1 John 2:15 NET “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 2:16 because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. 2:17 And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.”

Let’s talk about being famous and the price for fame. That’s what caused the Devil to fall so hard. He wanted to be famous. It wasn’t enough that he was the anointed Cherub. It wasn’t enough that he had a place on the holy mountain of God, and walked among the stones of fire in the presence of The Most High. It wasn’t enough that he was clothed with every precious jewel when he was created. Just beautiful. He wasn’t made with those intimidating horns and a pitchfork like the pictures show him. It wasn’t enough that he was created with musical instruments built inside of him. Yes! This spirit being was formed by God with musical instruments as part of his anatomy! WOW! God is an awesome creator! Is it any wonder then that Satan (who is the ruler of this world 1 John 5:19) has a thriving music business? Is it any wonder that everywhere you turn there is the sound of music?

Ezekiel 28:13 KJV “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. [14] Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

The spirit being today known as Satan the Devil was not content with the many rich blessings God bestowed upon him. He wanted more. He wanted it all! He wanted to be famous. He thought to himself that he would be exalted to a position high as the throne of God! He made a serious miscalculation. And committed a terrible sin. Satan went after celebrity and fame at all cost. And it costed him everything! He cannot return to that which he lost. And will burn in the lake of fire forever just like every other enemy of God. He will not be in hell ruling with a pitchfork like he wants people to think. He’s done and he knows it:

Revelation 12:7-10,12 NET “Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 12:8 But the dragon was not strong enough to prevail, so there was no longer any place left in heaven for him and his angels. 12:9 So that huge dragon – the ancient serpent, the one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world – was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him. 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the ruling authority of his Christ, have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, the one who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down. 12:12 Therefore you heavens rejoice, and all who reside in them! But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has come down to you! He is filled with terrible anger, for he knows that he only has a little time!”

Matthew 25:41 HCSB “Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!”

Revelation 20:10 KJV “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Boy, the devil and his cohorts have been having a rough time of it since their rebellion. And it will get even worse for all eternity. Look at famous people today? Do there lives seem to go any different than Satan’s? The massive suicides, deaths, drug overdoses, insanity cases, depression, etcetera, is the norm for these people. Is there something to this? Is it that Satan is these folks real god, and he can only give them what he has; fear, misery, death, depression, and destruction?

Do you want to be famous? Are you willing to risk it all like Satan did for celebrity? Even your own soul? Before you do consider something Jesus the son of the true God said:

Matthew 16:26 KJV “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall man give in exchange for his soul?”

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Jude 4 HCSB “For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.”

Just as the Stealth Fighter Jet is used for war and designed to avoid detection by the enemy, Satan has an army full of Stealth Fighters. Their sole purpose is to destroy God’s church. Only they are people. People who are skilled at working under the radar. If allowed to remain these folks can cause much damage.

THE PLAN

Revelation 12:17 KJV “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Satan has one goal: to destroy God’s church. Nothing else matters to him. EVERYTHING going on in the world (which he rules) is centered around that. (1 John 5:19 Revelation 12:9 Ephesians 6:12 2:1-2 John 14:30) EVERYTHING people think is going on is just a smoke screen to distract them, suck them into Satan’s world, and blind them from the truth. The Devil turns them into his soldiers. But not all of these are super soldiers. Yes, you’re either a part of the problem or a part of the solution. You’re either on the side of light or on the side of darkness. There is no in between. You’re either serving the cause of God or the cause of the Devil, whether you know it or not. It is that cut and dried. Jesus Himself said, ‘He that is not for me is against me.’ (Luke 11:23)

THE SUPER SOLDIER

The super soldier is one who acts with stealth. He/she can cloak themselves to look just like a Christian. Satan’s super soldiers can quote scripture, do good deeds, sing gospel songs, etcetera, all with no qualm. The goal is to deceive the real believer into thinking they’re just like him/her. This act takes a lot of work. But it’s worth it to the deceiver. Why would someone go through so much trouble to fool a true believer in Jesus Christ? Why is any lie ever conceived? Why was the first lie told by the Devil in The Garden Of Eden? To gain control over the victims. That’s what all lies are designed to do. Satan’s super soldiers desire to gain control over or influence the church. This is Jezebel style witchcraft religion. And God is ready to judge all who partake in it. In fact their judgement/condemnation was ordained long ago.

