by Ps.Melven-19th August 2018
The world is on the edge of collapse and we call it the end-of-days. When the persecution comes, which it will, we have to have our basics/foundations right to remain strong.
Revelation 12:15-17
15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
When there’s a crack in the foundation, perhaps due to a overgrown root or accumulation/stagnation of water causing the foundation to collapse.
To recapitulate what we spoke about, we can broadly classify the consequences of bitterness as –
- Deception
- Defilement/Stained
- Depression
So, what can we do to have this removed?
- Plant
Psalms 92:13,14
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
- Water it
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
- Fertilize it
Luke 13:6-9
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it [b]use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
All this arises and concludes into one promise –
2 Kings 19:30
30 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah
Shall again take root downward,
And bear fruit upward.
One of the prominent roots that needs to be addressed is – Comparisons.
Where do you first experience comparisons?
As a child – “Oh look. She resembles her mother so much”
This may have been innocent but, as life flies by, comparisons roots itself so deep that it becomes second nature.
John 21:18-23
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
To provide context –
Jesus is talking to Peter about feeding His sheep. As he does so, Jesus also mentions how Peter is going to die a martyrs death.
Peter may have been afraid to die a martyr’s death and hence, it is highly evident that, that is the reason he betrayed Jesus. Nonetheless, Jesus reassured him that he would die a martyr’s death.
Now, Peter turns around and points to John and asks (in plain words) “What about Him? He is also going to die a horrible death also?”
The Curse, Effect and Cure for Comparisons.
Curse of Comparison:
- Creates a Inferiority or Superiority complex:
We either feel inferior or superior to the person we are comparing to; in other words, Insecurity or Pride.
- Produces an anger toward God:
Before any sort of comparing, we know that God is in control and He gives/take away. In the process of comparison, we show our bias or anger toward God.
When we see our fellow bother or dear friend enjoying life, eating and making merry, we tend to gravitate our anger towards God as a result of our envy.
Produces anger towards people around you & toward yourself.
This generally trickles down from God towards people, as anger consumes you and then it finally falls on top of you. The weight of comparisons will breed hate toward yourself.
Matthew 27:37-40
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Loving God is partly full as the love and fervency you have for God should not find any other place. However, loving ‘your neighbor’ originates within yourself.
If you do not love yourself, how then can you love your neighbor?
- Opens the door for Satan:
James 3:14-16
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Envy is jealousy toward a persons good possessions or good times. This is an open door to the demonic.
Psalm 106:16,17
16 When they envied Moses in the camp,
And Aaron the saint of the Lord,
17 The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan,
And covered the faction of Abiram.
Also, Pilate knew that Jesus was delivered into his hands because of the envy of His own people.
Causes of Comparisons:
Remember, this may not be easy to read or live out, but Jesus promises to be there with you every step of the way!
- Lack of acceptance:
Lack of acceptance of what God has made/designed me to be. It can also appear the form of hating what gifts & abilities God has placed in your life.
The Lord does not give anyone the whole package. Only Jesus had this in Him.
This is the reason God, in His stupendous foreknowledge, choose uneducated fishermen & educated teachers to reach our to us, educated folk. And, without seeing the magnificence of the greatness of God, we act uneducated and foolish to compare ourselves with the world or our fellow brethren.
Each one of us have a part to play in building up of the whole architecture of the Church. Each one of us is important.
1 Cor 12:7,11
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Should we then get envious of the gifts others have? God knows which gift(s) you can handle.
- Lack of identity:
Lack of what we are in the Lord. Possibly the desire for a title or the apprehension of taking on one.
2 Corinthians 10:12
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Do we dare ‘class ourselves‘ – This is the major issue occurring in church today!
When we begin to compare, it becomes demonic, sensual and earthly. Envy & Jealousy are the associates of comparison.
Envy is related to the objects/things in someone’s possessions whereas Jealousy is specific to people.
- Covetousness:
Col 3:5
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
In a basic sense or if covetousness is , bluntly, greed with a mask.
E.g.: You are not happy with what you have but would like to have someone else’s things.
How can covetousness become idolatry?
When something takes the place of God, it becomes Idolatry. And, taken at its literal context, covetousness keeps the thing/possession you want in the place of God.
Rom 1: 21-25
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Things to notice –
- “They knew God” – Do you know God, like He wants to be known?
- “nor were thankful” – The entire passage revolves around being thankful and the negative aspects of not being thankful.
Thankfulness is the basic aspect of Godly-Living.
How to glorify God?
When your focus is on things/people other than God, then you are attributing to them the glory due to God.
In simple terms, what can you do to make sure you glorify God.
Cure for comparisons:
- Magnification:
The process of magnification is quite simple. What you place before the magnifier, magnifies.
Ask yourself this – What is the big picture in your life today?
Magnifying anyone/anything other than God gives access to the devil.
- Thankfulness:
Showing gratitude towards God.
Gratitude is Grace-attitude. When you believe that all that you hold & have today is God-gifted; something that you don’t deserve, the natural reaction is heart-filled thankfulness.
How you respond to the grace of God is imperative!
- Renewing your mind:
Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Col 3:2
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
How do you renew one’s mind?
Luke 10:27
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
The only way to love the Lord is to spend time with Him –
- Reading his Word
- Praying and resting in His presence
When you choose the Lord and His word above all else, then you magnify & glorify Him.
Again, all this boils down to one promise.
2 Kings 19:30
30 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah
Shall again take root downward,
And bear fruit upward.
“Shall again take root” – Remember, God is grace & grace always gives second chances.
