Pride, Bitterness, Contentment & Etc.
DECEIT
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
We are not suppose to deceive anyone much less ourselves. As the scripture tells us not to be deceived as to what will happen if we do. This is so true, I myself have witness it so many times in the past. Even before I knew what the scripture said. I have also been told what goes around, comes around. Which is pretty much the same thing, I believe. Nothing good comes from it, and you will pay dearly for it. But some people do it anyway, who knows why. The only thing I can think of is their knowledge and understanding of the Bible is so very wrong or they don't know the LORD or HIS word as well as they think they do. I can see a lost person being this way, but not a Christian. They are suppose to know better than to do this sort of thing. But you would be surprise as to how many who do this. I really do feel for them because of it. As the scripture says, GOD will not be mocked! There is one thing that I have learned in my walk with the LORD and dealing with other Christians. They tend to test the waters (GOD) to see what they can get away with. Some do it more than once, because they didn't learn their lesson the first time. We are not to test the LORD at all. You can count on it, the LORD will let you know it for sure. Why is it that some Christians are so hard to teach and break from such things as this, I will never know why. Unless it is lack of knowledge of GOD'S word. It could make one question as to whether or not they are a true Christian as well. Especially, if those around you who have not accepted CHRIST are watching you do such things and claim to be a Christian as well. You can count on it, they are watching everything you do and say. As Christians we are to set examples for those that are lost and try to lead them to CHRIST. The LORD sure will look down on you for it and you will pay for it. There are some that go to church and claim to be a Christian as well. Going to church and trying to live by GOD'S word does not make you a true Christian. Only accepting Christ makes you a true Christian. Here is an example: The church that I went to at one time, my pastor's son walked and talked GOD'S word. He also was still pure. He was in his early 20's when he accepted CHRIST, everyone including his own father was shocked when they saw this. The pastor (father) as well as everyone else thought he was already a Christian. To hear his testimony was awesome, he told how he had spent years wearing a mask and fooling everyone including his parents. He claim that the LORD through conviction force him to come forward and accept CHRIST and confess the truth. Let me tell you, he sure did. So I hope this message helps those to understand what not to do and to watch those who are wearing a mask to make you think they are something (image) their not .
Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
My way!
We deal with our flesh on a daily bases, more so than most people realize. We
are really bad for demanding things to go our own way. I have talked about this
in some of my other studies in the past. Nothing is suppose to go our way, it is
suppose to go GOD'S way. I know it is hard fighting the flesh, I myself have been
a Christian for a long time and still deal with the flesh. GOD's way is different
from our way. The question is who are you willing to walk with GOD and his way,
or are you still fighting to have things your way. Not everyone looks at your way,
they either look at their way or GOD'S way. Don't get anger or upset because
things are not working out the way you expect them to, because from my
experience with walking with the LORD, it never does. The LORD has lead me
down so many paths HIS way, at that time I could not understand, and it sure
didn't make any sense to me as to why I was expected to do it. If I had control
over it, I know I would have handled things a lot different and quicker. But that is
not how the LORD does HIS work. There is a lot of reasons as to why HE does
what HE does. It can be: Time, teaching us Patiences, giving us strength,
teaching someone other than you a lesson (trial), it could be a number of things.
Like I said, the LORD does not think like you and I, that is why HE is GOD. So
don't fight or resist GOD'S way even if it don't make any sense to you.
Remember, if everything made sense, then why on earth would we need faith to
begin with. Trust in HIM and as they say go with the flow. Don't demand having
things to go your way, I myself would say that it may have something to do with
one's pride. Especially, if we expect everything to go the way we want it to go.
Here is something that I had posted before written by: Beth Moore
Read it and think on it for a while and see if it fits you and if it does, then you need
to make some changes in your life..............
My name is Pride, I am a cheater. I cheat you of your GOD-given
destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment....because you "deserve better than this".
I cheat you of knowledge......because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing......because you're too full of me (pride) to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness.....because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision....because you would rather look in the mirror than out a
window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship.....because nobody's going to know the real
you.
I cheat you of love......because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven......because you refuse to wash anothers feet
on earth.
I cheat you of GOD'S glory.....because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride, I am a cheater. You like me because you think I'm always
looking out for you. Untrue! I'm looking to make a fool of you, GOD has so
much for you, I admit, but don't worry......If you stick with me, you'll never know.
A lot of people has asked me this question so many times, and I have given them
the same answer ever time. In my life, I have dealt with a lot of hurt, pain, fear
and who knows how many tears. But if the LORD gave me the opportunity to
turn the clock back and gave me control of my life so I could change things the
way I wanted them. Would I be willing to do so, not on your life would I change a
thing. No matter how much pain or hurt, fear or tears I have shed, I would not
change a thing. I am proud of who I am and were I stand today. The only thing I
do know I would change would be accepting CHRIST and walking with HIM a lot
sooner than I did. Other than that, I would be willing to relive everything all over
again. I have no regrets!
