Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. One of the most difficult
things that we're called upon to do as the children of God
is to simply be honest. Each one of us desires to be
seen in a good light by others. We might try to appear more spiritually
minded than we really are. This conduct is understandable
but not excusable, even though we have a need to be accepted
by others. But there is a behavior which
is prevalent, totally inexcusable, and if unchecked, will lead us
to destruction. That is, when we fail to be totally
truthful with our own selves. Peter said, For the time has
come that judgment must begin at the house of God. We have
a great responsibility to set a watch on ourselves. Our Lord
said, Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. One of the
biggest mistakes that we can make is in not recognizing who
our main struggle is against. In order for even the greatest
general to be successful in battle, he must first identify his enemy
and then accurately assess his enemy's strength. In the same
fashion, we must first recognize that our greatest foe is not
the forces of evil which surround us, though they are great and
ought not to be trifled with. The greatest source of conflict
for the children of God is our own flesh, for the flesh lusteth,
that is, works against the Spirit. For I know that in me, that is,
in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. So we must prepare for
battle with the proper understanding that we are still sinners. We
must individually be our own harshest critic. Those who are
satisfied with their conduct do not have the proper standard
of holiness before their eyes, because it is written, Be ye
holy, for I am holy. Those who believe that their
prayer life is what it should be do not know what true prayer
really is. The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much. One of the Lord's disciples said
unto him, Lord, teach us to pray. Those who are convinced that
they know and understand all things concerning the word of
God do not understand that the world, much less a book, cannot
completely contain the word of God. Jesus said, I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father
but by me. Men, by their own wisdom, cannot
grasp the things of God, for such things are spiritually discerned. Having recognized who our foe
is, we must also be aware of his strength. The heart is deceitful
above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? Our
flesh will always overcome us if we do not continually strike
at its very root. Paul said, if ye through the
Spirit do mortify, that is, put to death the deeds of the body,
ye shall live. Sometimes we become enamored
with the liberty which we have in Christ and we allow our flesh
to pervert it and turn it into a license whereby it can dominate
us. Paul knew the strength of his flesh when he said, But I
keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be
a castaway. We must be very diligent to set
a watch over our heart, our lips, and our bodies. Our flesh loves
to have dominion over us. Therefore let us not sleep as
do others, but let us watch and be sober. Not only must a successful
general rightly identify his enemy and his enemy's strength,
he must also accurately identify the source and magnitude of his
own strength. This is an absolute necessity
for the people of God in their struggle with the flesh. If we
seek to overcome the flesh and the power of the flesh, then
we shall fail miserably. That which is of the flesh will
fail. For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good
thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that
which is good I find not. God's people are not weak, but
they must come to a realization that their strength is not of
themselves, but of Christ. I can do all things through Christ,
which strengtheneth me. Fear thou not, for I am with
thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee,
yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of my righteousness. He is our strength in the time
of struggle. Without Him, we are doomed to fail. With Him,
we are destined to triumph. Finally, not even the best of
generals, who knows who his enemy is, knows his enemy's strength,
and understands the source of his own power, can win a war
and triumph over his foe if he does not enter the battle and
fight. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore
cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of
light. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision
for the flesh to fulfill the lust thereof. Paul admonished
Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, and then wrote his
own epitaph when he said, I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course. Can we honestly say the same?
For a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send
an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.