Current Mood: Anointed & Delivered & Determined & Radical

The entry below is another entry from what I call The Vault Series, which are entries that I’ve written up until about a year on my eJournal at www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog.  The entry below was originally posted on December 23, 2008, and though that is the case, the principals and lessons to learn are still relevant to today’s issues.  I pray that you’re blessed by it and that the Heavenly Father brings you to a place of fruitfulness, obedience, and an abundant life to the full till it overflows, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

December 23, 2008

“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15 

By definition, forgiveness means to pardon an offender and to give up the resentment and desire to retaliate or pay the person back somehow.  In essence, forgiveness allows for the mistakes made by others.  In Matthew 6:14, Jesus tells us how important it is to forgive others: 

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 

He also continues in verse 15 saying, “but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  A question to ask yourself is “What would happen to me if my Heavenly Father didn’t forgive me of my sin? 

S   E   L   A   H 

When concluding the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Jesus called the forgiven servant who DID NOT forgive “wicked” and proceeded with, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:32-35)

BE CAREFUL

Do not make the mistake of thinking that you’ve forgiven a person just because you said the words.  No, that is very untrue and indeed a misconception.  As Jesus mentioned above, we must forgive from the heart.  Anyone can say anything; however, saying it doesn’t make it true if you have something completely different in your heart. 

YOU CAN TELL BY THEIR (AND YOUR) FRUIT

In addition to forgiveness being the start of the healing process, forgiveness also manifests fruit.  In Matthew 7:14, Jesus lets us know that we can tell a truth about a person based upon their fruit.  So is the same about forgiveness.  Forgiveness exercises the fruit of the Spirit especially LOVE, which covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).  Similarly, unforgiveness also bears fruit, all of which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit.  Some of its fruit, as well as the consequences, are: 

• Anger
• Self-pity
• Resentment
• Bitterness
• Revenge
• Hatred
• Depression
• Strife
• Unkindness
• Insecurity
• Envy
• Jealousy
• Tormentors are called on those who do not forgive.
• Prayers hindered
• Personal sins not forgiven
• Will call us to judgment on the matter
• Negatively effects other relationships (family, marriage, friends, business, etc)
• Has earthly and eternal consequences
• We block our spiritual communication with God.

NOTHING OR NO ONE IS WORTH IT!

It is better for you to quickly forgive than to jeopardize your own relationship with God.

MAKE A DECISION

Decide that you will forgive EVERYONE who has ever hurt or offended you in your life, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to do this.  For some, you may need to go to the person and let him/her know that you’ve forgiven the offense.  This will help release you and that person from the negative feelings they’ve held on to as a result of the offense. 

Realizing that some hurts are more difficult to get over than others, another way you can go about forgiveness is to think to yourself, ‘What if I was in the other person’s shoes?  Would I want forgiveness?  Would I want God to forgive me if I committed the same offense this person did?”  Chances are you’ve answered “yes” to these 3 questions.  Even unbelievers desire to be forgiven for their offenses—as a bad conscious is impossible to escape.  Everywhere you are, your conscious will be, and there’s no amount of alcohol, drugs, or any other self-medicating substances or actions that can completely remove a guilty conscious. 

Forgiveness is a choice and decision that you must make; and the initiative you must take each time you are offended – whether intentionally or unintentionally.  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to forgive quickly and completely, and then allow Him to do what He must do to get you there.  Be sure to also forgive those who have hurt you in the past so that you are released from those negative emotion and painful memories.  If you need to actually call the offending person or drop by for a visit, then do it!  It is far better for you to withstand those few moments of awkwardness than to allow unforgiveness, resentment and other negative feelings to eat away any good things in your life because you’re still locked to the bad things.  Unforgiveness robs you from joy, peace, and experience the fullness of love in your life. 

In closing, I’d like to say to you if you ever find yourself in a position that the offense was so ‘unforgiveable’ and the hurt was so immeasurable, then I invite you to go into the book of Matthew 18:21-35 (conveniently posted below), and read and mediate on the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.  For your convenience, I’ve posted this parable below and I truly advise you to read it, dissect it, mediate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to help you in this area.  Though sometimes it’s hard to forgive, especially in the beginning of your ‘forgiveness’ walk, the rewards of forgiveness greatly outweigh the offense.  The flipside to this is that the consequences of unforgiveness greatly outweigh the actual offense itself.  

Just do yourself the favor and just forgive! 

