Ephesians 4:29,31, 32

Ephesians 4 (KJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt communication (rotten, worthless)

proceed out of your mouth, 

but that which is good to the use of edifying, 

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

³¹ Let all bitterness, (poison)

and wrath, (fierce anger)

and anger, (strong feeling of hostility)

and clamour, (shouting)

and evil speaking, (vilification, spread nasty stories about another; i.e. gossip, slander)

be put away from you, 

with all malice: (intention or desire to do ill will toward another)

³² And be ye kind one to another, 

tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, 

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

BELIEVER VS FOLLOWER - Is There A Difference?

BELIEVER VS FOLLOWER - Is There A Difference?

The term ‘I’m a Believer’ is thrown around loosely by many.  Many will claim to be a ‘believer.’

What is a ‘believer’? Let’s look at what the word ‘believer’ means: “a person who believes that a specified thing is effective, proper, or desirable.” For example: A person can firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. It’s what they believe to be true.

But sometimes what a person believes can be false.  They may adamantly believe it and will even fight to defend that belief, but what they are believing is a lie. (For example: there are some who believe a male can be a female and vice versa despite the fact that their DNA and bone structure will reveal far beyond death which gender they are besides other scientific facts. They are a firm believer and yet their belief is inaccurate.  It’s not based on facts.)

As Christians, the Bible uses the term ‘Believer’ to describe those who Believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah. The term is first found in Acts 5:14… “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”

It’s often thought that a Christian’s faith is based upon a BELIEF in Jesus…which is mainly what many focus on.

And yet a Christian’s faith is also about FOLLOWING Jesus….which you don’t hear mentioned as much.

What is the difference between following and believing? Aren’t they both the same? Not exactly.

The definition of ‘Follower’ according to merriam-webster means an adherent, disciple, or devotee of a particular person, cause or activity. A follower has a close and persistent attachment to the one they are following.

Dictionary.com defines a follower as a person who follows another in regard to their ideas or belief. They are a disciple.

Brittanica.com explains it as: someone who supports and is guided by another person or by a group, religion, etc.  They are loyal/faithful followers.

Social media has blurred the true definition of what a follower is.  Some will ‘follow’ another person or page on social media, yet many of those ‘followers’ do not have a close attachment to that person/page.  They are more-so following just to find out what is going on, not because they are a true devoted follower. 

There have been many who have become followers of the wrong thing/wrong person.  (We can look at history to find many examples.)

In several Scriptures, Jesus instructed us to ‘follow’ Him. (Mt 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 16:24 + Mk 8:34, 10:21)  So, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

When you were a kid, did you ever play ‘follow the leader’? Those following had to go wherever the leader led and do whatever the leader did, whether it was climbing over a log, hopping on one leg, or spinning as you walked.  You mimicked what the leader did.  You imitated their behavior or copied what they said.  You were following the leader.

In the same way, as we follow Jesus: we are going to go wherever He leads; we are going to do whatever He tells us to do; we are going to talk in the way He instructs us to talk.  

A person may claim they ‘Believe,’ but if that is all they do (believe in Jesus) yet they do not go beyond that to truly ‘follow’ Jesus by ‘doing’ what Jesus says, they are stuck at the first level of what it takes to follow Jesus.

Believing is the first thing we must do when we come to Christ, because how can you follow Christ except you first ‘believe’ on Him?

While believing and following can relate to one another, they are slightly different.  BELIEVING is more-so about what you THINK.  While FOLLOWING is more-so about what you DO.

For example: a person can BELIEVE (think) exercising is a good habit to have and that every person should exercise regularly.  And while they may walk or participate in an activity once in a while, they do not regularly or faithfully exercise.  They believe a person should yet they are not doing what they believe.

While following is more about what you DO: They know they need to do more than just believe exercise is good for the body.  They understand they need to put that belief into action, therefore, they will exercise regularly.

So, when Christians say that they BELIEVE in Jesus, they are saying that they believe that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior.  Many will agree and say they believe that as well.

Whereas, Christians who FOLLOW Jesus are saying that they are trying to adhere to Jesus’ teachings, obey what the Bible says, and to actually behave as Jesus instructs.

Can’t a person just ‘BELIEVE’?  Isn’t being a BELIEVER enough?

After all, Jesus warned in John 8:24, “…if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.”

Yes, Jesus did say we must ‘believe,’ but the devils believe as well and tremble, yet they are not saved. (James 2:19)

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16: He that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved. And He warned that anyone who doesn’t believe will be lost. We must believe FIRST.  Then, Jesus is requiring an action AFTER believing.  He instructed we must believe FIRST, and after we believe we are to be baptized.

Jesus went on to teach that there are to be signs that FOLLOW Believers (vs 17-18).  Jesus said Believers SHALL: cast out devils, speak with new tongues, lay hands on the sick (to pray for them), etc.  Notice that all these things are ACTIONS that should FOLLOW every BELIEVER.  These are things that BELIEVERS should be DOING.

A BELIEVER should also be a FOLLOWER (a DOER) as well.

