS THEIR BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, who MIND EARTHLY THINGS.)

Those who run looking backward are not children of God. They are enemies of the cross. Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins – not to enable us to revel in them. Those who love Jesus – love Jesus. Those who love Jesus – look for Jesus.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our CONVERSATION {politeuma, community, commonwealth, citizenship} is in heaven; from whence also we LOOK FOR THE SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

We live for Jesus, not for ourselves. May God move on your hearts! The great Pastor and Preacher C.H. Spurgeon wrote of the false Christian, saying:

“These professors have… learned to sleep over the mouth of Hell and dream of Heaven while damnation is denounced upon them.”

And the great Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“Millions of professing Christians are only just that — ‘professing.’ They have never possessed Christ. They live lives characterized by the flesh.”

If you are saved, you will desire Jesus. You will love God’s Word. You will want to grow into what He wants you to be. May God lead you to His side daily! Amen.

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Redeeming The Time

Posted on December 31, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as wise, 16 REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, REDEEMING THE TIME.

Opening: We are all so very fragile, and we never know when our time on earth will end. Just a few days before Christmas, Michael Dickinson of Nebraska died in a McDonald’s drive thru. Pulling up to the payment window, Police Chief Dean Elliot said “It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out of the window for payment purposes,” he said. We’re not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he became pinned between the door frame and the drive-thru window counter”. A McDonald’s employee attempted to save him, but could not. A life cut short in a McDonald’s drive thru just before Christmas.

We never know when our time on this earth will end. About the same time Michael passed from this life, a Florida man named Jason Kenney killed his wife and shot his step daughter before taking his own life. He was drinking when his wife Crystal suggested he turn off the NFL Game between the 49ers and the Colts. Enraged he took her life, then his own. The step daughter was shot twice, but is recovering. Searching the home in the aftermath of the shooting, deputies found a note that Crystal had written to her husband:

“You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. You need God.”

I wish Jason had found the Lord before the devil found him. Nothing good came of what he did. And if he left this life without Jesus – and I suspect he did – he is in a hell that he brought on himself even this day.

Christians Are To “Walk Circumspectly”

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as FOOLS, but as WISE,

The Bible uses the word “WALK” as a picture of living. This is the seventh time that the Apostle uses “WALK” in this book. How you walk is how you live out your life. How you walk will effect your eternity.

Word Study: We are commanded to “WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY”. The word “CIRCUMSPECTLY” is the Greek akribōs, which means “in an accurate and diligent manner, in a way that avoids flaws”. When we encountered the word “WALK” in the earlier passages of this book, we read:

Ephesians 2:2 (LSB) ….. you FORMERLY WALKED according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,

When you were lost, you walked carelessly. You walked as “fools” do. When the Bible uses the word “fool”, it is a reference to those who are godless. “The FOOL has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’. They are corrupt, and do abominable works” (Psalm 14:1). But once you met Jesus, you were saved by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). At that moment, your “walk” changed. We were told:

Ephesians 2:10 (LSB) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that WE WOULD WALK IN THEM.

To walk “circumspectly” is to walk not in sin, but in good works, in works that glorify the Lord our God.

You are not like the unbelieving world. You are changed by Grace. You are changed by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. We are to “WALK WORTHY” of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). We are to “STOP WALKING” like the unsaved, confused persons (Ephesians 4:17).

Ephesians 5:2-3 And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But FORNICATION, and all UNCLEANNESS, or COVETOUSNESS, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

The Christian walk is characterized by LOVE, not LUST. We are to care for others, and to give ourselves for others just as our Lord Jesus did. But we are not to be involved in “FORNICATION” {porneia} or sexual sin. We are not to be involved in “UNCLEANNESS” {akatharsia} or perversity and rot. We are not to be GREEDY, chasing after the riches of this world.

Ephesians 5:4-6 (KJV) Neither FILTHINESS {aischrotēs, obscenity}, nor FOOLISH TALKING {mōrologia, moronic statements}, nor JESTING {eutrapelia, speech which tears down}, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU WITH VAIN WORDS: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Walking circumspectly means to control your tongue and your actions so as to glorify the Lord in your life. The wages of sin is always death, whether you are a Christian or a lost person. When you follow after things which ridicule the Way of Truth, you open yourself up to the disciplined of God. The Scripture says:

Colossians 3:23-24 (LSB) Whatever you do, do your WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.

We have an enemy, Satan, also called “the Prince of the Power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). “Air” is what envelopes this earth. Satan and his demonic followers are where ever there is air, where ever there is emptiness. If you’ve seen the devastation that a hurricane or a tornado can bring, you know that air can be destructive. The Bible says that:

1 Peter 5:8-9 {LSB} Be of sober spirit, be WATCHFUL. Your adversary, the DEVIL, prowls around like a roaring lion, SEEKING SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. 9 But resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished among your brethren who are in the world.

The devil and the darkness did not give up when Jesus resurrected from the Grave. The devil and the darkness doubled down. The forces of darkness are all about us – we MUST be circumspect, be careful in how we walk. The Apostle said:

2 Timothy 3:12-13 (LSB) Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But EVIL MEN AND IMPOSTERS will proceed [from bad] to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The Redeemed Should Redeem The Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as wise, 16 REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.

I have heard it said, “We are to redeem the time because we ourselves are redeemed”.

Word Study: The Christian is a REDEEMED person. The word “REDEEMED” is the Greek exagorazō, which means “to pay a price for someone to recover them from the power of another; to ransom from enslavement or entrapment”. This what Jesus did for us when He died on the Cross. The Bible says:

Galatians 3:13 (KJV) Christ hath REDEEMED {exagorazō} us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to sin. Jesus said, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34; Romans 6:20)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to Satan. We were in the “snare of the devil, being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26; John 8:44)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to the darkness. It is only Jesus who can “deliver us from the dominion of darkness, and into the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to the Law as lawbreakers. The Law was not a blessing for us, but a CURSE. It condemned us as sinners. The Law said, “Do this”, but we could not in our own power. We were slaves to sin and Satan. But Jesus came, and died on Calvary for us. When we believe on Jesus, we are redeemed from the curse of the Law. Why?

Galatians 4:5-7 (KJV) To REDEEM {exagorazō} them that were under the law, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS. 6 And because ye are sons, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

As Christ has redeemed us, we now redeem time on this earth for His glory. We do not walk as those in darkness, but walk as children of God.

Ephesians 5:7-11 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were {at other times} darkness, but NOW ARE YE LIGHT IN THE LORD: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

What God has condemned, we who are His children will not do. We cannot walk in sexual sin. We cannot walk in greed. We cannot walk contrary to the Word of God. Should we befriend unbelievers? Yes, I believe we should. However, when we reach out to unbelievers, we must NEVER CONDONE THAT WHICH GOD CONDEMNS. We are told:

no fellowship with the unfruitful WORKS OF DARKNESS but rather REPROVE THEM

It doesn’t say we can’t reach out to the WORKERS of darkness. We should reach out to the lost. But you cannot lead the lost to salvation by justifying that which God forbids.

Illustrate: There was a group I used to listen to called “The Newsboys”, and I was horrified to find out that their lead singer Michael Tait was involved in sexual misconduct and substance abuse. There were accounts that he actually molested young men who looked up to him. After he resigned from the Newsboys (being replaced by Adam Agee) there were many who excused Tait’s behavior. Some even stated that Christians should lower the standards, so that Tait didn’t have to live a double life.

No, dear friends, we cannot lower the standards, because God sets the standards, not us. The Bible draws the line, and here is where we stand.

Those who are redeemed should be redeeming the time. We do not redeem the time by twisting the Scripture. We stand on what the Word of God has clearly stated. We were purchased from the darkness by a great price. Jesus REDEEMED US TO GOD by His Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). We are freed from the prison of sin, Satan, and self. We do not want to go back into that prison. We do not want others left in that prison. So we will redeem the time for our Lord.

If We Do Not Redeem The Time, The Lost Will Not Repent,
But Sleep Their Way Into Hell

Ephesians 5:13-14 But all things that are REPROVED are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Read that first statement carefully. “All things that are REPROVED {elegchō} are made MANIFEST BY THE LIGHT”. People sleep in the darkness, not in the light. The Christian cannot compromise with the darkness. When you fly a “rainbow flag” in front of your Church, you are telling those who follow that doctrine that there’s nothing wrong with it.

Word Study: Unless something is REPROVED {elegchō, to point out fault, to reprehend severely, to call to account, to admonish}, people will think there is nothing wrong with what they do. It is only when an action is REPROVED, and the doer is angered, can there be any possibility of the light manifesting the reality to that person.

No reproof. No repentance. No redemption.

Now this isn’t popular in the local church of America today. Churches seem to want to compete to try and get as many people in its doors as possible. Jesus never asked us to do that. He commanded that we “make DISCIPLES”, that is, teach people what Jesus and the Word of God say. The church cannot afford to be in the darkness. The church cannot afford to sleep. A sleeping church will not lead others to Christ. The church must be light. It must walk accord to God’s Word.

Romans 13:11-12 (ESV) Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to WAKE FROM SLEEP. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS and put on the armor of light.

We who are saved belong to Jesus. We who are saved have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We are to walk according to God’s Word and with God’s Spirit.

Author Brennan Manning once stated,

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Though I agree with the statement, Manning himself lived a double life. He died an alcoholic’s death, but not before losing his family because of alcohol. We are all broken, yes, and we all need Jesus. But we must realize that God does not warn us against sin because it hurts Him. He warns us against sin because it hurts US, and condemns those who will not repent of it and turn to Jesus to a life of misery and darkness.

We must reprove sin. We will be called homophobic, racist, hateful, demonic, uncharitable, mean spirited. Yet if the Book tells us it is wrong, we must declare it wrong.

In John 7 we read about Jesus. We read:

John 7:1 (LSB) And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was UNWILLING TO WALK IN JUDEA BECAUSE THE JEWS WERE SEEKING TO KILL HIM.

Why were the Jews seeking to kill Jesus? Was it because He fed the 5000 Jews, or fed the 4000 Gentiles with a tiny bit of food? No. It was because Jesus spoke the truth. After feeding so many with so little, the crowds started following Jesus not for the Word of God – but for the FOOD. Jesus REPROVED them.

John 6:26-27 (LSB) Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, set His seal.”

Jesus told them that they had to REPENT and BELIEVE on HIM. He told them that He was the “bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Jesus chastised them for not believing in Him. To Jesus, faith was more than just a simple “I believe”. Faith in Him is like feeding on Him. He told them:

John 6:54-58 (LSB) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.

That day, many Jews left following Jesus, and began to plot against His life. So when we come into John chapter 7 we see that Jesus no longer goes to Judea because they want to KILL Him!

The Pharisees and the Chief Priests had a meeting at the end of John chapter 7, and plotted to kill Jesus. Though Nicodemus stood up for Jesus, he could not persuade the other Jews not to kill Jesus. The darkness HATES the Light.

John 3:19 (KJV) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL.

After this meeting of Jesus’ enemies, we read in the last verse of John chapter 7:

John 7:53 (KJV) And every man went unto HIS OWN HOUSE.

They thought Jesus was a heretic. They thought Jesus was a menace to Judaism. Did they go to God? No. they went to their OWN HOUSES. But where did Jesus go? In the next chapter, first verse, we read:

John 8:1 (KJV) JESUS WENT UNTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.

Jesus went to where He often prayed. He prayed all night long, then went to the Temple and taught the Word of God. Jesus was able to go to the Temple where His enemies were, and teach a class in the midst of danger, because Jesus redeemed the time.

Time spent with God in prayer and in His Word is never wasted. This present life is a gift from God. What you do in this present life will effect your eternity.

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Winning Christ

Posted on December 17, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Samantha Rodríguez on Unsplash

Philippians 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Rejoicing In The Lord, Our Safe Place

Word Study: When Paul begins this section with the word “FINALLY” (Gk. Loipon), it makes us think that this will be the last chapter of this book. It’s not. The word loipon means “now, furthermore, or from this point onward”. Paul has spent the last two chapters telling us the glorious riches we who are Christians have received from Jesus Christ. What do we who are Christians have?

1. We are all “saints of God”, set apart in God the Father’s eyes because of our faith in Jesus (Philippians 1:1).

2. We did not earn this sainthood. We have “grace and peace with God” as a free gift from our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:2).

3. We are “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11).

4. Death nor our enemies have no hold on us. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

5. We have been given the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:16).

6. We are the “sons of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (Philippians 2:12-16). We are to shine as His sons, not grumble nor complain.

Six major truths found in Jesus up to this point. The Bible says that God created earth and all that is in it over six days – “on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made”(Genesis 2:2). Up to this point, Paul has pointed out all that God did – at least six wonderful things – and now we are “brethren”, children of God together. The word Loipon means that – because of all that God has done for us in Christ – we now REST. What do believers do on the Sabbath, the Lord’s day? We REST, and REJOICE in the Lord Who saved us. From this point on, brothers and sisters,

REJOICE in the Lord

The phrase “REJOICE in the Lord” is found 232 times in the Bible. We “REJOICE in the Lord” because we know who we are are, and Who our God is. The Prophet said:

Isaiah 61:10 I will GREATLY REJOICE IN THE LORD, my SOUL SHALL BE JOYFUL IN MY GOD; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Bad times may come our way, but one thing that cannot be taken away from us is this: because we love Jesus, the Father loves us. We are His prized possessions. The Bible says:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls– 18 YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I will JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s [feet], And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

Trials may come and go, and yet they will not defeat me. Why? Because …

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, to those who are the CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

In chapter 3 the Apostle tells us who are saved by Grace to REST, to REJOICE in the Lord.

Philippians 3:1 … rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is SAFE {asphalēs}.

Word Study: Paul says “what I’m saying to you NOW is what I’ve said numerous other times. It does not grieve me to say this again. Why? Because for you it is SAFE (the Greek asphalēs, a certain or sure foundation on which to abide)”. The same word asphalēs is used for the promises of God in salvation in Hebrews 6:19. God cannot lie. God has promised to whosoever believes in Christ that they have eternal hope and everlasting life with God. God’s Word is SURE and STEADFAST.

The Apostle has used the word JOY or REJOICE a total of 16 times in this little book of Philippians. He commands us to REJOICE IN THE LORD.

That which is safest for the Christian is to REJOICE IN THE LORD. To focus on what you have in Christ, and the new identity He has given you. The safest place to be is in the Presence of Jesus, to read and hear the Word of God that He so loved. As we go through our daily trials, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. As Jesus went through this life, bullied by the Pharisees and the religious leaders, did He lose heart? Was He defeated by the suffering He endured, the loneliness of Gethsemane, and the horrors of Golgotha? The Bible tells us:

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT and SIN which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 LOOKING TO JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 CONSIDER HIM who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

No matter what you are going through, look unto Jesus. REJOICE IN THE LORD. “My eyes are ever toward the LORD” (Psalm 25:15). Pray. Praise. Rejoice in the Lord! Keep looking upward, trusting in Him. The Scripture admonishes us:

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. 2 SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH. 3 For you have died, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

“REJOICE IN THE LORD” is not a request, but a command of Scripture. Happiness depends on our circumstances – but joy is based on knowing whose we are.

Beware Those Who Will Rob You Of Joy

Philippians 3:2Beware {blepō} of dogs, beware {blepō} of evil workers, beware {blepō} of the concision.

Word Study: Paul mentions three things that will rob us of joy. Three times he uses the word blepō, which means “look for with your physical eye, and then mark so as to avoid with your mental eye”. Several commentaries note that Paul is just talking of the Judaizers who are trying to tell Gentiles they must be circumcised. But Paul uses three “bewares” or “look out” here, so I think he is talking about three elements of people who can rob you of your joy in Christ.

“Beware {blepō} of dogs”. In early Judaism (of which Paul was well acquainted) “DOGS” are those who are pagan, who are unbelievers in God but believers in false gods. Dogs can be those who pretend to love God outwardly, but inwardly are spiritually dead and unclean. Solomon wrote:

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV) Like A DOG THAT RETURNS TO HIS VOMIT is a FOOL {an unbeliever, see Psalm 14:1} who repeats his folly.

The Apostle Peter used the term “dog” to describe the false believer:

2 Peter 2:17-22 (ESV) These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but THEY THEMSELVES ARE SLAVES OF CORRUPTION. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN ENTANGLED IN THEM AND OVERCOME, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

The Church in America has many who profess that they are saved so that they can freely sin. We are not freed from sin so that we may more freely sin. The Bible says:

Romans 6:18 (ESV) having been SET FREE FROM SIN, you HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Those who are saved, but feel that they are saved so they can freely sin, are like the “dog who returns to its own vomit”. The Bible warns that such people shall not be in Heaven (Revelation 22:15).

Sin not only brings disease and death, it kills joy!

beware {blepō} of EVIL WORKERS {kakopoios}

“EVIL WORKERS” is the Greek kakopoios, which refers to those who are not just thinking evil thoughts, but they are seeking to actively corrupt others. Several years ago the LGBTQ+ “Community” rallied and fought that they could be “married” like the traditional one man one woman couple was married. They wanted the same legal and civil rights that the traditional couple had. They said over and over again, “It will have no effect on traditional values, no effect on Christians. Trust us.” But what happened once they were given the legal right to marry? They began to demand that Christian florists and bakers cater to their affairs. They began to push the local churches to participate in their sinful fantasies.

Beloved, we should love the sinner, and tell them the Gospel of Christ. But we need to keep a sharp eye out and not bind with them until they repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Light and darkness cannot walk hand in hand.

beware {blepō} of the CONCISION {katatomē}

The word rendered “CONCISION” is the Greek katatomē, which means “those who cut or mutilate the skin”. This is indeed a reference to Judaizers, unconverted Jews who crept into the Church and say “Jesus is not enough”. Judaizers taught that you had to be circumcised to be saved. Many of these were Pharisees told Christians “you’re not fully saved until you satisfy the Law of Moses. You must be circumcised. You must keep the ceremonial laws of Judaism”.