Contentment
The LORD will give us everything we need and most of what we want. We should be content with what HE has given us. Although a lot of people want more than they should get. An example is money, they want more than what the LORD allows them to have. There is a reason as to why HE don't, some people can't handle a lot of money. You know what they say about money, it is the root of all evil. This is why he limits everyone to a certain amount. No matter what the LORD gives to us or puts before us, we should be content with it. We don't deserve anything to begin with. Here is some scripture on what I have said above..............
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Cross Reference:
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. {little: or, for a little time}
Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Proverbs 3:13 ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. {that getteth…: Heb. that draweth out understanding}
Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Proverbs 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Proverbs 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Proverbs 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: {lead: or, walk}
Proverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Proverbs 15:16 ¶ Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 16:8 ¶ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:1 ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Philippians 1:21 ¶ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Exodus 2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. {Do violence…: or, Put no man in fear} {wages: or, allowance}
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Pride can cost you a lot!
The LORD will give us blessing. Things that we want or ask for, but a lot of Christians loose those blessing because of their pride. What I mean by this is they allow their pride to get in the way of what the LORD wants them to do. What ever the reason is for one to not follow what the LORD has put before them is their loss. We all deal with pride, it is a common thing. Some have a harder time letting go their pride more so than others. There is one thing everyone should remember. JESUS humbled HIMSELF before HIS FATHER (Mt. 26:36-42), and accepted what the LORD put before HIM. HE dealt with feeling just like you and I. HE didn't have to put HIMSELF on the cross for us, but HE did. If HE can humble HIMSELF for you, then why can you not swallow your pride and humble yourself for HIM. It is your loss if you don't. The Bible speaks a lot about pride, here is some examples:
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the
evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is
wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is
wisdom.
Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the
wise shall preserve them.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a
fall.
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the
humble in spirit.
continue................
I was reading from a book written from Beth Moore:
"BREAKING FREE FROM SPIRITUAL STRONGHOLDS, PRAYING GOD'S WORD".
She puts it very well, and I will share with you what she has written about pride:
"Satan's specialty"..."Satan was expelled from heaven because of pride.
That this (pride) is the most effective means of keeping a christian from being full
of the spirit is by keeping them full of themselves. That pride is the enemy of the
ministry as well as the end of many homes (marriages)." This is so true!
Daniel 4:37.......Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the
King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and
those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Abase- signifies "to make low, bring low."
I do agree with her also, saying it is easier for you to let go of your pride
on your own, than it is to make the LORD force you to let go of your pride
(less painful). For those of you who have not really experience the true power
of the LORD, you are better off letting it go on your own. This is another
thing she wrote, I like very much.
My name is Pride, I am a cheater. I cheat you of your GOD-given
destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment....because you "deserve better than this".
I cheat you of knowledge......because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing......because you're too full of me (pride) to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness.....because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision....because you would rather look in the mirror than out a
window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship.....because nobody's going to know the real
you.
I cheat you of love......because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven......because you refuse to wash anothers feet
on earth.
I cheat you of GOD'S glory.....because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride, I am a cheater. You like me because you think I'm always
looking out for you. Untrue! I'm looking to make a fool of you, GOD has so
much for you, I admit, but don't worry......If you stick with me, you'll never know.
Bitterness
The whole purpose was to teach us to forgive one another and not hold any bitterness towards anyone. I myself personally know some who has a hard time dealing with bitterness. Those who have done them wrong in some way, they do not forgive them for their wrong doings. It is hard to forgive someone who intentionally tries to hurt you in some way. But the LORD expects us to forgive them and not be bitter towards them. As the Bible says, we are to fight evil with good! Set an example for them, don't try to get even with them. All that will do is create more problems and leads to more bitterness for you as well. I will give you an example: Some friends of mine lost their son. He was murdered. Yes, they caught the ones who killed their son and yes, the parents faced the two and forgiven them for what they had done to their son. Now I know for a fact this is true, because I was involved in this situation as well. So if these two can forgive them for taking their son's life at the age 17. There is no excuse for someone else not to forgive those who have hurt them in some way.
How can you have peace in your life, if you don't forgive those who have done
you wrong? I also know some who will not say they are sorry for hurting
someone's feelings. I am not sure why, but it is very wrong. It does not degrade
you to say I am sorry for something. If your mate (example: Man) makes a
mistake, he should tell his wife or mate, he is sorry. It does not make you less of
a man in doing so. But some men do feel that way, I believe sometimes. I do
believe if he would admit he has made a mistake and tells his wife
or mate he is sorry. I believe she would respect him more. It does
take a man (man of GOD) to admit he has made a mistake and a fool not to admit it!
Man is not perfect (He is not CHRIST!), only CHRIST is perfect! Do what the LORD
expects you to do, forgive and tell someone you are sorry for your mistake!
Job 21:25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with
pleasure.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of
iniquity.
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; {fail…;
or, fall from}
All Teaching Below are from Rev. Benny Bagwell:
