victory

Why the Inside Comes First

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Being ready for Jesus to come involves both inward and outward preparation, but what happens in the heart is the most important, and therefore must occur first.

In Psalm 24:3–5 we read: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

Notice, there are two parts to the preparation for heaven. One is the need to have clean hands. This represents the outside of your body—what you say and do, what other people can see. It is important that your hands be clean, that you have done or said nothing that is contrary to the law of God, but that is not enough. You also must have a pure heart, because how we are on the inside eventually will be manifested on the outside.

Jesus was very particular in Matthew 23:25 about the need to be clean first on the inside, and then on the outside, too. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” They realized that they needed to be cleaned up, but Jesus said their problem was that they were only interested in what could be seen, how good they looked on the outside, while inside they were full of wickedness. Then Jesus said in verse 26: “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Jesus was telling them that if the inside is cleaned first, then the outside will also be clean.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that those who were clean on the inside would see God. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. A heart cleansed from all defilement is a pure heart.

What defiles the heart? Jesus has made this very clear: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matthew 15:19, 20. The heart must be cleansed of all that defiles. There are two parts to this inner cleansing process. The first part is what God does. The second part is what we do. We will look at the second part first.

The Bible clearly states that you and I have something to do so that our hearts will be cleansed and purified. John strongly expressed this when he said: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

James 4:7–10 outline several things that we are to do: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Drawing near to God and resisting the devil are two complementary actions. You cannot resist the devil without drawing near to God first because you cannot resist the devil by yourself. But if you hang onto the things that defile the heart and stay close to the devil, then you will not draw near to God.

Then James says that we are not to be doubled minded. A double-minded person is trying to serve God and the devil at the same time. This is not possible. Remember Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Finally, we see that we are to be sorry and to mourn because of our defiled condition, and then humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.

The wise man Solomon said in Proverbs 23:7: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” As you think, so you are. Peter said: “Therefore gird up the loins [the waist, as in putting on a girdle to control] of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13. Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1, 2. So if we are to be purified, then our thoughts must be controlled.

Our words can affect our thoughts, so we also must be careful how we express ourselves. “[T]hat you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. ‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:22–27. We all have the blessings of the great mercy and love of God, and expressing our joy and thankfulness for those blessings will have an effect on our thoughts. The Ministry of Healing, 253 says, “No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.”

We must understand that our thoughts and feelings are not only encouraged, but strengthened by what we say. And since our hearts are defiled by evil thoughts, if we want to gain control of our thoughts, we should be expressing thankfulness and rejoicing to the Lord for His blessings and this will change our thoughts from evil to good.

A Christian life is revealed by Christian thoughts, words, and deportment. If we consecrate ourselves to the Lord every day, choosing to obey His law, then our choice will purify our thoughts. The Signs of the Times, September 1, 1890, tells us, “If your thoughts, your plans, your purposes, are all directed towards the accumulation of things of earth, your anxiety, your study, your interests, will all be centered upon the world. The heavenly attractions will lose their beauty. … Your heart will be with your treasure, … You will have no time to devote to the study of the Scriptures and to earnest prayer that you may escape the snares of Satan … .” If your only purpose is to gain money, property, position, power, fame, or success in this world, the Lord may give you all of those things, but you will become so overburdened with trying to achieve success in the world that you will have no time to devote to the study of the Scriptures and to earnest prayer. And as a consequence, you will not escape the snares of Satan.

Many have allowed their minds to dwell upon earthly things for a long time, and now they realize that if the current of their thoughts is not changed, they will be conformed to this world; there will be no transformation to ready the mind for Jesus to come. “When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought.” Lift Him Up, 144. Dwelling most of one’s life on earthly things will make it difficult to exclude the things of the world and think only of divine things.

It too frequently occurs that Christians gather together on Sabbath and talk about anything but spiritual things, because their minds have so long dwelt upon the things of this earth—how to make a living, a business, a job, investments, property, and other things having to do with the world. Mrs. White tells us that as long as we are in this world we will have to conduct worldly business, so these things are not evil in and of themselves. But if that is all you are thinking about and talking about, then your mind is being conformed to this world and you will not be ready for Jesus to come.

“That which the eye sees and the ear hears too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus in His glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here.” Ibid.

Are we filling our minds and hearts with Jesus? Are we allowing the things of this world to preoccupy our minds and thoughts so that we will not be ready to go to heaven? Are we conformed to this world?

“If we would enter the city of God,” here is how we are to do it: “The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation; and each day some time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.” Ibid.

If our minds are to be transformed, then we must daily spend time in meditation upon the words and character of Jesus Christ, or we will be caught up with the evil thoughts that will defile the heart and mind.

Do we spend as much time, or more, thinking and talking about Jesus Christ as we do in thinking and talking about worldly things? When a person loves someone, that someone is all they can talk about. They tell everyone about this wonderful person that they love. But here is the biggest problem for most people: though they say they love Jesus, they do not spend time in His word, nor meditate upon His character, nor talk about Him to their family and friends.

Many professed Christians are troubled because they have struggled for a long time with low and debasing thoughts. But friend, this is something you can talk about with Jesus. If you don’t want to be a victim of worldly, evil thoughts, if you want to be cleansed on the inside and be made pure, then Jesus is the only One to talk to. Only He, through the power of the Holy Spirit in the life, can change a heart so that the thoughts will reflect the purity of the soul. But Satan doesn’t want you to know this.

“… Satan has his evil angels around us; and though they cannot read men’s thoughts, they closely watch their words and actions. Satan takes advantage of the weakness and defects of character that are thus revealed, and presses his temptations where there is least power of resistance. He makes evil suggestions, and inspires worldly thoughts, knowing that he can thus bring the soul into condemnation and bondage. To those who are selfish, worldly, avaricious, proud, fault-finding, or given to detraction—to all who are cherishing errors and defects of character—Satan presents the indulgence of self, and leads the soul off upon a track that the Bible condemns, but which he makes appear attractive.

“For every class of temptations there is a remedy.” Gospel Workers, 417, 418. Praise God, there is a remedy for every temptation. “We are not left to ourselves to fight the battle against self and our sinful natures in our own finite strength. Jesus is a mighty helper, a never-failing support.” Ibid., 418.

Are you in trouble because of your thoughts and helpless to do anything about it? You need only to go to Jesus in prayer. When tempted, take your struggles to Him, for He is a mighty helper.

“The mind must be restrained, and not allowed to wander.” Ibid.

The mind is not an empty void. It must be occupied. Saying that we will no longer think about something is not the way to gain the victory in the struggle for pure and holy thoughts. The devil and his angels cannot read our minds, but they can put thoughts into our imagination. Concentrating on what we should not think about will not help us to have pure thoughts.

“The mind … should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures, and upon noble, elevating themes.” Our High Calling, 88.

“Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory, to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations. …

“When Satan would lead the mind to dwell upon earthly and sensual things, he is most effectually resisted with ‘It is written.’ ” Ibid.

We must fight the battle to discipline our thoughts, to keep our minds restrained, preventing the imagination from wandering.