Jude 4 HCSB “For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.”

TWO SUPER SOLDIERS

Ananias and Sapphira were super soldiers/Stealth Fighters of the Devil. They slipped in among the church during the first century. They activated their cloaking devices and everyone thought they were Christians just like them. That is until God revealed to the apostle Peter and the rest of the church what was really going on. You see the Devil’s stealth technology is not full proof. Whenever the Holy Spirit decides to uncover a wicked intruder and their motives it’s very easy for Him to do so.

If you read the Bible book of Acts you will see a beautiful thing; God’s church in it’s early stages. The believers were of one mind and heart. They shared their belongings with one another, enjoyed hearing the apostles teaching, prayed together, enjoyed each other’s fellowship, shared meals together, etcetera. Not a few believers even sold properties they owned and placed the money at the feet of the apostles so they could distribute it to anyone who had a need. (Acts 2:42-47) This was true love in action. The kind of love that Jesus said identifies us as true disciples.

James 2:15-17 NET “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.”

1 John 3:16-19 NET “We have come to know love by this: that Jesus laid down his life for us; thus we ought to lay down our lives for our fellow Christians. 3:17 But whoever has the world’s possessions and sees his fellow Christian in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God reside in such a person? 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth. 3:19 And by this we will know that we are of the truth and will convince our conscience in his presence.”

John 13:34-35 NET “I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 13:35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.”

Ananias and Sapphira (his wife) also sold a property and brought the money to the apostles. Only they conspired to make it appear they were giving all the proceeds to the church. This was not true as they secretly held back some of the money for themselves. To make their story short God revealed their evil hearts to the whole church and struck them both dead. Why did these two conspire to do such a wicked thing? Why was it so important for them to mislead others into thinking they were more generous than they really were? For the same reason every lie is told. To gain control or influence over the victims. By appearing to be good in the eyes of the church and the apostles they thought they could gain their trust, hence gain control over them. It is the same reason why super soldiers of Satan tell lies to the church today. When you come across people who claim to be Christians but go through painstaking efforts to look good, watch out!

Ananias and Sapphira were not true Christians at all! They were pretenders. Everyone else gave generously. They only pretended to do so. They were hypocrites! (Matthew 6:1-4) Like them modern day stealth fighters will always do their deeds to be seen and praised by others. It’s just the way that evil spirit operates. Jesus said a tree is known by it’s fruit:

Matthew 12:33 NET “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.”

Because Ananias and Sapphira committed this sin not just against the church but against God (Acts 5:3-5), they were very bad trees. We all have sinned, and fall short of God’s gory (Romans 3:23), but not all of us have committed a sin like this. Theirs was a sin against the Holy Spirit. Peter told Ananias, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to LIE TO THE HOLY GHOST, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3 KJV) Ananias and his wife attempted to prop themselves up (for whatever reason) to gain influence over God’s church. Their dishonesty showed who they really were. They were never with the believers in spirit, or cared about their physical or spiritual needs. They only wanted to make themselves look good.

AVOID PEOPLE LIKE THESE

Just as Ananias and Sapphira went in under the radar among the first century church some will slip in among us today, whose condemnation was ordained long ago. (Jude 4) God already knew this would happen. And it should be no surprise to us either. Only what should we do once God reveals that we have an intruder in our midst?

Romans 16:17-18 NET “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. AVOID THEM! 16:18 For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.”

2 Timothy 3:5 NET “They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So AVOID PEOPLE LIKE THESE.”

Jude 1:10 NET “But these men do not understand the things they slander, and they are being destroyed by the very things that, like irrational animals, they instinctively comprehend. 1:11 Woe to them! For they have traveled down Cain’s path, and because of greed have abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error; hence, they will certainly perish in Korah’s rebellion. 1:12 These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit – twice dead, uprooted; 1:13 wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved.”

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Proverbs 23:26 ESV “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

When I read this verse I thought, “That’s all God wants from us; our hearts. Not our ritualistic works that have no heart in them. God wants us to be engaged with Him on a deep personal level. He made us. We have our existence because of Him. If not for God NOTHING would be here. How can we not give Him our hearts? How can we go through life selfishly deceived?”

