Humility

Mind of Christ

Ken

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1Corinthians 2:16 NKJV).

No one can instruct the LORD; and yet, we have the mind of Christ through the presence of His Indwelling Spirit. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). 

What is the relationship of our mind and spirit? 

“Be renewed in the spirit [Greek, pneuma, life] of your mind [Greek, nous, intellectual faculty]” (Ephesians 4:23). 

Paul’s connection of “spirit” with “mind” indicates our life is intimately linked with our thoughts. God’s Spirit is so closely a part of us, we share His thoughts; yet, we do not instruct Him. We have the benefit of supernaturally understanding His wisdom, while receiving the benefit of not expiring from the revelation. Paul was caught up to the Third Heaven (2Corinthians 12:3), which is the Throne of God. [Note: The First Heaven is our atmosphere, while the Second Heaven is interstellar space.] Possibly Paul had experienced an out of body experience, after having  been stoned at Lystra and being left for dead, “when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:20). He recounts that experience as “how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2Corinthians 12:4). 

This is perhaps an unusual instance of experiencing the mind of Christ, but any disciple may experience the mind of Christ on a continual basis. Not being caught up into the Third Heaven, but receiving understanding from the mind of Christ, is our legacy. 

Consider the following about the mind of Christ: 

First, NORMAL. Possession of the mind of Christ is not an aberration or anomaly, but normal. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1Corinthians 2:16). We should embrace the mind of Christ in our life, as we would expect physical laws to apply to our ordinary existence. 

Second, PRACTICEABLE. Once we become accustomed to realizing the Holy Spirit inhabits our thought life, we need to practice God’s instructions on thinking. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think [Greek, logizomai, consider, reckon, take into account] on these things” (Philippians 4:8 KJV). 

Third, DISCIPLINED. Carelessly entertaining thoughts about anything is an open invitation for the adversary to establish a stronghold in our thought life. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1Corinthians 9:27). A disciplined thought life is not a straight jacket but a release from being overcome by the enemy. “So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). It’s not a question if the enemy comes, but when. The spirit of a disciplined one will be victorious over our enemy. 

Fourth, CONVERSATIONAL. The LORD told me. I was impressed by the LORD. God is not limited by conventions, traditions, culture, or history in communicating with humanity, especially His people. How startled would you be, if the Almighty spoke to you, as He did to Phillip? “26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot” (Acts 8:26-29). All God is concerned about is you knowing that He is speaking to you. Remember, Christians have long maintained God speaks to them when they obey commandments from Scripture, e.g., The LORD told me I should do this.

Fifth, DEVELOPED. God speaks to our mind is as varied as there are different people. Our concept of the mind of Christ will be developed by our individual experience and our understanding of the Word of God. For example, Eli the priest discerned that Samuel the youth had encountered the LORD, when he repeatedly rose from his bed to find out what Eli wanted. After informing Samuel he did not call him, Eli realized the LORD was trying to communicate with Samuel. “8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for you did call me. Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, Speak, for Your servant hears. 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel: Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle” (1Samuel 3:8-11). 

So, whenever you hear a brother or sister tell you, The LORD told me…, evaluate their words in light of Scripture. 

We are living in the Last Days, since Scripture says, “[God] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2). Peter at Pentecost understood he was living in the Last Days, when he cited the prophet Joel. “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17). 

Sixth, CAPTIVE. We are to bring captive or under control every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is not a feat of mental dexterity but spiritual obedience. “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Corinthians 10:5). 

Seventh, HUMBLE. Just when you think you have an idea of what is going on, you are humbled to find you haven’t listened to the Holy Spirit as well as you thought. “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 NKJV). 

Paul warned of just such an unhumbling experience, of which Solomon also warned. “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV). 

“12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV). 

But, praise be to our Always Faithful God, He has given us promise of a way to escape pride (1Corinthians 10:13). 

