The last several years have been like a roller coaster ride; Ups and down’s, highs, and lows. With each experience, a growing stage has occurred. My greatest challenge at present is maintaining a steady and bright light amid this very dark time. Each day I must clothe myself with the full armor of God because whether you choose to believe it or not, we’re in spiritual warfare. It is a battle with the ruler of darkness. Our world is in a dark place.
Satan is stealing the hearts and minds of believers. They have turned to their own wisdom. We can look at the world and see the ramifications of it. It is dangerous when we turn to our human wisdom as opposed to God’s wisdom. My prayer each day is that we, as a church, not be driven by our knowledge. James 3:13-18, tells us this is false wisdom. It is earthly, sensual, and demonic. Earthly wisdom is wrong wisdom, centered around the world, and it does not consider eternity. Sensual refers to our fleshly appetites, doing those things to gratify our desires. Demonic speaks for itself. It is of the devil, whom we’re allowing to have control.
I know what this wisdom will do. It will cause chaos, destroy relationships, make you prideful, envious, unforgiving, self-centered, and lying against the truth. I have been there, but no longer. When I realized the evil and the damage it can do, I turned to God for His wisdom. He gave me James to study. I often read the book of James because it is a book that not only challenges you but gives you the key to living a victorious life in Christ.
Transforming Temples is all about growing God’s transforming presence within for the world to see. However, we can’t show it to the world if we are not living it. Many believers think they have Satan under control and know when he is coming, but that is not how the devil operates. For instance, he begins with you living your life in your wisdom and not God’s wisdom. We can quickly get so far from the truth found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
James goes on to say true wisdom is from God. He lists the characteristics:
- It is pure – free from all the things of false wisdom.
- It is peaceable – delights and promotes peace.
- It is gentle – not combative and abrasive. It is reasonable and courteous.
- It is willing to yield – open to reason; it does not insist on its rights and its own way.
- It is full of mercy – shows compassion to those in need.
- It is full of good fruits – rich in good deeds.
- It is without partiality – it does not show favoritism.
- It is without hypocrisy – it is sincere and genuine. It does not put on a front.
This is wisdom from above; God’s wisdom. When I began to change my thinking and stop using my wisdom, I began to achieve the results of righteousness, right conduct, right living.
The challenge is at every point in our lives. We who know the Lord have an opportunity to demonstrate living based on wisdom from above. When we demonstrate this wisdom, unbelievers may take notice and be drawn to Christ. Now, this is the burden; it is not happening enough. Christianity is under attack, and professing Christians are playing a significant part in it. Our focus is more earthly than Godly. We lack the main ingredient, which is LOVE.
This brings me back to spiritual warfare. How are you and I fighting the battle? Satan is a strong enemy, and our flesh is weak. We can only overcome him by the power of God. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-12 to “stand” and “be strong.” To do this, we must know our position; and that is by realizing we are seated with Christ in the heavenly far above all of Satan’s principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:19–23) and that the very power of God is available to us through the indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 3:14–21).
This is not difficult to understand. As Jesus was risen from the grave and seated at the right hand of God in all power, we as followers of Christ have that same power. It is our source, given by the Holy Spirit. It is time to stop playing both sides. Now is the time to stand, tap into the power source, and put aside your friendship with the world. Lay it ALL down. Stop pretending, stop fighting, take your mind off of the world and focus on God and what He wants you to do, NOT what YOU THINK. Ask God, “Lord, are you pleased with my walk?” “What do you want me to change?” Open your Bible, and let Him speak to you. Be still and listen to His voice, then apply it in your life. Let Jesus lead you every day, mind your own business, love ALL people, pray, and read your bible.
There is an entire world that is hungry and crying out for an encounter with God and to know that He is real. God wants His glory in all the earth and wants to use us in surprising ways to draw people to Him. We can’t do that if we’re not willing to yield ourselves to the Father and enjoy the adventure of Christ-centered and Holy Spirit-led life.