James 1:22-25 instructs: But be ye DOERS of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any man is a HEARER of the Word, and NOT a DOER, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and CONTINUETH therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, BUT A DOER of the WORK, this man shall be blessed in his DEED.

If a person believes yet they do not DO what the Word teaches, they are deceiving their own selves. We are to be DOERS (Followers), as well as HEARERS (Believers).

Have you ever told your child to do something, but they don’t move to obey? You instruct them to clean their room, yet when you check a little later to see the progress, you find they have not done anything.  You ask, “Did you hear me???”  They heard but they were not a doer. 

 

 

In the same way, we can HEAR the preacher or teacher when they teach the Bible but if we don’t DO what the Bible says, we are disobeying God and there will be consequences in the end.

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21 – Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter in to the Kingdom of Heaven; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER which is in Heaven.

Jesus is teaching in this passage of Scripture that it takes more than just calling Him ‘Lord.’ It takes obedience and action = DOING the WILL of God. If you believe He truly is Lord, you will DO what it takes to please Him.

Jesus again warned in Matthew 7:26-27 – And every one that HEARETH these sayings of Mine, and DOETH them NOT, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and IT FELL: and GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT.

A person may hear, but Jesus said if they do not DO what the Scriptures say they are likened to a foolish person whose house fell when the storms of life came.  Not only did it fall, but it was a GREAT fall.  So is every person who hears but does not DO what the Word of God teaches.

In order to be a faithful Christian, we must not only BELIEVE in Jesus, but we must also follow Him.  We must be more than just a hearer, we must also be a doer.

If the belief that some hold tightly to is correct that it does not matter what you do or how you live as long as you BELIEVE, then a person can steal or beat someone up and still be saved…as long as they believe, right?  Is that accurate?  Does that sound right?

Jesus said in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me LORD, LORD, but don’t do the things I said.”

We can see from Jesus’ words that He IS concerned with what we DO and following what He says needs to be done.  Again, Believing comes FIRST.  FOLLOWING comes after.

Some have the misunderstanding that FOLLOWING just means doing a bunch of good deeds all the time like feeding the hungry, and if you do enough good deeds you’ll gain Jesus’ approval.

But a rich young man came to Jesus who did a lot of good deeds came to Jesus ready to show off all his good works.  He thought surely that’s all he needed to do to be able to make it to heaven. (Luke 18:18-27)

He told Jesus that he obeyed his mom and dad and all of the commandments.  He didn’t steal.  He didn’t lie.  He was a good young man.

Jesus looked lovingly at the young man and wanted him to follow Him as He said, “One thing you are lacking: go and sell whatever you have and give to the poor and then you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, take up your cross and follow Me.”

Jesus could see the young man loved money and the things of this world.  He wanted to live his life the way he wanted to live and still be able to enter heaven.  He wanted to follow Jesus on his own terms. He thought being good was good enough, but it wasn’t. 

Jesus said to take up our cross and follow Him. Does that mean we need to carry a literal cross around on our back?  No.  What Jesus is saying is that just as a cross is heavy – living for Jesus will not always be easy.  We will sometimes carry burdens that are heavy to bear.

A cross is rugged and has splinters – walking with Jesus will not be a cakewalk with everyone smiling and happy all the time.  Living for Jesus will sometimes be rough.  You may get hurt by others when you are following Jesus.

But following Jesus is worth it in the end.  Because it’s all about pleasing HIM, not our friends.  We want to hear Jesus say one day, “Well done, enter in.”  But we’ll only hear that IF we do the things that Jesus said to do and obey whatever is written in the Bible.

We need to be more than just a believer – we must be a believer AND a follower. 

We must do more than just HEAR what God’s Word said – we must also DO what God’s Word says.

Jesus said in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me LORD, LORD, but don’t do the things I said.”

If we call Him Lord then we must do the things He said to do. 

How will we know what He says to do?

By reading ALL of the Bible, cover to cover, not just the Scriptures we like or the ones we find in a little ‘Promise Box’. 

We must faithfully read the Bible every day.

We will learn what the Word of God teaches to do or not to do by being faithful to Church and Bible studies.  This is where we hear the preacher and the teacher expound the Scriptures to us.

We will learn more about what God’s Word says to do by praying every day – because prayer is what helps to prepare our hearts and minds to receive and understand what we are reading or being taught.

A true Believer is going to be a Follower. 

A true Believer is going to search the Scriptures daily to learn what it takes to be like Jesus. 

A true Believer is going to be an example to other believers….

Paul admonished Timothy to be an example of what a Believer is: in what he says, in his behavior/the way he lives, in showing love toward others, in spirit (what is inside = the heart/emotions), in his religious beliefs, and in moral and spiritual cleanliness. (1 Tim 4:12)

These are actions.                                           

A true Believer is going to talk like Jesus, act like Jesus, love like Jesus, believe like Jesus, dress like Jesus wants us to dress, live like Jesus wants us to live, and try to imitate Him in every way.

A true BELIEVER is going to be a DOER of the Word and not just a HEARER.

