| Denying the Power July 6, 2005 |
2 Timothy 3:2-5 NKJV 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self- control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! The verse says "having a form of godliness but denying its power". This is such a powerful but sad statement. What does it mean? Think of it as having a nuclear weapon but using it as a coat rack. That's serious denial. God gave us the power to live godly lives but we rarely use it. Instead, we run scared from the devil, forgetting that God has given us authority over him. Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. God isn’t saying that just to sound good or to hear Himself talk. He means every word! Why do we deny the power that God has given us? Mostly, because it is easier to believe Satan’s lies. Satan tells us that he knows what we did last summer and we get scared. (However, some people like myself, don’t have to look that far back.) But, when Satan comes to us throwing history in our faces, we need to remember that God also knows what we did and it doesn’t change not one promise that He made to us. Isaiah 54:17 NKJV No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. 1 John 1:8-10 KJV 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. So now we have to live out God’s word. We have to stop denying the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. We don’t want to turn out like the people described in 2 Tim. 3:2-5. We want to be the people in 1 Pet. 2:9-10. God knows who we are and what He has put in us. Do you? 1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray |