THE ERROR OF THE WICKED
There is an error, called the error of the wicked spoken of in our Bibles that we had best understand. We need to know what this error is and the consequences of living a life believing in this error. Many sheep have been led astray by the error of the wicked. This is one way people fall away from the living God and end up right back wallowing in the mud immersed into and practicing sin.
The Apostle Peter ended his second and last known epistle to the brethren with a warning about the coming judgment of God (the Day of the Lord) and a call for us to remain steadfast to endure through many things. These anointed words specifically named an error that was already spreading based on the twisting and misunderstanding of Paul’s letters to the early churches.
2 Peter 3:17 Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with THE ERROR OF THE WICKED
This error has become so widespread and so egregious after 2,000 years of apostasy that those clinging to the error of the wicked are by and large the people at the top of our religious organizations. Error has crept in unawares and the doctrines that conform one to godliness and holiness have been lost in the resulting apostasy. Peter reminded the brethren that we had to diligently pursue the peace and holiness to see the Lord. In referring to the writings of Paul, Peter assures the brethren they speak the same gospel yet indicates that Paul’s writings were being twisted by those holding to this error of the wicked.
2 Peter 3:14-16 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
It is beyond this post to get into all the perversion of Paul’s letter’s by wicked men; but let it be said, those teaching a God that only loves, a faith that is based on saying words with one’s lips and a walk of holiness that requires nothing from us (perverted grace) – embraces most of the false gospels that do not purge sin from the congregation and produce the double minded harlots serving both God and their flesh that the Apostle James wrote about.
The error of the wicked is the belief that one can continue in willful sin and remain in the love and hedge of God’s protection. No, No, No. This is an egregious error that will keep one from the blessings of God and ensure they receive the wrath of God abiding upon them.
Wicked people = Sinful people
Wickedness is sin
Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
Number 16:26 Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.
The error of the wicked is the perversion of God’s grace and His love to accommodate sinful lives and consequently not purging out sin. All the warnings on deception warn the brethren of this one very wicked deception. This is the most basic doctrine of a demon that has consumed modern day Christianity that is built by twisting Paul’s messages just as Peter wrote 2,000 years ago.
This is not about sinless perfection. I am not speaking about a mistake or a falling down in sin or even a new babe in Christ struggling to put to death the flesh as they are sanctified and purged of the power of sin in their lives. I am talking about those that have rationalized sin and accepted it and keep on sinning willfully as the desires of Satan they want to do in their heart (John 8:44). I am talking about those living, walking, talking and acting just like the world practicing sin with impunity without fear of the Lord and a total perversion of what the grace of God is all about. We are to strive against all sin and to depart from all inequity; otherwise we are not the Lord’s and believe in vain. When we truly love God in our hearts, we will hate sin and flee from it. The things of this world, its lusts and its passions will not capture our hearts. If and when we make a mistake we run to throne of mercy and grace and confess it to the Lord. Wicked people love sin more than then they love God and they are not willing to give it up. They are idolaters to boot.
God’s people are not supposed to be commingling with the wicked. We are supposed to come out and be separate lest we too be partakers of their judgment that is poured out upon them. (2 Cor 6, Revelation 18, etc)
2 COR 6:14-16 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
How can we be so blind to the truth? How can Paul’s epistles be so twisted to think we don’t have to deal with this problem called sin and worldliness? It pains me to see many men of God compromise the WORD and only preach partial truths. When they come to the passages that speak to the righteous judgment of God for sin, the wrath of God and all the warnings about being deceived over this very issue of willful practice of sin, they skip right over it. If somehow those Scriptures such as Ephesians 5:5-6 are mentioned, they are explained away to keep people away from the fear of the Lord.
Ephesians 5:5-6 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
These pastors that skip over these clear teachings of Paul are either not appointed by God to preach or else they have placed their selfish ambition and interest ahead of feeding the flock the true unadulterated WORD (e.g. a hireling per John 10). Wake up people. There are a lot of very nice people that are teaching the error of the wicked and believe they are serving the Lord.
The tickling of ears and building of reputations, names, ministries and buildings must stop. We the Body of Christ do not get to decide who Jesus chooses and puts into His church. We must sow the truth and let God decide when and to whom to give the increase. The vast majority of organized Christianity has long ago departed from sound doctrine and has replaced truth with doctrines of demons.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy
Hello we are living in these times my friends right now. It is waxing worse and worse. What is evil is now called good and what is good is now called evil. Today is the day of salvation.
