A Deceitful Marriage
March 7, 2023 at 5:11 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 3, 1 John 1, Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, James 1, marriage, Proverbs 30, Romans 12, self-deceit
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Proverbs 30:12
Imagine that you are looking at your spouse right now (or actually look at him or her if you are in the same room) and think of something about him or her that makes you unhappy, or that at least has the potential to make you unhappy. You are probably thinking, not about something imaginary, but about something you actually know – something with which you are personally acquainted or something you have personally experienced. It might be something said or done, or something that your spouse has forgotten to do, or something your spouse has done poorly. Whatever it is you are thinking about, let me suggest to you that what you are thinking about is not as bad as you might suppose. Why not? Because what you are thinking about is at least something you know. It is something about which you are aware, and, if you are aware of it, it is something that can be addressed. Or it is something that can be overlooked. Or it is something that can be forgiven, or corrected. There is an opportunity for repentance. It might even be something from which you can learn and grow. If you are a Christian, it is certainly something that can be given over to God. Giving your burdens or your problems or your bitterness or your confusion over to God is a type of worship, and worshiping God is a wonderful thing to do. In fact, He is wanting you to do just that. Cast your cares and your burdens on Jesus for He cares for you.
However, there are other things about your spouse that might be worse than the things about which you know. There might be things about which you don’t know – things about which you are ignorant. Ignorance, it is sometimes said, can be bliss, but not in marriage. Plus, there is another category which is worse still: things about which you are deceived.
Of course, you can’t deal with something which is unknown to you. Christian love in marriage is not suspicious. It does not operate on the assumption that you are automatically being deceived by your spouse, or that you should constantly be trying to catch him or her in some secretive wrongdoing. So, if we are going to deal with the problem of deceit in marriage, where should we go to find deceit, and to deal with it, and to root it out, and to replace it with truth? Within.
The Bible tells us about the very real possibility that we are pure in our own eyes, but filthy in the eyes of God. Self-deceit might be the worst kind of deceit because it is the hardest to detect. We have to get to the root of it to know if it’s even there.
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Proverbs 30:13
Pride is the source of self-deceit, and pride is the enemy of truth in marriage.
1. Deceit in marriage comes from a failure to apply Scripture.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22
Reading or hearing Scripture is good. Memorizing it is better. But what we are really after is living it. It is easy to self-diagnose yourself and come to the conclusion that you are a very Biblical spouse – UNTIL you start actually applying the Bible.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
James 1:23
That’s why it’s important to read the Bible like a mirror and not like a textbook. Look at it the way you would look at an X-ray with your doctor, not the way you read the little slip of paper that comes out of a fortune cookie.
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:24
You have the world’s best marriage counselor and marriage expert right on your nightstand, but just having it and just casually looking at it doesn’t fix the problem. You look into a mirror to see if you have food on your face, but you don’t wipe your face with the mirror.
2. Deceit in marriage comes from a failure to acknowledge sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
I John 1:8
In marriage, to avoid dangerous deceit, it’s not enough to admit faults, personality problems, tendencies learned in childhood or based on background. No, we have to call sin sin. Make it a point to honestly (not combatively) ask your spouse if you are offending him or her. Not all offensive behavior is necessarily sinful, but most of it is – especially if it is hurtfully offensive. Furthermore, even if your spouse has learned to live with it, sin is still a big problem and a big source of deceit, because sin is primarily against God.
Confession and repentance is the remedy for sin. If we don’t have the truth in us we are in bondage, because the truth shall make you free.
3. Deceit in marriage comes from a failure to act smart.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
I Corinthians 3:18-20
Now it might seem a little funny to say that we should “act” smart, as if we are really dumb and have to fake it, but the point is that once we think we are smart (wise), we are in the greatest danger. We think we have figured out this marriage thing, or we’ve got a shelf full or books or a file of internet articles giving all the worldly marriage advice and wisdom contrived by the world apart from God and the Bible. The better approach is to admit that we don’t have it figured out, and to humbly remind ourselves that we are often extremely foolish. Humbly foolish acknowledgers of God’s wisdom are the ones He helps. We get this wisdom and live in truth and not deceit when we obey the basic simple truths that the Bible commands, and when we do not try to get cute or fancy or substitute them with gimmicks or worldly philosophy or pop psychology.
4. Deceit in marriage comes from a failure to analyze soberly.
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
We are not good at everything, and we are not doing everything right. Do a sober assessment of your faults (and your good points) with your spouse, assuring him or her that he or she can speak honestly. Men: no getting mad. Ladies: no crying. And let’s figure out where God has gifted us and where He hasn’t, and how we can use those gifts, and how we can improve, or at least how we can avoid avoid areas which trigger unhelpful conflict or dead ends.
