Put On Humility

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.   Romans 12:3 KJV

Apostle Paul, in our main scripture text, is cautioning every believer to be truthful(honest)as they evaluate themselves, not thinking of themselves or believing that they are better than they are. I categorize this phrase under "pride." When you think about pride, it is saying to yourself and those around you that you are superior to everyone else. And so, it is essential to be sober and vigilant, with an honest mind, examining yourselves daily to ensure that you are remaining true to yourself, using good sense, and measuring yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you (plain text by the Contemporary English version). Some people may argue thinking highly of yourself does not necessarily mean arrogance. However, if you pay attention to what Brother Paul was saying in this verse, " Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think," so he is not saying that it's terrible to think of yourself highly but to the point of it leading to an arrogant and superior attitude.

The spirit of pride is a deadly spirit that every human must be careful of. Many believers have fallen victim to the spirit of pride, destroying several destinies. Remember, the same prideful spirit brought down Lucifer from the glorious place God had put him. This dangerous spirit has existed since the beginning of time. See Isaiah 14:12-15. A proud heart is deadly, and we, as believers, must accurately assess ourselves daily to ensure that the spirit of pride has not enslaved our hearts.

Beloved, always strive to live a life of humility, and do not think of yourself highly or better than the next person because of what God has blessed you with (i.e., material wealth, good education, beauty/looks, spiritual gifts, children, spouse, etc.), do not look down on others because they don't have what you have. Pride is the quickest route to eternal damnation, and I decree it shall not be our portion in Jesus' name. I encourage you to examine yourself daily to ensure that no iota of pride should be found in you. Be alert (vigilant) because pride can creep in at any time due to our sinful nature. Allow the Lord to lift you and exalt you in due season; instead of boasting in yourself, boast in the Lord, giving all the glory to Him.

Transformed by God

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Romans 12:2 NKJV


Now what does the word "conformed" mean in this scripture text?  It means to "copy", to "emulate" and what scripture is telling us here is not to copy the behaviors, the attitudes, the customs of the world we live in.  Do not allow yourself to get corrupted by the world system because you are not of this world, even though you live in it.    You and I are children of the most High God that have been set apart for His use and have been given individualized divine assignments to complete while on earth until we are called home to glory.  We are ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ called to serve and shine our light in this dying world, we are called to a different standard of doing things and so as believers, you and I must allow God to transform us into the women we are destined and purposed to be. Without transformation taking place in our minds and thought process, it will be very easy to fall prey to the enemy's devices.  

Beloved, the world is defined for us in 1 John 2:15-16 and it states "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. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. "  Verse 16 actually defines what the world or the world system is all about ( i.e immorality, gluttony, materialism, alcoholism, drugs, thirst for power, over ambition).  Unfortunately so many believers have allowed the above to dominate their lives and some even go as far as justifying their sinful lifestyles.   

The only way believers can avoid falling prey to satan's schemes, conforming to the world's standards, is to allow the Holy Spirit ( God's transforming power) to renew our minds and how is this done?  By literarily allowing the power of God's word to change us into who He has purposed us to be on earth. For more understanding, read and meditate on the following verses:  Romans 10:17, Rev 1:3, Psalm 119:9-11, Psalm 1:2-3 and Joshua 1:8.  It is only the word of God, daily ministered in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (God's power on earth) that can transform us from worldliness to holiness ( a life daily set apart life, not trying to "blend in" with the world, but instead living according to God's Word as we study the Bible and grow in it).  

May the Lord help us to live a life holy and pleasing before Him.

Shalom.

A Living Sacrifice

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."  Romans 12:1 ESV


In this portion of scripture, the Apostle Paul was imploring the believers in Rome to commit their lives to the Lord which means dedicating and pledging their lives to him.  So when scripture says present your bodies as a living sacrifice, it does not just mean the flesh, but body, spirit and soul (our total being),  willing  to forsake the worldly pleasures of this age.   So Romans 12:1 reminds us as believers to honor the Lord with our total being, our complete existence, we must take care of the temple He has given us, our bodies (which consist of our will, mind and emotions).  Since our thoughts come from and are processed through our brains as well as our emotions (feelings),  I believe the mind and emotions can be considered a part of the "flesh.  We must guard it diligently, it must not be abused.  

In our daily Christian walk, what does this verse actually mean to us?  Beloved  it means that for those of us in Christ Jesus by virtue of being saved by grace, the only acceptable spiritual worship to God is to offer ourselves completely to the Lord God.  We must be instruments or vessels of righteousness ready to be used by Him at any time or place.  I like how this one author put it in her article from the King's Highway, she states  " we must give God permission to walk through us and expose anything in us that is not of faith. God is a gentleman and He will not force us to do this without our permission."  So true, I could not have said it any better, the Christian faith is a faith of "free will"  you have to be willing to go all the way with the Lord once you say " I accept you as my Lord and Savior"  being ready to surrender completely.    The Lord has set us apart as His holy people, His prized possession and therefore we must as His people honor Him, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.

"For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."   Deuteronomy  14:2


"But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. " John 4:23