If our thoughts are disciplined, our words will be right. “ ‘Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.’ ” Matthew 12:33–35

“Many thoughts make up the unwritten history of a single day; and these thoughts have much to do with the formation of character. Our thoughts are to be strictly guarded; for one impure thought makes a deep impression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the man is better for having cherished them. By them the spiritual pulse is quickened, and the power for doing good is increased. And as one drop of rain prepares the way for another in moistening the earth, so one good thought prepares the way for another.” The Faith I Live By, 222

What we look at and what we listen to all have an effect on our thoughts. These are the channels by which the mind is fed. The Bible is full of instruction on this point. “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.” Psalm 101:3, first part. David understood this all too well. Keeping before ourselves violence, immoral sexuality, swearing, and drinking is evil, and what is evil is sin, and sin is breaking God’s law. It doesn’t matter how you come into contact with evil, if you are participating in evil, you are sinning. The law of the mind is that by beholding we become changed, and the more we behold evil, regardless of its form, that is what we will be like. And in the end, we will not be ready for heaven, but rather hellfire. “In that day they will roar against them like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks to the land, behold, darkness and sorrow; and the light is darkened by the clouds.” Isaiah 5:30. “Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.” Isaiah 8:22.

We are free moral agents with a responsibility over what our eyes see, what our ears hear, over everything we subject ourselves and our senses to. Satan is trying to paralyze our senses so that we will be insensitive to the warnings and reproofs sent from God. He does not want us to heed them, lest they are received in the heart and reform the life.

“My brethren, God calls upon you as His followers to walk in the light. You need to be alarmed. Sin is among us, and it is not seen to be exceedingly sinful. The senses of many are benumbed by the indulgence of appetite and by familiarity with sin.” The Adventist Home, 401

“Sin means dishonor and disaster to every soul that indulges in it; but it is blinding and deceiving in its nature … [W]e should close every avenue by which the tempter may find access to us.” Ibid., 402, 403.

We are living in a cesspool, a morally-defiled world filled with wickedness, and our only safety is to be shielded by the grace of God every moment. We must cooperate with the heavenly agencies and not be presumptuous, walking right into temptation.

We must continually be on guard, watching every avenue of the soul by which Satan may gain access. We need to avoid reading, seeing, or hearing anything that would lead to impure thoughts. We need to place ourselves and our families where we cannot watch the evil and iniquity practiced all over the world. We must guard what we look at and listen to so that the terrible things going on around us do not become the subjects of our meditation and cause us to be defiled.

Radio, television, movies, music, social media, there are hundreds of avenues by which we today can become defiled. “The lust of the eye and corrupt passions are aroused by beholding and by reading. The heart is corrupted through the imagination.” Ibid., 408. How is it with your soul? Are you being conformed to this world by the music of this world, the sights and the sounds of this world, or are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind, by beholding Christ through His word?

Clean hands and a pure heart, the two requirements to be ready for heaven. We need to be memorizing the Scriptures and studying and meditating upon the character of Christ and His words every day. We must be in control of what we look at and listen to. This is what we must do. But everything that we do will be absolutely hopeless and useless unless God does something. “In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure.” The Desire of Ages, 671

The heart is made pure by the inworking of the Holy Spirit. Unless you receive the Holy Spirit into your life, you will be unable to resist sin and overcome it. So we must be praying day by day that we might receive the Holy Spirit. Without this, the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross of Calvary would be of no avail. “Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.” Ibid.

Human power is not enough, so Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.

Friend, it is important that we cooperate with the divine agencies, but what God does is vital. We can never be made pure, we can never be made ready for heaven unless the Holy Spirit works a miraculous work of re-creation in our hearts. He does not modify our old life. Instead, He makes a completely new creature. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

It doesn’t matter what your past has been. If you are willing to fall on your knees before the Lord and say, Lord, I want to be born again, I want this change, help me to cooperate with the agencies of heaven, this miracle will happen in your heart and soul.

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Question – Why do I have to change?

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Question:

The Bible says God accepts you where you are.  If that is true, then why do I have to change?

Answer:

Yes, God does accept you as and where you are. As sinners, we have no way to change ourselves for the better so that we can come to Him ready for heaven. But this does not mean that we should believe that God does not require a change of heart. He does not leave us where He found us.

“The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it ennobles and elevates. Upon certain conditions we are assured that we may become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. … Through faith in Christ, and obedience to the requirements of His law, we are offered a life that shall run parallel with the life of God.” The Review and Herald, May 5, 1891

“Transformation of heart means an entire change of the entire man. ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,’ Christ declared (John 3:3). This change of heart is unseen; for it is an inward work, and yet, it is seen, because it works outward from within.

“Has the leaven of truth been at work in your heart? Has it absorbed the whole heart, the whole affections by its sanctifying power? …

“Our first work is with our own hearts. The true principles of reform should be practiced. The heart must be converted and sanctified else we have no connection with Christ.” This Day With God, 48

“When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life.” Our High Calling, 159

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:7, 9–11

Achieving Perfect Flight

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Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

We are all familiar with the statement Christ made in His Sermon on the Mount to be perfect. It is a verse that Adventists accept as an enabling command. In the nominal Christian world, there are some who try to ignore or explain it away, while many others expect that at some point in their life’s journey, perhaps at the second coming or at the resurrection, Jesus will accomplish this act for them with a wave of His miracle-working hand.

Allow me to use a metaphor as a means of clarifying the challenge we face as Bible-believing Christians.

Suppose that instead of telling us to be perfect, God told us to fly. We know that He wouldn’t tell us to do that without also providing the means for us to fulfill the command.

We might be tempted to say, “I can’t fly.” Well, of course we cannot fly by ourselves, but God says, “I have an airplane, I have a pilot, and I have fuel.”

The airplane is the Bible and the hope it so unfailingly supplies; the Pilot is Jesus and the faith we have in Him to fulfill His promises and His enablings; and the fuel is the working of the power of the Holy Spirit and our trust in the working of that power in response to our prayers of faith.

These elements are also exactly what we need to enable us to achieve perfection. Although God provides the means, it is up to us to use them correctly and faithfully. The Bible is our instruction manual telling us how to fly—how to obey and overcome, thereby achieving the perfection that we seek in our sphere and the fulfilled hope that we harbor and yearn for so dearly.

Jesus is our Pilot, our Guide, who has trodden the narrow way before us. His life is clearly laid out as our example. As Adventists, we have been blessed not only with the description of Christ’s character in the sacred canon of God’s word, but we also have The Desire of Ages, an incredibly detailed and uplifting look into His daily life and faultless character. As fuel—the energy we need—we have the Holy Spirit to empower us as we seek to know and do God’s will.

Most importantly, though, we have the privilege of prayer. Inspiration tells us that prayer is (1) “the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse.” Steps to Christ, 94, and (2) a means—“We cannot bring Christ down, but, through faith, we can lift ourselves up into unity and harmony with the perfect standard of righteousness.” The Review and Herald, October 30, 1888. What a privilege we have of beginning and ending each day’s activity in conversation with our Creator!

So, indeed, we can fly. We can achieve the obedience necessary to be awarded robes and crowns, palm leaves of victory, and golden harps!

Passages found in chapters 27 and 28 in Messages to Young People should provide us great encouragement as we seek to fly a straight course over the Jordan to the promised land.