An Aromatic Marriage
December 26, 2022 at 1:55 pm | Posted in Ephesians | 5 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 1, Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, commentary on Ephesians, Ecclesiastes 4, Ephesians 5, Psalm 139, Psalm 51, Romans 12, Sunday School lessons on Ephesians
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians 5:2
How does your home smell? Enticing and pleasant like fried chicken or homemade rolls? Or foul and malignant like a possum died in the attic two weeks ago and his sweltering corpse is still up there permeating the air vents? In order for our marriages to be pleasing to God, they must smell good. They must have the aroma that Jesus’s life and sacrificial death had to God. Having a marriage that smells good to God means walking in love.
I. An aromatic marriage is a welcoming marriage.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:9
This means that our love must be real, genuine love – authentic love, not fake love or hypocritical love. Some unpleasant smells can be temporarily covered up or disguised by introducing stronger, more pleasant smells to override the bad smell, but usually this only emphasizes the stench. Pouring Chanel No. 5 into a jug of sour milk isn’t really going to help, and some smells just can’t be removed by Febreze or Plugins. The advertisements for most odor-eliminating products contrast their effectiveness with attempts to merely “mask” bad odors. Masking a bad odor: what an apt description of hypocrisy! Real Christian love is not putting on a mask to try to hide a lack of love.
Furthermore, we are not the best judges of the smell of our own homes. People who work or live in places where horrible smells are ubiquitous tend to become “nose-blind” or oblivious because they have simply gotten used to them. We don’t want to “get used to” the problems in our marriages. Sometimes deep-cleaning is the only solution for really removing bad odors and creating a sweet-smelling atmosphere. Deep-cleaning in our marriages must consist of spiritual cleansing.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
This is an important part of giving our marriages a welcoming, sweet-smelling aroma: asking God to search us and let us know how we really smell. Getting used to sin is not the way to deal with sin – which leads to the second part of deep-cleaning your marriage: searching your heart and REPENTING.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
If unkind words, harsh attitudes, unforgiveness, refusing to communicate, deceitfulness, or other areas of conflict or sin are removed, it won’t matter for long if the practices just start right up again. Repentance is more than just admitting wrong. It is turning around and changing. Repentant marriages will be aromatic because they will be welcoming, with organic, natural, real love.
II. An aromatic marriage is a warm marriage.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Ephesians 5:28-29 (emphasis added)
The Greek word translated as “cherisheth” here is thalpo, and it literally means to keep warm.
A marriage which smells good to the Lord is a warm marriage. Generally, pleasant smells are carried better on warm air currents than cold breezes. That’s one reason why scented candles are so popular, and why so many good smells emanate from the oven and the stove. If your freezer is the only appliance in your house giving off an odor, that’s probably a bad sign.
It is the husband’s responsibility to keep the marriage warm. He is primarily in charge of the temperature of the marriage (including the thermostat! – just kidding). Now, he has a much easier job if the wife is cooperative.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
The husband, being the leader in the marriage (leadership roles are assigned by God) must do everything he can to make sure that neither spouse is lying down alone, but, of course, I’m not just talking about physical warmth here. I’m talking about the atmosphere of the marital home and the marriage itself. The atmosphere needs to be comforting as well as exciting.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4
A husband must take comfort himself in God, and let his wife see that He is right with God, and then he must lead and guide her into a right relationship with God. The kind of comfort that comes from a good job, a nice home, frequent vacation getaways, and those warmth-producing bed covers called “comforters” can be nice, but those are cold comfort compared to the warmth of knowing that you both know the Lord and are serving Him together and that you are under His care. An aromatic marriage consists of a relationship that is warm, where the wife knows she is cherished, and which is both exciting and comforting.
III. An aromatic marriage is a walking marriage.
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians 5:2 (emphasis added)
The idea of “walking” is a prominent motif in the Book of Ephesians. In order to make our marriages smell good we need to be living consistently in certain ways, and these ways are not mysterious. They have been clearly shown to us by Christ. He is the One we are to imitate, but how does a married person imitate Christ in marriage, when He was never married? You will not find any vignettes in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John of Jesus coming home from work, greeting His spouse with a kiss, and sitting down at the table to help with homework or eat supper with the family. What you will see, though, is the ways in which Jesus loved His bride, the Church.
