By Mary Lindow
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
But with humility comes wisdom.”
-Proverbs 11:2
WHEN THE SOUL GOES THROUGH HUMBLING EXPERIENCES
We all know that there are times when the soul goes through humbling experiences.
Perhaps in the past you had strength, calm, security and confiden...
By Mary Lindow
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
But with humility comes wisdom.”
-Proverbs 11:2
WHEN THE SOUL GOES THROUGH HUMBLING EXPERIENCES
We all know that there are times when the soul goes through humbling experiences.
Perhaps in the past you had strength, calm, security and confidence, and then all of that suddenly gets stripped and your soul sees itself and it's true state of desperate need.
If you are alert you will recognize that the Lord is opening our eyes to secret pride. That internal thinking that all of our achievement is of our own doing and not purely a gift from above.
Yes, these times come so it will never occur to us again that we are stronger in spirit than anyone else! If we look up on any other person as weaker, it is only because we have not been taken through the purging fire of God completely. Perhaps this is what's happening to someone we know, and it's no business of ours to preen our feathers of “goodness” while they are being refined and challenged. On the other side of that coin, God wants for us to have an open and humble spirit, realizing that if we were in their position we may not handle the circumstances as well, and might actually do worse!
THIS HUMBLING PROCESS IS IN GOD’S HANDS
It is his way of raising in your heart, a new love for all of mankind.
In the past you may have judged others either for their pride, or for being in personal difficulties.
Even worse, you may have seen others who are lukewarm or weak in their faith and compared it with your own strong devotion and enthusiasm for God.
God is merciful and he shows us all of our own places of emptiness.
Allowing us to go through humbling experiences is how He knocks this out of the seat of our own “judgment” which is His seat alone! He wants us to keep our eyes on our own response to what we know He wants us to do, so that we remain in a place of simple obedience to Him.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy one understands." -Proverbs 9:10
WE ARE ON A HUMBLE SPIRITUAL ROAD
David stood in the presence of wicked men (Samuel chapter 16:5-6 and 9-10) and there he was wondering why the Lord put up with their evil behavior while he was going through such anguish in his own life!
But he still prayed and said,
“I will watch my ways so I may not sin with my tongue.
I will keep my mouth shut as if it were tied with ropes, while the sinful are near me.” –Psalm 39:1
When David finally saw how limited and small that his own viewpoint was, he continued to say,
“I remained silent and I wasn't about to open my mouth because you Lord are the one who allowed this!”
This is a humble condition much like David's that the Lord will bring our souls to as we are on this humble, spiritual road,
He says to you and I that He longs to help you to be submitted to His hand alone, obedient to His voice alone! We are not to resist Him!
We are not really serving Him and our brothers and sisters if we've taken the high seat above them.
When the Lord begins to work this way of tenderness in our hearts we must listen to what He says no matter what or WHOM He allows to bring the message through. In the past, arrogance has been the measuring stick where many would only receive teaching and correction, from someone THEY thought was worthy to DARE speak to them!
Those days are over.
“If you have jealousy in your heart and fight to have many things, do not be proud of it. Do not lie against the truth." -James 3:14
WE MUST CLEARLY SEE THAT CORRUPTION CAN RAPIDLY OCCUR IN ANY PERSON OR ANY GROUP, ORGANIZED, RELAXED, OR OTHERWISE,when the tendency to think that they have arrived at a new or deeper revelation about something more so than others who perhaps express the Lord's voice differently.
ARROGANCE IS THE ASSUMPTION THAT I, INDIVIDUALLY,
OR SOME GROUP THAT I AM A PART OF, COLLECTIVELY,
IS SOMEHOW SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE OR
SOME OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE.
AT THE HEART OF ARROGANCE IS SELF-CENTEREDNESS.
And, self-centeredness is the foundation of human sin. I believe any serious attempt at self-examination by an honest person will reveal that we humans are sinful and flawed beyond measure.
Paul writes, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”
WE ARE CONSUMED BY SELF.
And every time we arrogantly place our own needs before others we are enslaved by sin.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD OF IN THAT ARROGANT MODE?
WHAT IS THE ANTIDOTE?
How about the words of Jesus? What did he say?
"Everyone who exalts himself (for example, "Aren't I great? Aren't I right? Don't I always have the best opinion?") will be humbled.
But, he who humbles himself (for example, "This is my opinion but it may not be right. I don't have a corner on the market of truth.")
will be exalted."