Almighty God; the creator of heaven and earth, invites us to observe His ways and get to know Him. God is no narcissist. He doesn’t get off on how many Likes he gets on social media. He doesn’t need our friendship. He doesn’t need anything. But oh how we have a great need for Him! God is inviting us to observe and delight in His ways not only that we may know Him but also to benefit ourselves.

God is not a tyrant. Yet if He wanted to He could force obedience from us. That would be very easy for Him to do. But we’re not robots. We are created in the very image of God. He designed us with freedom of choice. How amazing! Think about it for a moment: someone creates you (gives you life), and also gives you the ability to choose whether you want them or not. Remarkable! That is not the traits of an egotistical, control freak. Yet some say that’s what God is.

WHAT’S OUR DECISION?

What have we decided? Have we chosen to give God our heart? Or are we holding back on Him? God always initiates love first. He created us we didn’t create Him. He chose us first we did not choose Him. He gave us His greatest gift; His son, to redeem us from sin. We did not make a payment to Him. Will we let Him know that he is the delight and desire of our hearts? Or are we so busy with things of this world that we’ve gotten distracted, and have no time for God? Have we made so much money that we don’t think we need Him? Are we so beautiful (like some think) we feel we’re too much for Almighty God? Are we so smart that we don’t need His wisdom? We could go on and on with questions like these. But everything we have; our time, money, smarts, beauty, etcetera, all comes from God. In other words we wouldn’t have any of these things if it was not for Him. He created us! How many have turned things of this world into gods instead of worshiping and glorifying the one true God? This is insane!

It’s a supreme privilege to have the King Of The Universe as our friend. If you read the above verse (Proverbs 23:26) that invitation is extended to you. Just remember God is our creator. It’s not the other way around. Hence he has the right to give us instructions. The reason why so many are not friends with God is because they are unwilling to be taught the truth by Him. They hate the truth. And will not come near it for fear their evil deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-21) Let us not be that way. Let’s open our hearts to God and learn from Him. Let’s benefit ourselves:

Proverbs 2:1-8 NET “My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, 2:2 by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding, 2:3 indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice for understanding – 2:4 if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, 2:5 then you will understand how to fear the Lord, and you will discover knowledge about God. 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 2:7 He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity, 2:8 to guard the paths of the righteous and to protect the way of his pious ones.”

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Proverbs 9:10 NIV “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Knowledge of God (The Holy One) is true understanding. But it’s not salvation. And It does not turn us into gods like some think. Rather we understand the only true God better, understand ourselves, we understand our world; the past, present, and future. We even get to understand some things about heaven where God lives.

Knowledge of God does not give us the right to look down on others. True knowledge of God makes us do the very opposite. It causes us to humble ourselves and lifts others up. True knowledge of God promotes Love.

1 Corinthians 8:1 NET “We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”

Knowledge puffs up people big time. It can make a person feel like they’re on a higher level than others when they’ve never left the ground. The Devil knows this and uses this trick often. He used it on Adam and Eve. He told them to eat from the forbidden tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. To tempt them he added these benefits: (1) they would become wise, (2) they would not die, (3) their eyes would be opened, (4) and they would be as gods. WOW! (Genesis 3:4-5) They fell for it hook line and sinker.

When some get a certain amount of knowledge it is often mistaken as spiritual growth or maturity. The Pharisees had lots of knowledge (so it seemed). They could quote the scriptures backwards, forwards, and upside down. Yet they didn’t know how to apply them. They didn’t know God at all.

There are people who don’t have a lot of Bible knowledge but their faith is very large. The little they know they believe it with all their heart. They can’t quote the scriptures like the Pharisees, or know where to turn to find all the verses, but they love Jesus and fellow believers. This is what matters most to God not some showy display. Jesus once told a group of religious folks that diligently studied God’s word:

John 5:39-40 NIV “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

They completely missed the boat, and it was right in front of them. Some (like them) study until they’re blue in the face and miss it. Satan knows and quotes the Bible as good as anybody but he too cannot apply it. He is dead as far as eternal life is concerned. And will one day be thrown into the lake of burning fire where he will be tormented forever and ever. (Matthew 25:41 Revelation 20:10) This proves it’s not about how much knowledge you have (or think you have). It’s so sad that many are falling for this prideful trap.

