In the daily battle that exists between our spirit and our flesh, there is a third participant that plays a large part in that warfare … our will.
Some people believe our will is the real problem concerning the choices we make in life, choices that can be good or bad. I want to address this view and see what the Word of God has to tell us about this subject.
Romans 7:14-21 … "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for … TO WILL … is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."
Paul begins this passage by informing us that it is his carnal state that he is about to describe, saying (my translation) … "But I am still yet in a carnal state." In these verses he states the contrast between himself, (his will) which wants to do right; and the carnal man, (his flesh) which is in opposition to the spiritual things of God. This is a spiritual law of nature, a fact … man is fallen.
Vs. 14 ..."For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."
The law is not to be considered as a system of external rites and ceremonies; it is a spiritual yardstick; it measures and condemns everything … every work, thought or action; and in and of itself, the law leaves no hope of pardon.
"But I am carnal, sold under sin" … Paul is stating this fact; whether we like it or not, as long as we are in the flesh, we are carnal; just as if we have been sold into sin by nature. Paul is not saying that he is still in his old unregenerated state as he was before he was born again. I believe he is teaching that even after the new birth we still have to do battle with our "unsaved" bodies.
Paul speaks of this again in Romans 8:7 …" the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
The soul (where your mind and appetites dwell) has no authority over the lusts and appetites of the body; reason cannot govern passion. The carnal mind will make provision for the flesh to fulfill its appetites; it minds the things of the flesh, and is at enmity (is hostile) towards God.
Vs. 15 …"For that which I (the carnal man) do, I (the spirit man) allow not: for what I would (what my spirit wills), that do I not (my body won't obey); but what I hate (my spirit man), that do I (the carnal man)."
Here, Paul states that he is two persons, representing two different and opposite principles. The spirit man "wills" and chooses what the other carnal man does not practice. These two are in total opposition, counteracting each other as they reside in the same person.
The "will" wants to please God, but the carnal man, called "sin" in the next verse wants the flesh to rule.
Vs. 17 …"Now then, it is no more I that do it, but Sin that dwelleth in me."
The "I" that he speaks of here is his spirit man, (his will) who is opposed to the indwelling sin (of the fallen nature) that causes his flesh, the carnal man to sin.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul said in Chapter 5 verse 17 … "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Our problem is not our … "will." The problem is our … "flesh."
Vs. 18 …"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for … to will … is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."
"For to will is present with me" … by saying this he shows that the "will" is on the side of God and consents to obedience; it's the "soul" of man, which includes the mind; both being separate from the "will," both the soul and mind seemingly capable of anything but … knowing, fearing, loving, and serving God.
And the "soul" is not only incapable of serving God; but rebels against God; for the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be.
Vs. 19 …"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."
"For the good that I would I do not" … Here again is proof that the "will" is on the side of God.
"But the evil which I would not" … And here is proof that the "will" is against, or opposed to evil. It is not the "will" that leads men astray; but the passions of the flesh … which oppose and oppress the "will."
The "will"… this almost only friend to God in the human soul, has been slandered as God’s worst enemy, when it is the "soul" that is completely fallen.
The "soul" … which contains our appetites and desires of the flesh, has no power to do good until it receives that power from God. It's by the "renewing of our mind" that allows our "soul" to consent to our "will."
Please take note … The "will" can consent to sin; and because it is "will," because it is "free will," it must possess this power; yet at the same time it is impossible to "force it" to sin. Even Satan himself can not do this; and before he can get it to sin, he must get "its consent." Your …"will"… can be worn down. Therefore we need to be on guard.
Vs. 20 …"Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."
"It is no more I" … My "will" is against it; my reason and conscience condemn it.
"But sin that dwelleth in me" … the principle of sin, has possessed all my carnal appetites and passions, and the sin nature dominates my soul.
Vs. 21 …"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."
"I find then a law" … I am in such a condition (a law of nature) under the power of sin, that …"when I would do good"… when my "will" is intent on obedience to God and is in opposition to sin …"evil is present with me"… evil is in my flesh.