Matthew 18:21-35

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him, ’Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii (Naima Interjects – far less than the debt he was forgiven for), He grabbed him and began to choke him.’Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

S   E   L   A   H

Original post on www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog on December 23, 2008

© 2010, Ms. Lady Nai. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

The entry below is another entry from what I call The Vault Series, which are entries that I’ve written up until about a year on my eJournal at www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog.  The entry below was originally posted on August 28, 2009, and though that is the case, the principals and lessons to learn are still relevant to today’s issues.  I pray that you’re blessed by it and that the Heavenly Father brings you to a place of fruitfulness, obedience, and an abundant life to the full till it overflows, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

.

August 28, 2009

Yesterday morning while in the shower the Lord showed me something that was pretty neat. 

Have you ever been to an amusement park?

Have you ever got on any rollercoaster rides or any other ride that was pretty danger?

It’s so funny how we’re able to stand in the blazing hot sun, dripping with sweat, waiting on an extremely long line in order to get on a 5-minute ride.  We sometimes stand in line for 45 minutes or more just to experience the thrills that the park promises through their advertisement.  While we wait, we’re either chatting with our friends or family members with us, or we’re eating the over-priced food we bought at the park or we’re downright complaining the whole time we wait.  Then, once it’s finally our turn to get on the ride, we become excited to get on the mechanical ride that promises shrills and thrills and outright terror. 

Let me ask you a question: what do you believe is the driving force behind our willingness to go through so much trouble just to get on a 5-minute ride?  Furthermore, why do you believe we’re absolutely trusting of something that clearly claims no liability should something go wrong, using phrases like “Enter at your own risk”?  Let’s face it, we usually don’t know the integrity of the person operating the ride, and we don’t know if the actual ride itself has been properly maintained; yet we’re so trusting of this ride that we’re willing to risk our own lives as well as the lives of our children.  Why do you think this is?  Moreover, can we say that the same confidence and trust we put into a ride we have no knowledge of is that same level of trust and confidence we put into a God we claim to love and serve? 

SELAH

In order for us to step one foot onto the ride, it is necessary for us to have complete faith and trust in the ride as well as the person(s) who operate the ride.  Just because you don’t actually say that you do trust these things, your actions say you do because if you didn’t trust it, you wouldn’t get on the ride neither would you let your children get on it.  Let me ask you a question: can you say that so is the same in your relationship with God?   Can you say that though you don’t physically see Him and though you don’t know all of the intricacies involved in your situation, that you still step out and have complete faith and confidence in Him who can do all things?

As I am standing in the shower in fellowship with the Lord, I began to experience sadness.  The sadness came from the complete and utter insult it is to God for His people to have more confidence in a mechanical thing than in Him.  I seen how we’re so willing to trust in something that screams “I don’t care about you or your children, neither will I be responsible if something happens to you”; yet we want God to jump through hoops to prove Himself to us, demanding that He tells us what He’s going to do FIRST before we decide to believe, follow and trust Him.  How insulting is it to God, the one who is the Creator of heaven and earth and all therein, that a mechanical ride should receive more trust than the Almighty Creator receives from His own people.  How do you suppose you would feel if this were the case with your children?  Unfortunately, this sometimes can happen with our children, especially in teenage years when the same child who you nurtured, protected, and loved, now believes in anything and everything other than you.  At the very least we would be hurt and upset by their unconcern for all of the sacrificed we’ve made on their behalf.   

Can you imagine how your life would be if you focused all of your faith, all of your trust and all of your confidence in God?   Our faith is required throughout our walk with Christ; for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  The Lord also commands our trust in Him; for we’re told in Proverbs 3:5-6 to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  In addition to this, we must keep in mind that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5); as He wants no other person or thing in front of Him.  He says in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD; that is my name!  I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols”  This includes, but is not limited to, a celebrity, leader, spouse, child, job, career, friend, substance, family, people, money, material things, mentor, power, etc.  In essence, anyone or anything can be turned into an idol, wherein all of your trust, time, faith, dependence, etc is wrapped into this person or thing. 