BY THEIR FRUIT

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

If these fruit are not on the tree that tree is dead:

Matthew 7:15-20 NIV “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

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Galatians 1:10 NET “Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!”

These are strong words. They show that a person cannot be a people pleaser and be a servant of Jesus Christ at the same time. It is impossible. Many appear to be serving Christ while they are only striving to prove themselves to others.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NET “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.”

There is a huge difference between those who are living to please God and those who seek to impress others. The Pharisees were the latter. Listen to what Jesus said to them:

Luke 16:15 KJV “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

People pleasers will always justify themselves or make themselves look good in the eyes of others. This is how they want to be perceived; as innocent, good, and righteous. They resent anyone showing them their faults and causing them to feel guilt. This goes against what they are striving so hard to achieve. Jesus told the Pharisees (who always wanted to look good and justified themselves) that this made them an abomination in God’s sight: “For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,” Jesus said. Wanting to be highly esteemed (or look so good) in the eyes of others is pride. And God hates pride:

Proverbs 8:13 NET “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; I HATE ARROGANT PRIDE and the evil way and perverse utterances.”

Pride is the Devil’s mindset. And every high, lofty, and proud thing of men is an abomination in God’s sight.

PEOPLE PLEASERS ARE NOT TRUE BELIEVERS

John 5:44 NET “How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?”

A people pleaser cannot truly believe in Jesus Christ. They are seeking human praise more than they are seeking, “the praise that comes from the only God.” He/she desperately wants to be seen by others as good, righteous, innocent, and worthy of respect. These people are Divas. They have a god complex that has not been checked. They have Satan’s mentality. They have been deceived by him to follow him instead of God. So many who claim to be religious and claim to be Christians are just like this.

HOW TO TELL IF THIS IS ME?

Are you quickly offended when others correct you? (Ecclesiastes 7:9) Be honest. Do you gloss over your faults (sins) to make them look not so bad? In other words, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, do you justify yourself? Do you show yourself to be right even when you’re wrong? Is it hard to admit when you’re wrong? Is it a rare thing for you to apologize to others when you know that you have wronged them? If you’ve answered an honest, “Yes,” to any of these questions there is good news for you:

WE CAN REPENT/CHANGE AND LIVE

Ecclesiastes 7:3 NET “Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.”

Psalm 51:17 KJV “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Proverbs 15:10 NIV “Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.”

If you’ve seen yourself in anything stated above the good news is we can repent and change. The person who can honestly say, “That’s me,” has hope, and can find God’s mercy. God accepts those who feel and show deep sorrow over their sins.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

But the person who sees himself in the mirror of God’s word then quickly goes away and forgets what he/she looks like is lost. They refuse to accept and admit they are wrong. (James 1:23-24) Let’s not be lost. Let God heal your heart. If we repent God promises:

Ezekiel 36:26 NET “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.”

David prayed:

Psalms 51:10-11 KJV “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

We should pray like David for a New heart and a Right spirit. David recognized that he was wrong. This is indicated by him asking God to give him a, “RIGHT SPIRIT.” Those who think they are already right (or righteous) will not pray like David did. They think they’ve already got it together. Hence they cannot be healed or saved. David touched on the matter truthfully: he knew he had an unclean heart and a wrong spirit. He analysed himself honestly. Hence he prayed earnestly to God for a clean heart and a right spirit. And God heard his prayer. Only God can remove a wrong spirit and an unclean heart.

Yes, David conducted himself like a Diva for a while. But he got up and repented. There’s a saying, “If you can look up you can get up.” But in order to look up one must recognize that he/she is down, instead of imagining that you’re so high, and now you’re looking down on others. Hmmmm. Back to David, God chastised his son. David accepted his discipline and kept living. May we learn from the great man David; a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22) May we learn how to repent from pride and live.

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John 3:19-21 NET “Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 3:20 For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 3:21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.”