This matter had been settled in the early Church among the Apostles. Once Paul began to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel of Christ, he went to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the other Church leaders. The Apostle Peter along with James, the Overseer at Jerusalem, declared:

Acts 15:19-20 (NKJV) Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to ABSTAIN from things polluted by IDOLS, FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY, [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

Circumcision was a command that God gave to Abraham and his descendants. But circumcision was never mandated for the Gentiles. God would promise the children of Abraham that one day there would be a New Covenant where the HEART would be circumcised. Paul talked about this in …

Romans 2:28-29 (ESV) For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But A JEW IS ONE INWARDLY, and CIRCUMCISION IS A MATTER OF THE HEART, BY THE SPIRIT, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Under the Old Covenant the Jew was circumcised in the flesh. But circumcision today is not required, not in the flesh. Paul goes on to say…

The Saved Have A Circumcised Heart

Philippians 3:3 (KJV) For WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the Spirit, and REJOICE in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

There are three types that we should avoid: dogs, evil workers, and the cutters/ those who demand circumcision. They rob us of our joy. Those who are saved:

1. Worship God in the Spirit. We were not saved by our own power, we were saved by the power of God. Now as children of God, we worship God – not in our own strength – but through the Spirit of God Who indwells us. The lost person is bored by God – unless God is doing something for them. The saved person loves God, loves learning of God, and loves the Word of God.

2. REJOICE in Christ Jesus. We are not ashamed of Jesus, but love Him, and want to know more of Him. And,

3. Have no confidence in the flesh. We who are saved give all glory to God. We do not believe that we are, within ourselves, “good enough” for Heaven. Paul wanted to be a good steward of the Grace that God had given him. He wrote:

1 Corinthians 4:2-4 (KJV) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I KNOW NOTHING BY MYSELF; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Some people love to stand around judging others, thinking they are better than those around them. The Christian should do the best he knows how – as UNTO THE LORD. Whatever we do, we do it not to be saved, but out of love for Him Who saved us. We are always mindful that we are all broken, even though now we are saved.

I wish some of you understood that.

The genuine Christian has NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh, NO self righteousness. Paul says:

Philippians 3:4-6 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Before Paul was saved on the Damascus Road, he pointed to six things he thought proved he was right with God. None of these things had anything to do with Jesus.

1. RITUAL. Paul was “Circumcised the eighth day”, just as the Law declared.

2. RELATIONSHIP. Paul was “of the stock of Israel”, of the chosen nation, God’s Old Covenant people.

3. RESPECTABLE. Paul was “of the tribe of Benjamin”. That was like saying, “My family came to this country on the Mayflower!”

4. RACE. Paul was “an Hebrew of the Hebrews”. There was not a drop of Gentile blood in his veins! He and his family stayed blood-pure!

5. RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE. Paul said, “as touching the law, a Pharisee”. The Pharisees were the most strict, the most Bible based, the most intensely orthodox of the religious denominations. Pharisees were religious, but heartless and mean. Paul said, “concerning zeal, persecuting the Church”. I heard a story of a little boy who brought a dead mouse in the house, holding its tattered body by its tail. He said, “Mama, look! I beat him with a broom. I ran over him with my tricycle. I hit him with big rocks, and then stomped on him!” His mother said, “Wasn’t that cruel, son? That’s horrible!” The little boy thought, then said “When I was done, the Lord called him home!” Pharisees were religious, but MEAN!

6. REPUTATION. “touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS”. Paul was a whitewashed tomb! Then he met Jesus.

Once the Lord saved him, Paul’s attitude changed. He said:

Philippians 3:7-8 But what things WERE GAIN to me, those I COUNTED LOSS for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I MAY WIN CHRIST,

Winning Christ Is The Goal Of The Believer

Word Study: In the phrase “WIN CHRIST”, the word for “WIN” is the Greek kerdainō which means “to gain, to win over, to gain Christ’s favor and fellowship”. Paul counted all the benefits that he used to have as “DUNG” {skubalon, animal manure}, as something well worth losing, in order to gain a closer, more intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

There was a group of people called gnostics who twisted the Gospel of Christ, and made it into fire insurance. They made statements like “Why should I continue to strive and to work for Jesus, after we have been saved? If I am assured that the Blood of Christ cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7) then why not, after I have professed Christ, just relax. Why not just do what I want, even if it is sin? Why gather with the Church? Why give? My ticket is paid! I’ll see Jesus in Heaven”. This is the attitude of many in America today, the gnostic way. They know about Jesus, but do not have a personal relationship with Him.

This is not what the Bible teaches!

When I was a young man going through the Air Force Academy I thought that the greatest thing I could ever have was to be the best in that school. So I worked hard and poured every ounce of my strength into excelling in my studies, in my drills, in all that I did. I won top in class, and had my picture taken with the Commander. Twice! Oh, how I struggled to get here. Oh, how sweet to get to the top of the class. Do you know where those awards are today? I have no idea. The newspaper clippings of my “great victory” are gone, lost in time. That thing that I struggled to get is today dung, manure, of no lasting value. It was a waste of my time! The Bible says “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while – then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, AP). The things of this world are fleeting.

The most important thing you have is your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

People today are chasing after everything – and finding nothing. The child sees a parent love a dog or a cat, while ignoring the child. The child seeks to be a “furry”. A man, weak and discontented as a man, seeks to be a woman. A woman wants to have “equal rights” with all men – then pines for the children she wish she could have had. Everyone is chasing nothing, and finding nothing.

God designed us to walk with Him – not just in Heaven – but NOW! Our father Abraham understood this principle, that the greater thing we should be seeking – friendship with God. We should be striving, driven to win Jesus’ as our Friend. I’m not talking about salvation, Beloved. You cannot earn nor deserve your salvation – salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone (Titus 3:5-6). Abraham understood this.

We must set our life’s compass by Someone greater than ourselves if we want our life to have meaning. Beauty passes, money is spent, fame is fleeting, but friendship with Christ … this is a blessing that continues into eternity.

Do Not Trust In The Flesh, But In Jesus

Philippians 3:9-11 And BE FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I MAY KNOW HIM, and the POWER of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Paul said, “If you’re looking for me, I’ll always be “FOUND IN HIM”. Paul wasn’t staying close to Jesus because he was afraid of going to hell. Salvation is a free gift from God. “By the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified in God’s sight. The Law gives us knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20, AP). If you are saved, Jesus is your Friend. You cannot go to Jesus as His Friend and say, “I cannot trust what you said about salvation”. Friends trust one another. Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the Old Rugged Cross. I have accepted Him as my Savior so now I am free to pursue a deeper relationship in Him. Friends trust one another. Friends rely on one another. Listen to what Jesus our Friend did for us:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) For {The Father} hath made {Jesus} to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Your Friend Jesus gave so much for you on the Cross. He did not call us to salvation so that we could walk through this life by ourselves. He called us to salvation so that we can live VICTORIOUSLY, right now. And once this life is over we have a much greater life beyond this one with our Friend Jesus Christ. Jesus said:

John 15:14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I COMMAND YOU.

Jesus is a Friend Who will never let you down. Beloved, life is hard, we are fragile, and time ends unexpectedly. A quiet walk in the beautiful woods of Tennessee can quickly turn into pain and death if you step on a copperhead. We live our lives day in and day out expecting things to be easy, then tragedy strikes without warning. The wise man sets aside a few savings for a rainy day – because the rainy days will come. The wise man buys fire insurance for his house, and medical insurance for his family. You stay prepared for whatever comes, and life is much sweeter. Be prepared.

But better than savings, insurance, whatever, it is good to have Christ as your Friend. The Apostle knew this. Those who seek friendship with Christ Jesus find real power for living. There is no value in pursuing Christianity as a religion, but as a relationship with Christ – Beloved, there’s great value in that! There’s a song I love to sing – perhaps you’ve heard it? No one knows who wrote it – but I know. It was a broken creature like me!

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long,
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

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As Dear Children

Posted on December 17, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Are You A Disciple Or A Dabbler?

A Religious Landscape Study conducted by the Pew Research Center (February 26, 2025) notes that only 62% of Americans identify as “Christian”, which is a sharp drop from 2007, when 78% identified as Christians. However, only one third of U.S. adults attend services in person at least once a month. Some of that number – up to 16% – only participate in Church online or through the television. What about involvement in Church activities? Lifeway Research (an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention) notes:

When asked if they have served as volunteers (church or other organizations) in the past year, about 30% of churchgoers said yes, while 66% said they had not.

That is very strange, as the Great Commission our Lord Jesus gave us explicitly states:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES {mathēteuō} of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age. Amen.

Word Study: Jesus did not say “Go out and save people from hell by preaching the Gospel I died for”. Jesus said, “Go and MAKE DISCIPLES”. The word mathēteuō means “to instruct others the teachings and precepts of the Master, to teach others to live according to the directives of Jesus”. It is certain that Jesus came into this world to “bring SINNERS to REPENTANCE” (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32). Jesus loved us so much that His foremost ministry was to reach sinners – people like us. But Jesus did not come to save sinners, and then leave sinners in their sins. As the blind man healed by Jesus told the Pharisees:

John 9:31 (NKJV) Now WE KNOWS THAT GOD DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, HE HEARS HIM.