God will humble us by: 

(1) Our taking heed that we stand lest we fall (1Corinthians 10:12), 

(2) Our restoration from falling from grace. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NKJV). 

(3) Our Spiritual Warfare against Evil Angels, who trouble us as thorns in the flesh to keep us from being exalted above measure. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger [Greek, aggelos, angel] of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (2Corinthians 12:7 NKJV). 

(4) Our obedience in working out our salvation through His working in us. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 NKJV). 

Heavenly Father, You are Faithful. Grant to us a faithful, humble, obedient heart. Teach us to pay better attention to the Mind of Christ. We rejoice in Your faithfulness, for we know none of us would ever stand in Your presence unless You make us to stand. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Dealing With Demons (Part 2)

Ken

Demonized: Oppressed or Possessed by Demons

What is the difference between oppressed or possessed by demons? Both demon oppression and demon possession mean to be demonized. To further explain, Jesus was oppressed by the devil, while the demoniac of Gadara was possessed by a demon. Jesus was oppressed or “tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1 KJV), when He heard the distinct voice of the tempter. “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (4:3). By comparison, the demoniac of Gadara was possessed “with an unclean spirit” (Mark 5:2). Both Jesus and the demoniac of Gadara were demonized, but the obvious difference is the demon possessed are “always, night and day” (5:5) possessed, while the oppressed, like Jesus, “the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him” (Matthew 4:11). If Jesus could be tempted by the devil, then any Spirit filled disciple can be demonized, but only for a season (Luke 4:13). 

If it is possible for even the godly to be demonized, how do we distinguish between being tempted (demonized) by demons and non-demonically tempted? Non-demonic temptation is described by James. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [Greek, epithumea, strong desire, which can be evil or good, as in the case of lusting the office of a bishop in 1Timothy 3:1], and enticed” (James 1:14). Non-demonic temptation occurs without the direct agency of the devil or demons, simply by the “lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1John 2:16), which even Adam and Eve had before they first sinned. Jesus illustrated both non-demonic temptation from His ordinary life, for He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). And, He was demonized, being “forty days tempted of the devil” (Luke 4:2). So, not every temptation endured by the godly is a demonic temptation (being demonized). “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

Characteristics to Differentiate Between Demon Oppression and Demon Possession 

  1. Demon possession is always present (Mark 5:5), whereas, demon oppression comes and goes (Luke 4:13). 
  2. Demon oppression causes the entertaining of an unthinkable, evil decision (John 13:2), while demon possession makes that decision (13:27).  
  3. Demon oppression may cause thoughts of self-harm, but demon possession can result in acts of self-harm (Mark 5:5) and ultimate suicide (Matthew 27:5). 
  4. Demon oppression may be overcome by individually trusting divine promises, i.e., “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7), while demon possession requires the intervention of others to cast out the demon (Acts 16:16-18). 
  5. Demon possession may be reversed or halted by disciples, who obey the Great Commission. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). Demon oppression will be accomplished by disciples over their adversary the devil, i.e., “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1Peter 5:9).  

The Great Commission and Spiritual Warfare Appoint Disciples to Cast Out Demons

  • “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
  • “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). 

Preparation for Casting Out Demons

  • Total submission to God (James 4:7). 
  •  Honest understanding of a humble heart, “greater is He [Yahweh] that is in you, than he [the devil] that is in the world” (1John 4:4).
  • Prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29).

Casting Out Demons

  1. Commanding the demon to come out, only by the authority given to us by Christ based on the blood of Jesus. “She continued to do this for many days. But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out of her at once” (Acts 16:18 NET).
  2. Physical proximity to the demon possessed one is assumed; however, Jesus gave special commendation to the Roman centurion for believing Jesus would command healing for a servant without being present (Matthew 8:8-9, 13).
  3. Failure to succeed at casting out demons would be further addressed “by [more] prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29). 
  4. Failure to cast out a demon resulting in bodily harm to the exorcists was due to their lack of authority because of their lack of submission to Christ (James 4:7), i.e., “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:13-16). 
  5. Christ promised, “He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father” (John 14:12), reminding us not to glory in our ability to command demons out of the possessed. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Lazy Man Approach?