I thank God for the epistles the Apostle Paul left for us today. Those letters contain profound wisdom on heavenly things and the Lord Jesus Christ. They speak of the immeasurable love God has for us in sending His own son to die while we were yet sinners. Paul’s letters describe God’s plan of salvation and define for us the blessings and gifting the Lord has given to us to navigate the narrow path. The new covenant of faith is clearly distinguished from the old covenant and the Law of Moses. Yet at the same time Paul preached holiness, he preached the fear of the Lord and spoke of the wrath to come upon all who would pervert grace and practice sin, not walking in a true faith. Paul called these fake “believers” hypocrites having a form of godliness.
2 TIM 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
We are embracing such people and calling that love. In our apostasy we have perverted grace and we have certainly perverted love. For those that claim fellowshipping with other brethren means to socialize and hang out and participate in their sinful deeds, please go read 1 Corinthians 5 and tell me what secret meaning there is in this verse.
1 COR 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
But we should know that God never changes. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forevermore. Wicked men have debased the Scriptures creating an image of God in their own carnal mind and the sensuality (feelings) of what their flesh desires. This Jesus which is a false jesus, only loves people and does not bring judgment. These wicked people never overcome sin or the world, they don’t even try as to do so would be ”works” that would make them a legalist. LOL The same teach others they don’t need too either and error compounds error and the tares are multiplied. Sadly the truth is all around them and contained in the very letters of the Apostle Paul that they have blatantly perverted and used to create their false jesus and false gospels.
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
The list of Paul’s passages that are omitted or explained away to justify sinful and worldly living are too numerous to list but here is a top of mind favorites from my perspective: Eph 5:5, 1 Cor 6:9, Col 3:5-6, Gal 5:24, Romans 6:15, Romans 8:13, 2 Cor 7:1, 1 Thess 5:3 and Hebrews 12:14.
Jude wrote of these wicked men that had infiltrated and perverted the truth 2,000 years ago. It has only waxed worse in these latter days.
Jude 3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is not loving on wicked people that are willfully practicing sin. Sure God is patient and He is merciful as Peter said not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. Yet consider:
Psalm 7:11-12 God is a just judge,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
If he does not turn back,
He will sharpen His sword;
He bends His bow and makes it ready.
He also prepares for Himself instruments of death;
He makes His arrows into fiery shafts.
Psalm 5:4-5 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood
The error of these wicked people is their foolishness to think one is saved from the wrath of God by the outward appearances and lip based profession of faith. Those that believe this lie and practice rebellion to God’s word are already enduring the wrath of God. The powers of darkness, the demons are already abiding upon them bringing judgment and stealing the truth out of their heart. As Psalm 7 shows us above, God sends the enemy with fiery arrows and sharpens His Bow to bring judgment upon the wicked.
Colossians 3:5-7 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
The wicked only become more wicked unless and until they repent.
Ezekiel 33:11 As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
I have come to see the God sent delusion that Paul spoke about not as some visual Houdini of a false jesus that gets people following the antiChrist. I see this delusion being God forcing all who love sin (i.e. the wicked) to drink in judgment which makes them spiritually drunk and staggering in the daylight.
2 Thess 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I believe Isaiah 29 tells us exactly how God uses false teaching and false teachers as judgment for those that love unrighteousness. They will never ever be able to see or hear the truth unless the Lord is His mercy allows them to see it. We must pray for these as we are all saved by grace and if you know what I am speaking about in this post, you too know how you were saved and that no man can boast.
Isaiah 29:5, 9-15 But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; and it will happen instantly, suddenly…..
Pause and wonder!
Blind yourselves and be blind!
They are drunk, but not with wine;
they stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.
10 For the Lord has poured out on you
The spirit of deep sleep,
And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;
And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.
11 The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.”
And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”
12 Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please.”
And he says, “I am not literate.”
13 Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”
I believe there is hope. People can change, they can repent. If God put it on my heart and put it on your heart, HE can do it to others. We need to sow the good seed, the truth and love our neighbors as we would love ourselves. If I was about to step into an eternal fire and be destroyed, I would hope someone would love me by warning me in a way I would give heed to the warning. I pray all of us will be worthy to stand before the son of man and escape all these things that are coming upon this earth and the people of God.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man
Anyone truly wanting to sin in their heart and claiming they are of the Lord and eternally saved are holding to the error of the wicked. Such people have not repented, their hearts are still turned to the flesh and self. I think we all have desires in the flesh to sin and will always have them. Yet our love for God and the fear of the Lord, which the Lord has given us by grace act as a checkpoint to keep us from sinning.