He was consistent and faithful in His walk as He loved, served, and ultimately saved His Church. Erratic love won’t comfort your spouse, and it will make your marriage stink. Conditional love won’t make your spouse feel cherished or respected, and it will make your marriage reek. Love based on emotions or mere professions, and not on action, will poison the air of your marriage. Convenient, non-sacrificial love will make your marriage smell like a skunk wearing a rearview-mirror pine tree ornament. An aromatic marriage is one in which the spouses are imitating Christ as they walk in love – loving consistently and faithfully.
IV. An aromatic marriage is a worshipful marriage.
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
Revelation 21:9
Eventually and eternally in Heaven the Bride of Christ will be shown in glory. Our marriages should smell good, like a properly-prepared bride.
Not everyone agrees on exactly how a bride should prepare for her wedding. Some wear beautiful (and expensive) gowns. Some wear yoga pants and cowboy boots. Some dress up like Pokemons.
Regardless of some differences of opinion on what to wear at the wedding, though, I hope we can all agree that she ought to at least take a bath – to try to smell good. In order for us to smell good to God we must “smell” like Jesus. In order for our marriages to accurately depict the “marriage to the Lamb of God” we need to make sure that God is being worshiped in our marriages.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:2
When we are rejoicing in marriage, remember to worship (serve) God with that joy.
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Psalm 144:9-10
During a serious disagreement in your marriage, worship God with that disagreement.
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
In sadness and grief and mourning, worship God.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Psalm 27:10
In times of confusion or feeling misunderstood, worship God by acknowledging and appealing to Him.
David’s Reputation
March 25, 2021 at 12:12 pm | Posted in I Samuel | 8 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 16, 1 Samuel 17, commentary in 1 Samuel, David, David and Goliath, King David, Luke 23, Proverbs 22, Romans 12, Sunday School lessons on 1 Samuel
David as a young man was not slothful in business, and he was fervent in spirit. He was busy keeping sheep, and he risked his life to protect what his father and the Lord had given into his care.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
I Samuel 16:10-11
And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
I Samuel 17:34-35
He had a godly character and reputation.
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
I Samuel 16:18
These are the things for which David was known as a young man, or what society would today call a “teenager.” He had what Proverbs 22:1 calls a “good name.” He was also gifted by God. He had “cunning in playing:” musical talent. He was “mighty” and “valiant:” known for overcoming problems. He was “a man of war:” a good fighter, someone who stood up for what is right. He was “prudent in matters:” smart. He was “a comely person:” good-looking. Perhaps people could say most or all of these things about you, but could they say, “The LORD is with him, or her?”
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
I Samuel 17:40-47
The true and factual account of David’s encounter with Goliath is often taught as an allegory about facing the “giants” in our lives, but Goliath wasn’t in David’s “life.” What David saw was an opportunity for God to get glory.
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
I Samuel 17:28-29, emphasis added
But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he Pilate said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
Luke 23:21-22, emphasis added
There was a “cause” against Goliath. There was not a “cause” against Jesus. There was a “cause” against us, but God, through the propitiation of Christ Jesus “justified” us “without a cause.” Justification means that when the devil asks God about us, “Is there not a cause” for our death? God can point to His Son on the Cross and still be “just.”
And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
I Samuel 17:57
David apparently was not averse to carrying around the grisly severed body parts of his enemies.
Pursuing Peace in Marriage
September 10, 2020 at 4:31 pm | Posted in Ephesians, Uncategorized | 7 CommentsTags: Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, Christian peace, Ephesians 4, James 4, marriage, Philippians 2, preparing for conflict, Romans 12
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18
This is a verse that might make us think of just trying to get along with others in general, or a reminder not to go around starting trouble. (My wife likes to say, “Don’t start nothin’, won’t be nothin’!”)
We could also emphasize the part of the verse that says “if it be possible,” because it almost sounds like an excuse when we find ourselves in a conflict: “I wanted to live peaceably with that jerk, but it’s just not possible.” However, when we start to list all the areas where we want peaceful relationships, certainly marriage has to be at the top of that list.
Knowing the often-stressed importance of communication in marriage, and recognizing that there are tremendous differences in how husbands and wives communicate, we remember that these differences are designed by God, and hopefully we learn from our spouses as we “complement” each other.
The phrase “as much as lieth in you” should exhort us to put in maximum effort to try to prevent the kind of conflict which would force us to fight a defensive battle in our sanctification. It reminds us to go on the offensive in preempting conflict and in showing love: to take the initiative.
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:2-4
Thinking about the other person (especially your spouse) sounds like such an easy task. But how often do we really do it? A wife has been at home alone for a significant period of time while her husband has been away. What is she hoping to experience when he first gets home? That he’ll go straight to the television or the computer? That he won’t notice her? That he will find some fault to criticize? What about the husband? What is hoping to experience when he first gets home? Anger? Unkindness? We know that we’re supposed to answer all of these in the negative, but being likeminded and of one accord is more than just gauging the current mood and adapting. It is proactively preparing to bring blessings to your spouse, and then delivering them in person.
Humility is the virtue that cultivates this mindset. Think about the Gospel when preparing to see your spouse. Strife and vainglory are the means to selfishness, but esteeming your spouse better than yourself sets a different goal. If she’s more important than me, what can I do to serve her? And if I’m less important than her, serving is a great way to fulfill my purpose.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Ephesians 4:1
Your “calling” as a spouse is not to be pampered and spoiled and served and waited upon. It is not to be a safe punching bag or a venting zone. No! It’s to love and serve and sacrifice and help someone else to grow in the likeness of Christ even as you yourself grow in Christian maturity.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:2
This will only make sense if we reject all the world’s self-help and psychological mumbo jumbo. Admit that you are low. Behave meekly because apart from God you are nothing. Recognize that suffering is one of the BEST times to show love and suffer long. Recognize that being offended/sinned-against is the BEST time to show forbearance and forgiveness.
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3
The bond of peace does not just magically occur when you and your spouse happen to have good days at the same time. The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace comes about through ENDEAVORING. Pursuing peace in marriage is an adventure, an expedition, a long trip over rugged terrain requiring planning and courage and perseverance. Those things are hard, but they are also the most rewarding. You and your spouse are not Ozzie and Harriet – you are Lewis and Clark!
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:1-2
Most conflict in marriage does not come from outsiders interfering. Sometimes it does, but hardly ever. It comes from within us. It comes from desire born of dissatisfaction – which lets us know it’s selfish desire. Redirect your desire to get something OUT OF your marriage toward putting something INTO IT.
Prayerless Practical Pouting Prefers Possessive Purpose
November 18, 2019 at 3:59 pm | Posted in Biblical prayer, Luke | 3 CommentsTags: Biblical joy, Biblical rejoicing, commentary on Luke, Luke 15, parable of the prodigal son, rejoicing, Romans 12, Sunday School lessons on Luke, the love of God, the prodigal son
The Pharisees, who were the intended primary audience as Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son, would have had a huge problem with His depictions of the father. They would not have wanted to think of God the Father, who was clearly being symbolized by this earthly father, subjecting Himself to the ignominy of running, much less rewarding a disobedient son. This was where the older son entered the picture.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
Luke 15:25
We may surmise that ever since his younger brother had left home, the older son had been doing twice the work, which may explain why Jesus included the detail that he was “in the field,” and, to his credit, he was in this sense a “good son.” He worked hard and obeyed his father with an outward obedience.
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:26-27
There was no sign of relief on the part of the older son that his little brother was alive and safe, much less any joy.
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
Luke 15:28
He was angry and pouting, and thereby serves as a reminder to us to beware of being angry about someone else’s undeserved blessings.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:9
The older son was a faker, a hypocrite. He acted like a good son, but was really serving his father for what was in it for himself.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:10
The older son didn’t prefer his younger brother over himself. He demanded recognition for being “good” in comparison.
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:11
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:12
It seems very unlikely that the older son had been praying for his brother, because he wasn’t at all happy to have him back.
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:13
The father was given to hospitality, but the older son was not.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 12:14-15
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Luke 15:29
Vain religion or legalism often masquerades as practicality and puts a damp cloth on rejoicing.
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Luke 15:30
The older brother referred to his younger brother as “thy son,” rather than “my brother,” when speaking to the father. He was jealous of his father’s favoritism and material possessions, but not over his father’s affections. When you truly love another person, you are happy about events or things that make him happy.
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luke 15:31
Jesus did a masterful job of exposing the ulterior motives of each character in the story. The father’s purpose was to care for his sons. The younger son’s purpose had been to get away from his father. The older son’s purpose was to use his father for selfish reasons.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Luke 15:32
That’s where our knowledge of the story ends. We are not told what happened next. Did the older son come into the party? Did the younger son wander again after he got full? Did either of them learn his lesson? The father wasn’t interested in that. He wanted to have a party – to rejoice. He wanted his youngest son to feel welcome and he wanted his oldest son to be gracious.
