DON’T GET IN YOUR OWN WAY
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Tuesday 31 December
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2 Timothy 2:25 (KJV)
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. James 1:21 (AMPC)
Have you ever heard the saying that you can be your own worst enemy? I’m sure we all have at one time or another. No matter who you are or where you come from, this statement holds some truth. Not everyone has the advantage that the believer has though. The ability to weigh every thought, feeling, word and motive with the Word of God to see how it measures up. The problem comes when we neglect to use this invaluable instrumentation that we possess.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,’
The word doctrine means teaching. The word reproof means evidence. Then we have correction and instruction in the life of righteousness. This is largely the responsibility of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist and Pastor/Teacher. The four-fold or ascension gift ministries.
The main reason we have these offices in the Body of Christ is to carry out teaching, provide evidence, correct and instruct those in our spiritual care. When these ‘gifts’ are ignored or rejected, many can go into error because they have not yet learned to ‘rightly divide the scriptures’ for themselves. When we speak and act contrary to the Word we are actually opposing or standing against ourselves. We become the limiting factor and destructive force in our own lives usually through sheer ignorance.
If you are a Christian, speak in line with, not in opposition to, the Word of God.
In Proverbs 13:13 Solomon says ‘Whoever despises the Word and counsel brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment is rewarded.’
Don’t be someone who gets in the way of their own success or snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. Selah.
In our first text scripture, we see the word meekness. Meekness is an old fashioned word for a word that seems to be going out of fashion for most. Humility. In this instance we see the instructor is encouraged to display this attitude to his instructees in the hope that they will change their mind about and acknowledge or come to the knowledge of the truth. Humility doesn’t mean walking around with your head down and being a doormat. It means to present the instruction in a non-judgmental manner because we are all learning and growing in the Word aren’t we?
The second one is focussed on the instructee. Live a clean life in terms of your outward behaviours. Note that this is not an indication of the righteousness of God that you have become in Christ. It is simply dealing with conduct. Next it tells them to ‘receive and welcome the word.’ Also, when it says the word ‘is able to save your souls’ to the Christian it is not talking about salvation. That is eternally settled.
In Psalm 119:130 David says ‘The entrance of your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple’. Ultimately it is our choice to accept and allow the word of God to enter into our spirit to enlighten us and to give us understanding of what it says. Like everything in the word of God, it is up to us to stay in the place of humility and teachability to ensure that we are not the saboteurs of our own successes that are ours in Christ.
The best way to allow the Spirit to lead and guide us is to actually let the Lordship of His word ‘take the wheel’ of our life, let go of control and enjoy the ride.
APPLICATION
Meditate on all the progression you will have in your life in 2025 when you learn to receive instruction from God’s word with humility and a teachable heart.