“We have little idea of the strength that would be ours if we would connect with the source of all strength. We fall into sin again and again, and think it must always be so. We cling to our infirmities as if they were something to be proud of. Christ tells us that we must set our face as a flint if we would overcome. He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree; and through the power He has given us, we may resist the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then let us not talk of our weakness and inefficiency, but of Christ and His strength. When we talk of Satan’s strength, the enemy fastens his power more firmly upon us. When we talk of the power of the Mighty One, the enemy is driven back. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. …

“Many of us fail to improve our privileges. We make a few feeble efforts to do right, and then go back to our old life of sin. If we ever enter the kingdom of God, we must enter with perfect characters, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Satan works with increased activity as we near the close of time. He lays his snares, unperceived by us, that he may take possession of our minds. In every way he tries to eclipse the glory of God from the soul. It rests with us to decide whether he shall control our hearts and minds, or whether we shall have a place in the new earth, a title to Abraham’s farm.” Messages to Young People, 105

“Christ has made every provision for us to be strong. He has given us His Holy Spirit, whose office is to bring to our remembrance all the promises that Christ has made, that we may have peace and a sweet sense of forgiveness. If we will but keep our eyes fixed on the Saviour, and trust in His power, we shall be filled with a sense of security; for the righteousness of Christ will become our righteousness. …

“We dishonor Him by talking of our inefficiency. Instead of looking at ourselves, let us constantly behold Jesus, daily becoming more and more like Him, more and more able to talk of Him, better prepared to avail ourselves of His kindness and helpfulness, and to receive the blessings offered us.

“As we thus live in communion with Him, we grow strong in His strength, a help and a blessing to those around us. If we would only do as the Lord desires us to, our hearts would become as sacred harps, every chord of which would sound forth praise and gratitude to the Redeemer sent by God to take away the sin of the world.” Ibid., 107

“While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works.” The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886

And faith is the element that brings together all of the components we need to be able to fly safely through this sin-filled world to the world beyond the Jordan.

There are several scriptures, when used together as we kneel before the throne of grace in conversation with our Maker that should give us great hope and encouragement as we recognize the love God has shown for us erring mortals by inspiring Paul to write them.

Through the inspiration and guidance these scriptures provide, we are privileged to pray that the Holy Spirit will enable us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Jesus Christ so that we may set our minds, our affections, on things above and not on things of the earth, allowing us to be hid with Christ in God, thereby, by faith, quenching the fiery darts of the wicked one (2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 3:2, 3; Ephesians 6:16).

Thanks to inspiration, we know that Satan uses the avenues of the soul—our senses—in his efforts to dislodge us from the path of truth and righteousness. However, if, when Satan injects unholy thoughts into our consciousness, either by what we see, hear, or sense in any way, we can remember the promises and the enabling commands that these verses provide. Then by making the conscious effort to direct our thoughts to things above, we are able to thwart the enemy’s efforts and can abide safely under the shelter of the Almighty, taking safe refuge under His wings.

We can indeed achieve perfect flight!

[Emphasis supplied.]

John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org

Can We Truly Be Free?

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America! Prophecy foretold that this country would be established, a place where the ideal of freedom could exist. Freedom: the “power or right to act, speak or think” what you believe. It is the absence of subjection to a foreign or oppressive government, the state of not being a slave, but instead being unrestricted in what you believe, where and how you worship, what you love, where you work, basically to engage in any activity that does not violate the laws of the land. These rights are guaranteed to us as citizens by the Constitution of the United States.

The Constitution also provides for the establishment of justice, common defense, the promotion of the general welfare, to insure domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal under God and given certain rights by Him including the assurance of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

I think, though, we can agree that this hasn’t always happened. One has only to look around today to see the hatred, distrust, abuse, unfairness and violence, all in the name of freedom. People everywhere ask why is it this way? Why can we not find a way to live together in harmony? I’m not going to wax political here, but let’s talk about why this country and the world are the way they are.

I want to talk about spiritual freedom because without that, we truly are not free. We find this additional definition of freedom in the dictionary as “the power of self-determination attributed to the will.” The Bible also talks about the exercise of the will.

Sin is what keeps us from being free. And if we do not exercise our will to do what is right, then we condemn ourselves to be slaves of sin. Isn’t it interesting that as bad as things have been in this world for its entire history, and they get worse day by day, many will still choose to continue in sin.

“Sin has degraded and corrupted the human family, but Christ did not leave men to perish in their degradation. …” Pamphlet PH078, 54

The Bible tell us there is only one way to be truly free. This can be found in many Scriptures, John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Romans 8:2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Also “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts” (Psalm 119:45).

Martin Luther said to John Eck, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.” Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton.

To be truly free, I must submit my will, my desires, all of myself to God. If I do not, then I remain a slave to my own nature, a slave to the one who then has power over me.

“The tempter has no power to control the will or to force the soul to sin.” The Faith I Live By, 327.

“In no case can Satan obtain dominion over the thoughts, words, and actions, unless we voluntarily open the door and invite him to enter.” The Adventist Home, 202.

“The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control.” The Desire of Ages, 125.

“Christ is our tower of strength, and Satan can have no power over the soul that walks with God in humility of mind. The promise, ‘Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me’ (Isaiah 27:5). In Christ there is perfect and complete help for every tempted soul.” My Life Today, 316.

“Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own.  He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from every soul. ‘If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed’ (John 8:36). ‘The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death’ (Romans 8:22).

“In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan’s control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.

“The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ.” The Desire of Ages, 466.

I have written elsewhere that the reason the world is as it is and has been for so long is because mankind and the universe ultimately must see the heinousness of sin so that no one will want to sin anymore. That is true, but more importantly, sin and the terrible condition of the world has gone on for so long because God is preparing a people. Anyone who will accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, who will submit fully to Him will be a part of this people. He has given and continues to give to every man, woman and child in every generation the opportunity to choose to turn away from sinning to become one with Him.

Stand fast in the liberty which Christ has made possible for us and do not entangle yourself in the yoke of sin any longer (Galatians 5:1). Instead rejoice in this freedom, having been set free from sin, “and having becomes slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

“Spiritual freedom will come to those who consecrate themselves unreservedly. … The saving influence of truth will sanctify the soul of the receiver.” Letter 108, March 18, 1907, to “Our Brethren in Graysville, Tennessee.”

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). [All emphasis supplied.]

Bible Study Guides – Problems to Overcome Part 2

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July 18 – 24, 2021

Key Text

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

 Study Help: Counsels on Stewardship, 133–140.

Introduction

“All money lovers … will one day cry in bitter anguish: ‘Oh, the deceitfulness of riches! I have sold my soul for money.’ ” Testimonies, vol. 3, 544, 545.

Sunday

1 DECEPTION

1.a. How does Satan often pervert the heart and the mouth of people who take business advantages? Jeremiah 6:13; Acts 5:3, 4.

 1.b. How earnestly did King David struggle against deceit? Psalms 52:2, 3; 101:7; 120:2; Proverbs 30:8.

 1.c. As faithful stewards must often be in contact with deceitful people, what prayer should they send up to the throne of grace? Psalm 43:1, last part.

1.d. How does God often permit a deceitful person to be the victim of his or her own tricks? Psalm 7:14–16.

Monday

2 DISHONESTY

2.a. How is a dishonest person described? Proverbs 6:12, 13, 14, 16–19.

2.b. How does the Lord consider those who are dishonest in their financial transactions? Deuteronomy 27:17–19; Proverbs 11:1; 20:23.