Before I continue further, let me explain that idolatry can easily occur without even knowing it at first.  We may think that we’re just really expressing of our love for someone or thing; however, we’ve somehow exalted this person or thing above all else in our lives to the point where everything else is secondary to it—including God.  The transition from love and concern to idolatry is often done in such a subtle way that we’re not even aware when it begins.  This is why we should continually examine ourselves to be sure that we haven’t inadvertently turned someone or something ahead of God as well as ensure that we’re truly letting the one true God sit on the throne of our hearts and lives.  Like the Psalmist in Psalms 139:23-24, we should desire the same of God expressed in this Scripture, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Back to faith, God demands and requires our faith and trust in Him above all else; for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8).  We as humans are absolutely limited and do not know all that is in our future neither do we know all things in general, which is why we must depend on He who knows ALL things—present, past and future!   This is why our faith and trust is critical.  Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is.”  This is how our relationship with God began; for we confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).  Thus, it is by faith that we were saved, having first heard the Gospel.  It is by faith we received the Holy Spirit, which was sealed in us the moment we received Christ as Lord and Savior.  It is by faith that we receive from God, period.  Paul explains this in Ephesians 1:13-14:

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

In the Scriptures listed above, do you notice that the Apostle uses words such as faith, believe, and trust?  Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); and in essence, the same faith we used to become saved is the same faith we must use to grow in the things of God.  We cannot begin our relationship with faith and then somewhere down the line decide that faith is no longer needed.  Au contraire!  That is not the case and thinking such a thing is a set-up for failure; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, and it is the Spirit of God that changes us from glory to glory (Romans 8:7, II Corinthians 3:18).  We cannot perfect our faith and holiness on our own; for only the Spirit of God can perfect such work.  Look at what the Apostle Paul says about it in Galatians 3:2-3:

“I would like to learn just one thing from you:

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

I believe this Scripture makes it extremely clear that we cannot change ourselves or rely on our efforts to change nor increase in holiness and faith.  This can only be done through the Gospel of Christ; for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). 

It’s amazing how we can learn about the propensity of our faith and trust by looking at how we respond to something as trivial as rides at an amusement park.  This certainly emphasizes Romans 12:3 which state that God has apportioned to each man a measure of faith.  The measures of our faith may vary from person to person; however, God desires that everyone grows in greater trust, dependence, adoration, and faith in Him.  As for me, those who know me know that I long to have absolute unmovable and unshakeable faith.  I think my wording of it goes more like, “having that off-the-chain, crazy, ridiculous, just don’t make no sense, girl you crazy kind of faith.”  The kind of faith Moses had when he held up his staff (stick) over the Red Sea and it parted so that he and the children of Israel was able to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14); or the faith Joshua had when he dared asked God to make the sun standstill and God honored his seemingly ridiculous request (Joshua 10:12-13).  Abraham hoped against hope when he believed that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken (by God – Romans 4:13).  The kind that the prophet Elijah exuded when he asked God to not let it rain for 3 ½ years and God shut up the heavens from giving rain (James 5:17-18). 

The Bible says in II Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  Well, I’ve determined that I will be counted amongst those whose heart is loyal to God.  As for my desire to have unmovable and unshakeable faith, well, today during my time with God, He reminded me that in order to have unshakeable faith, our faith must first be shaken; and in order to have unmovable faith, our circumstances must threaten, and at times even succeed, to move us.  To be strong in the Lord, we must go through strong opposition.  To have a complete trust in the Lord, we must be put into situations that challenge our trust in God and our belief in His promise.  Every last one of these qualities must be tried and tested, and there’s no way to escape that in our pursuit of God; for we know that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). 

In closing, the next time you visit an amusement park, think about amusement park faith.  And the times in your life when you feel like you cannot go through the tribulations needed to yield the kind of faith, trust, confidence and love in Christ you yearn to have, think about your last amusement park experience.  For if you’re able to put your faith in people who cares nothing about you and warns that you may even get hurt on the mechanical ride you know nothing about—and as you stand on an incredibly long line in the blazing hot sun with hurting feet and a sweaty T-shirt all for the sake of a 5-minute thrill that may cost you your life—then surely you can put your complete faith, trust, and confidence in the Almighty God who is you’re your Heavenly Father who loves you with an everlasting love and who promises that those who wait upon Him shall NEVER be ashamed! 

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”

Matthew 24:35

God bless YOU!

Original post on www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog on August 28, 2009

© 2010, Ms. Lady Nai. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

Current Mood: Edified

Have you ever been in a place where God is telling you to trust Him like never before- to trust Him at His Word and provision?  If so, you can attest that trusting God is easier said than done.  Truth be told, we’re faced with fears daily and our enemy (the devil) loves to play on them.

What is Fear?

Fear, according to dictionary.com, is defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.  In addition, (according to Wikipedia) fear is almost always relates to future events, such as [the] worsening of a situation, or [the] continuation of a situation that is unacceptable.