That’s a well established principle in the Scripture:

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV) The Lord is FAR FROM THE WICKED, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Micah 3:4 (ESV) they will cry to the Lord, but HE WILL NOT ANSWER THEM; He will hide His face from them at that time, because THEY HAVE MADE THEIR DEEDS EVIL.

Proverbs 1:28-29 (ESV) THEY WILL CALL UPON ME, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because THEY HATED KNOWLEDGE and DID NOT CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Salvation comes by faith in Christ Jesus. It is a free gift from God. But once you are saved, your status changes. You become a “DISCIPLE”, a student of the Kingdom of God. But more than this, you become something even greater.

You are not a “Child of God” because you are part of a group. Only those saved by faith in Christ, born again of the power of the Holy Spirit, are Children of God under the New Covenant of Christ.

I have heard leaders in the Church make outrageous statements that are not Scriptural. For instance, several years ago Pope Francis (the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church) said “There is only one certainty that we have for all: we are all children of God”.

United Methodist Bishop Gregory V. Palmer said, “Is there any more important message that the church has to commend to the world than every human being is a child of God?”

Anglican Bishop Jeremy Greaves wrote “We are ‘all children of God’”.

Those who say such things are defying Jesus. Jesus distinguished between those who received and did His Word, and those who did not. Jesus told the Pharisees who often attacked Him and His ministry:

John 8:42-47 (LSB) Jesus said to them, IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER, YOU WOULD LOVE ME, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come of Myself, but HE SENT ME. 43 “Why do you not understand what I am saying? [It is] because YOU CANNOT HEAR MY WORD. 44 “YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER, THE DEVIL, and YOU WANT TO DO THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [nature], for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 HE WHO IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD; for this reason you do not hear [them], because YOU ARE NOT OF GOD.”

That is very specific and to the point. The characteristic of the Child of God is that they

(1) love Jesus Christ,
(2) understand that Jesus alone came from the Father as Messiah,
(3) hear what Jesus says, and seeks to do it
(4) desires the things of God, not of Satan
(5) lives to share LIFE with others, not murder
(6) speaks the Word of God in truth, not deceptively
(7) believes Jesus is sinless
(8) hears and appreciates the Word of God, the Bible

Being A “Child Of God” Is Uniquely New Testament

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, AS DEAR CHILDREN;

As I studied this passage, the first thing God led me to do is research and see where the phrase “Child (or Children) of God” is found. This phrase is unique to the New Testament. The Lord showed me that …

no individual Israelite under the Old Covenant
was ever called a Child of God

When Israel was referred to, God called the NATION. Israel was often called “Children of Israel” (see Genesis 32:32; 36:31; Exodus 1:1, 7). The phrase “Children of Israel” is used 644 times in 600 verses. Under the Old Covenant you were either “Children of Israel” or Gentiles. But Israelites were NOT individually called “children of God”.

God called the circumcised NATION of Israel “My Son”. Under the Old Covenant only the NATION was the son of God, the children of God.

When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He said:

Exodus 4:22-23 (ESV) … you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, ISRAEL IS MY FIRSTBORN SON, 23 and I say to you, “LET MY SON GO THAT HE MAY SERVE ME” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I WILL KILL YOUR FIRSTBORN SON.'”

The designation “My Son” emphasized that God called the nation into a covenant relationship with Him (Deuteronomy 14:1; 32:6; Isaiah 1:2; 63:16). Israel was collectively God’s SON, as long as the men of the nation were under the mark of CIRCUMCISION (Genesis 17:10-11; Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 10:16). God told His national Son:

Genesis 17:14 (AP) Any UNCIRCUMCISED MALE… SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE; he has broken My covenant.

You will not find the phrase “Child of God” anywhere in the Old Testament under the Old Covenant for a singular Israelite. Children or sons of God refers to the nation of Israel as God’s corporate covenant people.

The first Jew to be called a “Child” of God and a “Son” of God Individually is the Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ!

When God prophesied the coming of Jesus as Messiah, He said:

Psalm 2:7 (ESV) I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU …

That this is a prophecy of Christ Jesus is clearly seen when we read how the New Testament refers to this Psalm, saying:

Hebrews 5:5 (ESV) So also CHRIST DID NOT EXALT HIMSELF to be made a high priest, but was APPOINTED BY HIM WHO SAID TO HIM, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU” (see also Acts 13:33)

In the Old Testament God said of Israel, “This is My son Israel, My firstborn”. But in the New Testament the Father said, “THIS is MY BELOVED SON, in Whom I am WELL PLEASED” (Matthew 3:17). When God spoke to King David, He told him that he would have a Son, a special Son:

2 Samuel 7:13-14 (ESV) HE SHALL BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY NAME, and I WILL ESTABLISH THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER. 14 I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son. …

This was not a reference to Solomon, who, like all of us mortals, would have a throne that would end when he died. This was a reference to the coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Angel Gabriel told Mary:

Luke 1:31-33 (ESV) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and BEAR A SON, AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS. He will be great and WILL BE CALLED THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH. And the LORD GOD WILL GIVE TO HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID, and HE WILL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOREVER, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Jesus is THE Son of God prophesied in the Scripture! He is THE Child of God by supernatural birth.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) For to us A CHILD IS BORN, to us A SON IS GIVEN; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Jesus is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, the only Son of God to be born into humanity. The Son became a Child, a Perfect Child.

This was NOT speaking about Israel, but about the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus was born as a Child, a perfect and sinless Man born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) Therefore THE LORD HIMSELF WILL GIVE YOU A SIGN. Behold, the VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON, and shall call his name IMMANUEL.

The SON OF GOD would be given to us. The SON OF GOD would come from glory, and be born from a virgin. Some have tried to twist this Messianic Prophecy, saying that the word “VIRGIN” should just be “YOUNG WOMAN”. What kind of “sign” would that be, o’ foolish unbeliever? The Angel of God quoted this very verse to Joseph, applying it to Jesus, saying:

Matthew 1:20-23 (NKJV) Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 21 And SHE WILL BRING FORTH A SON, and you shall call His name JESUS, for HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS. 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: {here quoting Isaiah 7:14} 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Israel as a nation was the son of God. No individual Jew was a son of God before the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus the Christ, the Eternal Son of God, left immortality, left Heaven and the adoration of Angels, to come to this earth. The immortal became mortal. The sinless came to this earth to walk among sinners.

Jesus Christ Brought In A New Covenant, And A New Way. Believing in Him Brings New Birth!

The perfect and pure Son of God lowered Himself to be with us, to save us, to make us individually the Children of God.

Oh the glory of what Jesus did for us! “CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). “But GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS LOVE FOR US, in that, WHILE WE WERE SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Romans 5:8). Oh Beloved, unto us a Son was given. Unto us, a Child was born. He came to build a bridge through our sins to bring us to God. The Scripture says “Christ Jesus satisfied God’s justice ON OUR BEHALF. He is the PROPITIATION, the SATISFACTORY PAYMENT FOR SIN, not for ours only but ALSO FOR THE WHOLE WORLD” (1 John 2:2). That Baby, nondescript and undervalued, born a manger in Bethlehem would grow up to be the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29, 36). How would He do this?

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. BY HIS WOUNDS you have been healed.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake THE FATHER MADE HIM, JESUS, WHO KNEW NO SIN, TO BE SIN FOR US, so that IN HIM we might become the righteousness of God.

God could not call individuals “son” in the Old Covenant, because from Adam until today we are all born into this world as sinners. We are enslaved to sin. We are defined by sin. The Bible describes the state of every person before he meets the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture says:

Ephesians 2:1-6 (LSB) And YOU WERE DEAD IN TRANSGRESSIONS AND SINS, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom WE ALL FORMERLY CONDUCTED OURSELVES IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST—BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED– 6 and RAISED US UP WITH HIM, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus,

Before Jesus came, Israel was the son of God. But after THE Son of God came and gave Himself for us, whosoever believes on Him individually becomes a child of God. We are “RAISED UP WITH HIM”, raised up by the Son of God to be a son of God – to the glory of God.

You are not born into this world a son of God, a child of God. You are born into this world separated from God. But once you receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, once you believe on THE Son of God, YOU become a son of God, a child of God. The Bible says:

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS. And, LET EVERYONE THAT NAMETH THE NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY.

It is by faith in THE Son that you become A son. “But to all who did receive {Jesus}, who believed in His name, He gave the right to BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13, ESV).

Children Of God Follow Jesus

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore FOLLOWERS OF GOD, as DEAR {agapētos, Beloved} CHILDREN…

If you are a child of God by faith in Christ, if you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then it should show by your behavior. The history of Israel throughout the Old Covenant is the history of a disobedient people. God designated the nation itself as His “son”, but under the Old Covenant the average Israelite was spiritually dead. There were some who believed on the Coming Messiah, and were saved by faith as we are. The one that comes to my mind is Abraham. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). What Abraham believed is that which we believe today. Abraham did not believe in himself. Abraham did not believe in Israel. Abraham believed in the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 8:56-58).