There’s a saying, “When you know better you do better.” I’m not much on human sayings, only those that agree with God. I wish it were true that just knowing something meant you could do it well. Adam and Eve proved that this is not true. They knew exactly what they should do and made the wrong decision anyway. (Genesis 3:6) And so have we. (Romans 3:23)

I used to think the reason why people hated hearing the truth so much was it forced folks to make a decision for right or wrong. Though there is some truth in that some consciences have become so seared that knowing the truth doesn’t prick them at all. (1 Timothy 4:2) Jesus tells us plainly why people hate the truth: ‘Because their deeds are evil.’

Evil and truth do not mix. We are either for one or the other. If a person rejects the truth they are evil, plain and simple. Anyone who thinks otherwise claims to know more than Jesus Christ WHO IS THE TRUTH, the way, and the life. (John 14:6) And everything about Him is the opposite of evil.

IT’S CUT AND DRIED

The matter is settled. God’s judgment is correct and clear. People who reject truth are evil. They fear that their evil deeds will be exposed so they stay far away as possible from the light. Have you ever shared the truth with someone only to be rejected by them afterward? This is why. And it doesn’t matter if they’re your mother, father, son, or daughter, brother, or sister, husband, wife, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, etcetera. If Jesus says truth haters are evil they’re evil. Can we accept this truth? Or are we evil too?

When you’re resolved to living a sinful life hearing the truth condemns you. This is why most people won’t read the Bible. This is why some are trying to have it banned as hate speech. They know God’s word condemns their evil behavior. Hearing what the Bible says is like torture to them.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

If the Bible is just a book of hogwash why are so many afraid of it? Because it’s the words of Almighty God. And no other book like it discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. When God’s words are in the midst of a situation everything becomes exposed; true attitudes are revealed. Again, evil people hate being exposed. They like to hide and play in the darkness. Not play outside in the open sun light. This is why many do and will always hate the truth.

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You know it’s easy to go around saying things like, “God is on my side.” Or, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Or, “I’m blessed and highly favored.” Or even, “I’m glad I know Jesus.” But what about the people who don’t know Him? What about those who aren’t blessed? Do we have any compassion for them. Let’s listen to a religious leader who thought he too was, “Blessed and highly favored.”

Luke 18:9-14 NIV “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ [14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This passage shows that just because we think all is well between us and God doesn’t mean it is. So many (like the Pharisee) are trying to reach God through following certain rules, or by possessing special knowledge. And it’s a common thread for these folks to have no compassion for anyone else. But the Bible makes it clear that following mere rules (even God’s rules) will get us nowhere. (Luke 18:18-25) It’s the heart that the Lord is after.

“FASTING I DESIRE”

How many times have we heard religious people tell us they are fasting? They go without food or whatever for a day or so believing this will bring them closer to God. There is a true way to fast that’s spoken of in the Bible. But the moment someone goes around telling everyone he/she is fasting, and complains that they can’t eat anything today, etcetera, they’ve just made what they’re doing null and void. Let’s let God explain why:

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Isaiah 58:5-8 NLT “You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? [6] “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. [7] Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. [8] “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.”

Did we notice the kind of fasting God wants? Not the mere ritual of going through the motions of looking humble and afflicting ourselves for a day or so. But the affliction that comes from a change of heart. God wants us to behave a certain way towards others. With love and compassion. He wants us to do everything from feeding and caring for the homeless to freeing those who are wrongly imprisoned. From lightening the workloads of employees to removing the chains that bind and oppress people. What God calls fasting and people call it are two different things. What God is really calling all of us to do is BE COMPASSIONATE. Will we answer the call?

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Ephesians 4:26-27 KJV “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil.”

Let’s play a game called CONQUER ANGER. The object of the game is to, ‘Become angry, and sin not.’ What a game! At times it feels like you’re in a video game of sorts. Only IT’S REAL, and there are real life consequences. You can always count on someone doing or saying something that provokes you to anger. How we respond is what determines whether we win or lose.