Based on the Pharisees’ behavior after this, they either didn’t get it, or it just made them madder. How will you and I act, knowing that we were destitute in the far country – drinking down iniquity like water and eating garbage like a pig – but our Heavenly Father loved us enough to run to us, cover us with love, and give us authority?
How to Handle Unexpected Hostility
September 16, 2019 at 4:45 pm | Posted in I Samuel, Uncategorized | 12 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 25, Abigail, David, James 1, Luke 14, Matthew 5, Nabal, Romans 12, Romans 2
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
I Samuel 25:2
This man, who probably had two separate homes (one in Maon and one in Carmel), was extremely rich. Some wealthy people are generous – and some are mean and stingy. In the historical period described in I Samuel, if there was ever a time when it would be wise to approach a rich man to ask for a favor, it would be during the shearing time – a time of celebration and prosperity.
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
I Samuel 25:3
What a contrast! This evil and rude and mean-spirited man had a beautiful and gracious wife. He was a fool, and she was known for wisdom. He was “churlish” – translated from a Hebrew word which brings to mind a mean dog that bites the hand that would feed it, and is a pun on the name “Caleb,” which in Hebrew sounds like the word for dog. How could a man like Nabal obtain a wife like Abigail? If you know me and my wife, you are probably thinking I should know the answer to that, since it describes me and her! The Bible doesn’t tell us, though. We are left to assume that Nabal changed after the wedding, or that it was an arranged marriage, without Abigail having had a say in the matter.
And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
I Samuel 25:4
David and his men needed food and supplies. Not knowing Nabal’s temperament, David believed this would be a good time to call in the favor implicitly owed to him by Nabal, but instead of charging into the shearing party with 600 unruly soldiers, he exercised discretion and sent ahead ten young, inoffensive messengers.
And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
I Samuel 25:5-8
There was an understanding that the good service done to Nabal’s shepherds in protecting them and his flocks, and in being very scrupulous not to take anything for themselves without permission, would be rewarded in a culture where the custom of hospitality toward strangers was of the utmost honor.
And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
I Samuel 25:9-10
Verse 14 says that Nabal “railed” on them, which is translated from a Hebrew word that means to screech at someone in fury like a predatory bird swooping down on its prey. It is difficult to overstate how insulting this was toward David, especially after he had just had an opportunity to take Saul’s life, and had refused to do it.
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
I Samuel 25:11-12
David was a complex character. He was a man after God’s own heart, known for his passion and zeal for God, but passionate and zealous people often have a hard time controlling that passion and zeal. David was someone who rejoiced at good news with his whole heart – as many of the Psalms attest – but he was also someone who could react very violently at bad news – as many of the OTHER Psalms, along with some of David’s actions – attest. When he received word of Nabal’s insults and his refusal to pay what David felt he owed, he did not hesitate.
Sometimes it’s hard to read tone into Biblical dialogue, but it’s not at all hard to hear David’s attitude, and imagine him speaking through gritted teeth with flexed muscles and furrowed brow in this verse:
And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
I Samuel 25:13
While this was going on, one of Nabal’s servants had the foresight to see where things were heading, and, when David’s servants left to report back to David, this servant, acting on his own initiative, went and found Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and told her what kind of trouble Nabal had stirred up for himself.
Just as David acted decisively and without hesitation when told of Nabal’s offensiveness, Abigail acted just as quickly and decisively – but with a far different motive and intention. Whereas David had strapped on his sword, Abigail packed a picnic!
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
I Samuel 25:18
That sounds like a huge amount of food prepared in a short period of time. As she went forth, the Lord’s invisible hand (what we call His providence) was at work. He arranged it so that David, bearing down on Nabal’s estate, ran smack into Abigail at just the right moment.
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
I Samuel 25:23-25
A superficial reading makes it sound like she was being disloyal to her own husband, pointing out that his name was well-deserved, but in reality she was doing him a great service – albeit behind his back.
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
I Samuel 25:26-31
There is tremendous wisdom in this speech, and it is not flattery. It is truth: David would one day reign over Israel, and the act of vengeance he was on the verge of committing would have been a stain on his reputation that would have hindered his abililty to rule, as well as showing a lack of trust in the Lord to fight his battles for him.
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
I Samuel 25:32-3
We can take a few lessons from the account of Nabal, David, and Abigail:
1. Don’t assume that people are good-natured.
David took it for granted that his good service toward Nabal would be returned in kind. We don’t have to resort to gross pessimism, but we do need to remember the doctrine of man’s depravity, so that we are not caught off-guard when someone responds to our kindness with rudeness or hostility.