If you are a genuine Christian, someone “born again” because you have received Christ, then God calls you to accountability. God calls you to follow HIM, not the world. We are “Beloved Children”. God did the most for us at the Cross of Calvary.

When I read this passage, I thought about children. What are the characteristics of children? Children want to make up the rules, but they don’t. Poor parents allow them to do so, but that’s a poor parent. Parents set the rules, and children obey them. Children want to modify the rules, but they shouldn’t. A proper parent will punish the child that rejects the rules. A poor parent, not loving the child, will look the other way. Children want to imitate the grown up world. Children watch the adults, then imitate what they see whether good or bad. Children often don’t understand the why of the rules. Yet they must obey the rules anyway.

I remember one year at my house buying a present for my kids, something I just KNEW they would love. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when my kids, on unwrapping the present, played with the box. Children often undervalue that which is most valuable. The most valuable thing you have as a Christian is not heaven. The most valuable thing you have is that you daily walk with God. And may I say this:

If you’re not walking with God NOW, you may not be walking with God THEN. Your salvation may be a sham. Make sure you’re not playing with the box.

Children love their parents, and want their parents to be proud of them. Do you know what makes God our Father proud of us?

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

The Child of God is a follower of God. The Child of God loves Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son. Are you a Child of God? If you are not, what a wonderful day it would be to give yourself to Jesus! To be a Child of God was not offered to Israel under the Old Covenant. But being a Child of God is offered to ALL who will receive Jesus today. The Scripture says:

Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Only a Child of God can have the Holy Spirit. If you are not a Child of God, you are a slave to sin and the Law. Oh how I pray that you would give yourself to Jesus this very day!

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Living As Faithful Witnesses

Posted on December 12, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Gary Meulemans on Unsplash

Do You Love Jesus – Or The World?

Opening: I get a publication from the Colson Center called “Breakpoint Daily”. It keeps me up with trends and fads, and reminds us as Christians that our job is really never done. We are to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), not our light, but like the moon we are to reflect the light of the Son (John 9:5), Jesus Christ our Lord. The most recent article was called “A Decade of “Words of the Year”. Every year since 2004, Oxford Dictionary has chosen a “word of the year”. The “word of the year” is not necessarily one word. It can be a popular phrase in American society. The “word of the year” shows how far our America has drifted from Biblical truth. Frankly, I had never actually heard these words. The list since 2016 is:

“Word Of The Year”What it means
2016post-truthFeelings matter more than truth
2017youthquakeYoung people can change society
2018toxicOften applied to perceived harmful relationships
2019climate emergencyTo describe the “dire” state our world is in
2021vaxTo be vaccinated
2022goblin modeYoung people can do nothing to change anything
2023rizzexciting others, being a personality
2024brain rotscrolling endlessly on social media
2025rage baitany content that provokes anger or discomfort

The “Word of the Year” has nothing to do with the True Word, the Word of God. It had everything to do with redefining truth, and the drifting hopelessness of the world in which we now live.

The Breakpoint article summed this up with:

“Truth is a Person. Jesus is the ultimate anchor for reality: unchanging, compassionate, and authoritative. He validates our feelings by bringing them into alignment with what actually is. He calls us to see the world as it is, not as the algorithms present it. He invites us to resist the cognitive and emotional conditioning of brain rot, aura farming, and rage bait.

The last decade of Words of the Year teaches us that when we try to feel our way into truth, our reality collapses. When we allow algorithms, outrage, or curated self-performance to define reality, we fragment into rage, passivity, and distortion. But when we anchor ourselves in the reality of God’s image, we reclaim the capacity for thoughtful engagement, creativity, and authentic relationships—both with Him and with others who share that image. ”

If we want to make a difference for the Kingdom of God, we who are saved by faith in Christ must live as faithful witnesses to the Gospel. We need to follow the pattern of Hezekiah!

Hezekiah Loved The Lord His God

Proverbs 25:1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the MEN OF HEZEKIAH King of Judah copied out.

Solomon was a flawed, but wise man whom the Lord used. When King Hezekiah came to the throne (about 270 years after Solomon’s reign), the King had his scribes search the royal vaults to collect additional sayings of Solomon. These words make up chapters 25-29 of this Book.

God used humans in writing His holy Scripture. He could have written the Scriptures through angels had He wanted, but God used man created in His image (Genesis 9:6) to relay His Word.

King Hezekiah was a good and Godly King. He loved the Lord Christ. He wanted to honor God in his office. The Bible says:

2 Kings 18:2-7 (NKJV) {Hezekiah} was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name [was] Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3 And HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, according to all that his father David had done. 4 He removed the high places and broke the [sacred] pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. 5 HE TRUSTED IN THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. 6 For HE HELD FAST TO THE LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. 7 The LORD WAS WITH HIM; HE PROSPERED WHERE EVER HE WENT. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

Hezekiah (Hebrew ḥizqîyâ, meaning “Jehovah is my Strength”) was not the only good King Judah (Southern Israel) had. The Southern Kingdom of Israel had eight good Kings who loved God, who were saved by faith in Christ. The Northern Kingdom had NO good kings, for they departed from God’s Word and God’s Commandment. When Hezekiah became King, the wisest thing he did was seek out the Word of God, and expand the Book of Proverbs. The Bible tells us that Solomon wrote about 3000 Proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), and many of those had not been transcribed up to this point. If Hezekiah was going to be an effective King, he wanted to cling to the Word of God! We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “all scripture is God breathed”. Further the Apostle tells us:

2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV) knowing this FIRST OF ALL, that NO prophecy of SCRIPTURE comes from someone ‘s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but MEN SPOKE FROM GOD AS THEY WERE CARRIED ALONG BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Hezekiah did what every wise leader should do: he sought out God’s Word so he could live by it.

There Are Kings – Then There Is THE King

Proverbs 25:2-5 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Our God is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). God does not tell us everything, but conceals certain things from us. Human kings, like us, are limited in what they can do, what they understand. But our God is INFINITE. We who are FINITE cannot fully understand the will of God, or His very nature. The Bible says in Romans11:33 (ESV), “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How UNSEARCHABLE ARE HIS JUDGMENTS AND HOW INSCRUTABLE HIS WAYS!”. God reveals some things to show us His glory. As David Rives quoted on Sunday,

Psalm 19:1 (ESV) The HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.

God reveals His glory in creation itself. But God does not tell us everything.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV) The SECRET THINGS belong to the Lord our God, but the THINGS THAT ARE REVEALED BELONG TO US and to our children forever, that WE MAY DO ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW.

God knows all things. But the earthly King does not know all things. “But the honor of kings is to search out a matter”. Good rulers will seek out the truth. They will not rush to judgment, nor try to rule according to their opinions. Hezekiah ordered the proverbs of good King Solomon be researched and brought out of the vaults. Hezekiah was aware that (Proverbs 1:7, ESV) the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 25:3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the HEART OF KINGS IS UNSEARCHABLE.

The decisions that leaders make are often misunderstood by the populace. The people know that the Heaven is high, but not how high. They know that the earth has depth, but they don’t know how deep. The responsibility of a good leader is to protect the people while drawing them close to the Lord Who made them. What is the primary calling of the good King?

Proverbs 25:4-5 Take away the DROSS from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

The value of silver goes up when the DROSS, the pollutants are removed from the silver. No fine vessel can be made with DROSS or impurities in it. So the King should seek to remove the DROSS from the nation. “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness”. Adam Clarke noted in his commentary:

“You cannot have a pure silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king a public blessing till the wicked – all bad counselors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants – are banished from the court and cabinet.”

The first thing Hezekiah did when becoming King was to have scribes uncover more of the Word of God. The second thing Hezekiah did was:

2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places and broke the [sacred] pillars, cut down the wooden image and BROKE IN PIECES THE BRONZE SERPENT THAT MOSES HAD MADE; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan {nᵊḥuštān}.

When Israel drifted from following God under Moses, the Lord sent fiery serpents into the camp to bite and kill the people (Numbers 21:6). The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). God graphically and literally proved this by the fiery serpents. When the people REPENTED and came to Moses, saying “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us”, their leader Moses went to the Lord in prayer. God told MOSES:

Numbers 21:8 Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

God was teaching Israel – and us – what saving faith is. Every Israelite who stopped fighting the serpents, and who looked UPWARD at the Nehushtan, the bronze serpent, would be healed if they were bitten by the snakes (which represented the wages of sin).This is an Old Testament picture of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus said:

John 3:14-15 (KJV) And as MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT in the wilderness, even so MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP: 15 That whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have eternal life.

Just as the Israelite under Moses’ leadership looked up in faith and believed and did not perish, those who look upward to Jesus – nailed to that Cross for our sins – will not perish!

Faith is to believe in the PERSON of God giving Himself for us. When Hezekiah came to office, the people had stopped believing in the PERSON of God, and began to believe in the POWER OF THE MAN MADE SERPENT. They began to worship the serpent, calling it Nehushtan, the bronze thing worthy of worship. They burned incense to it, something they were only to do with God Himself. They began to fall away from God, and they

Romans 1:25 (ESV) … EXCHANGED THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD for a lie and worshiped and SERVED THE CREATURE RATHER THAN THE CREATOR, who is blessed forever! Amen.

This same thing happened with the Ark of the Covenant. God caused it to be lost because Israel began to worship it, rather than the Savior God Who had it made. The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence (Exodus 25:22), but it had no power. At one time Israel said:

1 Samuel 4:3 (NKJV) … Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us IT MAY SAVE US it may save us from the hand of our enemies.

That did not work out well. The Bible says that Israel was defeated by the Philistines, and lost 30,000 foot soldiers. Also the High Priests sons Hophni and Phinehas died. When Hezekiah came to the throne, he had the revered Nehushtan destroyed so that people could not worship it. God says:

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

Hezekiah knew that the best he could do for his Kingdom was to establish the throne in righteousness. God will not bless sin. He will not bless idolatry. God will not share His glory with any others. He is God!

God Will Not Bless Pride And Arrogance

Proverbs 25:6-7 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be PUT LOWER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PRINCE whom thine eyes have seen.

There are always those who feel they know better than the King. There are people – the created – who feel they know better than Almighty God! Hezekiah realized that he was on the throne of Israel because God allowed him to do so.

Romans 13:1-2 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, and THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Our Lord Jesus taught this same principle when He said:

Luke 14:8-11 (ESV) When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For EVERYONE WHO EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED, AND HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.

When we “humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD, He will lift us up” (James 4:10). It is better to be nobody that the King honors, than to think you are somebody and be called nobody publicly!

Proverbs 25:8-10 Go not forth hastily to STRIVE {rîḇ}, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 LEST HE THAT HEARETH IT PUT THEE TO SHAME, and thine infamy turn not away.

Word Study: The word “STRIVE” is the Hebrew rîḇ, which means in this context “to conduct a case or a legal suit, to sue in court”. Various versions translate this as:

Do not go hastily to court (NKJV)
do not hastily bring into court (ESV)
Do not go out hastily to plead your case (LSB)

Before carrying the “case” to court, the Lord tells us to try and work it out at the lowest level possible. Talk to the neighbor first. Jesus taught this in:

Matthew 18:15-20 (ESV) If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

If you rush to judgment, you may find yourself in a worst position than had you humbled yourself and talked it over with the neighbor. Adam Clarke wrote in his commentary:

“A man who deliberates about going to law should have, 1. A good cause; 2. A good purse; 3. A good skillful attorney; 4. Good evidence; 5. Good able counsel; 6. A good upright judge; 7. A good intelligent jury; and with all these on his side, if he have not, 8. Good luck… ”

Ending With A Good Word

Proverbs 25:11-13 A WORD FITLY SPOKEN is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a WISE REPROVER upon an OBEDIENT EAR. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a FAITHFUL MESSENGER to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

The “WORD FITLY SPOKEN” is a beautiful thing. The “WORD FITLY SPOKEN” is not just an encouraging or complimentary word (for that is all that some wish to hear), but it is “WISE REPROOF” to the “OBEDIENT EAR”. Jesus did not speak all encouragement, but He rebuked as necessary, according to the Word of God. Jesus was a “FAITHFUL MESSENGER” Who spoke the Word of God (Hebrews 3:1-2). Jesus said, “Whatsoever I speak … I speak just as the Father has said unto Me” (John 12:49-50).

As believers in Christ, we live by His Word. We give an obedient ear to Him Who gave Himself to us. As Jesus is “the Faithful Witness” (Revelation 1:5), let us live for Him.

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Learning Christ

Posted on December 9, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Ephesians 4:17-20 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 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: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned CHRIST;

There Is No “Vicarious” Christian Life

Opening: I heard a word several years ago – and when I heard it, I didn’t know what it meant. The word was “vicarious”. We all do it, whether we know what the word means or not. When some of you watch sports, you get a vicarious thrill when your quarterback runs a 60 yard touchdown, or your pitcher pitches a no hit game. Vicarious. When I saw Dale Earnhardt win a race, in my mind I was in the cockpit with him! Vicarious means to watch what another person is doing, then imagining that you are the one doing it. I get a vicarious thrill when I watch John Wayne or Clint Eastwood shoot a really bad guy. I didn’t do the shooting. I wasn’t in the scene. But watching it, in my imagination, I put myself there, and get a thrill out of it.

There was a song I grew up with called “Just My Imagination” sung by the Temptations. In the song they sang (and I sang along with them):

Each day through my window I watch as she passes by,
I say to myself, you’re a such a lucky guy.
To have a girl like her, is truly a dream come true.
Out of all the fellows in the world, She belongs to you.
But it was just my imagination, running away with me.
It was just my imagination, running away with me.

That’s vicarious. It’s imagined. It’s dreamed of. You do it when watching television, the movies, sports. You put yourself – in your imagination – in the place of the actor. But you’re really not there. It’s just your imagination.

The Christian way of life cannot be lived vicariously – yet many do so. They imagine they are believers in Christ, but never get in the game. They imagine living for Jesus, but do as little to nothing as they can. Why? Because “it’s just their imagination”. They never REPENTED and RECEIVED the Kingdom of God by faith.

The Saved Do Not Act Like The World

Ephesians 4:17 This I say {legō} therefore, and testify {martyromai} in the Lord, that ye henceforth WALK NOT as other Gentiles WALK, in the VANITY of their mind

In the beginning of Paul’s statement he says, “This I SAY therefore, and TESTIFY”. The Apostle is not repeating himself. He’s saying, “This is not something I just read and am telling you to do. This is not something I saw on television. I SAY it because I DO IT”. What Paul is getting ready to tell them, he experienced himself. This is not a vicarious statement. Paul says “I TESTIFY in the LORD”. The word rendered “TESTIFY” is the Greek martyromai. If you look at that word, the first part of the word spells a word you well know: “MARTYR”. A MARTYR is someone who suffers death or extreme persecution because of their faith. The word martyromai means “to be a public witness for that which you believe is true, no matter what the cost”. Paul spoke as a martyr “IN THE LORD”, that is, regardless as to consequence he virtually – not vicariously – stood up and professed Jesus before a non-receptive crowd. The phrase “IN THE LORD” is found 111 times in the Scripture, and it is a reference to genuine salvation. When Abraham believed in God, the Bible says:

Genesis 15:6 (KJV) And {Abraham} believed IN THE LORD; and {God} counted it to him for righteousness.

What Paul is going to say, Paul did. He says:

Ephesians 4:17 … that ye henceforth WALK NOT as OTHER Gentiles WALK, in the VANITY {mataiotēs} of their mind

The “OTHER Gentiles” that Paul walked among are like many in America today. They WALK, that is, live their lives not according to the precepts of God’s Word, but according to “VANITY” of their minds. This is the Greek mataiotēs, which means “a thought process devoid of truth, perverse or depraved, that which is lightless and lifeless”. This very word is used for ANIMALS and what happened to the ANIMALS when Adam fell in the Garden. The Apostle wrote:

Romans 8:19-21 (KJV) For the earnest expectation of the CREATURE waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For THE CREATURE WAS MADE SUBJECT TO VANITY {mataiotēs}, NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also SHALL BE DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

When Adam fell, creation itself fell. Not because creation had anything at all to do with Adam’s sin, but because Adam and creation were a package deal. When he fell, the world fell. Animals became subject to the vanity of sin. Plant life became subject to the vanity of sin. The whole world was enslaved to the vanity – the depravity, the life choking force of sin. Our Lord Jesus said:

John 8:34-36 (LSB) Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, EVERYONE WHO COMMITS SIN IS THE SLAVE OF SIN. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son does remain forever. 36 “So IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED.

The Gentiles at the Church in Ephesus were saved by faith in Christ. Once saved, the Holy Spirit indwells you (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). You become the property and possession of God, the Child of God by faith (2 Timothy 1:14). The “OTHER Gentiles” live their lives according to vanity, to emptiness, to untruth and ungodliness.

The godless walks according to three steps: ignorance, blindness, and self sensuality.

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them …

What causes an unbeliever to remain an unbeliever? To reject Christ as Lord and Savior? “IGNORANCE that is in them”. I am amused with the vast number of people who believe there are little green men or aliens from space. Every few years people will get a story going about how the U.S. Government in Area 51 is hiding alien stuff. People want to believe in aliens – but have alienated themselves from the God Who made them. Jesus said:

John 8:12 I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, but have the light of life.

They are like the Pharisees who, looking diligently for the Messiah, rejected the True Messiah when He came because He was not what they had expected. Though they saw the miracles Jesus did, they discounted those miracles as works of the devil.

Ephesians 4:18 because of the BLINDNESS of their heart

Word Study: The word rendered “BLINDNESS” is the Greek pōrōsis, which means “to cover with a callus, to become hardened”. The word was used to describe the Pharisees when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath day:

Mark 3:3-6 (LSB) And {Jesus} said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” 4 And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And after looking around at them with anger, grieved at their HARDNESS {pōrōsis} of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 And the Pharisees went out and immediately [began] taking counsel together with the Herodians against Him, [as to] how they might destroy Him.

Finally, being devoid of God and blinded to the Gospel, the lost person chases their own sensuality:

Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto LASCIVIOUSNESS {aselgeia}, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Rejecting REPENTANCE, rejecting the Biblical Christ as REDEEMER, they throw themselves into themselves. The new thing today among “progressive” women is to have a “high body count”, that is, to see how many people they can conquer sexually. What a demonic thing this is! When I hear professing Christians say “I’m a homosexual” or “I sleep around”, my loving response must be “you are confused. I love you, but what you are saying is not supported by the Scripture”.

You can give yourself to God, or give yourself to yourself. The lost have “GIVEN THEMSELVES OVER TO LASCIVIOUSNESS” {aselgeia = unbridled lust or wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness}. Christians may be tempted. Jesus was tempted – this is not sin. Christians may struggle against desires. The struggle is not sin. Christians do not give themselves over to wantonness and unbridled sexuality. They REPENT and walk with the Lord.

The lost do not “WORK OUT their salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians2:12-13), but they “work all UNCLEANLINESS with GREEDINESS”. The lost work differently than the saved.

The Saved Are Not To Be Selfish, But Selfless

Ephesians 4:20-23 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have HEARD HIM, and have been TAUGHT BY HIM, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye PUT OFF CONCERNING the former {WAY OF LIFE} THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND

Every Christian has two characteristics that the unbeliever does not have:

you have HEARD Him, and
you have been TAUGHT BY Him

Jesus calls all people to come to Him. He said, “If anyone thirst, let Him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The Christian is “the CALLED of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:6). We heard His call, and responded. We as believers are called the “Church”, literally the Ekklesia, the “called out ones”. But not only are we “called”, but we listen to Him, we heed His commandments. The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV) God is faithful, by whom YOU WERE CALLED into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ OUR LORD.

Those who are the “called” of God are to “PUT OFF THE OLD MAN”. That old pre-salvation way of life, the things you used to do following the foolishness and darkness of the world, you put that away. You REPENT. The phrase “OLD MAN” is a reference to your old, sin driven way of life. The day that the Christian is publicly baptized in water, he is openly professing that his old self died, and that he is resurrected as a “new creature in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15). The Bible says:

Romans 6:3-6 (KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, EVEN SO WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN.

When God the Holy Spirit indwells us, He leads us toward Christ and Life. We affix our minds on the Word of God, not on the ways of the world.

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and TRUE holiness.

Christians are to walk WITH God, not against God. The unbeliever walks in ignorance, hard heartedness, and self sensuality. The believer walks in righteousness and TRUE holiness. What is TRUE holiness? True holiness is not something that we manufacture. This is what the Pharisees did. Jesus condemned them, saying:

Matthew 15:3, 6, 8-9 Why do you transgress the commandment of God by your TRADITIONS … you made the commandment of God of no effect by your traditions … God said this people draws near to Me with their mouth, but in vail they worship Me, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN …

Marks Of Righteousness & True Holiness

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore PUTTING AWAY LYING, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

The Christian speaks the truth in love. We affirm the Word of God. We do not dumb it down, nor compromise its teaching. This is what the devil does. He did it in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He told our fore-parents that “you will not die if you eat of the forbidden fruit. God knows that the day you eat of it, you will become gods like Him!” (Genesis3:4-5). Jesus told the Pharisees:

John 8:44-47 (NKJV) You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, because there is NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF IT. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?

The believer in Christ stands strong in the truths of God’s Word. We do not compromise what our Lord has declared is truth! False teachers hide in deception (Ephesians 4:14). As God’s children we are commanded:

Colossians 3:9 (NKJV) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds

Believers “speak each man truth to his neighbor” (Zechariah 8:16).

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and SIN NOT: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give PLACE {topos} to the devil.

The Christian can get angry. Our Lord Jesus got angry. He got angry at hardened hearts (Mark 3:5). He got angry when the Gospel was blurred by selfishness (John 2:15-16; Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus got angry at false teachers (Matthew 23:27). But Jesus always controlled His anger – He was not controlled by it. Anger has its place. When the sun sets, anger should be retired. Uncontrolled anger gives PLACE to the devil. The word “PLACE” is the Greek topos, which means “a room or space”. Pastor Adrian Rogers described it this way:

“Suppose you had a piece of property. Let’s say there are 50 acres in that piece of property. And you sell me an acre right in the middle of your 50 acres, and you give me a deed to it. And I have ingress and egress across your property to get to my 1 acre there, in the middle of our 50 acres. And let’s suppose all night long I’m playing loud music, and I’m throwing trash around. I’m just doing everything to desecrate your property, and, after a while, you say, “I want you out of there. Move out of there. You’re bothering the rest of my property. You’re desecrating my property. You’re defiling the area. Get out.” And I say, “I’m not going. I don’t have to go, and you can’t make me go. You gave me this piece of property. You sold this piece of property to me. I’ve got a legal right to it, and I am not moving. If you don’t like it, then that is your tough luck. I am not moving.” Dear friend, you would not be able to move me out, because you gave me a place there. Now some of you have done, particularly or almost, the same thing to Satan. You have given a place to the devil, and you cannot dislodge him unless you legally dislodge him.”

When anger consumes the Christian, when you do not put a time limit on your anger, then you lease your life to the devil. And he will trash your property unless you REPENT and RESIST him in Jesus’ name! Repent. Confess. Put it under the Blood of Christ. Cast the devil out with the old man. He has no right to your life – you belong to Jesus.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather LET HIM LABOR, working with his hands the thing which is good, that HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDETH.

Some people are outright thieves. They steal, they shoplift, they burgle what is not theirs. Other people are sneak thieves. They labor and labor, but do so to build their own wealth, to make their own prosperity. The Christian is to labor so that we can not just support ourselves, but so that we can bless others.

The purpose of getting is for giving!

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING, that it may MINISTER GRACE unto the hearers.

The Christian is to speak so as to edify or build up others in the faith of Christ. Our Lord Jesus told us:

Matthew 12:26 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Our words should reflect the truths that God has placed in this wonderful Book, the Bible. We should always remember that there is a silent Witness to all we say, God the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 4:30-32 And GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The Christian can be the best advertisement for the Kingdom of God. The Christian can also be the worst advertisement for the Kingdom of God. We must remember that God is with us, and hears our every word. Let us speak, and live, as those who are the Children of the Most High.

Amen.

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The Way Of The Wise (Believer)

Posted on December 6, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Proverbs 24:23-25 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

The Wise – The Children of God –
Judge Based On God’s Standard

The “WISE” (Hebrew ḥāḵām) are those whom “God has FILLED with the SPIRIT of WISDOM” (Exodus 28:3). God is the Giver of Wisdom. The Bible says:

Proverbs 2:6 (LSB) YAHWEH GIVES WISDOM; From His mouth [come] knowledge and discernment.

Job 12:13 (LSB) WITH {GOD} ARE WISDOM AND MIGHT; To Him belong counsel and discernment.

There are few “WISE” people in our world today. Since the time of Adam and Eve, we have been eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and considering ourselves gods. We are not gods. God is God, and we are not. God tells us:

Proverbs 24:23 It is not good to have RESPECT OF PERSONS in judgment

Our God has a standard, and His standard is revealed in the Bible, the Word of God. God judges by His standard, and wants us to do the same.

God does not use one standard for one person, and another standard for another person. When Peter was led to the Gentile Cornelius’ home, and shared the Gospel with him, he said:

Acts 10:34-35 (LSB) I most truly comprehend [now] that GOD IS NOT ONE TO SHOW PARTIALITY, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does righteousness is welcome to Him.

The Apostle Paul gave a stern warning in:

Romans 2:4-11 (NKJV) … do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are TREASURING UP FOR YOURSELF WRATH in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For THERE IS NO PARTIALITY WITH GOD.

The Wicked Must Be Corrected
By God’s Standard

Proverbs 24:24 He that saith UNTO THE WICKED, THOU ART RIGHTEOUS; him shall the people CURSE {nāqaḇ}, NATIONS {lᵊ’ōm} Shall ABHOR {zāʿam} HIM

Some have tried perverting justice, being politically correct so as to please the people, but have discovered that this backfired on them. My commentary notes:

“Pilate, Felix, and Festus were all judges who perverted justice to please their Jewish subjects (Matt. 27; Acts 24; 25). Ironically, the Jews hated them all.”

Though it was the will of the people that these judges condemn the innocent, their error did not bless the Jews for long. The people “CURSE”, the Hebrew nāqaḇ which means “to mark or brand another, much like a cow”. Such a person is belittled as the property of the people, and not as if they were respected judges. They are mocked. C.S. Lewis said in his book “The Abolition of Man”,

“We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise”.

Those who twist righteous judgment, the nations ABHOR him, that is, he is “denounced angrily”. It is God’s design that government restrain evil, not promote it. When leaders are corrupt, both God as well as people notice it. In America today we are closer to Sodom and Gomorrah than we have ever been.

Illustrate: In my news feed this morning I came across two strange reports. First, there is a Catholic Church in Massachusetts whose “Father” or “Pastor” set up a nativity scene. Rather than celebrate Christ in the manger, this fellow set up a Nativity Scene where the Baby Jesus was missing, and a sign “I.C.E. Was Here” was put in the manger. Rather than rebuke the professing priest, the Catholic Church endorsed it. Second, a “pastor” from a Methodist Church in Rochester, New York rather than preaching the Gospel, “came out” as transgender during the Sunday service. His words were: “So I get to announce with joy that I’m transitioning. I’m affirming to all of you that I am transgender. The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man. This is a process, and it may be shocking for some as to what this all means.”