Note: “The accounts of every business, the details of every transaction, pass the scrutiny of unseen auditors, agents of Him who never compromises with injustice, never overlooks evil, never palliates wrong. …

“Against every evildoer God’s law utters condemnation. He may disregard that voice, he may seek to drown its warning, but in vain. It follows him. It makes itself heard. It destroys his peace. If unheeded, it pursues him to the grave. It bears witness against him at the judgment. A quenchless fire, it consumes at last soul and body.” Education, 144, 145.

2.c. What will happen to gain that is acquired dishonestly? Proverbs 13:11; 15:27; 21:6.

Note: “This is a question that demands consideration by every parent, every teacher, every student—by every human being, young or old. No scheme of business or plan of life can be sound or complete that embraces only the brief years of this present life and makes no provision for the unending future. Let the youth be taught to take eternity into their reckoning. Let them be taught to choose the principles and seek the possessions that are enduring—to lay up for themselves that ‘treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth;’ to make to themselves friends ‘by means of the mammon of unrighteousness,’ that when it shall fail, these may receive them ‘into the eternal tabernacles’ (Luke 12:33; 16:9 RV).” Education, 145.

Tuesday

3 INJUSTICE

3.a. What is the command regarding partiality? Leviticus 19:15.

Note: “Do not show partiality to one or more, and neglect other of your brethren because they are not congenial to you. Beware lest you deal harshly with those who you think have made mistakes, while others, more guilty and more deserving of reproof, who should be severely rebuked for their unChristlike conduct, are sustained and treated as friends.” The Review and Herald, March 12, 1895.

3.b. What does the faithful steward relate to disadvantaged persons? Psalm 82:2–4.

Note: “God requires that His people should not allow the poor and afflicted to be oppressed. If they break every yoke and release the oppressed, and are unselfish and kindly considerate of the needy, then shall the blessings promised be theirs. If there are those in the church who would cause the blind to stumble, they should be brought to justice; for God has made us guardians of the blind, the afflicted, the widows, and the fatherless. The stumbling block referred to in the word of God does not mean a block of wood placed before the feet of the blind to cause him to stumble, but it means much more than this. It means any course that may be pursued to injure the influence of their blind brother, to work against his interest, or to hinder his prosperity.

“A brother who is blind and poor and diseased, and who is making every exertion to help himself that he may not be dependent, should be encouraged by his brethren in every way possible. But those who profess to be his brethren, who have the use of all their faculties, who are not dependent, but who so far forget their duty to the blind as to perplex and distress and hedge up his way, are doing a work which will require repentance and restoration before God will accept their prayers. And the church of God who have permitted their unfortunate brother to be wronged will be guilty of sin until they do all in their power to have the wrong righted.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 519, 520.

Wednesday

4 POOR COMPANY

4.a. While the Lord is our great Counselor, from whom may we seek counsel on this earth? Proverbs 13:20.

Note: “The only safe course for the youth is to mingle with the pure, the holy, and thus natural tendencies to evil will be held in check. By choosing for their companions such as fear the Lord, they will seldom be found disbelieving God’s word, entertaining doubts and infidelity. The power of a truly consistent example is very great for good.” In Heavenly Places, 172.

4.b. What is the benefit of not counselling with ungodly persons? Proverbs 14:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

Note: “Let the youth choose the influence of, and become associated with, men and women of bad principles and practices, … and they are polluted. Silent and unconscious influences weave their sentiments into their lives, become a part of their very existence, and they walk on the very brink of a precipice and sense no danger. They learn to love the words of the smooth tongued, the honeyed words of the deceiver, and are restless, uneasy, and unhappy unless they are carried to the pinnacle of someone’s flattery. … To walk in the counsel of the ungodly is the first step toward standing in the place of sinners and sitting in the seat of the scornful.” In Heavenly Places, 172.

“It is wrong for Christians to associate with those whose morals are loose. An intimate, daily intercourse which occupies time without contributing in any degree to the strength of the intellect or morals is dangerous. If the moral atmosphere surrounding persons is not pure and sanctified, but is tainted with corruption, those who breathe this atmosphere will find that it operates almost insensibly upon the intellect and heart to poison and to ruin. It is dangerous to be conversant with those whose minds naturally take a low level. Gradually and imperceptibly those who are naturally conscientious and love purity will come to the same level and partake of and sympathize with the imbecility and moral barrenness with which they are so constantly brought in contact.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 125.

Thursday

5 THE FUTILITY OF ACQUIRING RICHES

5.a. How much of our earthly riches do we retain when we die? Psalm 49:16, 17; Ecclesiastes 5:13–15; 1 Timothy 6:7.

5.b. What can we take with us to the great judgment of humanity? Matthew 16:26; Proverbs 11:4.

 Note: “The redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth, liars, idolaters, the impure, and unbelieving; but they will associate with those who have overcome Satan and through divine grace have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection, that afflicts them here has been removed by the blood of Christ, and the excellence and brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, is imparted to them. And the moral beauty, the perfection of His character, shines through them, in worth far exceeding this outward splendor. They are without fault before the great white throne, sharing the dignity and the privileges of the angels.

“In view of the glorious inheritance that may be his, ‘what shall a man give in exchange for his soul’ (Matthew 16:26)? He may be poor, yet he possesses in himself a wealth and dignity that the world could never bestow. The soul redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the service of God, is of surpassing worth; and there is joy in heaven in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed, a joy that is expressed in songs of holy triumph.” Steps to Christ, 126.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What are the results of a deceptive communication?

2    How does dishonesty affect the one who deceives?

3    How do faithful stewards treat others in their financial dealings?

4    Who is the faithful steward’s financial counselor?

5    What should remind us of the temporal nature of material wealth?

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study Guides – Problems to Overcome Part I

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July 11 – 17, 2021

Key Text

“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 242–248.

Introduction

“Whether we recognize it or not, we are stewards, supplied from God with talents and facilities, and placed in the world to do a work appointed by Him.” Education, 137.

Sunday

1 ENVY AND KINDRED SINS

1.a. What was the origin of pride, envy, and ambition for position—and their bitter results. Isaiah 14:12–15.

 Note: “It was pride and ambition that prompted Lucifer to complain of the government of God, and to seek the overthrow of the order which had been established in heaven. Since his fall it has been his object to infuse the same spirit of envy and discontent, the same ambition for position and honor, into the minds of men.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403.

1.b. Describe a carnal mind—a candidate for the second death? 1 Corinthians 3:3; Romans 8:6, 7; James 3:14–16.

Note: “If you open your heart to envy and evil surmising, the Holy Spirit cannot abide with you. Seek for the fullness that is in Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 191.

1.c. How does envy affect your personality and well-being? Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:30; 27:4.

Note: “The envious man diffuses poison wherever he goes, alienating friends and stirring up hatred and rebellion against God and man. He seeks to be thought best and greatest, not by putting forth heroic, self-denying efforts to reach the goal of excellence himself, but by standing where he is and diminishing the merit due to the efforts of others.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 56.

Monday

2 COVETOUSNESS

2.a. What do we learn about covetousness from the experience of Achan? Joshua 7:20–26.

