Far too often when we do something well it leads us to taking the credit for having produced such superior results. We see the depth of that misguided thinking when we read something profound that Moses, Paul or another Bible character did or said. We unconsciously attribute what happened to that person’s genius or talent rather than to God who inspired and empowered the person to do or say it. It was this misappropriation of glory that led the mighty man, Samson, to fall into the hand of his enemies and disgrace the nation.
The highly revered apostle Paul identified with that deceptive shadow and wrote even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud (2 Corinthians 12:7, NLT2). Even Paul had to wrestle with this misguided impulse.
After declaring the blessings and strength of a person who trusts in the Lord, Jeremiah reveals the source of wrongfully assuming the credit for God’s workings by writing, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV). Some like to fantasize that once a person becomes a believer, that evil nature was eradicated by Christ’s death. Paul obviously did not see it that way. He had a God-given desire to do right but he also saw his sin nature as a roaring lion waiting to pounce and defeat him. To overcome that risk, he revealed his strategy by determining so now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me (2 Corinthians 12:9b, NLT2).
The Psalmist clarified the victories the early Hebrews experienced by writing; they did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them (Psalm 44:3, NLT2). In recounting his ministry Paul wrote, [to make mature disciples is] why I work and struggle so hard [as an Olympic athlete pushes his/her body to the limit in the finals], depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me (Colossians 1:29, NLT2). A true believer strains their ability [no arm-chair quarterbacks or laziness] to work with God then trusts Him to multiple her/his efforts to complete what needs to be done.
We tend to think we do not have to go out of our way to be like Jesus. We can do some pretty good things on our own. We are not that bad. I have found the average person feels he/she has little daily need for God’s grace or mercy. But that is due to the deception of the heart. We can always find people to compare ourselves with and thereby feel decent about ourselves. But when we compare ourselves to the true standard—not our friend, not our neighbor, but to the conviction, attitude, love and behavior of our model Jesus Christ,—we realize we are not as hot as we thought. Paul wrote Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it (2 Corinthians 13:5, MSG). Are you aware of God’s Spirit within affirming your intuition that He is living within you? If you were arrested for being a Christ-follower, would there be enough evidence in your attitude, passions and daily lifestyle to convict you ‘guilty as charged’? I must continue to press myself to do all I am capable of doing as I also depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
I have discovered my deceitful heart is my worst enemy, not the devil. How about you?
The “Bold Print” of your message should be copied and posted in every household.
Excellent!!!