Ken

Work smarter not harder. Ever hear that said by a reproachful colleague at work? Wisdom is more economical with choices, unless the cheaper, quicker alternative is unethical. “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way [love]” (1Corinthians 12:31 KJV). Make no mistake, laziness is universally condemned by the LORD. “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again” (Proverbs 19:24). The world may have no such aversion to sloth and may prefer it to the ‘stupidity’ of honest labor, if it gains the same money. Yet, the godly can be taught by even an ungodly, unethical colleague, when their lazy man approach accomplishes a task more efficiently. Love is “not self-serving… but rejoices in the truth” (1Corinthians 13:5, 6 NET). Just because our goal is the eternal does not mean we should be inefficient, but never sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the immediate. Father, grant us the humility to be taught by the world, when their lazy approach is more efficient than our well meaning but less efficient attempt. However, cause our light to shine before the world at other times, when they notice we do not attempt to take advantage of them, if it is only self-seeking. Give them opportunity to seek the truth, or give Yourself evidence to condemn them in the Judgment. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.

Do You See What I See?

Ken

Probably not, but as it should be, I probably don’t see what you see. Why? Truth is unified only in Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6 KJV). No one but God knows all. We each only have a small puzzle piece of the grand picture. What I don’t know could fit into innumerable volumes. And, I marvel at the understanding God has given to others to explain what I do not see. Only the Spirit of God integrates everything together in the Body of Christ. “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?” (1Corinthians 12:17). Rather than complain of the darkness, should we not pray for faith to increase our understanding? “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). LORD, give us eyes to see and ears to hear that we may better appreciate You and be Your faithful servant. Lord Jesus, come quickly and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Avoiding Back Injury

Ken

Lifting heavy objects by squatting, head up, tailbone down, and keeping the object close to your chest as you stand up, is the best way to avoid lower back injury, according to safety experts. Some call it, Lift with your legs.  Better yet, if it’s that heavy, team lift, where possible. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14 KJV). Kudos to all the safety guys I encountered, who contributed to my lack of lower back injury during my work career! You generally don’t realize you’re lifting wrong, until you injure yourself. Better to act like everything is heavy. Attempting to reach over a heavy object, arching your back, and using your body like a crane, leaves you open to lower back injury. Flexibility of bending at the hip first, then at your knees, when you squat to lift is key. Keeping your spine somewhat straight helps, as you lift. Muscle memory ingrains the idea. Back braces, in my opinion, are not as important as understanding how to protect your back. It is as if it takes more humility to squat and lift than to bend over and potentially injure yourself lifting too heavy an object. As with any human endeavor, “Safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31). May the LORD bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you, give you peace, and protect your lower back. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

 

Christian Modesty

Ken

Christian modesty is a humble estimate of one’s self before God, not seeking to draw undue attention to self, and not seeking to show off in an unseemly way. “Walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8 KJV). Our conduct should reflect that modesty. “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). Our manner of dress and clothing should also reflect a modesty, which takes the emphasis off us and points to Christ. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest [Greek, kosmios, respectable, seemly] apparel, with shamefacedness [Greek, aidōs, modesty] and sobriety [Greek, sōphrosunē, self-control]; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1Timothy 2:9). As sisters should protect their brothers’ purity by modest apparel, brothers need to protect their sisters from being unduly attracted to them by dressing in “costly attire” (2:9 ESV). LORD, may our manner of life between brothers and sisters be chaste, humble, and may You be the One to whom the attention is drawn. Amen. 