Note: “The deadly sin that led to Achan’s ruin had its root in covetousness, of all sins one of the most common and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses meet with detection and punishment, how rarely does the violation of the tenth commandment so much as call forth censure. The enormity of this sin, and its terrible results, are the lessons of Achan’s history.

“Covetousness is an evil of gradual development. Achan had cherished greed of gain until it became a habit, binding him in fetters well-nigh impossible to break. While fostering this evil, he would have been filled with horror at the thought of bringing disaster upon Israel; but his perceptions were deadened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.

“Are not similar sins still committed, in the face of warnings as solemn and explicit? We are as directly forbidden to indulge covetousness as was Achan to appropriate the spoils of Jericho. God has declared it to be idolatry. We are warned, ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon’ (Matthew 6:24). ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness’ (Luke 12:15). ‘Let it not be once named among you’ (Ephesians 5:3). We have before us the fearful doom of Achan, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira. Back of all these we have that of Lucifer, the ‘son of the morning,’ who, coveting a higher state, forfeited forever the brightness and bliss of heaven. And yet, notwithstanding all these warnings, covetousness abounds.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 496, 497.

2.b. What should be our relationship with those who are controlled by the spirit of covetousness? Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 5:11.

2.c. What other sinners besides covetous persons will be kept out of the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6:10.

Tuesday

3 GREED

3.a. As envy and covetousness take root in the heart, what follows? Job 5:2.

Note: “The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ’s second coming. James the apostle pictures the greed and oppression that will prevail. He says, ‘Go to now, ye rich men, … ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabbaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton. Ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you’ (James 5:1–6). This is a picture of what exists today. By every species of oppression and extortion, men are piling up colossal fortunes, while the cries of starving humanity are coming up before God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 170.

3.b. What often happens when wealth is selfishly retained by their greedy owners? Ecclesiastes 5:13, 14.

3.c. How do wicked people reveal what is in their heart and mind? Psalm 10:3.

Note: “Men in their blindness boast of wonderful progress and enlightenment; but to the eye of Omniscience are revealed the inward guilt and depravity. The heavenly watchers see the earth filled with violence and crime. Wealth is obtained by every species of robbery, not robbery of men only, but of God. Men are using His means to gratify their selfishness. Everything they can grasp is made to minister to their greed. Avarice and sensuality prevail. Men cherish the attributes of the first great deceiver. They have accepted him as God, and have become imbued with his spirit.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 14, 15.

Wednesday

4 PRIDE

4.a. The concept of pride is highly valued in this world. How does Scripture describe pride? Proverbs 16:5, 18.

4.b. What will the Lord do to the proud? Proverbs 15:25; Luke 18:14. Describe what the servant of the Lord was shown regarding the outcome of the proud.

Note: “I saw that God hates pride, and that all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 132.

4.c. Rather than pride, what is seen in the life of the faithful steward? James 4:6.

Note: “All who study the life of Christ and practice His teaching will become like Christ. Their influence will be like His. They will reveal soundness of character. They are established in the faith, and will not be overcome by the devil because of vanity and pride. They seek to walk the humble path of obedience, doing the will of God. Their character exerts an influence that tells for the advancement of the cause of God and the healthful purity of His work. …

“In these thoroughly converted souls the world has a witness to the sanctifying power of truth upon the human character. Through them Christ makes known to the world His character and will. In the lives of God’s children is revealed the blessedness of serving the Lord, and the opposite is seen in those who do not keep His commandments. The line of demarcation is distinct. All who obey God’s commandments are kept by His mighty power amid the corrupting influence of the transgressors of His law. From the lowliest subject to the highest in positions of trust, they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” Evangelism, 315, 316.

Thursday

5 THE LOVE OF MONEY

5.a. What will the love of money bring you? 1 Timothy 6:10; Ecclesiastes 5:10.

Note: “The Bible condemns no man for being rich, if he has acquired his riches honestly. Not money, but the love of money, is the root of all evil. It is God who gives men power to get wealth; and in the hands of him who acts as God’s steward, using his means unselfishly, wealth is a blessing, both to its possessor and to the world. But many, absorbed in their interest in worldly treasures, become insensible to the claims of God and the needs of their fellow men. They regard their wealth as a means of glorifying themselves. They add house to house, and land to land; they fill their homes with luxuries, while all about them are human beings in misery and crime, in disease and death. Those who thus give their lives to self-serving are developing in themselves, not the attributes of God, but the attributes of the wicked one.” The Ministry of Healing, 212, 213.

5.b. What is the top priority in the life of every faithful steward? 1 Corinthians 2:2; Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:25.

Note: “When the sinner reaches the cross, and looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy; for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain.” The Review and Herald, April 29, 1902.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How will envy impact your stewardship?

2    What kind of association should you have with persons who do not follow the principles of faithful stewardship?

3    What is the result of living a greedy life?

4    What is the basis of your financial decisions?

5    Explain the danger of becoming preoccupied with material goods.

Copyright 2011, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Question – Can I Overcome? How?

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Question: Can I Overcome? How?

Answer:

“Why do we not cling to Jesus, and draw from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His character … ? We are to look to Jesus, and climb up step by step in the work of overcoming … . Man is nothing without Christ. But if Christ lives in us, we shall work the works of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, 337.

“God has not left us to battle with evil in our own finite strength. Whatever may be our inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through the power that He is ready to impart.” Counsels on Health, 440.

“For every soul struggling to rise from a life of sin to a life of purity, … The only remedy for vice is the grace and power of Christ.” Ibid.

“Christ knew that man could not overcome without His help. … He came to bring man moral power, and He would not have man to understand that he has nothing to do, for every one has a work to do for himself, and through the merits of Jesus we can overcome sin and the devil.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 108.

“Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. … Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature.” The Desire of Ages, 258, 259.

“Now the question for us to decide is, Shall we have connection with Christ and the Father? Shall we accept the help needed?” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 109.

“The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man—the power of decision, of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. … Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to God. They do not choose to serve Him.” The Ministry of Healing, 176.

“Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith.” Steps to Christ, 48.

Endowment of the Holy Spirit

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“Christ, the Great Teacher, had an infinite variety of subjects from which to choose, but the one upon which He dwelt most largely was the endowment of the Holy Spirit.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 156. [Emphasis supplied.] While we cannot prove it, it seems from this sentence that the endowment of the Holy Spirit was Christ’s favorite subject, and we know that He dwelt on the subject more than any other. Continuing in Selected Messages, Ellen White says, “What great things He predicted for the church because of this endowment.” Ibid.

When the Holy Spirit is given to the church which then exhibits the characteristics of the Holy Spirit, wonderful things will happen in the church. At a personal level, every person who receives the Holy Spirit will be saved. No exceptions. But without the Holy Spirit, the church will not experience the wonderful things that come with the presence of the Holy Spirit and not one person will be saved.

Consider these questions: Do Seventh-day Adventists have the truth? Yes, it’s just a fact; we do. So, if I know the truth, will I be in heaven? Is the truth all I need? The devil knows the truth. Will he be in heaven? No. Why? The devil doesn’t have the Holy Spirit. He is possessed of a different spirit. So, if just having the truth isn’t enough, what is it that will make it possible to be in heaven? The apostle Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27. He said, “I keep my body under subjection, lest, having preached to others, I myself might be rejected” (verse 27, literal translation). If the apostle Paul could be rejected, unsaved, could it happen to us? Yes, because one must have the Holy Spirit to be in the kingdom of heaven.

