C. I. Scofield reminds us of this sobering fact concerning personal responsibility, sin, and the Holy Spirit.
"No Christian needs to sin. If he yields to solicitation from without, or the more subtle suggestions from within, it is because he deliberately or carelessly wills it so. The Spirit is there to break the power of sin." -C. I. Scofield
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. -1 Co 10:13
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True worship begins with the heart. If the heart is not right -- if Jesus is not present and sitting on your heart's throne, then it is impossible to worship God in truth and spirit (John 4:23-24). A self-examination of the heart and prayerful attitude will help develop true worship. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. (Psalm 26:2) Have You Heard the Good News of Salvation? Want to know more? Click Here!
THE HEART’S WORSHIP. -Bowring The offerings to Thy throne which rise, Of mingled praise and prayer, Are but a worthless sacrifice, Unless the heart be there. Upon Thine all-discerning ear Let no vain words intrude; No tribute but the vow sincere,— The tribute of the good. Our offerings will indeed be blest, If sanctified by Thee; If Thy pure spirit touch the breast With its own purity. O, may that spirit warm each heart To piety and love, And to life’s lowly vale impart Some rays from heaven above.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 It is interesting the number of different ways that God makes known his will. In the Old Testament, he spoke through a burning bush to Moses and in a small still voice to Elijah. God disclosed his will in visions and dreams to the Prophets and, on one occasion, through a talking donkey. In the New Testament, the Apostles used the roll-of-the-dice (casting lots) for Judas’ replacement; and the Holy Spirit spoke to the collective church body to send Paul and Barnabas on the first New Testament missionary journey. In the both Old Testament and New Testament, it was the personal responsibility of the individual to be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit. Moses had to hear and surrender to God through the burning bush. Balaam had to listen to the donkey. Paul, Barnabas, and the church had to acknowledge and act on the Spirit’s instruction. Today we have the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer and the Word of God (The Bible) to speak to us. The Word and Spirit are in harmony. The Holy Spirit is the interpreter of the Word, and the Word is interpreted in the correct intent of the author since the author is the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, we often look to the Word without seeking the help of the Spirit to interpret the correct intent and meaning. The Pharisees are a good example of stressing the letter of the law without the seeking the spirit of the Word. When reading, studying or meditating on the Word of God, we should by prayer seek the Spirit to guide us into all truth. Pray for the guidance of the Spirit before reading the Word of God, after reading the Word of God, and while reading the Word of God. He is indispensable in understanding it!
I am often told by people that the Bible is too hard to understand and therefore they do not read it. What if the Bible read like a first grade reader? What then would they say? Could a book that reveals the nature and will of the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, be so shallow? R.A. Torrey addresses this issue:
It is clear that there must be difficulties for us in a revelation such as the Bible. If someone were to hand me a book that was as simple to me as the multiplication table, and say, 'This is the Word of God. In it He has revealed His whole will and wisdom,' I would shake my head and say, 'I cannot believe it; that is too easy to be a perfect revelation of infinite wisdom.' There must be, in any complete revelation of God's mind and will and character and being, things hard for the beginner to understand; and the wisest and best of us are but beginners.
Nevertheless, God has made understanding the Bible easy for those who seek to know the LORD and find His will by giving us His Spirit as a teacher and a guide. Just like when Jesus spoke in parables so that only the sincere seekers could know the meaning, the Bible speak to those who seek to know him and his will -- and only to those that will allow the Spirit to teach them.
Are you seeking and are you willing to let the Lord's will become your will? Then let the Spirit help you search the scriptures.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Proverbs 28:5
It is our desire to glorify our Lord. If you find Daily Wisdom Tidbits rewarding, please consider sharing them with a friend and sign up to receive our nuggets of wisdom by email.