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:10-11
2. When you encounter unexpected hostility, don’t respond with rash anger in return.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20
There are times when righteous indignation is the appropriate and even God-honoring response, but a cooling-off period in which we seek the Lord in prayer and Bible-consultation helps us to exercise wisdom.
3. Don’t let your mouth write a check your provision can’t cash.
Nabal talked very boldly and arrogantly and provocatively to David’s servants, but he was ill-prepared to deal with the consequences.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:28-33
4. Peacemakers enjoy God’s favor.
Abigail saved both both men from a tragic consequence – at least temporarily.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
Making true peace involves sharing the truth, and it involves self-sacrifice. Abigail took a big risk intercepting David, but she needed to share the truth that ultimate vengeance belongs to God, not us. David’s change of mind turned out to be the right course of action, and Nabal did not escape God’s justice.
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
I Samuel 25:36-39
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19
Abigail’s actions remind us in a way of Jesus, Who rescued us from the wrath and the shame we deserved because of our hostility toward God and each other. If you have been rescued from the power of sin, and from even greater sin than you would have committed apart from God’s providence and intercession, then praise Him. If you are still in your sins, seize this opportunity right now – as did David – to turn from your present course, and turn toward Jesus. Repent, trust Him, ask Him to take away your sin and guilt – and live.
How to Deal with Flaky Church Attenders?
May 22, 2019 at 1:41 pm | Posted in Q&A | 7 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 13, church, church attendance, church introverts, church membership, church welcome committee, church welcome team, Romans 12, welcome committee
Question: Okay, so… there’s this couple that used to come to church faithfully for a long time, but then they stopped coming. Their church friends tried to encourage them, but nobody could really get a straight answer about why they stopped coming to church. They would just sort of mumble about not feeling connected, or going to a different church, or feeling let down by such and such church leaders, and things like that, but they wouldn’t be specific. People kept trying to follow up and encourage them for a long time, but finally just accepted that they weren’t coming back. Now, once in while, maybe a couple of times a year, out of the blue, they show up on a Sunday morning, and all their old church friends just go nuts. They fawn all over them, and tell them how glad they are to see them, and make a really big deal out of the fact that they’re back, but the next Sunday they’re not there again, and it may be five or six months before they’re seen again. My question is this: Is it right to make such a big deal over them when they show up, or should people just be polite, but have more of a wait-and-see attitude, unless they come for at least two or three weeks in a row?
Answer: That’s a tough question. I know it is disappointing when people leave the church for superficial reasons – especially young married couples who really need the blessing of fellowship and service in the Body of Christ. And, yes, it can be frustrating when (from a personal standpoint) it looks like people that we care about are being flaky about church attendance. However, it probably wouldn’t be wise to try to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm over their friends showing up at church – even if it can be kind of a set-up for disappointment. There may be a temptation to judge the motives of the couple you are describing as being attention-seeking, and to try the tactic of ignoring them when they come to church to see if they will come for several straight weeks until they satisfy their desire to be noticed, but I can’t find any Biblical support for that sort of judgmental speculation or pragmatism, and it’s usually not wise to judge someone’s inner motives. Probably the best thing to do is be happy when they do come to church, keep praying for them, and try to be happy for the people who are absurdly overjoyed to see them. Romans 12:15 says that we need to rejoice with those who are rejoicing (unless they are rejoicing in something evil – I Corinthians 13:6), so that seems to be the best attitude to have in this situation.
[One caveat is that there are people who wish they could come to church WITHOUT being noticed or fawned over, so when a big deal is made about the fact that they finally showed up, it has the opposite effect of making them not want to come back, but I honestly do not know how to combat that attitude. We can’t reasonably ask friendly church members to ignore guests or former members, and when friendliness is seen as a detriment instead of a benefit, there’s not much we can do about that.]
Obedience Matters
November 1, 2017 at 3:21 pm | Posted in I Samuel, Jeremiah, Uncategorized | 15 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 12, Biblical obedience, Disobedience, faith and obedience, Hebrews 10, Jeremiah 10, John 14, obey God, Romans 12, Romans 16
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
I Samuel 12:14
God in His holy disposition was not disposed to give His people an earthly king. God was their true King, but they wanted a human king very badly, because the other nations had human kings. God allowed them to have their wish, although He knew that having a human king would cause many problems and much heartache and suffering, because a human king would be a sinful king.