THE LORD IS NOT SPEEDING UP THE DELIVERY OF ANY "FRESH THING" IN THE EARTH IN ORDER TO GET US TO HIS PURPOSES QUICKLY.
No. He is testing the hearts of men and women everywhere, looking for humility, selflessness, and honor, for those who although not perfect, have also served and pointed the way to salvation for many years previously.
THE LORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL
WHO SHOUTS THAT "CHANGE IS NEEDED"
OR THAT "CHANGE IS COMING" AND THEN
SLASHES AND BURNS ANYTHING
THAT DOESN'T EMBRACE THEIR VERSION OF IT.
THE LORD IS INTERESTED IN THE EVIDENCE OF HUMILITY AND THE EVIDENCE OF GRACE.
These key character issues attract the pure and simple Presence of the Lord. Blessed are the PURE in heart...for they shall see God.
Until the Body of Christ that has been through many difficult and shattering events, rids itself of bitter and venomous words against one another and accepts that each one like sheep have gone astray and turned to what pleased them at the moment, there will be little evidence of much harvest .
THE LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD OUT THERE WATCHES CHRISTIANS TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS DAILY AND WONDERS WHY WE ARE ASKING THEM TO JOIN US!
Remember Christ’s two great commandments—love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself.
SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS THE REVERSAL OF THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. Self-centeredness means to place ourselves first, in effect proclaiming our own form of self-government (not needing or wanting the advice or insight of others), therefore our neighbors become an afterthought, and God becomes simply a convenience to be considered only when it’s helpful to us.
It is evident even in our language that self-centeredness is woven into the fabric of the human experience.
THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICIAL MODEL TOLD US THAT HE WOULD SEND THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD IN ORDER TO CONVICT ALL PEOPLE OF SIN, TO COMFORT, TO GUIDE, AND TO SET THEM FREE.
Indeed. The very evidence of a redemptive type of life, is in one who washes the feet of his/her brothers and his/her enemies in an act of cleansing the dirt from the road of life off of the pathway to the Truth.
May we truly hear the sound of the unmistakable heartbeat of a redemptive model rising up in clear resounding purity, personal transparency, and in the covering of the multitude of sins by speaking and meditating only on those things that are noble, just, pure, and of a good report.
AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS NATIONS, THE ANTIDOTE TO ARROGANCE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS A HEAVY DOSE OF HUMILITY. That is; a profound willingness to recognize the value, and respect the dignity of every human life. And, furthermore, a humble heart calls us to seek and serve Christ in ALL persons by giving of ourselves willingly for the welfare of other people.
THE LORD SAYS,
"Do not let a wise man brag about how wise he is. Do not let a strong man boast about how strong he is. Do not let a rich person brag about how rich he is.
But here is what the one who brags should boast about. He should brag that he has understanding and knows me. I want him to know that I am the Lord.
No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right. And I take delight in that," announces the Lord.
JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (New International Reader's Version)
WE MUST HAVE EARS THAT ARE OPEN TO HIS VOICE ALONE
We can enjoy the extreme value of knowing that we must be under the direction of our matchless Lord.
Remember that He may use anyone, however unpleasing to the eye, unintelligent, or, not so affluent! When you see they may be able to teach you and direct you on your way, it is because of the attraction and Divine beauty they have in their lives from honoring the Lord.
It’s that they are truly humble, not simply by saying it - but by literally BEING humble.
HEEDING ANOTHER VOICE OF PROMISE AND PROMOTION?
The Lord has impressed me to share that some have heeded "another voice", one who would put them up, on the pinnacle of the world and promise them all power and wealth if they but, “just bow down”. The Lord wants you to know, (although I tremble at even delivering this), that many have already bent one knee downward to hopefully obtain a bit of blessing from “both sides.”
Get up and RUN from deception and self-indulgence, blatant lying, and entitlement!
You can be sure that using people or spiritual metaphors or “things” just for what you can get out of them—the typical indicators of idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the Kingdom of Christ.
You have been taken in and spoiled by religious and deceptive smooth talk. The Lord is furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but who really want nothing to do with Him. You have groped your way through that murk once, but no longer.
You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain.
GOD OFTEN MOVES AMONG THE OUTCASTS
-Isaiah 66:2 says,
“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD.
These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
You've probably never been stuck on a deserted island, but you may know pretty well how it feels.
In a world of bad relationships and superficial relationships and broken relationships, a lot of people know the feeling of being emotionally cast aside, abandoned, and maybe even discarded.
