James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The Word of God is to be taken literally and spiritually. Every story and lesson is to be applied to lives in the natural and in the spiritual. We are created by God in three parts; body, soul, and spirit. Our bodies are the natural part of us. It is just a tent or housing for our soul and spirit. Our bodies will die and return to the dust of the earth. On the other hand, our souls and spirits will live on forever.
God’s Word feeds all three parts of the human being. Therefore, it is to be taken and applied in the natural and in the spiritual. While applying the Word naturally is very important, it is the spiritual application that is far greater because our spirit controls our body.
Jesus knew the heart of the Pharisees and He called them out. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34) Our spirit is referred to as our heart because it is at the center of our being. What is in our heart (our spirit) will be manifested in our speech and actions. Although the Pharisees appeared to be holy, Jesus saw their hearts. He knew their hearts were evil. That’s why He called them a bunch of snakes!
Jesus’ brother, James, spoke to the Church in a direct fashion. I like James because he does not mince words. He called the believers out for what was going on. It was happening in the natural but it was caused by their spiritual condition. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of Wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the Truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. (James 3:13-15)
The things they were doing (their works) looked good to the world but their hearts were self-seeking. In the natural, it appeared righteous but spiritually, it was earthly, sensual, and demonic. What we do in the natural does not dictate to and change our spirit. What we do in the natural is the manifestation of our spirit. As Jesus said, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
We do not have the power to change our actions because we cannot change our hearts. This is the Work of the Holy Spirit of God. Only He can change the heart (spirit) of a person. God wants to change us. He wants to give us new desires. He wants us to operate in His Wisdom.
Prior to Jesus dying on the Cross of Calvary, no one had access to the Holy Spirit of God. He made periodic visits to certain individuals, but He did not dwell within them. Jesus went to the Cross so the Holy Spirit could come and dwell within us. But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (John 16:7)
This happened when Jesus was Crucified and Resurrected. At that time, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts (spirits) of believers; those who have faith in what Jesus did for them; faith in His Finished Work on the Cross of Calvary. It all comes back to the Cross of Christ and what Jesus accomplished there on Crucifixion Day. On that Day everything changed. On that Day everything of God was made available to those who choose to believe. I pray you are in that group.
On Crucifixion Day, God turned the tide.
He is about to….…….turn the tide ……….again.
I’m ready! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