For as long as I can remember, there has been a tremendous amount of theological debate and controversy within Adventism regarding who is saved and how, and who is not and why. Some say you cannot be saved unless you profess faith in Christ; others state that there will be heathens who never knew the name of Christ who will be in heaven and they support it from The Desire of Ages. But there will be millions of people who profess faith in Christ, who talk the talk, but who have not received the Holy Spirit and they will go down into the lake of fire. And there will be people who have never heard the name of Christ who will be saved, because they will accept the leading of the Holy Spirit as He reveals the truth to them in other ways.

A Seventh-day Adventist physician went to a heathen country as a missionary with his family. Before he had an opportunity to unpack, he was called to an emergency medical situation. He hired a heathen man, explaining that he had to be away for an emergency and his wife would be left with the unpacking. He wanted the man to help her unpack, so he made all the arrangements with the man, paid him and set off. It was after nightfall before the missionary returned home. When he arrived home, the man was standing outside the gate waiting for him. He said, “I was not able to help your wife unpack; she did not want my help, so here is your money back.”

The physician was astonished; he could not comprehend a heathen man not just taking the money. So he asked him, “How can this be?” The heathen man said, “I studied, I looked at the sun, I looked at nature, I realized there was a Great Spirit that made this and so I gave my life to the Great Spirit. And the Great Spirit came into my heart, into my mind, and made me all white and clean inside.” He said, “I don’t chew betel nut like other men do; I don’t sleep around with women like other men do, and I don’t lie and I don’t steal.” He didn’t know who Jesus was by name, but he received the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31–46 that He will separate everyone into two groups—sheep and goats. The sheep are the people who have received the Holy Spirit. The goats are the people who have not received the Holy Spirit. It’s just that simple. One group will have eternal life, the other group will have eternal death.

I am not condemning anyone; I want to tell you the best news ever. Now is the time, right now, that you can receive the Holy Spirit. It does not matter what you have done, what your past has been; all that matters is have you, will you, receive the Holy Spirit? The offer of eternal life is the gospel message to be given to everyone, even to the most sinful people in the world. Let’s look at some examples from the Bible.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs [miracles] that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ ” (John 3:1–3). As a leader of God’s chosen people, Jesus told Nicodemus that he would have to be converted or he would not be in heaven.

Nicodemus did not like hearing that. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. And Jesus tells him he won’t be going to heaven unless he’s born again. Nicodemus’ response was, “ ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born’ ” (verse 4)? Nicodemus was irritated. He probably wondered if Jesus knew who he was. The problem for Nicodemus was he knew what was written in the Torah and he believed his life was in harmony with the law, but at that moment, he had not received the Holy Spirit and until he did, he could not understand what Jesus was trying to tell him.

Luke 18:10, 11 KJV tells us, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican [tax collector]. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.’ ” Among the Jews, if you were a tax collector, you were considered the lowest of the low because you were cooperating with the Romans. (The Romans were not a righteous people. A secular historian described Rome as, “the sewer of the nations.”) If a woman was a prostitute, they felt that she was the lowest of the low. So when Jesus said, “The prostitutes and the tax collectors are going to go into the kingdom of heaven before you” (Matthew 21:31), the Jewish leaders were ready to kill Him.

Were prostitutes sinners? Were tax collectors sinners? Yes. Is God going to take any sinners into the kingdom of heaven? No. Then how could Jesus say that the prostitutes and the tax collectors would be in the kingdom of heaven before the religious leaders? Matthew 21:31, 32, first part, explains: “Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him.’ ” When John the Baptist came and showed them their sins, the tax collectors and the harlots repented. They realized they were sinners, but they didn’t want to be that way anymore. They wanted to be changed, but were helpless to help themselves. They knew they were in bondage and wanted to be free.

So Jesus said, “I’ve come to set at liberty the people that are in bondage” (Galatians 5:1). This irritated the Jews, especially the Pharisees. They said to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants [seed], and we have never been in bondage to anyone” (John 8:33). They were, when they made this statement, in bondage to the Romans, so that was not true. But Jesus pointed out to them that He wasn’t talking about physical bondage. In verse 32 He said, “ ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ” Notice that the Jews said they were already free and didn’t need to be made free. Jesus answered them, “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin’ ” (verse 34). Sin brings a person into bondage; a bondage from which they cannot free themselves.

There are millions of people in the world that have decided that they will be good people, but they found out that they can’t be good people. From the outside, many appear to be good people, but these “good people” know that on the inside they are not righteous. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

The fact is that no human being can know their own heart. The Bible says, “Who can know it?” and the answer is, nobody. Moses was one of the wisest men that ever lived and he said to the Lord, “Please don’t let me know my own wretchedness” (Numbers 11:15). You and I do not know what evil we are capable of doing. If you do not receive the Holy Spirit, you cannot know where the devil might lead you. The heart is deceitful above all things. The Hebrew word translated desperately wicked is something that is incurable. You cannot make it better. It is impossible. That is why Jesus says we must be born again. The Holy Spirit has to create a new heart in you because the one you have is no good. Paul said that the old man has to die (Romans 6). And you must be born again.

Paul wrote to the Christians that in the flesh you are dead, but in the Spirit you are alive (see Romans, Colossians, Galatians). He used this language because man’s natural way of thinking and feeling has to die and he must receive from the Holy Spirit a new mind, a new heart, a new spirit. If that doesn’t happen, a man will be lost.

In the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, “ ‘The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” ’ ” (Luke 18:11, 12). This prayer was a speech to God of all the good things that he did daily.

However, the tax collector knew that he was wicked. “ ‘The tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’ ” (verses 13, 14). Do you want to be saved? The Lord can save you. Here is how:

First, we have to recognize our sinful condition and that we need to be saved from our sins. God does not save people in sin; He saves people from sin (Matthew 1:21). The Bible exposes “the lie” that is still believed by the majority of the Christian world today, the idea that a person can continue to sin and everything will be fine as long as he confesses those sins. That is not Bible religion, but the lie of the antichrist. As long as a person is living in sin, they are not born of the Holy Spirit. Once born of the Holy Spirit, a man will repent and turn away from sinning.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a very rich man. But when he heard John the Baptist preach, he repented and told Jesus, “ ‘Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold’ ” (Luke 19:8). As soon as the Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life, he stops sinning. A man is changed inside and doesn’t live the way he used to live.  Everything is changed and sin becomes a thing of the past.

Around 1907, a group of Adventists planned a six-month series of evangelistic meetings. They rented a big auditorium and on the first night the people came and the evangelist began his sermon. He covered how to become a Christian, how to be born again and how to be converted. But he didn’t stop there. He also covered the state of the dead, the Sabbath, the Mark of the Beast; in fact, he covered everything in one night. At the close of the meeting, he made a call for people to make a decision that night and a whole group of people came forward. His workers questioned him as to why he had preached everything in one sermon, but he didn’t know why; he had been impressed to do it. A terrible earthquake occurred later that night and some of the people who had come forward died in the earthquake; but they had been saved that night from their sins.

I read a book written by a lady involved in the New Age Movement. She didn’t know the Lord, knew nothing of the Bible or Christianity. She had met a man and they were living together. An acquaintance persuaded them to come to a Christian meeting. The speaker was an evangelist.