Overcoming Fears

Before I proceed, I want to emphasize 2 points:

1. Fear is aroused by awaiting danger, evil, pain, threats, etc., whether real or imagined.
2. Fear is almost always related to future events.

As God instructs you to trust Him, the devil will play with your imagination and have you think of every “impending” danger, threat and pain that could happen if you trust God.  This is why you and I are encouraged to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

It’s your own understanding that will cause you to operate on feelings, self knowledge and limitations resulting in disobedience and restricted growth in Christ.

Overcoming Fears – What’s My Point?

On your way to your destiny, you will be placed in situations where you will need to face and overcome fears –fear of confronting people, weaknesses, addictions, past events, future events or etc.

It’s easy to let fear rob you of your inheritance as a King’s kid; however, I come to remind you that God has not given you the spirit of fear; HOWEVER, God has given you power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  You have authority and power over fears which ultimately come to steal your joy, peace and position in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t want you to fear His instruction nor plans for your life.  Instead God wants you to have faith.  Overcome fear with faith!  For God said in His word that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).  I might also state that without faith, it’s impossible to confront and face your fears.

Final Words

Fear is a strategic tactic used against God’s people.  It hinders your growth in Christ and becomes a road block to your destiny.  Furthermore, remember who you are.  You are MORE than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.  Don’t let the devil convince you otherwise. 

When God places you in a position where you’re facing fears, remember that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.  As a child of the Most High, you have POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).

Don’t allow fears to hinder you from your destiny, promised land or spiritual growth in the Lord.  God has so much in store for you but it will require you to trust God and to conqueror all fears with faith.  For without faith it is impossible to please God. 

When the devil comes to convince you of every reason NOT to trust God and to REMAIN in fear, remember the scriptures which state:

• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because God is with me; His rod and His staff comfort me (Psalm 23:4).
• Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
• For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
• Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).
• Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Be encouraged to trust the Lord regardless of what it may cost, cause or feel like.  Don’t have blessings held up from you due to fears.  Overcome fear with faith!  Stay grounded in the Word and the Lord will keep your mind in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).  God bless you in Jesus name; Amen!

© 2010, Naquan Williams. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

Current Mood: Humbled

The entry below is another entry from what I call The Vault Series, which are entries that I’ve written over a year or so ago on my eJournal at www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog.  The entry below was originally posted on January 22, 2009, and though that is the case, the principals and lessons to learn are still relevant to today’s issues.  I pray that you’re blessed by it and that the Heavenly Father brings you to a place of fruitfulness, obedience, and an abundant life to the full till it overflows, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

January 22, 2009

One of the most pivotal moments in my life happened early last year.  At this time, I knew God was calling me to put away my selfish ways and to dedicate my life to Him.  I was already saved and had a prayer life; however, I was still trying to “do my own thing” and was far from living a surrendered life unto Christ.

One day during that time, the Lord had my sister to call me by accident.  It was nothing less than a miracle that I even answered the call because I was at work and I keep my cell on silence, in my purse and in my desk drawer.  When she called she was puzzled that I was on the other end of the line; however, I heard God telling me that there was something she MUST tell me that I NEEDED to hear.  Still hesitant, at that time, to fully trust God, I just told my sister “you might see me today during my lunch break” – all the while my spirit was actually screaming “YES U WILL BE THERE”. 

Needless to say, I was there during my lunch break, and what my sister didn’t know at that time was that I was in spiritual agony and deep depression.  Many people didn’t know it.  When I got to my sister’s, I’m not sure if I even said hi to her…I just grabbed her hands and told her to begin to pray.  I was mindful to keep my ears open waiting to hear whatever it was I was suppose to hear.  I didn’t know what it was but I knew God would let me know once I heard it.  The Spirit of God is moving through the prayer and eventually I began to pray.  We were on the floor by this time.  I began saying to God, “I am here…I am here!”  Still nothing.  I continued to pray, and being that my sister and I was doing what I call “tag team praying”, my sister prayed again.  While she prayed, the Holy Spirit had her say something that CHANGED MY LIFE!  She didn’t know it when she said it but I did by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The life-changing words were, “God, help us to fall in love with You.”  When I heard that, I knew I could now return to work and shortly thereafter, I did.