He had his prophet Samuel appoint a man named Saul to be the first human king of Israel. I Samuel 12 is Samuel’s farewell address to the people, after he had anointed Saul as their king. What Samuel knew – and what you and I must know and believe ourselves – is that what really matters to God is not so much the strength of our earthly leaders, but our own obedience to God’s will as revealed in His Word.
Here are four brief thoughts on the matter of obedience, under the acrostic O.B.E.Y.
O.wnership
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jeremiah 10:10
We do not like to think of ourselves as property, and especially not someone else’s property. If, like me, you are an American, you probably believe that our leaders are supposed to serve us, not rule over us. We think we are free and independent. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution even say that we are. But we are not. We are the subjects of a sovereign and mighty King, Whose rule is everlasting. We belong to Him. He owns us, lock, stock, and barrel from the moment of our conception, and He will do with us as He pleases. And we have nothing about us that is threatening or mysterious to Him.
If we believe this – truly believe – then obedience is not an optional thing. It is a logical and rational and inescapable fact of life. To disobey our Owner and King is foolish treason without any hope of working out well for us, and it subjects us to His anger and wrath and punishment or chastisement. Only such attributes as His grace, mercy, and love make even the beginning of a way to exist in His universe, and to therein know any joy whatsoever.
O.bey
B.iblical revelation
God – our Owner and King – has not left it up to us to try to figure out on our own what we must do – or refrain from doing – in order to obey Him. He has revealed His will to us in a written Word.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Romans 16:26
It is our responsibility as God’s image-bearing creatures to know what He wants us to do – and HOW He wants us to do it. This knowledge does not come to us in dreams or visions, or by feelings or hunches. We do not get it by convening a council and reaching a consensus, or through trial-and-error experimentation. We get it by studying His holy Word – studying it to show ourselves approved – workers that won’t be ashamed when we stand before Him, saying, “But I didn’t know that was wrong,” or, “I didn’t know that’s what You wanted me to be doing with my life.” As my old Sunday School teacher used to say, “If you stand before God one day embarrassed by what you’ve done, then you will be standing there embarrassed on purpose,” because He has made it abundantly plain and clear in His book!
O.wnership
B.iblical revelation
E.arnestness
By earnestness I mean that our obedience to God must not be outward obedience only. It must come from the heart – from a true desire to please Him and an inward conviction that His commands and prohibitions for us are RIGHT.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22
In order to obey God truly from the heart, our hearts must be cleaned and renewed. They must be “sprinkled” (splashed with the blood of Christ) and washed with the water of the Word. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can fake obedience to certain extent, and fool other people, but God Himself is never fooled. To obey is better than outward shows of sacrifice, meaning that the inward faith of a desire to truly please God is better than external rituals. Earnestness is not really something we can achieve on our own, but it is the natural product of a true love for Christ and what He has done for us. However, and this is of tremendous importance, such earnestness WILL manifest itself in outward and visible acts of obedience.
O.wnership
B.iblical revelation
E.arnestness
Y.ield
The Holy Spirit wants you to obey God. He wants you to understand and obey His Word. He wants you to learn it and to live it. The office of the Spirit is to glorify Christ. If we will yield to the Spirit, we will honor Christ by our obedience.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:15
Obedience is not only the way to show our love for Jesus; it is the best evidence of our love for Jesus. It is not only the will of God that we obey; it is the way that we demonstrate that His will is perfect.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1
“Present” yourself to God. Yield to Him and His Spirit. This is your reasonable “service:” the way you serve your King and Owner. This will “prove” or “demonstrate” that His will is perfect.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
At the very end of his farewell speech, Samuel said this:
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
I Samuel 12:24-25
There is no question that obedience is not only the right thing to do, but the objectively best thing for us. Much disobedience in this world escapes the notice and the justice of the earthly authorities, but none of it escapes God’s notice or His justice. His justice WILL be satisfied – either on you, or in Christ.
A Body of Idolatry
June 16, 2017 at 1:48 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 7 CommentsTags: blessed, commentary on Psalms, idol worship, idolatry, idols, Proverbs 4, Psalm 115, Romans 12, Sunday School lessons on Psalms
Romans 12:1 commands us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. If we take this literally, and I think we should, then it will remind us that all our limbs and sensory organs are to be dedicated to serving and glorifying God. If we ignore this command we run the risk of living like idolaters.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
Psalm 115:4-7
A material idol, designed to act as, or represent, a false god, has a mouth that can’t talk, eyes that can’t see, ears that can’t hear, a nose that can’t smell, hands that can’t pick up anything, feet that can’t walk, and a throat with no sound. And then comes the kicker:
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Psalm 115:8
These idols are made by the very people who are worshiping them! How can they be so self-deluded?! Imagine praying for deliverance to a little figure that needed you to even carve it into existence. Can people really believe that a god would be dependent upon its own “creator?”
