4D

4D

Have you ever watched a 3D (three-dimensional) movie? If so, did you reach out and try to touch the objects that seemed to ‘jump’ off the screen; or did you see someone else reach out? Why? Through science, our eyes are fooled into believing that objects projected onto a flat screen somehow extend off that screen. A third dimension, depth, seems to have magically been added to the two-dimensional screen. Our brains, taken in by this mirage, stimulate an instinctive reaction to touch or grab the phantom objects. For the young or gullible, there may be an actual sense of surprise or disappointment when they realize there is nothing there.

In a similar way, ignorance or rejection of God’s truth allows Satan, the world and our flesh to warp our perceptions, thinking, desires and behaviors in a way that leads to disastrous results. Below we examine four dimensions related to deviation from God's truth.

In the Garden of Eden, God spoke to Adam saying:

• Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
• God created man and placed him in paradise. In love, He gave Adam and Eve the freedom to obey or rebel. God set humanity apart for His special purposes and then clearly shared the truth about the consequences of their choices.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Deception

• Genesis 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
• In direct contradiction to the Word of God, Satan deceived Eve and a seed of doubt was planted in her mind. There is no truth in the father of lies!
• John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Delusion

• Genesis 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
• Once Eve doubted the Word of God, the seed of doubt germinated and delusional thinking began to grow. God will not be glorified when ungrateful arrogance leads to foolishness.
• Romans 1:21-22 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,

Desire

• Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
• The evil fruit of unholy desire blossomed as Eve freely chose to disobey God; human sin was born. When Adam followed his wife into sin, death began its reign on earth.
• James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Death

• As Jesus prayed in John 17:17, the Word of God is truth.
• Without the truth, people are susceptible to lies.
• Lies believed lead to false perceptions.
• False perceptions give rise to corrupt longings.
• Corrupt longings uniting with a willing heart results in sin.
• Unforgiven sin separates a person from God.
• Separation from God is spiritual death.
• As declared by God in Genesis 2:16-17, sin results in death.

With regards to God’s Truth, the ignorant (those who don’t know), the immature (those who don’t accept) and the iconoclast (those who corrupt and reject) are all in danger of eternal separation from God!

• 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

Jesus Christ is the only means by which sinful humanity can be saved from God’s wrath against sin.

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Prayer

Father, it is only by Your Spirit that these truths can be understood. It is only Your Word that can bring about the salvation of those who have not surrendered to Christ as Lord and Savior. I beg You Lord, use the truth of Your Word and the power of Your Holy Spirit to move in the heart of anyone who may read this devotion. Send a witness to anyone who needs a Christian to explain these truths. I praise You for Your grace and mercy. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

 

  

Wisdom Is Not Enough

Wisdom Is Not Enough


A Promise from God

How many times have you found yourself wishing or praying that you had more wisdom? More than likely, many times (if not, you may have an issue with pride). How comforting it is to know that God has promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it.

• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

But that promise comes with a condition, you must ask in faith!

• James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

However, it can be very dangerous to focus too much on wisdom; presuming that enough wisdom will ensure we always do the right thing. Though wisdom is clearly exalted in the Bible (see Proverbs 4), Wisdom Is Not Enough!


Solomon’s Wisdom

When Solomon became King of Israel, he asked God for wisdom; and God granted his request. God made Solomon the wisest man of all time (past, present and future)!

• 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
• 1 Kings 3:11-12 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

For two amazing testimonies concerning Solomon’s wisdom, read the following scripture:

• 1 Kings 3:16-28 (Divide the child)
• 1 Kings 10:1-9 (Queen of Sheba)

Yet despite all the blessings on Solomon and the nation of Israel, when he was old, Solomon turned to other Gods!

• 1 Kings 11:4-8 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. 8 And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
• For more details and to learn about the consequences of Solomon’s sin, read 1 Kings 11:1-12.

What You Need

So, obviously wisdom alone cannot guarantee that you will live a life that honors God over the long haul. Here is a list of some additional characteristics that will help you live your life in a way that brings glory to God (this list is definitely not all inclusive). Pray for each of these traits to define your life before God and the world.

Sacredness

• 1 Peter 1:15-16 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
• Although we will always fall short while living in this sinful world, we strive through the power of the Holy Spirit to emulate God’s moral perfection. We are set apart for special use by God.

Separation

• 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
• Although we are called to love and serve the lost and hurting, we must maintain a measure of separation to guard against being enticed by or entangled in the sins of others.

Self-discipline

• Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
• As Christ taught us, the only reliable defense we have to stand strong in the face of temptation is the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-11 and Psalm 119:9-11). Using scripture will help you resist the things that draw you away from God.

Submissiveness

• 1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
• To obey with the right motives and attitudes honors God more than any sacrifice you can make. The Bible also calls us to submit to our government, our parents, our church leaders, our spouses and our bosses (when this does not cause us to sin).

Selflessness

• 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
• To put other’s needs ahead of our own, especially when it causes us to suffer, is a true display of God-like love. Jesus Christ set the ultimate example of this as he selflessly gave His life on a Roman cross to pay the debt for our sin.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for the wisdom You so generously give to those who reverence You. However, I pray that You will help all Your children to avoid focusing too much on any one particular virtue taught in scripture. May Your Spirit guide us to read Your Word in its entirety and in context. Empower us to live according to Your Wisdom, Love, Grace, Mercy and so much more. Help us to be more like Christ every single day. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.