Right in their own eyes (The Word For Today) Devotional

[Man of God, be free to re-arrange, copy, re-phrase any portion of this write-up and re-distribute. Somebody needs this in our church, office and community]

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” Judges 17:6

The pride that drives us to hide our weakness will keep us permanently weak. The humility to acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle of addictive sinful habits.

When our ego becomes so big that we forget that, 2000 years ago, some rusted iron spikes were wickedly driven into the wrist of The Saviour; we forget, dangerously, that for our sakes He was beaten by mere men (created by Him) with stripes; and for our victory over pride, God manifest in flesh, was spat upon by miscreants. When we forget all these then we are in real trouble – DELUSION OF THE MIND and SPIRIT.

When suddenly our own private interpretation of the scriptures supposedly inspired “by the Holy Spirit” becomes our cover to continue in shameful acts of impropriety, then we are in a dangerous groove. When we become personal owners of ‘Holy Spirit’s interpretation’ of God’s standards, something is seriously wrong. So-called ‘inspired interpretations’ based on our corrupted emotional state than God’s Spirit divine. ‘Interpretations of God’s Standards’ that cannot stand the test of The Word when subjected to the heart of God from Genesis through to Revelation cannot be right IN GOD’s EYES.

Remember the bible states clearly “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”.

It is a kind of satanically induced arrogance that pushes us to forget that the Holy Spirit cannot remain qualified as being ‘holy’ any longer if He contradicts Himself on immorality. The Holy Spirit cannot remain Holy if He fraternizes with sin. Holiness is the opposite of Sinfulness or Spiritual Uncleanliness. What kind of Holy Spirit allows uncleanliness and encourages fellowship in disobedience? What sort of harmony, partnership or union can the real Holy Spirit engage in with blatant disobedience instigated by pride?

The Temple of the Living God
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a PARTNER with wickedness? How can light LIVE WITH darkness? 15 What HARMONY can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And WHAT UNION can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Haggai 2: 11 – 15
11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. 13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. 14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
15 And now, I pray you, “CONSIDER FROM THIS DAY YOUR WAYS”!

There is no better depiction of our ego- driven nature than this: “the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes”. Their philosophy was: ‘ Don’t tell me what to do’. However, this philosophy leaves you without checks and balances, exposing you to the dominating power of the flesh.

We are all capable of becoming ADDICTED to something.
Recognizing that is a very necessary first step to overcoming it. “the sin that so easily entangles …” (Hebrews 12: 1 NIV) may be food, money, sex, alcohol, pornography, popularity, TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you’re much more likely to capitulate if you’re ALONE and can ACT COVERTLY.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:10 CEV “..if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble”. Friend, you need to ‘turn on the light’ immediately by connecting with your support system and sharing your situation. Do not allow the DARKNESS OF ISOLATION to overpower you please. “if you fall, your friend (who is standing) can help you up …” Eccl 4: 10 CEV. Be reminded again, the pride that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed us with mature, caring people who recognize OUR COMMON STRUGGLES and will help us deal with them.

We are part of Christ’s church only if we connect with His Body in humility. We are Christ’s if only we have His Spirit. We have His Spirit if we allow Him to govern our lives in obedience. “Abide in Me, and I abide in you”. Then, ‘if one member suffers, all members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” – 1Corinthians 12: 26 NAS. Even Moses was instructed by God, “Select … some … honest men who fear God … They will help you carry the load” – Exodus 18: 21- 22 NLT.

Accept the help God provides!

Paraphrased by The Liteman from the original “The Word For Today” Devotional for Sunday, 20th May, 2012

The Liteman T