Because of some of what you've been through, you may feel like you're the outcast.
Your days on that island may be almost over. In fact, it could be that all your failed or frustrating relationships have actually been preparing you to experience the central relationships you were being equipped and prepared for.
Anyone who has ever felt like an emotional outcast needs to hear the fabulous promise of Jesus Christ in this word from the Word of God.
Jesus says to all those who belong to Him,
"I will not leave you as orphans. I WILL come to you.”
-John 14:18
This is the same Savior, who says,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” -Hebrews. 13:5
He's the One, who promised,
"The one that comes to me, I will certainly not cast out."
-John 6:37
AND FROM NOW ON, THAT PROMISE OF JESUS CAN BE ALL ABOUT YOU! "THE ONE THAT COMES TO ME, I WILL CERTAINLY NOT CAST OUT."
THE LORD WOULD SAY THESE WORDS TO YOU AND I
“You now understand the pain of betrayal, losses so great that you can no longer talk about them.
You have ached in such agonizing despair that at times you have begged me to let you die.
Friends have turned and chosen to see you through blinded eyes of their own making and have refused to help you to find your footing again, thinking they are doing you a service by letting you grovel and weep in painful loss and sorrow.
They have competed for gain to their own egos and have self promoted at the expense of exchanging deeper relationships for ego stroking.
You have been reduced in the past season to identify with those who were forced to make bricks for Pharaoh without straw.
I too was a man of sorrows and endured the shame in order to be formed, shaped, and made ready for the moment of redemption.
And so shall it be with you.
Redemption from the losses will come to those who choose obedience over pleasure, serving others over being the served one, and letting go of the dreams of greatness you cling too, no longer using my name or gifts as a calling card.
THE CALL OF THE MOMENT IS THIS!
“Let the follies of your dim visions fall away”, says the Spirit of God!
“I have a more perfect way that I am forming in you and for you.
I have caused you to cease from striving, from worrying, and from being anxious.
You now rest up again my chest, waiting, trusting, wanting only ME.
You have become kinder, a better listener, a more trusted confidant.
I can work well with those attributes.
Just Watch Me.
I WILL Open the Way of Hope and Shine Light on the pathway for those who have ceased from manipulating the moment.”
SEARED OR FERVENT
In ~ 1 Timothy 4 it says,
“The spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
SUCH TEACHINGS COME THROUGH HYPOCRITICAL LIARS,
WHOSE CONSCIENCES HAVE BEEN SEARED AS WITH A HOT IRON.”
To have a seared or calloused conscience means to cause something to wither.
To make (someone's conscience, heart, or feelings), insensitive.
Without the willingness of heart to fall upon the rock of God’s word, allowing every strength and support of ours to be fully broken, the wicked heart of mankind will continue to allow the searing patterns of indifference and insensitivity to affect their choices and will permeate more and more of the moral and sacred places of society.
I have been impressed to warn believers that the increase of sexual lures and smutty language has begun to pay a toll much larger than they realize.
WE ARE TO BE MATURE AND SOLEMN
Huge numbers of people are being brought to ruin because they are not thinking; thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others is the devastation of thousands, and many a precious soul has been shattered through carelessness.
The Lord is asking you and I to "consider our ways," and return to a walk with The Still Small Voice and begin a familiarity with him yet again. With conviction, it would be the most rewarding relationship you could fall into!
"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober."
-1 Thessalonians 5:8
PRAYER AND THANKFULNESS
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
-Colossians 4:2
As I finish these insights, I will share the last challenging impressions that the Lord clearly impressed me with.
“Each day, upon waking, where does your heart and mind wander to?
Is it the plans and lists of things you must accomplish for the day?
Is it the meal you are about to eat?
Is it worry and the bracing yourself for another grinding day of dealing with the pressures of life?
Return to those early awakening moments where you and I share in the dialog of My plans for you.
Each day you have to live and to give, you have been given the opportunity to impact someone and to do a kindness or act of training for another.
Where has your thankful heart wandered?
Without it, behaviors and moods of bitterness and drudgery will manifest and sour even the brightest flower of hope.
Return to the heart of the issue and clean away the rusty decay of grindstone thinking.
Each day can be a fresh adventure into Kingdom purposes or, a continual repeating of a dreary existence.
Choose ever so wisely.”
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably, with reverence and awe.”
~Hebrews 12:28
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