I was sitting in church last Sunday morning and a light bulb moment occurred in my head.
The odd thing about it is that I've read this passage of Scripture many times in the past and apparently I just didn't get the true meaning, which just boggles my mind.
Galatians 5:19-23
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Our world has made laws against things such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, etc. We can go to jail, and even in some countries, be killed for committing any of the above listed in Scripture.
However, there are no laws against love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, etc.
The light bulb moment came when our pastor said this: "Imagine saying 'I love you' and then being told you are under arrest." That doesn't happen!
As Christians, we should practice and live the 'fruit of the Spirit.' I believe we will all be a lot happier if we do!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Hiding
I came across this verse today and it practically smacked me in the face.
Proverbs 10:18 "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."
How many times have I been like that??????? Oooooooo, this verse cut right to the heart!!!!
I have, down through all my years of life, been guilty of hatred towards others.
The Hebrew definition for hideth (or hide) is this:
kâsâh (kaw-saw')
A primitive root; properly to plump, that is, fill up hollows; by implication to cover (for clothing or secrecy): - clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines hide as:
HIDE, v.t. pret. hid; pp. hid, hidden.
1. To conceal; to withhold or withdraw from sight; to place in any state or position in which the view is intercepted from the object. The intervention of the moon between the earth and the sun hides the latter from our sight. The people in Turkey hide their grain in the earth. No human being can hide his crimes or his neglect of duty from his Maker.
2. To conceal from knowledge; to keep secret.
Depart to the mountains; hide yourselves there three days. Josh 2.
Tell me now what thou hast done--hide it not from me. Josh 7.
3. In Scripture, not to confess or disclose; or to excuse and extenuate.
I acknowledged my sin to thee, and my iniquity have I not hid. Psa 32.
4. To protect; to keep in safety.
To hide the face, to withdraw spiritual presence, support and consolation.
Thou didst hide thy face,and I was troubled. Psa 30.
How many times do I/we put on a smiling face in front of the person(s) I/we hate? It doesn't matter what they said or did, I/we will be a fool if I/we hate them for it.
That's not to say it's easy to forgive and forget. But that's what I/we are supposed to do and let God work out the situation.
I've learned and continue to learn that if I just go to God and cast my cares and burdens on Him and let Him work everything out in His time, everything turns out right.
I do not want to have hatred in my heart nor have lying lips. Lord, help me!
Proverbs 10:18 "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."
How many times have I been like that??????? Oooooooo, this verse cut right to the heart!!!!
I have, down through all my years of life, been guilty of hatred towards others.
The Hebrew definition for hideth (or hide) is this:
kâsâh (kaw-saw')
A primitive root; properly to plump, that is, fill up hollows; by implication to cover (for clothing or secrecy): - clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines hide as:
HIDE, v.t. pret. hid; pp. hid, hidden.
1. To conceal; to withhold or withdraw from sight; to place in any state or position in which the view is intercepted from the object. The intervention of the moon between the earth and the sun hides the latter from our sight. The people in Turkey hide their grain in the earth. No human being can hide his crimes or his neglect of duty from his Maker.
2. To conceal from knowledge; to keep secret.
Depart to the mountains; hide yourselves there three days. Josh 2.
Tell me now what thou hast done--hide it not from me. Josh 7.
3. In Scripture, not to confess or disclose; or to excuse and extenuate.
I acknowledged my sin to thee, and my iniquity have I not hid. Psa 32.
4. To protect; to keep in safety.
To hide the face, to withdraw spiritual presence, support and consolation.
Thou didst hide thy face,and I was troubled. Psa 30.
How many times do I/we put on a smiling face in front of the person(s) I/we hate? It doesn't matter what they said or did, I/we will be a fool if I/we hate them for it.
That's not to say it's easy to forgive and forget. But that's what I/we are supposed to do and let God work out the situation.
I've learned and continue to learn that if I just go to God and cast my cares and burdens on Him and let Him work everything out in His time, everything turns out right.
I do not want to have hatred in my heart nor have lying lips. Lord, help me!
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