Just as the "will" to do good is constantly at hand, the principle of sin is also equally present in us … but, if the …"wills" desire … is all you have to work with, without God's power to "do what is willed," to perform what your "will" desired … the sin nature in your flesh will continue to prevail.
In all these things the "born-again" man is the reverse; the Spirit of God dwells in him and his soul (and will) has dominion over the appetites of the body and his passions submit to his "will", and he, by the Spirit, mortifies (puts to death) the deeds of the flesh.
Three things man can and should learn …
1.) Discover that in man, in his flesh, there is no good thing.
2.) Learn to distinguish between man's spirit who "wills" to do good, and the "sin" nature which dwells in man's flesh.
3.) When man "wills" to do good, sin is too strong for him. Having this knowledge of himself, he seeks not to be better in the flesh, but seeks "deliverance" from his flesh.
And how do you get deliverance?
God's answer is always … Jesus.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Road to Emmaus
A couple of days ago as my wife and I were looking at an old picture hanging on our wall, she said that this picture "used to be" her all time favorite. She said it didn't mean as much to her anymore. No doubt you've seen it; the one that shows Jesus pointing the way … Down the road? To Heaven? I'm not sure anymore where He's pointing. I guess each one must decide for himself where Jesus is pointing us to.
Anyway, that got me thinking about the story that follows; how Jesus starts walking with us on our journey and then … well read on; I think you will understand.
This story is found in Luke 24:13-32 …
The very day of the resurrection of Jesus, two of the many disciples or followers He had were walking on the road that led to a village called Emmaus, which is about seven miles from Jerusalem. We only know the identity of one of them by name, a man called Cleopas who evidently lived in the village.
While these two men were talking with each other about all the things that had just occurred; Jesus Himself caught up with them and walked along with them for a while, but even then they did not recognize who He was.
Jesus sensing their sorrow and heaviness asks them, "What is it that has affected you so deeply?" They then stood still, looking sad and downcast.
Cleopas answered Him, "You must be the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know what has occurred there these last few days." Jesus said to them, "What things?" Cleopas discloses the state of his own mind in his response back to Jesus. In his narrative there is hardly anything connected together; important points are referred to, but not explained, although he considered the person to whom he was speaking a stranger, entirely unacquainted with the events of the past 3 days. Cleopas in the narration he presents cannot help but mix in his own hopes and fears along with the confusion about Jesus that must dwell within his heart.
Jesus then said to them, (hopefully in a kind way) they were "dull in perception and slow to believe." Then He proceeded to explain and interpret to them all the things in the Scriptures concerning and referring to Him.
When they came to the village of Emmaus Jesus acted as if He would go further; but they urged and insisted for Him to stay with them, which He did ... for a while.
Later, eating at a table with them, He took bread, gave God thanks and asked a blessing; then broke it and was giving it to them (as He had done before) when their eyes were instantly opened and they recognized Jesus … and then He just vanished or just suddenly departed and quickly left their home.
I find this story interesting; almost to the point of wanting to make doctrine out of it. Have you ever thought about what happened to these two disciples as they walked on one of their highways of life, which just happened to be the road to Emmaus, has also happened to you? Let me explain what I am talking about.
This will not be doctrine … but its close.
These two men traveling down "the road of life" were questioning the situation they found themselves in. Sound familiar? Who hasn't done that, right? They needed answers … so who comes along, walking right into the middle of their lives with the answers they wanted and needed; God Himself, in the form of Jesus. He wasn't even invited. He just caught up to them while they were walking through life.
Can He do that? I thought He didn't come if you didn't want Him? Well, the reality is … many times He does. Do you know why? Because we are searching and looking for answers to the questions in our inner soul; answers that we can't find anywhere else.
Jesus has the answers; no … He is the answer.
When He catches up with us, He starts walking beside us, teaching us the Word, showing us Who He is and pointing us to our Emmaus, just like in the painting.
He leads us uphill, downhill, through the valleys, in the cold rain, hot sun, even darkness … it doesn't matter to Jesus; evidently He wants us to experience it all.
He just sticks with us, to a point … and then He just vanishes, disappears and leaves us on our own … or so it seems. Something changes … what is it? All we have left sometimes during a trial, when we feel alone, is something that He planted in us; one little seed that's supposed to do it all called … "faith."
