overcoming self

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling1Php 2:12 AV

We are solely responsible for what we believe.  No matter who tells us something, we MUST validate the ideas and concepts within the word of God!22Co 10:5 AV  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ  3Ac 17:11 NIV  Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. If we do not know the word of God, we are like a ship without a rudder, the enemy will carry us off into captivity with his lies.42Ti 4:3-4 AV  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  5Joh 8:32 AV  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  We MUST desire God above all things, even above the very things of God!6Mt 6:33 AV   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  The kingdom of God does not consist of his things but of his right and authority to rule.7Mt 7:21-23 AV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  8Lu 6:46 NIV  “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  9Jas 2:19 NIV  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Consider: If I don’t know the truth how can I recognize a lie?  By reading the account of Jesus’ temptation I learn that the enemy can be very subtle, slightly twisting and taking the truth out of context in an attempt to deceive.10Lu 4:1-13 AV  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Jesus prevails because he is truth, the word made flesh.11Joh 1:14 NIV  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  12Joh 14:6 AV  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The word is a person, how can I know and have a relationship with Jesus and not know the word that became flesh?

Further Consideration: How important is the word of God in my life?  What role does it play?  If someone looked at my life what would they conclude?  Do I really believe hiding God’s word in my heart is essential?13Ps 119:11 AV  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  14Jos 1:8 AV  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

My Prayer: Lord, my failures are eclipsed by your blood and righteousness; I trust that you will complete the work that you have begun in me.15Php 1:6 AV  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ I humble myself, have your way in me.  Please give me a delight in you and your word that awakens me to your call and the grace to whole heartedly respond in agreement with you! Amen.