What was so important about that to me?  Well, first let me tell you I had a little “old school church” in me, and as a result, I would’ve never prayed such a thing believing that doing so was one step away from blasphemy.  I thought that being in love with God was something that was just suppose to happen and nothing you were to pray for.  Additionally I didn’t want the world’s definition of “love” but the true definition of love which can only be defined by its Creator.  Jesus made it very clear in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  I wanted to finally say “Jesus I love you” and know that I actually loved Him as He defines.  Ultimately, the prayer was so changing because, up until that point, I was very emotion-led.  Consequently, I would only do what I felt like doing in my heart at that time. 

Did it work?  Yes.  Jesus tells in His Word that whatever we ask of the Father, in Jesus’ name and believing we’ll receive it, we SHALL have it!  After I prayed that prayer for myself, it was not long after that He answered that prayer.  I’m not sure when I started praying that prayer, but the first time I did, I prayed it with a broken and contrite heart.  You see, I was tired of being miserable, and I was miserable because I kept believing the lies of the enemy over the power of God.  I thought that living a surrendered life meant signing up for lifetime boredom filled with rules impossible to follow.  Additionally, I didn’t know what to do with all these wild passions and lustful desires I had and that had intensified over the years.   All I knew is that God had a call on my life and after many years of running from that call, I had finally come to the conclusion that I would never be happy until I fulfilled my purpose by answering that call. 

Since then, my life has changed in ways I couldn’t even imagine at that time.  Now, my heart is flooded with such a great love for my awesome Creator that I often am unable to find the words to truly express the magnitude of it.  Furthermore one of the most exciting moments in my life was when I was finally able to say, “Jesus, I love you” and know I was actually loving Him by His definition.  I still pray this prayer periodically, but now it goes something like this, “Jesus, FLOOD my heart with love for You in such a way that it overflows onto Your people.” 

All of this happened from the one little seemingly-insignificant prayer request.  I thank God for the Holy Spirit and for using my sister to say something so simple yet so profound.  He knew that I would take it and run with it.  He knew that nearly a year later, I would be sharing this with you, and not just with you, but with millions across the world. 

I pray right now that if your life doesn’t reflect the true meaning of loving Christ that He helps you to fall deeply in love with Him right now in the name of Jesus.  May He penetrate and flood your heart in such a way that your life is completely changed – to the glory of God – in Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Original post on www.NaimaWilliams.com/blog on January 22, 2009

© 2010, Ms. Lady Nai. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International

Current Mood: Anointed & Blessed & On Fire 4 God! & Radical

A few years ago, famed rapper Nelly recorded and produced a hit song who’s hook stated, “It’s gettin’ hot in here, so take off all your clothes…” Interestingly enough, he sold hundreds of thousands if not millions of CD’s with this hip summer drop-top track that excited young people around the world. However, the underlining premise of this song displays a message of weak will and little personal power over one’s own environment. The song basically states, “Because it is hot, I will remove all my clothes”. That is cute, but what kind of lack of willpower must one have to expose themselves simply because the weather changed?

However, we tend to do this very thing in everyday life. Sadly, as the season’s change, so do our habits. We are in spring and are quickly approaching summer and you will see people expose their flesh and reveal things that should not be seen by the public. Some of the old saints used to say, “the devil comes out in the summ.”  Granted, no one would choose to wear a fur coat in the spring, but no believer should ever be weak-willed as it comes to the standards that we set and/or follow. There is nothing wrong with shorts, swimsuits, open-toed sandals, or any other summer wears. What is wrong, however, is when our actions are dictated by our surroundings and we lose our right minds and conform to what is around us.

Galatians 5:16 simply instructs us to walk after the spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Here’s a revealing truth: either way, we are not in control! We either follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, or we follow the leading of an evil spirit. The key to prevent falling prey to the atmospheric temptations of today’s culture during these seasons is to submit ourselves wholly to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:1 instructs us to present our bodies (lit. entire being) as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. The key is in the next verse, which tells us to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Holiness is not what you wear. However, when you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he will tell you what not to wear. Holiness is the result of a true Godly character working for, in, and through you. Therefore, we live in the power and liberty of Romans 6:14 which states, “Sin shall have no dominion over me, for I am not under the law, but under grace.”  When you walk after the spirit and not the flesh, Satan has no reign over our will. It will not matter how ‘hot’ or temping our surroundings are, whether natural, emotional, or spiritual. We have power over all of the power of the enemy. In truth, it may be getting hot in here, but I do not have to take off all my clothes!

Let’s keep it Godly this summer!

© 2010, Elder Cedric D. Rouson. All rights reserved. A part of Shekinah Glory Outreach Ministries International