The world does not rebuke evil, but celebrates it. Though both professing “churches” affirmed what their leadership is doing, there is ultimately no blessing in casting the Word of God away in order to please the darkness. The Scripture says:

Proverbs 24:25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Those who depart from the truth should be “REBUKED” {yāḵaḥ} when they depart from God’s clear standard. The wise are not to “sit in the gate of Sodom” as Lot did (Genesis 19:1), compromising with the darkness. There is no reward by going along with evil. Lot had become so accustomed to compromising with evil, that when the Sodomites came to rape the Angels whom God sent to the city, he said:

Genesis 19:8 (NKJV) I have two daughters who have not KNOWN A MAN; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may DO TO THEM AS YOU WISH; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.

What a curse Lot brought on his own life! Compromising with the darkness to be “politically correct”, Lot would end up losing his home, his business, and ultimately his daughters. Had Lot spent his time in Sodom standing in the wisdom of God PUBLICLY, he would not have PUBLICLY shamed his daughters when the mob came. When you compromise with evil, you bring a curse upon yourself.

Proverbs 24:26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a RIGHT {nāḵōaḥ} answer.

Word Study: The word “RIGHT” is the Hebrew nāḵōaḥ, which means “the correct or straightforward answer”. The Christian is called to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). The respecter of persons, i.e. the person who shows partiality, is eventually marked by the general populace as crooked. But the person who consistently speaks the truth in love, and who gives a proper Biblical response, that person will be respected. It is an act of love (KISSING THE LIPS) to clearly “GIVE A RIGHT ANSWER”.

Order Your Life With Wisdom

Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

In the ancient world, most people farmed or were farmers. There were no “grocery stores” or markets except in the largest of cities, so people had to make sure they prepared the soil and planted food first. This proverb could be paraphrased as “First things first”. If you are going to build a house, a dynasty, and raise a family, you have to plan ahead. It would be foolish to move to a land and build a house before you made sure the land could be used to produce food. Once the fields are planted, and the crops have sprung up, then you can prepare the foundation of the house.

Our Lord Jesus tied the Christian way of life to being prepared. Jesus did not sugarcoat what being a Christ follower would entail. He asked each person to carefully consider the cost to salvation. THERE IS A COST.

Luke 14:26-33 (NKJV) 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and HIS LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 27 And whoever does not BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and COUNT THE COST, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and CONSIDER WHETHER HE IS ABLE with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not FORSAKE ALL THAT HE HAS CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.

Salvation does not come to a person without REPENTANCE, that is, turning your life over to Jesus. There are many who PROFESS to be saved. They came to Jesus, and said “YES” to Jesus because He promises Heaven, or because He healed them or blessed them in some way. But salvation is a surrender to God, an unconditional surrender. Some say, “You can be saved, but NOT be a disciple”. This is not what Jesus taught, and cannot be substantiated by the Scripture. The Great Commission plainly states:

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The ground must be prepared before the house can be built. Jesus compared the preaching of the Gospel to a Sower sowing seeds (Matthew 13). Where the ground was not prepared, where the Gospel seed …

… fell by the wayside (Matthew 13:4)
… fell on stony places (Matthew 13:5)
… fell among thorns (Matthew 13:7)

… where the ground was not prepared, the “House of Christ” (Hebrews 3:6) could not be built. But where the seed fell on good ground it yielded a crop (Matthew 13:8). Why? Because the field was prepared, the seed sown. The House could be built.

Illustrate: I walked into a Sunday School class one week years ago where the subject of discussion was “Can you join the Church and not be baptized?” Some thought that you could. I told the men that, no, you CANNOT be a part of the Church if you had not been baptized as our Lord Jesus directed. Why? The life surrendered to Christ will obey the things that Christ has directed. Jesus directs baptism by immersion. If the ground is not receptive to the Gospel seed, if there is no tilling of the life via REPENTANCE, then there can be no salvation. Period. God must be first!

The Bible tells us that King Solomon spent seven years building the Temple – and after the Temple was built he then built his own house (1 Kings 6:37-38; 7:1). We, like Solomon, are to put the House of Christ FIRST, not last.

The Wise (Believers) Always Return Good For Evil

Proverbs 24:28-29 Be not a witness against thy neighbor WITHOUT CAUSE; and deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I WILL DO SO TO HIM AS HE HATH DONE TO ME: I will render to the man according to his work.

Under the Old Covenant God established the lex talionis or the “Law of Retaliation”. The word “LEX” means “Law”, and “TALIONIS” means “of the same kind”. God set forth the Law in several texts:

Exodus 21:23-25 (LSB) … you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.

Leviticus 24:19-20 (LSB) If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.

Deuteronomy 19:21 (LSB) Thus your eye shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

We started out talking about not being impartial in judgment, but to render equal judgment to all regardless of person.

The lex talionis was not about promoting vengeance, it was about proportional justice. It was a legal guideline not for believers, but for judges. No judge was supposed to impose a heavier penalty on the accused than what the person was found guilty of.

The lex talionis – unlike the pagan laws like the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi – required that offenses be equally penalized, regardless as to who committed the offense. Under Hammurabi, if you injured a nobleman, you suffered the same exact injury. But if you injured a commoner or a slave, in many cases only a fire was levied. The Bible views each person as made in the image of God, regardless of color or caste. Thus each person bore an equal punishment to what their offense was – which is fair.

Sadly believers under the Old Covenant took the Lex Talionis and turned it into something God never meant it to be. They began to use it for vengeance, contrary to the Holy Scripture. God has said,

Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV) Beloved, DO NOT AVENGE YOURSELVES, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

Jesus addressed the false view of the lex talionis in His “Sermon on the Mount”. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:38-41 (NKJV) You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I tell you NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have [your] cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Jesus was not erasing the lex talionis, but He was putting it back in its place. Believers are called to “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). We are called to pursue the good, not the evil.

Believers Learn From The Lazy, But Are Not Lazy

Proverbs 24:30-32 I went by the FIELD OF THE SLOTHFUL, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, and CONSIDERED IT WELL: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

The fruit of the lazy person is thorns, nettles, and broken walls. The lazy person does not plant the thorns and nettles, nor did the lazy person deliberately break down the stone wall. But by being lazy, his actions aided the natural decay that is in this Adamic world. Solomon watched the lazy person and the fruit of the lazy life. He meditated on how that person lived, and saw the results of his laziness – and “RECEIVED INSTRUCTION”.

Illustrate: Recent changes in SNAP Benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have many liberal people up in arms. Under current guidelines if you are between 16-64 and are able to work, you must put in at least 80 hours a month labor. At present there are around 42 million people on SNAP, many of whom are able to work but will not. 42% of SNAP participants are 18-59 years old. People should work if they are able. Certainly if people need assistance, and are working but earning low wages, they should receive assistance. But the Bible tells us “If anyone is NOW WILLING TO WORK, LET HIM NOT EAT” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). God created us to work. Adam worked in Paradise – how much more should we work in this fallen world?The lazy person justifies their behavior. They say things like …

Proverbs 24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

“A LITTLE SLEEP”. The lazy person justifies their laziness by “we all need a little sleep. What’s wrong with slumber? Why shouldn’t we take it easy?” The truth is, a sleeping lamp cannot emit light – but by doing nothing contributes to the darkness. When Jesus spoke the Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven, He said:

Matthew 13:24-25 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, HIS ENEMY CAME AND SOWED TARES among the wheat and went his way.

The Farmer has His workers plant good seed in good ground. But while the Farmer’s men slept the enemy – Satan – crept in and sowed TARES. Tares look like wheat, but are poisonous, and can foul the harvest when they grow up among the true wheat. The Farmer – the Lord God – will one day separate the Wheat (the believer) from the Tares (the pretend believer), and only the Wheat will be gathered into His barn (the Kingdom of Heaven).

Proverbs 24:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that TRAVELLETH {hālaḵ}; and thy want as an armed man.

Word Study: The word “TRAVELLETH” is the Hebrew hālaḵ, which means “to wander about, to go to and fro”. The picture is of a wandering robber who seeks who he may destroy. Those who are lazy and will not work will find themselves robbed of the pleasures of life. I have seen young men and women on the Internet posting tantrums because their benefits were stalled or removed. Some justified receiving SNAP and other welfare assistance because “I’ve been receiving this for 10 years now”. Those who are able to work should work. This is how God designed us. We do not steal, but work and share with those truly in need. We are told in

Ephesians 4:28 (LSB) He who steals must steal no longer, but RATHER HE MUST LABOR, performing with his own hands WHAT IS GOOD, so that he will have [something] TO SHARE WITH ONE WHO HAS NEED.

We who are Children of God by faith in Christ “WORK HEARTILY, as for the lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23-24). The Apostle said “If anyone does not provide for his relatives… he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). From Old to New Testament, those who are God’s people are to work, both spiritually and physically.

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