That seed of "faith" if watered will grow; yes, slowly … but it's growing.
Just as these two men in Emmaus said after Jesus left them …"didn't our hearts burn within while He was here"… the memory that's left isn't enough.
But what are we to do? Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You may feel like you are walking in a valley; even "Death Valley." But remember, there is a verse in Psalms that says you walk "through" the valley, you don't stay in it; you will get through it. Just keep walking.
Jesus didn't really leave you; even if some of the time you can't see, hear or even feel Him anymore … He's there. He's allowing you to prove to yourself that you really do "trust" Him. I know, I've said it before also …"thanks a lot"… Lord.
If it was easy … It wouldn't take "faith."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Wearing Chains
Do you ever feel like you are bound by chains? Chains, depending on their size are heavy. Try wrapping yourself in a long heavy chain; about twenty feet of one heavy enough to pull a car and then see how long you would want to carry it around with you.
Do you know this is exactly what has happened to us and there is nothing we can do about it? You were born to be tall or short; have big feet or little feet; you are what you are; your D.N.A. came from your parents. You were also born with the "propensity" to sin. These are the chains I'm talking about. Let me explain the best I can. I want to use the Apostle Paul's words as he wrote about … his own life. You see, he wasn't any different than we are … like us, he was made of sinful flesh.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy stated … "I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal." (2nd Timothy 2:9)
Paul was arrested and thrown into a Roman prison shortly before his death. He was not only imprisoned, but shackled and chained, usually clamped around one ankle. He had freedom, but only as far as his chains would allow him to walk around in his lower dungeon cell.
Romans 7:24 …"O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from the shackles of this body of death?"
Some have said that Paul is referring here to a custom practiced by the Romans, of shackling a dead body to a prisoner as a punishment, making him drag the dead corpse around the cell as he moved about.
Even though this may have happened to others, there isn't any evidence that the Apostle Paul had this in mind speaking of himself; for at the time he was writing this letter to the Romans he hadn't yet been imprisoned in Rome; even so, such a fact may be used as a striking illustration of the true meaning of what he wanted to show here.
"O wretched man that I am …" The feeling implied by this outcry is the result of the spiritual conflict between his will and his flesh … his body and it's frequent subjection to sinful propensities … a disposition to sin. Yes, even Paul.
"… this body of death." When Paul uses the word …"body"… he is speaking of the physical …"flesh"… denoting the law of sin in the flesh; the corrupt and evil appetites with which the apostle was struggling against; often an agonizing struggle between good and evil; from which he desired to be delivered.
Romans 7:17 …"However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin principle which is at home in me and has possession of me."
"… it is no longer I who do the deed …" This is evidently figurative language, for it is really the man that sins when evil is committed.
Paul is saying, it is not … "I" … my will, reason and conscience that sins; but the sin nature that dwelleth in me, that has the domination over my reason, darkening my understanding and perverting my judgment. So we find here that there is a sin principle in man stronger than reason and his will itself; by which the whole soul is darkened, confused, perverted, and causes rebellion against God.
Romans 7:18 …"For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out."
Paul goes on and gives a further account of himself, what he knew of himself to be true, assured of by long experience; and that was … that nothing good dwells in him … that is, in his flesh, or carnal self. His meaning is that there was nothing good naturally in him; nothing good of his own putting there; or as he explains it, there was nothing good in the old man that was in him, nothing good in his fleshly nature.
Paul found out he had no strength in and of himself to do what he willed, to please God and live without sin. To "will" was present with him, but how to perform that will, how to live out that will … he found not. Note: (I will speak more of this a little later.)
This is Paul’s own representation of himself. And if this was true of him, it is also true of all others. It is a good way to examine ourselves, to inquire whether we have such a view of our own natural character as to say that we know that in our flesh there dwelleth no good thing. The sense Paul gives here is, that so far as the flesh was concerned, in regard to his natural fleshly appetites and desires, there was nothing good in him … all was evil.
Romans 7:20-21 …"Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it, it is not myself that acts, but the sin principle which dwells within me fixed and operating in my soul. So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands."
The sense here is … the sin principle … or evil, is ever present with me; it came into the world with me, and it has continued with me ever since. There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good.
This law controls his carnal nature; and influences the sinful propensities and dispositions of his natural flesh. He is in bondage to it, it rules over him and it impedes his efforts to follow his true will which is to serve God.
So where am I going with this? To show that all of us, as Paul was … are by nature "Wearing Chains" that bind and shackle us to "sin." We may not be chained to a dead corpse rotting on the other end of that chain like a Roman prisoner, but we are chained to our own "bodies of death." That's the meaning of that phrase.
But wait … there is good news. Paul also said …
Romans 6:6 …"We know that our old unrenewed self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that our body which is the instrument of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin."
Romans 8:9 …"But you are not living the life of the flesh … if … the Holy Spirit of God really dwells within you (and) directs and controls you."
How do we get set free from the chains of "the law of sin" in our bodies? By allowing the Holy Spirit to have total control of who and what we are.
Now … concerning Paul and what he said about his "will" and how to do or perform his will; I want to remind you of what he wrote in A.D. 61 about 4 years after he wrote to the Romans in A.D. 57.
Philippians 2:13 … (It's) "Not in your own strength for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you energizing and creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work (perform) for His good pleasure …"
Paul's later statement to the Philippians is in stark contrast to his earlier one in Romans. Notice …
1.) God does not force us to perform. It is not said that God wills and does for us; He leads us to will and to work. It is still the man that wills and does, although God so influences him … that he does it.
2.) God does not compel or force us against our will. He leads us to "will" as well as to "do." The will cannot be forced; although God does exert such an influence on the desire of our heart … as to make us willing to obey Him.
3.) This "power" is not a physical force, but rather a moral or spiritual influence. A physical power cannot change the will. You may chain a man, throw him in prison, starve and beat him, but the "will" is still freely his.
I could be wrong … but it looks like Paul is now saying to the Philippians 4 years later … that even though in our own strength we may not be able to perform in our bodies what our "will" wants to do for God; that the Lord … working in us, gives us the power and desire to perform the "will."
Could it be that Paul, during these 4 years between these two letters learned that he could overcome the "law of sin" that was in his flesh?
Paul may have asked this question in the Book of Romans …"O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from the shackles of this body of death?"
Death is exactly what our bodies lead us to; and he answered this question with his next sentence …"O thank God! He will … through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul explained to some degree in Philippians 2:13 above, how God sets us free from the shackles of ourselves … it's all Him.
Freedom comes from Jesus … when He is within you … well here are His own words as John recorded them.
John 8:36 …"So if the Son liberates you; makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free."
Jesus … the only one who can break the chains … the sinful fallen nature of man.
(All scripture used … Amplified Bible)
Do you know this is exactly what has happened to us and there is nothing we can do about it? You were born to be tall or short; have big feet or little feet; you are what you are; your D.N.A. came from your parents. You were also born with the "propensity" to sin. These are the chains I'm talking about. Let me explain the best I can. I want to use the Apostle Paul's words as he wrote about … his own life. You see, he wasn't any different than we are … like us, he was made of sinful flesh.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy stated … "I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal." (2nd Timothy 2:9)
Paul was arrested and thrown into a Roman prison shortly before his death. He was not only imprisoned, but shackled and chained, usually clamped around one ankle. He had freedom, but only as far as his chains would allow him to walk around in his lower dungeon cell.
Romans 7:24 …"O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from the shackles of this body of death?"
Some have said that Paul is referring here to a custom practiced by the Romans, of shackling a dead body to a prisoner as a punishment, making him drag the dead corpse around the cell as he moved about.
Even though this may have happened to others, there isn't any evidence that the Apostle Paul had this in mind speaking of himself; for at the time he was writing this letter to the Romans he hadn't yet been imprisoned in Rome; even so, such a fact may be used as a striking illustration of the true meaning of what he wanted to show here.
"O wretched man that I am …" The feeling implied by this outcry is the result of the spiritual conflict between his will and his flesh … his body and it's frequent subjection to sinful propensities … a disposition to sin. Yes, even Paul.
"… this body of death." When Paul uses the word …"body"… he is speaking of the physical …"flesh"… denoting the law of sin in the flesh; the corrupt and evil appetites with which the apostle was struggling against; often an agonizing struggle between good and evil; from which he desired to be delivered.
Romans 7:17 …"However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin principle which is at home in me and has possession of me."
"… it is no longer I who do the deed …" This is evidently figurative language, for it is really the man that sins when evil is committed.
Paul is saying, it is not … "I" … my will, reason and conscience that sins; but the sin nature that dwelleth in me, that has the domination over my reason, darkening my understanding and perverting my judgment. So we find here that there is a sin principle in man stronger than reason and his will itself; by which the whole soul is darkened, confused, perverted, and causes rebellion against God.
Romans 7:18 …"For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out."
Paul goes on and gives a further account of himself, what he knew of himself to be true, assured of by long experience; and that was … that nothing good dwells in him … that is, in his flesh, or carnal self. His meaning is that there was nothing good naturally in him; nothing good of his own putting there; or as he explains it, there was nothing good in the old man that was in him, nothing good in his fleshly nature.
Paul found out he had no strength in and of himself to do what he willed, to please God and live without sin. To "will" was present with him, but how to perform that will, how to live out that will … he found not. Note: (I will speak more of this a little later.)
This is Paul’s own representation of himself. And if this was true of him, it is also true of all others. It is a good way to examine ourselves, to inquire whether we have such a view of our own natural character as to say that we know that in our flesh there dwelleth no good thing. The sense Paul gives here is, that so far as the flesh was concerned, in regard to his natural fleshly appetites and desires, there was nothing good in him … all was evil.
Romans 7:20-21 …"Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it, it is not myself that acts, but the sin principle which dwells within me fixed and operating in my soul. So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands."
The sense here is … the sin principle … or evil, is ever present with me; it came into the world with me, and it has continued with me ever since. There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good.
This law controls his carnal nature; and influences the sinful propensities and dispositions of his natural flesh. He is in bondage to it, it rules over him and it impedes his efforts to follow his true will which is to serve God.
So where am I going with this? To show that all of us, as Paul was … are by nature "Wearing Chains" that bind and shackle us to "sin." We may not be chained to a dead corpse rotting on the other end of that chain like a Roman prisoner, but we are chained to our own "bodies of death." That's the meaning of that phrase.
But wait … there is good news. Paul also said …
Romans 6:6 …"We know that our old unrenewed self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that our body which is the instrument of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin."
Romans 8:9 …"But you are not living the life of the flesh … if … the Holy Spirit of God really dwells within you (and) directs and controls you."
How do we get set free from the chains of "the law of sin" in our bodies? By allowing the Holy Spirit to have total control of who and what we are.
Now … concerning Paul and what he said about his "will" and how to do or perform his will; I want to remind you of what he wrote in A.D. 61 about 4 years after he wrote to the Romans in A.D. 57.
Philippians 2:13 … (It's) "Not in your own strength for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you energizing and creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work (perform) for His good pleasure …"
Paul's later statement to the Philippians is in stark contrast to his earlier one in Romans. Notice …
1.) God does not force us to perform. It is not said that God wills and does for us; He leads us to will and to work. It is still the man that wills and does, although God so influences him … that he does it.
2.) God does not compel or force us against our will. He leads us to "will" as well as to "do." The will cannot be forced; although God does exert such an influence on the desire of our heart … as to make us willing to obey Him.
3.) This "power" is not a physical force, but rather a moral or spiritual influence. A physical power cannot change the will. You may chain a man, throw him in prison, starve and beat him, but the "will" is still freely his.
I could be wrong … but it looks like Paul is now saying to the Philippians 4 years later … that even though in our own strength we may not be able to perform in our bodies what our "will" wants to do for God; that the Lord … working in us, gives us the power and desire to perform the "will."
Could it be that Paul, during these 4 years between these two letters learned that he could overcome the "law of sin" that was in his flesh?
Paul may have asked this question in the Book of Romans …"O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from the shackles of this body of death?"
Death is exactly what our bodies lead us to; and he answered this question with his next sentence …"O thank God! He will … through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul explained to some degree in Philippians 2:13 above, how God sets us free from the shackles of ourselves … it's all Him.
Freedom comes from Jesus … when He is within you … well here are His own words as John recorded them.
John 8:36 …"So if the Son liberates you; makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free."
Jesus … the only one who can break the chains … the sinful fallen nature of man.
(All scripture used … Amplified Bible)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Sifting of Peter
Luke 22:31 … At the last supper, Jesus tells Peter and His disciples that Satan has asked, "… that all of you be given up to him, out of the power and keeping of God, that he (Satan) might sift all of you like grain." (Amplified Bible)
K.J.V. puts it this way … "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat …"
"Satan hath desired" … This word "desired" is used only here in the New Testament. It sometimes means to obtain by asking. Jesus is telling Peter that Satan wants to "obtain you by asking." Later, the end result proved that Satan had obtained him for a time.
"Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you" … not only Peter, but all the apostles. By using the plural pronoun, "you" … proves that these words were not addressed to Peter alone. Satan had already acquired one of them, Judas; he had nearly succeeded in his goal with another, Peter; for he wished to have them all.
Satan desired, and asked God for them … for he can do nothing without permission … not even tempt a man. Satan desires to do all the evil he can; but he is only permitted to do some.
Satan desired to have these disciples under his power and in his hand … just as he got permission to have Job in his hand, and would have taken Job's life and soul too, if he could have obtained God's permission. Now he had an eye upon the apostles and wanted an opportunity to sift them all as wheat … not to separate the chaff from the wheat, but to make them look like … all chaff.
Satan is the prince of evil. One of his works is to "try the faith" of believers and to place temptations and trials in their way that they may be tested. God gave Job into Satan's hands, to see whether he would be found faithful. Satan desired to have Peter and the others in his hands that he might also try them.
Up to this night and thru the last supper … the disciples had followed Jesus as closely as they could. But now with the coming death of Jesus, Satan thought all those belonging to Jesus would be completely overthrown and would scatter in different directions. Satan now would have an opportunity to sift them since they could no longer follow Him as they had.
Jesus does not seek to spare His disciples this sifting. It was not possible, for He must pass through death; He is leaving them and their hope was in Him. They cannot escape "the test" of His death. But He prays for them, that their faith may not fail.
So this brings me to ask this question …
If God did not spare His disciples, then are not we … also subject … to this kind of sifting? Do not each one of us need to prove to ourselves (not to God for He already knows) that we do have what it takes to continue trusting and living for God through times of testing, whether directly from God, or indirectly through Satan.
Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century Carmelite monk from French Lorraine, says … "God often permits that we should suffer a little to purify our souls and oblige us to continue with Him."
What happens when grain is sifted? Sifting separates the chaff from the grain and also exposes things in the grain, by bringing up all the stems, dirt, rodent droppings and dead things like bugs, etc. It's one way to get all the bad stuff out that’s not supposed to be there.
Satan wanted to expose all the bad things in Peter’s life, to destroy Peter’s witness and testimony to others, and at the same time so disillusion Peter with what’s left, that Peter would give up following Jesus. But as it turned out, Peter even followed Him … to his death.
The following statement is a discourse by Albert Barnes on the testing or "sifting" of Job. The same could also be said of the other disciples and of the sifting of Peter.
"Satan is a malignant being; an accuser; one delighting in the opportunity of charging a holy man with hypocrisy, and in the permission to inflict tortures on him, and who goes as far in producing misery as he is allowed … restrained from destroying him only by the express command of God.
It is to be observed, that Satan, no less than the other celestial spirits, is subject to the government of God, and dependent on his commands. But Satan, although incensed against the race of mortals, and desirous of injuring, is yet described as bound with a chain, and never dares to touch the pious unless God relaxes the reins. Satan, in walking round the earth, could certainly attentively consider Job, but to injure him he could not, unless permission had been given him."
Do I believe that God uses Satan to sift us today? That's like asking me if I believe in backsliding. Do I believe in doing it; or do I believe it is possible.
Do I want Satan to sift me? No. Do I believe he can? Yes, I do now; for I feel like he already has.
I guess my question is … how do you know which one is doing the sifting? Does it matter? Won't the end result be the same? Do we trust Him?
We need to say as Brother Lawrence has said about Jesus … "I abandon myself in His hands that He may do with me what He pleases."
Comments welcome.
K.J.V. puts it this way … "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat …"
"Satan hath desired" … This word "desired" is used only here in the New Testament. It sometimes means to obtain by asking. Jesus is telling Peter that Satan wants to "obtain you by asking." Later, the end result proved that Satan had obtained him for a time.
"Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you" … not only Peter, but all the apostles. By using the plural pronoun, "you" … proves that these words were not addressed to Peter alone. Satan had already acquired one of them, Judas; he had nearly succeeded in his goal with another, Peter; for he wished to have them all.
Satan desired, and asked God for them … for he can do nothing without permission … not even tempt a man. Satan desires to do all the evil he can; but he is only permitted to do some.
Satan desired to have these disciples under his power and in his hand … just as he got permission to have Job in his hand, and would have taken Job's life and soul too, if he could have obtained God's permission. Now he had an eye upon the apostles and wanted an opportunity to sift them all as wheat … not to separate the chaff from the wheat, but to make them look like … all chaff.
Satan is the prince of evil. One of his works is to "try the faith" of believers and to place temptations and trials in their way that they may be tested. God gave Job into Satan's hands, to see whether he would be found faithful. Satan desired to have Peter and the others in his hands that he might also try them.
Up to this night and thru the last supper … the disciples had followed Jesus as closely as they could. But now with the coming death of Jesus, Satan thought all those belonging to Jesus would be completely overthrown and would scatter in different directions. Satan now would have an opportunity to sift them since they could no longer follow Him as they had.
Jesus does not seek to spare His disciples this sifting. It was not possible, for He must pass through death; He is leaving them and their hope was in Him. They cannot escape "the test" of His death. But He prays for them, that their faith may not fail.
So this brings me to ask this question …
If God did not spare His disciples, then are not we … also subject … to this kind of sifting? Do not each one of us need to prove to ourselves (not to God for He already knows) that we do have what it takes to continue trusting and living for God through times of testing, whether directly from God, or indirectly through Satan.
Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century Carmelite monk from French Lorraine, says … "God often permits that we should suffer a little to purify our souls and oblige us to continue with Him."
What happens when grain is sifted? Sifting separates the chaff from the grain and also exposes things in the grain, by bringing up all the stems, dirt, rodent droppings and dead things like bugs, etc. It's one way to get all the bad stuff out that’s not supposed to be there.
Satan wanted to expose all the bad things in Peter’s life, to destroy Peter’s witness and testimony to others, and at the same time so disillusion Peter with what’s left, that Peter would give up following Jesus. But as it turned out, Peter even followed Him … to his death.
The following statement is a discourse by Albert Barnes on the testing or "sifting" of Job. The same could also be said of the other disciples and of the sifting of Peter.
"Satan is a malignant being; an accuser; one delighting in the opportunity of charging a holy man with hypocrisy, and in the permission to inflict tortures on him, and who goes as far in producing misery as he is allowed … restrained from destroying him only by the express command of God.
It is to be observed, that Satan, no less than the other celestial spirits, is subject to the government of God, and dependent on his commands. But Satan, although incensed against the race of mortals, and desirous of injuring, is yet described as bound with a chain, and never dares to touch the pious unless God relaxes the reins. Satan, in walking round the earth, could certainly attentively consider Job, but to injure him he could not, unless permission had been given him."
Do I believe that God uses Satan to sift us today? That's like asking me if I believe in backsliding. Do I believe in doing it; or do I believe it is possible.
Do I want Satan to sift me? No. Do I believe he can? Yes, I do now; for I feel like he already has.
I guess my question is … how do you know which one is doing the sifting? Does it matter? Won't the end result be the same? Do we trust Him?
We need to say as Brother Lawrence has said about Jesus … "I abandon myself in His hands that He may do with me what He pleases."
Comments welcome.
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