The couple decided to attend the meeting. It wasn’t a Seventh-day Adventist meeting, but this evangelist understood about a one-night evangelistic series. This was like Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus and Paul’s talk with Felix. The couple decided to become Christians that night when the altar call was made. The evangelist hadn’t had the time to explain to them everything about the Christian religion, but he explained how they could give their lives to Jesus and choose to follow Him. He told them that Jesus loved them so much that he died on the cross for them, that He would forgive their sins and that they could have eternal life.

Everyone who came forward on the altar call received a Bible. This lady had never read the Bible. Later that night before she went to sleep, she decided to read a little bit in this new book. She opened the Bible to one of the Gospels where Jesus was talking about the sin of adultery. She slammed the book shut and thought, “I can’t read this book!” A few days later her curiosity got the better of her and she opened the Bible again at random. There it was again, talking about the sin of adultery and fornication. Once again, she slammed it shut. Every few days she would wonder what else was in the Bible, but anywhere she opened to, it condemned her.

The man she was living with was having his own experiences, but they each were reacting quite differently to their individual experiences. One day they talked and she told the man that her conscience was bothering her day and night and that she couldn’t continue with their relationship as it was. The man asked what she thought they should do. Her conclusion was that they either would have to marry or split up and after some consideration, it was decided that they would split up. She wrote in her book that was a turning point in her life.

In John 3:4 after Nicodemus asked Jesus, “ ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ ” Jesus said, “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’ ” (verse 5). You are born of water when you are baptized.

1 Corinthians 12:13 tells us, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” Notice, Paul says, “By one Spirit [that is, the Holy Spirit] we have all been baptized into one body.” Baptism by water is a symbol of being baptized by the Holy Spirit. If you are baptized by the Holy Spirit, you will be in the kingdom of heaven.

Paul in Acts 19 and Peter in Acts 2 both speak about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 19:2–7, we find the account of the two men who had been baptized “into John’s baptism,” but had never heard of the Holy Spirit. He told them that “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (verse 4). When the men heard this, they were baptized in the name of Jesus and when Paul “laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them” (verse 6).

In Acts 2:38, Peter was speaking to people guilty of crucifying Jesus Christ. They were pricked in their hearts and didn’t know what to do. Peter said to them, “Repent [that is, sorrow enough for your sins to quit] and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Without the Holy Spirit, you are lost, and you will remain lost until you do receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus called this the new birth. When the Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life, that person will be born again and the spiritual image of Jesus Christ will be formed within. But before the birth can take place Paul says, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again [labor pains] until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). I labor with people that have been involved in every kind of sin that you can imagine. I preach the gospel to them because the gospel can save them, if they are willing to receive the Holy Spirit.

Are you tired of the person you have become on the inside? Do you want to be changed? Have you realized that you are helpless and hopeless in your present state? Are you willing to be born again? If you will receive the Holy Spirit in your life, you will be changed.

You cannot change yourself, but it doesn’t matter how dark your past is or what you’ve done. All you need to do is turn to Jesus, surrender your life to Him and say, “Lord, I want to have a new heart, a new mind. I want to be born again. I want to receive the Holy Spirit.” There is no other way. If you choose to surrender your life to Christ, He will hear and a miraculous work will be done in your life.

Dear Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to each of us. Show us the things that must be changed in our lives. Help us to surrender all of ourselves to You. Give us new hearts and minds and restore in us Your image.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Bible Study – Winning the Battle of the Mind

by

June 20 – 26, 2021

Key Text:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Study Help: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 141–144; Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 797–806.

Introduction

“Thoughts and meditations upon the goodness of God to us would close the avenues of the soul to Satan’s suggestions.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 222.

Sunday

1 STRENGTH FOR TODAY

1.a. What defense is available to us in the battle against temptation? Psalms 17:4; 119:11, 130.

 Note: “Let the youth … be taught to give close study to the word of God. Received into the soul, it will prove a mighty barricade against temptation.” Education, 190.

1.b.      What is to be our guide in directing our steps and making choices in life? Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 18:10; Matthew 4:4, first part.

Note: “I counsel you to receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your soul. The word of God is your haven. It is a tower of strength, into which you may run and be safe.” The Upward Look, 125.

Monday

BEING ABLE TO THINK CLEARLY

2.a. How can the follower of Christ obtain positive and clear spiritual discernment? 1 Corinthians 2:9–13; Revelation 3:18, last part.

Note: “Satan has summoned the hosts of darkness to war against the saints. We cannot afford to be indifferent to his attacks. He comes in many ways, and we must have clear spiritual discernment, that we may be able to discern when he is seeking to gain possession of our minds.” Our High Calling, 19.

“Do not permit yourself to be discouraged. Do not permit yourself to be provoked, but let intelligent reason control your actions.” The Upward Look, 139.

2.b.      How is one to deal with the negative feelings of depression, fretfulness, hate, anxiety, sadness, etc.? Psalm 100:2, 4; Ephesians 6:10, 11; James 4:7, 8.

Note: “When you see iniquity all around you it makes you all the more glad that He [Christ] is your Saviour, and we are His children. Then shall we look at the iniquity around us and dwell upon the dark side? You cannot cure it; then talk of something that is higher, better, and more noble.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 490.

“It is our right, our privilege, to dismiss gloomy depression.” The Upward Look, 38.

“It is our duty not to live for self, but for the good of others—not to be controlled by feelings, but to consider that our influence is a power for good or evil.” Ibid., 55.

“It is not our efforts that bring victory. It is seeing God behind the promise, and believing and trusting Him. Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is faithful who hath promised.” Ibid., 133.

Tuesday

3 WEAPONS AGAINST THE ADVERSARY

3.a. How can we fight the battle victoriously as Christ did? Isaiah 26:4. What are some spiritual antidotes?

For fear: Isaiah 41:10, 13

For depression/sadness: Jeremiah 31:10–13

For worry: Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 5:7

For impurity: 1 Corinthians 6:15–20

For worthlessness: 1 John 3:1, 2.

 Note: “The word of God must not be kept apart from our life. It must be entertained in the mind, welcomed in the heart, and be cherished, loved, and obeyed. We need also much more knowledge; we need to be enlightened in regard to the plan of salvation. There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 360.

3.b.      What theme for meditation is provided for the Christian? 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:6.

Note: “It is only by long and persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict that we shall be overcomers.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 324.

“With the great truth we have been privileged to receive, we should, and under the Holy Spirit’s power we could, become living channels of light. We could then approach the mercy seat; and seeing the bow of promise, kneel with contrite hearts, and seek the kingdom of heaven with a spiritual violence that would bring its own reward. We would take it by force, as did Jacob. Then our message would be the power of God unto salvation. Our supplications would be full of earnestness, full of a sense of our great need; and we would not be denied. The truth would be expressed by life and character, and by lips touched with the living coal from off God’s altar. When this experience is ours, we shall be lifted out of our poor, cheap selves, that we have cherished so tenderly.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1089.

Wednesday

4 REACHING GOD’S STANDARD

4.a. How will true followers of Jesus be perceived by others? 1 Corinthians 4:9, 13.

Note: “When we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 289.

“We are to make the line of demarcation decidedly apparent.” Ibid.

“Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth—these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 216.