Convicting Power of the Holy Spirit

Ken

How can you tell if the Holy Spirit is present? God the Holy Spirit is everywhere, but the convicting power of the Holy Spirit upon anyone who hears the Truth is a special evidence of His presence. “He will reprove [Greek, elegchō, to convict, to prove one in the wrong and thus to shame them] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7-8 KJV). When we sense ourselves or someone else becoming uncomfortable about the Truth presented, then the Holy Spirit is reproving exactly as Jesus promised. When we hear someone presenting the Truth, and we hope they don’t mean it applies to us, or we need to do something, then the Holy Spirit is effectively working. In the Courts of Heaven, some may call it An Uncomfortable Truth. Father, instead of embarrassment about the effect of truth upon the world, give us the courage and humility to work with Your Spirit to guide and harvest the results of Your convicting presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Who Doesn’t Root for the Underdog?

Ken

Later today, Brock Purdy #13 quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers will take the field in Super Bowl LVIII against defending Super Bowl champ, Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15, who has won two Super Bowls. Most everyone knows about Kansas City Chief’s tight end Travis Kelce #87’s dating relationship with Taylor Swift, the world renowned pop singer. But, 49ers Brock Purdy is an underdog, who has flown under the radar as a player overlooked in high school, given a chance at Iowa State University, the last player drafted by the 49ers, one of the 49ers’ lowest paid players this season at $934,252, and still drives a Toyota Sequoia. As one of the pass completion leaders in the NFL (2023), Purdy took the place of injured starting quarterbacks, demonstrated calmness under stress on the field, has been praised for humility by fellow players, and is a professing Christian. David was an underdog, a young man, who as a shepherd killed a bear and a lion protecting his father’s sheep (1Samuel 17:36). When the giant, Goliath of Gath (a Nephilim) defied Israel, David volunteered to kill him. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee” (17:37 KJV). David won. We, too, may be underdogs. But, may our desire for God to be magnified in the earth cause us to dream, work, and pray for His Kingdom to come, and His Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen. 

God Is Able to Make Him Stand

Ken

What do you do when two brothers seem to honestly take opposite positions on the same subject? Since the Lord wants us to firmly stand our ground — “Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay” (James 5:12 KJV) — how do we reconcile? The nature of God’s Truth demands a development of our understanding, where we grow to see things differently. The Jerusalem Council illustrates this with the conclusions of James, to which Paul happily agreed (Acts 15). “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1Corinthians 13:11 KJV). We all honestly understand and explain the world differently, not just from one another, but from the way we used to think. With the guiding attitude of love, we need to humbly ask God to grow our understanding without destroying our brother. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:1-4 KJV). May God graciously grant us all a childlike humility, so we may grow!

James 1 Commentary

Ken

Practical Christian Wisdom from the New Testament Book of James

A Letter of Practical Christian Wisdom

Introduction (1:1)

Verse 1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” (James 1:1 NIV). 

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NIV) tells us that the writer of this letter was James, a younger half-brother of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 13:55). Once a bonafide skeptic (Mark 3:21) of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) of his Older Brother, James had now been transformed to become His ardent supporter, humbling himself not only as a “servant [Greek, doulos, slave] of God” (1:1 NIV), but equally, a bond servant by choice of Jesus, who he now admits to be the Jewish Messiah and his master. James’ choice of calling himself a “servant of God” (1:1 NIV) is consistent with the teachings of Christ. “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me” (John 12:26 NIV). We are servants of the Lord with the benefit of God directing our choices in life. Remember, we are not here to figure out how to use God, but how He can use us. This epistle or letter was addressed to the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations”  (1:1 NIV), since the Early Church was originally Jewish converts returning to their homes from the Acts 2 Pentecost, as well as, to the converted Jewish brothers and sisters “scattered among the nations” (1:1 NIV) by the persecutions of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1). NT scholars date this epistle as sometime before 62 AD, when James was martyred by King Herod (Acts 12:2). The Romans did not destroy Jerusalem and the Temple until 70 AD. “Greetings” (1:1 NIV) is the expected salutation, since this is a letter. 

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