READ: 1
PETER 5:1-6
If you ask
for a glass of pure water and you are offered one with impurities, visible
dirt, and a brownish colour you will surely reject it. Nobody would dare open
his eyes and gulp impure water. As human beings, we detest impurities yet we
expect God to accept impurities in our lives. No matter what name we call it
impurity is simply bad. The modern era has influenced us negatively. Things
that were outrightly condemned in Bible days are now given euphemistic names
and are accepted as good. Although we may enjoy this game, Almighty will never
accept it. It is High time we began to call a spade a spade. Therefore, we must
ask: What are the things that make a person impure and keep him from
experiencing the fullness of God?
(a) Unclean thoughts. Unclean thoughts come from the heart. God wants to dwell in our hearts. He wants to reign without a rival. Unclean thoughts and God cannot dwell in the same heart. If we are ever to be truly pure, we must learn to learn to control not only our outward actions, but also our inner thoughts and desires. The Lord will not live in a dirty environment. If you want His Holy Spirit to come in and make His abode in your heart, you must make sure that there are no unclean thoughts to share that heart with Him. Even if there is a speck of impurity in you, it will make your heart unclean.
(b) Pride. James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” If you are proud, whatever may be the source of that pride, you are impure and God cannot dwell in you. Pride is serious impurity. It is so serious that the Bible says, “God resists the proud.” The Lord cannot put up with pride. It is wisdom never to place yourself in opposition to God Almighty. To avoid confrontation with Him, you need to beware of pride. Pride makes you impure and sets you against the very One who is supposed to give you grace. If you have noticed any trace of pride in you, you must get rid of it today.
(a) Unclean thoughts. Unclean thoughts come from the heart. God wants to dwell in our hearts. He wants to reign without a rival. Unclean thoughts and God cannot dwell in the same heart. If we are ever to be truly pure, we must learn to learn to control not only our outward actions, but also our inner thoughts and desires. The Lord will not live in a dirty environment. If you want His Holy Spirit to come in and make His abode in your heart, you must make sure that there are no unclean thoughts to share that heart with Him. Even if there is a speck of impurity in you, it will make your heart unclean.
(b) Pride. James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” If you are proud, whatever may be the source of that pride, you are impure and God cannot dwell in you. Pride is serious impurity. It is so serious that the Bible says, “God resists the proud.” The Lord cannot put up with pride. It is wisdom never to place yourself in opposition to God Almighty. To avoid confrontation with Him, you need to beware of pride. Pride makes you impure and sets you against the very One who is supposed to give you grace. If you have noticed any trace of pride in you, you must get rid of it today.
MEMORIZE:
JAMES 4:6 –But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.
