Tag: spiritual discernment

October 12, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

You Can Be Technically Right but Spiritually Wrong

Opening Verse:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”— Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

 

Introduction:

Being right in the eyes of men doesn’t always mean you are right with God. Two biblical figures remind us of this lesson: Uzzah, who touched the Ark of the Covenant to steady it, and Simon the Sorcerer, who tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s power. Both thought they were doing something acceptable, but their hearts were far from right with God.

Devotional Story:

Uzzah’s story, found in 2 Samuel 6:6-7, is a sobering example. As the Ark of the Covenant was being transported, Uzzah reached out to steady it when the oxen stumbled. Although he might have believed he was protecting something holy, God struck him dead on the spot. His action seemed reasonable, but it violated God’s clear instructions about how the Ark was to be handled. Uzzah failed to recognize the holiness of God and the need to obey Him completely.

Similarly, in Acts 8:18-23, Simon the Sorcerer believed he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit after seeing the apostles perform miracles. He thought in human terms, where influence and power can be purchased, but his heart was not right before God. Peter rebuked him sharply, pointing out that Simon’s thoughts were poisoned by greed and self-interest.

Both Uzzah and Simon were technically “right” by human standards—they sought to do something that made sense in the moment. Yet, both were spiritually wrong because their hearts did not align with God’s will.

What This Means:

Being technically right, doing something that looks or feels correct, can be dangerous if we are not spiritually aligned with God’s will. God desires obedience and a heart that seeks Him above all. Uzzah’s mistake was in disregarding God’s instructions, and Simon’s was in thinking that the power of God could be manipulated for personal gain. Both stories teach us the importance of understanding God’s holiness and approaching Him with reverence and sincerity.

Think About This:

Are there areas in your life where you might be technically right but spiritually wrong? Are you seeking to honor God with not only your actions but your heart? Take time to examine your motives and align them with God’s will.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to walk in obedience and to understand Your holiness. Guide me to have a heart that seeks You above all else. May my actions be motivated by a desire to honor You, not by what seems right in my own eyes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”— Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

 

September 26, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Authority to Stop Wickedness Before It Arises

Opening Verse

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”
(Isaiah 54:17, KJV)

Introduction

As followers of Christ, we have been granted authority to not only confront wickedness when it manifests, but to stop it even before it fully arises. The Holy Spirit equips us with discernment to see the enemy’s schemes and empowers us to put an end to them before they take root.

Devotional Story

There was a woman named Maria, who was known for her strong prayer life. One morning, as she spent time in prayer, she felt a strong sense of unease. The Holy Spirit warned her that a close friend was about to fall into a trap of gossip and deceit. Maria prayed immediately, taking authority over the situation in Jesus’ name.

Later that day, her friend called her, frustrated over a situation at work that could lead to bitterness and division. Maria spoke words of wisdom, reminding her friend of God’s ways and encouraging her to choose peace. Because Maria had already taken spiritual authority in prayer, the seeds of wickedness were stomped out before they had a chance to grow.

This is the power we have in Christ—not just to react to evil, but to stop it before it can arise.

What This Means

God has given us spiritual discernment and authority so that we can stop wickedness in its tracks, even as it begins to form. The enemy often seeks to plant seeds of destruction through thoughts, words, or situations, but we have the power to uproot them before they flourish. Through prayer, obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can prevent evil from gaining ground.

Think About This

Are there areas in your life where you sense the enemy is trying to plant seeds of wickedness? Pray for discernment, and take authority in the name of Jesus to stop these schemes before they take hold. Remember, you are equipped to stop evil from arising, not just react to it after the fact.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me the authority to stop wickedness before it even begins. Help me to be vigilant, to listen to Your Spirit, and to act in faith when You show me the enemy’s plans. I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper, and I stand in Your strength to stomp out evil before it can take root. In Your mighty name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Neither give place to the devil.”
(Ephesians 4:27, KJV)

October 11, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Return to Eden

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, KJV)

Introduction

Mark, a seeker of truth and wisdom, discovered a profound lesson about discernment, foundational faith, and the eternal desire to return to a state of pure fellowship with God, as witnessed in the pristine communion of Eden. His narrative weaves a tale that connects the vitality of discernment with the aspiration to nurture a pure, unadulterated relationship with the Creator.

Devotional Story

While traversing through a village, known for its devout spirituality, Mark was welcomed by its inhabitants to partake in a sacred ceremony, meant to invoke divine strength through star-shaped crystals and an ancient chant. The atmosphere was imbued with a fervent yet serene spirituality, but amidst the apparent devotion, Mark felt a disquieting reservation within his spirit.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, KJV)

Choosing to honor the subtle yet persistent voice of discernment, Mark abstained from participating. A revered couple, beloved by the villagers, encouraged him to join, speaking of abundant blessings that followed the ritual. But Mark, anchored in his understanding of Scripture, gently expressed his concerns.

He spoke of Eden, the divine garden where God and man walked together in unblemished fellowship, with no need for mediators or material conduits to access His divine presence.

“In the garden, Adam and Eve knew God intimately and directly. The purity of their worship and communion with Him was not routed through rituals or objects but was a direct, sincere, and unblemished connection,” Mark shared with gentle conviction.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8, KJV)

His words, seeded in the hearts of some villagers, began to gently alter the spiritual landscape of the community. A return to a simpler, purer faith, reminiscent of the untainted fellowship witnessed in Eden, began to sprout, gradually redirecting their spiritual practices towards a direct and sincere worship of God.

Conclusion

Mark’s journey is a reminder to steadfastly uphold the purity of our faith, safeguarding it from practices that, while seemingly spiritual, may subtly divert our focus and reliance away from God. His longing to return to an Eden-like fellowship with God, where worship is direct, authentic, and untainted by additional rituals or objects, calls us to introspectively examine our own spiritual walk.

This devotional story invites us to consistently seek a return to the metaphorical Eden, where our relationship with God is primary, pure, and unmediated. In our spiritual practices, may we perpetually strive to walk with God in a garden of sincerity, ensuring that our worship, beliefs, and spiritual expressions remain perpetually aligned with His Word and His nature.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23, KJV)