My brother is a pastor and sends out an encouraging weekly e-mail to the men in his church. I subscribe to it not only because he’s my brother, but he is a gifted theologian that inspires me to learn more about THE WORD. His latest e-mail has stopped me in my tracks and has me pondering and questioning my “hearing” and “philosophy”. Read and think on it….
~What are you listening to?
There are many sources of information and influence that we “listen” to on a regular basis. Last week I talked about “wisdom” and it led me to look again at the wonderful book of Proverbs in the Scriptures. The first nine chapters form an introduction to the book, a strong plea to “listen” or “hear” the instruction of a father who is leading his sons to the truth of God’s way. Here is how the book opens:
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning. So the question is: “Who are you listening to?”
Occasionally when driving I will listen to the radio instead of the podcasts that I download. Here is a sampling of the stuff that I have heard on the radio:
I will leave the names of the programs out so we don’t get hung up on personalities…
- A talk show host instructed a young man on how to manipulate his pregnant girlfriend into getting an abortion by feigning his love for her, telling her that he wanted to have children just not right now. After accomplishing his task, he would then “dump her.”
- A sports talk show host said in reference to the steroid controversy in sports: “it’s not cheating if you don’t get caught.”
- An advertisement for pet health insurance where the ad literally equated having health insurance for your pet with health insurance for your children. They are just as much a part of the family…
- Several Bible teachers who misunderstand Christian doctrine, mis-use the Bible, try and use Greek language references and fail miserably because they don’t know the language…and one prominent well known Bible teacher slander a whole group of other Christians. I heard a Bible teacher call other Christians uninformed about what the Bible teaches and then used a hymn to back his main point up. (someone has said the most dangerous place for a Christian is the Christian book store, the same may be true of Christian radio…beware of what you hear on the radio)
Sometimes the things we listen to in our modern culture are mixed up and confused and the wise man demonstrates discernment in rejecting those foolish perspectives. But that is not the only source of our “hearing.” Many of us are listening to our own selves. We have formulated a philosophy of life, a view of the world and how it works, and we live by that “doctrine” over and above everything else. We may have learned this from our father, our friends…most likely we accumulated this “philosophy” over time and we really don’t know where we got it. This philosophy affects everything: our perspective about life and people; our self-image and identity; our attitude and character. That is why Solomon took great pains to pass on wisdom to his son. I call it brainwashing. I like that word, it helped me to understand that it was a process. I wanted to pass on to my kids the right set of perspectives on life and living. Brainwashing made me think about how I did that. It also made me think about my own brain/mind.
So we end up with ideas and attitudes, beliefs and opinions that have nothing to do with truth, and nothing to do with Christianity, and it matters. It makes a difference. It makes a difference in our demeanor, behavior, speech and values. It plays out in our homes and workplaces. Our job as men is to examine the fortress of our mind to make sure that it is sound. It guards our soul and our home.
So again, I ask you, what are you listening to?
Here is advice from Paul:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
I am praying for you, ~
I am praying for you too my brother. Love you!
“If we could understand everything God does, then He’d have to be a small god–small enough to fit in our little minds.
“~ Randy Alcorn ~
The following verses came to mind when I read this quote:
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
The problem is, we want answers. We want to know why. We want to know the plan. We want to be in control and when we can’t be in control we fuss and whine. I think the reason that we want control is deep down we have a trust problem. We don’t trust that God has our best interest in mind because we don’t fully understand him. We can’t put God in a neat little package. He’s not predictable. If we were truly honest we would admit that God is scarey and because He is scarey it is hard to trust Him.
But, scripture reminds us that because God is one to be feared, the only one to be feared, He is the one to be trusted:
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Phil 2:12-13 (NIV) …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Ps 118:4 (NIV) Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom which shows us His love and that love is our hope.
I read this quote and I am not sure who wrote it, but I like it:
“Our world is… longing to see people whose God is big and holy and frightening and gentle and tender… and ours; a God whose love frightens us into His strong and powerful arms where He longs to whisper those terrifying words, ‘I love you.'”
For more thoughts on this quote, head on over to Joy in the Morning
“The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love.”
Henry Scougal (The Life of God in the Soul of Man), quoted by John Piper in The Pleasures of God
When I read this quote, the chorus of the song Torn Between Two Lovers (by Peter Yarrow) came to mind:
Torn between two lovers, feelin’ like a fool
Lovin’ both of you is breakin’ all the rules
Torn between two lovers, feelin’ like a fool
Lovin’ you both is breakin’ all the rules
I know! Corny, oh so corny but for me, those words truly reflect my life here on earth. My constant battle to be in the world but not of the world. The constant battle of the old man and the new man fighting it out for control. The constant battle of Christ having first place in my life or listening to Satan’s easy way out.
The following verse really does a nice job of showing where my focus is sometimes:
“Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity (futility) and chasing after the wind and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecc. 2:11
That verse is so ME, ME, ME oriented. That is what happens when I hold the steering wheel! Futility, chasing after the wind and no profit whatsoever; not a very worthy or excellent soul.
But, when I have the right focus, when the object of my love is Christ and his wonderous work that all changes:
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Where is my focus? That is a daily question! May it be on Christ my Savior! It’s ALL ABOUT JESUS! Blessings on you all today. For more In Other Words, visit Laurel Wreath and be encouraged.
“Under the banner of God, victory is always assured; but apart from it, defeat is a certainty.
When the banner of God’s rod was not held high, Amalek prevailed.
You can’t do battle against the flesh under your own power.”
~ Kay Arthur ~
Lord, I Want to Know You
Banner:
1. the flag of a country, army, troop, etc.
2. an ensign or the like bearing some device, motto, or slogan, as one carried in religious processions, political demonstrations, etc.
Banner:
Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord Our Banner – The rod of God – the cross of Christ lifted up.
A banner is usually associated with war and battles. It was used to rally the troops, to encourage and to direct the army. It was a sign of unity and a common cause – United Defiance – a way of saying, “I double dog dare you!” This is also why it is the object of attack. If the enemy could get the banner, they would win the war.
Jesus has already won the ultimate victory over sin and death. He has the ultimate power over the spiritual battles we face. We must call upon that power in our battles. We must look to Jesus and lift him up in our spiritual wars. This means we must be prepared to fight – we must take out our banner and lift it high.
Our banner is stored in a very important box – the Word of God. If we don’t open the Word of God, study and apply the scripture – our battle will be lost. Jesus is our victory, but that does not mean we will not have any battles. We must be prepared to fight as Ephesians 6 exhorts us:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Be encouraged today! Let Jesus out of the box! Look unto Jesus – Our Banner – And Fight the Good Fight.
Hebrews 2:12 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Head on over to Joy in the Morning for more Tuesdays In “other” Words thoughts.
ht: image
Above the Clouds 