4.b.      How can we develop characters fit for eternity? Micah 6:8; Zephaniah 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 Note: “If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.” Steps to Christ, 58.

“By the life we live through the grace of Christ the character is formed. The original loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth.” The Desire of Ages, 312.

Thursday

5 THE RESULTS OF INNER RENEWAL

5.a. As our mind is renewed, where will our thoughts and vision be directed? Romans 12:2; Hebrews 11:16; 12:2.

Note: “We should live for the next world. It is so wretched to live a haphazard, aimless life. We want an object in life—to live for a purpose. God help us all to be self-sacrificing, less self-caring, more forgetful of self and selfish interest; and to do good, not for the honor we expect to receive here, but because this is the object of our life and will answer the end of our existence. Let our daily prayer go up to God that He will divest us of selfishness.” Our High Calling, 242.

“Let every thought, every feeling be that of remembrance of God’s love. Let us gather up one token after another. …

“The evidence we have of God’s care and love for us is expressed in the lessons Christ gave to His disciples upon the things in nature.” The Upward Look, 15.

“Let nothing, nothing discourage you, and make you sad. Think of the goodness of God. Recount His favors and blessings.” Ibid., 30.

5.b.      What assurance do we have of victory? Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Note: “The more we love Jesus, the more entirely will self be humbled and forgotten. …

“Our God is a very present help in time of need. He is acquainted with the most secret thoughts of our hearts, with all the intents and purposes of our souls. When we are in perplexity, even before we open to Him our distresses, He is making arrangements for our deliverance.” The Upward Look, 46.

“If we trust in the Lord, we shall triumph in the warfare against unseen foes, but if we trust in our own strength, we shall surely meet with defeat. The armor is prepared. Put it on, and fight bravely for the Lord.” Ibid., 129.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What is the source of the Christian’s strength and how is this strength received?

2    What promises does God give to the person who is struggling to control his thoughts?

3    What tools are given to each of us to win the battle for control of the mind?

4    What does God require of the Christian in regard to control of the thoughts?

5    How can you tell whether or not your mind has been renewed?

Copyright 1995 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Battle for the Control of the Mind

by

June 6–12, 2021

Key Text

“They cried to God in the battle, and He was intreated of them; because they put their trust in Him” (1 Chronicles 5:20, last part).

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 683–689; The Story of Redemption, 32–41.

Introduction

“The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan takes the control of every mind that is not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 79. [Emphasis author’s.]

Sunday

1 ANCIENT AND MODERN DAY SPIRITUALISM

1.a. How did Satan beguile men in the past and how is he preparing to gain complete control over human minds today? Exodus 7:11, 22; Acts 8:9–11; Revelation 13:4, 13, 14; 16:13, 14.

Note: “It was the hand of God, and no human influence or power possessed by Moses and Aaron, that wrought the miracles which they showed before Pharaoh. Those signs and wonders were designed to convince Pharaoh that the great ‘I AM’ had sent Moses, and that it was the duty of the king to let Israel go, that they might serve the living God. The magicians also showed signs and wonders; for they wrought not by their own skill alone, but by the power of their god, Satan, who assisted them in counterfeiting the work of Jehovah.

“The magicians did not really cause their rods to become serpents; but by magic, aided by the great deceiver, they were able to produce this appearance. It was beyond the power of Satan to change the rods to living serpents.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 264.

1.b.      How did Ellen White explain the term “empty deceit” of Colossians 2:8?

Note: “Thousands, I was shown, have been spoiled through the philosophy of phrenology and animal magnetism, and have been driven into infidelity. If the mind commences to run in this channel, it is almost sure to lose its balance and be controlled by a demon. ‘Vain deceit’ fills the minds of poor mortals. They think there is such power in themselves to accomplish great works that they realize no necessity of a higher power. … He [Jesus] did not direct the minds of poor mortals to themselves, to a power which they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength and wisdom.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 297.

Monday

2 MEDIA, MOVIES, AND ADVERTISING

2.a. What is the result of watching other people sin whether through media or in real life? 1 Corinthians 15:33; Psalms 101:3, 4.

2.b. How is the ninth commandment broken in all dramatical productions? Exodus 20:16; Zechariah 8:16.

Note: “Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 653.

Tuesday

3 THE EFFECTS OF VISUAL IMAGES

3.a.       What moral responsibility do we have for what we look at? Luke 11:34.

Note: “We must pray more and exercise faith continually. I feel the necessity of drawing nearer and closer to Jesus. I see I must labor to the point to keep my mind ascending to God continually if I would maintain the victory over Satan’s temptations.” The Upward Look, 127.

3.b.      What are the three things in worldly entertainment (tv, movies, video) that the Christian is advised to leave alone? 1 John 2:16, 17.

Note: “You know our bodies are made up of the food assimilated. Now, it is the same with our minds.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 491.

“The mind is controlled either by Satan or by Jesus.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 495.

“None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working.

“There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices.” The Great Controversy, 516.

“We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives.” Ibid., 517.

Wednesday

THE POLLUTION OF HUMAN THOUGHTS

4.a. What kind of worldly conduct is the Christian to avoid? Ephesians 4:17–23.

Note: “It is one of Satan’s devices to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility.” The Great Controversy, 587.

“The tempter assured Eve that as soon as she ate of the fruit she would receive a new and superior knowledge that would make her equal with God. He called her attention to himself. He ate freely of the tree and found it not only perfectly harmless but delicious and exhilarating … . He further told them that they could not die. Had they not eaten of the tree of life which perpetuates immortality? He said that God was deceiving them to keep them from a higher state of felicity and more exalted happiness.” The Story of Redemption, 34, 35.

4.b.      What works of the flesh are portrayed on television and other worldly entertainment? Galatians 5:19–21.

Note: “It was when the Israelites were in a condition of outward ease and security that they were led into sin. … It is thus that Satan still seeks to compass the ruin of the soul. A long preparatory process, unknown to the world, goes on in the heart before the Christian commits open sin. The mind does not come down at once from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to degrade those formed in the image of God to the brutal or the satanic. By beholding we become changed. By the indulgence of impure thoughts man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 459.

“Do not for a moment acknowledge Satan’s temptations as being in harmony with your own mind. Turn from them as you would from the adversary himself.” Our High Calling, 85.

Thursday

5 RETURNING TO GOD’S ORIGINAL PLAN

5.a. What does friendship with the world do to our relationship with Jesus Christ? 1 John 2:15–19; James 4:4. What separation is required? 2 Corinthians 6:14–18.

5.b.      What kind of location did God prepare as the home of our first parents? Genesis 1:28–31; 2:8, 15.

Note: “The home of our first parents was to be a pattern for other homes as their children should go forth to occupy the earth. That home, beautified by the hand of God Himself, was not a gorgeous palace. Men, in their pride, delight in magnificent and costly edifices and glory in the works of their own hands; but God placed Adam in a garden. This was his dwelling. The blue heavens were its dome; the earth, with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, was its floor; and the leafy branches of the goodly trees were its canopy.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 49.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    Describe Satan’s techniques to gain control over human minds.

2    How does the media, movies and videos, advertising, etc., exercise a powerful influence over the thoughts and actions of men?

3    How do visual images affect the thoughts?

4    Discuss Satan’s use of mingling truth and error to suit his purposes.

Copyright 1995 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.