Did you know that if we do not conquer our anger we are giving Satan a place (or space) in our lives? Imagine you’re harboring resentment toward someone. At that very moment the Devil gets to build a house, then a village, then a city, a state, a country etcetera in an unseen realm in our lives. Oh this place is very real. You just can’t see it. Now imagine again that same person you’re holding a grudge against. Only this time you decide to obey God and forgive them. That house, village, city, state, or country we allowed the Devil to build in our lives has just been torn down. YOU WIN! YAY!!!😁

2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”

When we become and stay angry with people Satan is building strongholds in our lives. What’s a stronghold? A fortress. A fortified place. A place to hold something or someone securely. Hmmmm. When we obey God and fight with the spiritual weapons of war he gives us we demolish strongholds of the enemy. Now imagine yourself again in the video game called CONQUER ANGER. Are you whipping up on those demons, and tearing down strongholds? Or are those trolls conquering you?

SUPER WEAPON AGAINST ANGER

The most powerful weapon to defeat anger is LOVE. Love is not easily angered. Love is patient. It’s kind (the very opposite of anger). And it doesn’t keep a record of how many times it’s been wronged. Living the life of love which we are commanded to do is the ultimate way to CONQUER ANGER.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 NIV “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

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James 1:19-20 ESV “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

There’s a saying: “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so that we can do twice as much hearing than speaking.” God encourages all of His children to be quick hearers and slow speakers. Let’s examine why:

Proverbs 10:19 NASB “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”

Psalm 39:1 NIV “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.’ “

John 8:2-7 KJV “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. [3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, [4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, AS THOUGH HE HEARD THEM NOT. [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 18:21 NLT “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

After examining these verses have you seen why it is best to be a quick hearer and a slow speaker? Did you know there is life and death in the power of the tongue? How many lives have been ruined because of untimely words? Speaking too quickly can get us into lots of trouble. On the other hand being quick to listen is a sign that we are wise.

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Ecclesiastes 7:20 NLT “Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.”

There are many who are deluded into thinking they are good people. You hear them say it all the time; “I’m a good person.” Interestingly Jesus who truly is good was once called a good person by someone and had this to say about it:

Luke 18:19 NLT “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.

So if Jesus–the only human to never sin–didn’t let people call him good, who are we to make such a claim? Being what we call, “A good person,” is not enough to please God. The next passage illustrates this well:

Luke 18:18‭-‬30 ESV “And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

WOW! There’s so much to learn from this passage. But one of the things we glean is here was a man who didn’t steal, didn’t commit adultery, wasn’t a murderer, honored his parents, and didn’t slander others. Still he wasn’t good enough to please God. Because good works alone can never gain God’s approval the Bible says. The man started his conversation with Jesus by calling Him, “Good Teacher.” But when the Good Teacher taught him what he must do to receive eternal life he couldn’t accept Jesus’ teaching. Instead he became very sad. Jesus told him he was only lacking ONE thing. But that one thing was a doozy. It occupied the man’s heart. This is evident by his response (becoming very sad) about what Jesus commanded him. Though an ethical person the man’s true heart was uncovered. He was devoted to his riches and despised Almighty God. He loved his money and hated God:

Matthew 6:24 NIV “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Here’s another example that proves our perceived goodness; our own righteousness, will get us nowhere:

Luke 18:9-14 NLT “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: [10] “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people-cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

WOW!!! There it is again. The Pharisee seemed to be doing everything right; it appeared he had his act together, but he totally missed the mark. He too depended on his own good works instead of God who makes people righteous. And here we have a known sinner; a tax collector, who doesn’t claim any goodness or righteousness of his own, but depends on God, and winds up pleasing Him. God justified this sinner, not the religious Pharisee. WOW!!! Isn’t God cool? He puts down the arrogant but shows grace and favor to the humble.

None of us can truthfully make the claim that we are righteous. We sin way too much.

Romans 3:23-24 KJV “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

And lastly, one of my favorite examples of how a person who is not good can be made right with God by simply believing in the one who is good; Jesus Christ:

Luke 23:39-43 NIV “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” [43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

YES! YES! YES! 😂 Don’t you see it? God is so good! And He makes righteous whom He declares righteous! No puny human can ever step to him and say, “I am good.” It is blasphemy. But those who come to God with a contrite heart, and humble spirit like the man on the cross, and like the tax collector, WILL receive a righteous standing before Almighty God, because God is that good and kind!

Romans 4:5 NIV “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

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