I lived most of my life holding to the error of the wicked. I thought I could continue in willful sin and as long as I believed Jesus was the son of God and died on a cross, I had already punched a one way ticket to heaven. Thankfully the Lord had other plans and by His mercy did not allow me to stay in my delusion. There is a rising attack on those preaching holiness and warning of the righteous judgments of God. I hope you are not one of them and are stuck holding to this error of the wicked.
May God Bless You Richly!
Escaping Corruption thru God’s Promises
I was the guest speaker on this Blog Talk radio show last Saturday. Sharing here as I believe many need to be reminded to stand strong on the promises of God given to His children of covenant.
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Please click the following link to listen to the broadcast.
<http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saralee144/2012/03/25/golden-nuggets?ie8c=0#.T2_CMUhwM2l.facebook
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises
May God Bless You Richly!
Pressing In During Tribulation
By Isaac Prather
As you know, we live in a day of spiritual laxity where even in the church, there is in many cases a la-di-da, whatsoever will be will be attitude. This is not good. Demonic forces have been released in greater force than ever before as a final assault by satan on all that the Lord says is good, and holy, and right. Jesus said and Paul taught that the great falling away would be the sign of the end and an indication that the spiritual forces of wickedness would be out in great force across this earth. It seems we are in these times if one compares this world to the prophetic Scriptures.
2 Tim 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The devil knows that he has but a short time, as the Lord’s coming draws imminently close. We as the bride of Christ must learn to receive freely of the grace of God, understanding the love that God has for us.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
One of the greatest tactics of the enemy is to make the child of God feel condemned over their faults. But we must understand that Jesus has not come to condemn us–He has come to change us.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus has come to transform us into His own image. He does this when we follow Him.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
First He saves us by His grace, covering us with His precious blood–while we are yet sinners.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He totally recreates us on the inside. Then the Holy Spirit comes to be our teacher, in order to renew our minds. So, first our spirit is recreated and then our mind (our thought life) begins to be recreated.
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 12:2 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.
And from our thought life being changed, our words and our deeds follow.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he (anyone) thinketh in his heart, so is he
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The Holy Spirit, our great Teacher, has a language. The words contained in that language have recreative power. The more that we will pray in the language of the Holy Spirit, the greater and more thoroughly will this transformation take place.
1 Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.
Jude 20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
We are in a spiritual war, and the only way to win this war is by using the spiritual weapons that we have been given.
2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
The way that the strongholds in the believer’s life will be pulled down is by diligently seeking the Lord with the weapons that He has given us. As Milton Green often said, we either get into this war or we ourselves would be destroyed. It is eat or be eaten! But the Lord has made provision for us to live victoriously and be more than conquerers.
Ephesians 6:12-13 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The Lord loves the righteous (Psalm 146:8) (those who have placed their total faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:22)) and ever lives to make intercession on our behalf. (Heb 7:25) We must not be weary in doing good, for in due season we SHALL REAP if we do not lose heart! (Gal 6:9) We must know whom we have believed–the Lord whose name is Faithful and True! (Rev 19:11) He has begun a good work in us, and He will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6 ) We must realize that our service to Him–our love, devotion, praying, worship, giving, and all obedience to Jesus–is not in vain, nor does any of it go unnoticed.
Ephesians 6:7-8 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
When He comes for us, whether by rapture or at the end of our sojourning upon Planet Earth, He will have His reward in His hand, and will reward ever one according to their deeds.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
We must stand and fight the good fight, and allow Jesus to perfect the things that are lacking in our lives, realizing that He loves us, and died for us while we were yet sinners.
1 TIM 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
There is no good thing that He will withhold from us.
Psalm 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.
But we must continue to come boldly to the throne of grace, receiving His help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
He will not fail us, and His mercies are new every morning. (Psalm 143:8) The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life!
Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
In this next season, the enemy is going to try your faithfulness in many ways. It is not a time to let up …
It is a time to press in like never before
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Think not that life is all fun and games. Drink deeply from the fountain of the Lord, and remember the joy of the Lord is your strength. In His presence is fulness of joy. Learn to spend a lot of time worshipping at His beautiful feet, and quietly trust in His mercy, while at the same time, listening for His word to direct your plans, your ministry, your finances, and every area of your life. Rest in the Lord for it is only by His Spirit that we can accomplish anything worthwhile. Seek the Lord for strategies to be a more effective soul winner. The person who wins souls is truly wise. Jesus said to all of us who follow Him, that He will make us fishers of men (soul winners). And remember, life is but a vapor (a mist). We need to keep an eternal perspective before us at all times. Life is short-PRAY HARD. We only have one life to live, and one soul to give. Jesus said, In our patience we possess our souls. (Luke 21:19)
Pastor Isaac
Principles for a Fireproofed Marriage
I was blessed by attending a one night event put on by a Christian organization featuring Kirk Cameron. Where I had a slightly negative perception of Kirk going in; I left the event with a very positive perception, repenting of my former unjust judgment and criticism of the man and his ministry. The event was entitled How to Fireproof Your Marriage playing on the movie called Fireproof that starred Kirk Cameron. This post is my notes from the session.
It is the selfish hearts of men and women that is the biggest problem in relationships. As Jeremiah 17:9 leads us to the truth and realization that only God can fix these problems supernaturally by HIS grace.
Another words, our hearts are the heart of the problem when marriages go bad. We are told the way to the Kingdom of God is through many tribulations (ACTS 14:22). God is a tester of faith a purifier of gold and silver (what our hearts are likened to in Scriptures). The concept of fire proofing your marriage is one that presupposes the trials, the fires of life will come and test our love and faithfulness for our partner. To fireproof the marriage it is necessary to put in the right foundations such that when the fires come, and they will; the marriage and relationship will not be burned or hurt by the flames.
Kirk teaches that there are three steps that must be addressed to fireproof your marriage. This post will cover those three things and review the six strategies Kirk presented for husbands to take the lead in strengthening their marriage. Outside of the titles, all words and commentary is Pete’s and is only as good as his recollection and understanding of what the speaker intended to say.
1. Get things right with God first
God must be first in our lives as loving God with your whole heart, mind and soul is the foremost commandment upon which all others hang. Any attempts to fix a marriage without having God first and us having a right relationship with God will not bring lasting solution and right standing with God. Before we go about fixing our spouse or fixing the marriage, we must first get right with God ourselves. We need the supernatural grace of God to see us through the trials of life and keep us dead to selfishness which will undermine any carnal approach to fixing a marriage. Like the fireman in the movie, he had to be brought to the place of seeing his ungodly behavior and the hurt he had caused others. But once we repent and walk with God in faith, trusting HIM, things begin to happen as the Spirit of God moves in our lives and relationships. God created the institution of marriage and sanctified it and expects us to love one another and serve one another being united in HIM.
2. There is only one person you can change and it is NOT your spouse
Only GOD can change someone’s heart. When we have problems in a marriage we must walk like Jesus showed us how to walk. We love, we forgive, we are gentle, kind, nice and we speak truth with love as our motive. We do not take vengeance and we are dead to self and so we learn not to be so easily offended when people and especially our spouse disappoint us in their behavior or response. Far too often, the men in particular try to take what Kirk called the Singing Sinatra way which is singing the song “My Way”. No indeed, if we belong to God, we are dead to self, so it is not our way, it is the way of the Lord and that way is impartial unconditional love or agape.
Separation = Alarm Bells
A tell-tale sign a marriage or relationship is headed for trouble is when we see separation occurring. When the couple begins to drift, with different interests, friends and focus this should be an alarm bell going off that something is wrong. Self pursuit is likely at play and even things like me sitting here on the blog for hours at a time or Facebook when I could be praying or doing a Bible study with them is evidence of possible drifting and separation occurring in the relationship. Yes, we got to work at this and be alert to not lose awareness of where our marriage is in regard to separation.
Unconditional Love is the Key
Self must go. Selfish behavior must be put to death daily. We must surrender the mindset of I, ME, MY that so desperately wants to be lord of our lives. Men were told to love their wifes as Christ has loved the Church. Christ loved the Church unconditionally and without merit, having died for us when we were still sinners. Jesus does not condemn the church or its members when they make a mistake; HE is forgiving, patient and merciful. Jesus is always there to bring comfort to His bride in her time of need.
The bottom line is this. Jesus laid down His very life for the Church when we were still dead in our sins and were undeserving of any favor from God. Jesus died for you personally. Men we need to also lay down our lives for our wifes; to serve them and nourish them as Jesus has done for us. We love our wives whether they love us back or not. That is how Jesus loves us. As stated above, this standard cannot be accomplished or maintained without the supernatural work of grace in our hearts. That is our duty as godly men and true Christian husbands. As I write this, I realize how short of this I have fallen.
