The Greatest Enemy

Proverbs 14:7-8

7Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips knowledge. 8The wisdom of the prudent is  to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

When King Solomon prayed to God for wisdom, indeed God answered with an overflow. The words God gave King Solomon were very clear. A fool in the Bible refers to anyone who willing lacks wisdom and knowledge. In other words, they delight in ignorance. But the Lord says in Hosea 4:6 that His people will perish from a lack of knowledge. So if God shows you that someone willingly lacks wisdom and knowledge, you are not to continue to be in their presence. King Solomon clearly says that you are to understand where you are going which implies moving forward. Fools do not care to understand.

If someone willingly cares not to gain the wisdom and knowledge of God that they may live and walk better spiritually, emotionally and even professionally,  then it doesn't matter how many times you speak or attempt to impart, they care not to receive it. You cannot force someone to grow who does not want to grow. When you realize that you are in the presence of someone such as this, you cannot continue to be around them lest they drag you down with them. Pray for them but continue to move forward. God has already given you the permission to move. Do not lament on what you cannot change.

Dr. Cindy Trimm says, "The greatest enemy of the church is not Satan but ignorance." Satan only plays on ignorance. If you are in the company of ignorance and do not flee, you can easily be played.

Hypocrisy

Matthew 15:7-8

7Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their hearts are far from me.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about how defilement is from within. In this case it was from the perspective of honoring parents. The Pharisees had a lot of traditions but they were only motions. Their hearts were not in it. Jesus quoted a scripture from the book of Isaiah who was a prophet God called to prophesy about the coming of Jesus. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites. A hypocrite is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings and who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion. So Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah to say that if your words do not match your heart then it is off. Jesus is concerned with the condition of our hearts first because whatever is in the heart will undoubtedly come out sooner or later.

Atlantic Starr had a song back in the 80s' called, "If Your Heart Isn't In it". Granted, this was from a romantic point of view, but it was still about love. Love is at the center of Jesus' ministry. Love is at the root because God is love. But if everything you do is the opposite of love then is it not hypocrisy?

P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show from 10am-12pm Monday-Friday on the Leap of Faith Network (www.lofnetwork.com) and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!

Start Praying

Hebrews 11:1-2

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

My pastor at City of Restoration Christian Center preached an awesome sermon yesterday about "faith in the midst of filth".  But I had no idea that by the time I arrived home that God would present an opportunity. Always be in expectancy you just never know how God is going to "drop it" as the prophet of our house says.

I received an email notification that someone made a comment in one of the groups I am a member of on LinkedIn. A minister who works with soldiers and families had been weary. He started speaking on how he deals in reality with those he works with and just overall was not speaking in faith. So I gave my testimony and God laid it on my heart to pray for him because it is not good for the ones who encourage our soldiers to become weary. Now scripture says we are to pray for our leaders anyway. But you must pray for all leaders. It is important because the enemy likes to attack at the top to get to those the leaders cover. So if you pray in good faith for their protection, renewed strength in Jesus and sharpness, your prayer will be heard. Will you start praying for the leaders who cover you? Will you also pray for soldiers and those who encourage them as well?

P.S. Remember to join me on Saturday, June 15th at Caribou Coffee House on Chapel Lake Drive in Gambrills, MD from 3-5pm for the pre-release book signing and reading of my new book, "Shh Don't Tell!" I look forward to talking with you there!!