It’s not as far-fetched as it seems. Logic, apart from the wisdom that comes only from the True and Living God, is not our strong suit. In fact, if we do not keep our hearts diligently focused on God, we will quickly fall into delusion and all sorts of idolatry.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Then, pretty soon, we will usurp the use of the mouths that God has given us, and start speaking disrespectfully, rebelliously, and deceitfully.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 4:24
Next we’ll stop looking for God’s beauty in His creation, and we’ll studiously avoid looking for people who are genuinely needy or who make us feel uncomfortable, and we’ll instead use God’s gift of vision for peeking at forbidden and ugly-but-seductive things.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Proverbs 4:25
Before we know it, our idolatrous feet will follow our idolatrous eyes and hearts right off of God’s safe path and into the world’s bramble of unfulfillment, heartache, addiction, danger, and desolation.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We are poor identifiers of our own idolatry. Most of us think that our common sense would kick in somewhere around the time we started placing offerings into the hands (hands that we ourselves had fashioned!) of idols that could not hold the very things we were trying to give them. But, no, here we are, hopefully knowing somewhere deep down that we – and all of the complex creation around us – were made by Someone infinitely greater than us, yet still trying to give our time, talents, and treasure to man-made idols, such as political parties, houses, cars, electronic devices, investment portfolios, clothes, and entertainment. What a contradictory race of creatures we are, to desire to be “blessed,” but to want to dictate, design, and direct our own trivial blessings, while our Supreme Maker and true source of all true blessings, is relegated to the sidelines of our lives and largely ignored.
Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Psalm 115:11-16
The Deep End 
Bible Study as a Means of Grace (Part 2)
November 9, 2023 at 4:32 pm | Posted in Means of Grace | 5 CommentsTags: Acts 17, Acts 6, Bible study, commentary on Psalms, Means of Grace, Psalm 119, Romans 12, Sunday School lessons on Psalms
The Holy Scriptures are sufficient, inspired, infallible, and inerrant. Another attribute of God’s Word is its perspicuity. Does this mean we can call it perspicuous? Perspicacious? I’m not sure what the correct adjective would be, but what it means is that the principles and precepts in the Bible can be understood by believers. Its essential truths and fundamental messages are clear to anyone who will read them honestly.
Psalm 119:30 (emphasis added)
Scripture is profitable for doctrine: instruction and teaching concerning what is right. It is profitable for reproof: conviction or testing by evidence concerning what is wrong. It is profitable for correction: showing us how to change from wrong to right, and from fallen to upright, and from crooked or perverse to straight. The Bible “straightens us out.” It is profitable for instruction: ongoing nurturing and training, which includes chastening in love.
Here are some practical ideas from the Bible itself to apply to your Bible study habits:
1. Study the Bible in community.
Acts 17:10-11 (emphasis added)
2. Study the Bible daily (or at least regularly).
The Christians in Berea had an eagerness to hear the Word of God, and they did not trust a proclamation about it that could not be independently confirmed by reading and studying it, and specifically by reading and studying it in COMMUNITY.
3. Study the Bible by committing it to memory.
Psalm 119:11-13
Bible study should be accompanied by prayer. Ask the Author of the Word to teach it to you.
4. Study the Bible with joy.
5. Study the Bible through meditation.
Psalm 119:14-16
In community we converse with others about the Bible. In meditation we converse with ourselves about it.
6. Study the Bible with wonder.
Psalm 119:18
Have curiosity when studying the Word. Look for surprising and unexpected things in it. Ask the Lord to break the chains of your preconceptions.
7. Study the Bible as a priority.
Psalm 119:147
Study the Bible at the beginning of an enterprise and at the conclusion of an enterprise.
8. Study the Bible as a performance review.
Psalm 119:48
Meditate on the Word at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day, at the beginning of a project and at the end of a project.
9. Study the Bible intellectually.
Romans 12:2
Don’t underestimate the Holy Spirit’s ability and willingness to boost up your intelligence, understanding, and reading comprehension.
10. Study the Bible humbly.
Romans 12:3
Try not to see yourself as the hero in every Bible story you read. Try to see yourself as the sinner in every Bible story.
11. Study the Bible cooperatively with other disciplines, such as prayer and ministry.
Acts 6:2-7
While studying the Bible, don’t just sit, soak, and sour. Instead, sit, soak, and serve.