So as it relates to point #2, we can only change ourselves by submitting to the righteousness of God thru faith. When we do this, God will move in our lives and will give us a new heart and by grace will transform us into a new man or woman. We will be dead to self but alive to Christ which means we will put others first and our purpose for living will be to love one another. If your marriage is struggling, you need to first get right with God yourself, but then secondly, give your spouse a NEW YOU by letting God have your whole heart. Glory be to God!
#3 We must have an effective War Strategy to destroy sin
To fireproof our marriages, we must have a plan to deal with sin quickly and effectively. We must come to know and call ungodly behavior what God calls it. That is sin also known as wickedness. We must deal violently with sin when we see it in our lives. Kirk used the analogy that if we found a rattle snake in our back yard, we would not just move it to another place in our yard, we would cut its head off so it could not come back and later on harm the family. In the same way, we must deal with sin in our lives. Most people let sin fester and hang around. This is how men get hooked on pornography and many adulterous affairs start with a little spark that later becomes a raging fire in our hearts. We must deal effectively with sin now or else you can be 100% certain, you will have another battle with the exact same snake in the days ahead. The war is real and we must fight the good fight of faith and overcome the sin that so easily besets us.
Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
It is the man’s job as the head of the household and the God ordained head of the family, to lead the family and the spouse out of the wilderness and into the place where God can pour out HIS blessings. Men are the watchmen for their families yet we by and large have been fast asleep and have let our wives fend for themselves. Shame on us.
Kirk then read a single verse of Scripture and then explained six points mentioned in this scripture verse that if we men will put them into practice, will radically transform our marriages.
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Six Actions For Men
1. Dwell with her: Peter tells us husbands to dwell with our wives. Spending time together is the only way to truly get to know someone. Practice makes perfect as experience only comes by repetition. Men must invest time into our marriages. We must allocate our time and not get consumed with our “other wives”, things such as TV, Internet, Blogs, YouTube, Sports, etc.
2. Study Your Wife: Peter tells us to study our wives and to gain understanding of them. No wonder I thought, I can never understand why my wife thinks like she thinks or responds like she does — I have never studied her. We need to learn what our wives love and what they hate. There is rhyme and reason in determining what is a good time or a bad time to approach our wives. It has been said that our wives love to be understood! Intimacy is the icing on the cake of a good day but is not a fire escape for a bad day. Think about this and how us men usually go right to intimacy to fix a problem. We need to study our wives. These recommendations I believe work both ways so to you women, it does take two to tango.
3. Honor Your Wife: Peter tells us to honor our wives. When we publically recognize them and tell others how much they mean to us, this brings honor to our wives. Many men likely think this shows them as being weak in the eyes of the world but this is what is pleasing to God. It takes a strong courageous man strong in faith to honor his wife.
4. Protect Your Wife: Peter states wives are the weaker vessel and it is the duty of the man to protect them. This includes physical protection but also spiritual protection as we have authority in the name of Jesus and need to use it. Men frequently show great impatience when our wives get scared and stay scared over what we see as silly things. One of the ways we protect our wives is by managing our aggression when we are in a conflict with them. When we yell and point fingers and act physically or verbally aggressive we are not protecting our wives. Men should never use fear as a means to coerce their wife’s behavior.
5. Open Up to Your Wife: The grace of life is to be shared together with our wives. Men tend to bottle up our feelings and go into our caves when we have challenges in our lives. We tend to go solo when we need to be sharing our thoughts and feelings with our wives. We cannot expect to have a fulfilling marriage if all we give our wives are the scraps of what is on our heart. We must open up and tell her what we are thinking and share this part of our life.
6. Ensure Prayer is not Hindered: Peter ends this Scripture verse by saying do these aforementioned things so that your prayers may not be hindered. If we do not do the prior 5 things and get engaged with our wives’ lives, then our prayers will be cut off and hindered. When we leave our wives to their own devices and force them to seek other sources for support and answers, they become vulnerable to others. But oh how sweet it is for a husband and wife that pray together and stand together strong in the Lord.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst
How great is this promises from the Lord? You can actually be the church and do church together in your own home. What a great way to meet the conditions Peter spelled out in this great passage of Scripture 1 Peter 3:7.
I hope these notes and my added commentary will be a blessing to you. Marriage is tough but it is also a blessing and a gift of God to share your life with someone else. It is better to give then to receive. I think if we all truly lived with that adage as our motive, there would be a lot less marriage problems and divorce in this world.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY!
PS - I want to thank Kirk for a wonderful presentation and let him know God is using him and this ministry is bearing fruit. Hallelujah.