A true BELIEVER is going to be a FOLLOWER of JESUS.

Get A Love For The Truth

 2 Thessalonians 2 (KJV)

³ Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first...
¹⁰ ...because they received
not the love of the truth...
¹² ....believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

They didn't believe or receive the Truth because they loved their sin more. 💔
Get a love for the Truth

PRAISE vs. WORSHIP And The SACRIFICE of Praise

 PRAISE vs. WORSHIP And The Sacrifice of Praise

 

We often use the terms ‘praise’ and ‘worship’ interchangeably – yet there is a difference between the two.

Praise is mentioned in the Bible numerous times.  The word ‘Praise’ translated from the Hebrew can have different meanings.

 

Sometimes. Praise (H2167 za’mar) can mean – striking with the fingers, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument; to play upon; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music.

For this definition, you will usually find the word ‘sing’ accompanying the word ‘praise’ as in these Psalms….

Psalm 33:2 - Praise the LORD with harp; sing unto Him with the Psaltery
and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalm 147:7 – Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Psalm 149:3 – Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.

God wants us to not only praise Him by singing songs and playing instruments, He also desires us to praise Him with a dance.

Most people think of ‘dance’ as the kind they do on the dancefloor while lustful and sensual songs are played. Some religions use dance as a form of worship to false gods.  But God originally created a pure undefiled dance to Him as a means to praise Him.  

Miriam the Prophetess, sister of Aaron and Moses, took a timbrel in her hands and led the women in dancing to celebrate God triumphing over their enemies and drowning Pharoah’s army in the sea. (Exodus 15:20)

In other passages, Praise (H8416 tehillah) may mean – laudation; specifically a hymn.

Nehemiah 12:46 – For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

Psalm 22:3 – But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

When we begin to sing hymns that praise our God, He comes down and resides in the midst of it. It is pleasing to His ears and touches His heart.

Many times, Praise (H1984 halal) will mean – to boast; be clamorously foolish; to celebrate; to rave, to make or feign oneself mad.

This is the same word used when describing David when he was running for his life from King Saul.  He came to the King of Gath but was afraid they would harm him as well or maybe deliver him over to Saul so he pretended to be insane (he feigned himself mad).  It worked.  They let him go and he was able to escape to a cave. (1 Samuel 21:10-22:1)

Just a few chapters later, David again acted like a mad man.  This time it wasn’t an attempt to save his life but rather to praise God for bringing the Ark back to Israel.  David danced (whirled) before the LORD with all his might.  (2 Samuel 6:14-15)  They shouted (H8643 meaning: they made a loud noise, an acclimation of joy similar to a battle cry).  They blew the trumpet. It was a huge celebration. 

David did not look dignified as he leapt and danced before the LORD, but he did not care. The LORD was worthy to be praised for what He had done.

Praise is not meant to be quiet.  It can be with instruments.  It can be with song.  It can be with a shout.  It can be with a dance.  It can be with leaping for joy, just as David did. 

The world acts crazy and wild for a ball game or concert and most everyone does not think anything odd about them. In fact, they applaud them, or join in, and even proudly post it on social media.  BUT… if anyone gets a little excited and exuberant in Church, they are looked at as strange and sometimes labeled as being crazy or a cult.

This particular word for Praise (Halal) is the word that is found throughout Psalm 150. (Halal meaning: to boast; be clamorously foolish; to celebrate; to rave, to make or feign oneself mad)….

PRAISE (Halal) ye the LORD. 
PRAISE God in His Sanctuary.
PRAISE Him in the firmament (expanse) of His power.
PRAISE Him for His mighty acts:
PRAISE Him according to His excellent greatness.
PRAISE Him with the sound of the trumpet.
PRAISE Him with the psaltery and harp.
PRAISE Him with the timbrel AND DANCE.
PRAISE Him with stringed instruments and organs.
PRAISE Him upon the LOUD cymbals:
PRAISE Him upon the HIGH SOUNDING CYMBALS (H8643 – a loud noise, an acclimation of joy similar to a battle cry. The SHOUT David gave when bringing the Ark back).
LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAISE ye the LORD!

The type of Praise mentioned here in Psalm 150 does not sound like quiet praise.  It doesn’t sound like Praise you can fall asleep in the middle of.  This sounds like a celebration praise!  This sounds like people were on their feet, leaping, dancing, shouting, and making all sorts of clamorous noise with instruments and their voice. 

God is worthy and deserves this type of praise!

 

WORSHIP is far deeper….

Worship (H7812 shachah) means: to depress, to bow, to stoop, humbly beseech, to prostrate yourself before.

 

Worship is an act of humility. It is humbling oneself before God.
 

Genesis 24:26 – And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

 

Genesis 24:52 – …when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

 

Nehemiah 8:6 – And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God.  And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their face to the ground.

 

We are to worship (humble ourself before God) in the beauty (decoration) of holiness. (1 Chron 16:29 + Psalm 29:2) Holy living is beautiful before God.  He is a holy God and requires holiness from us. (Lev 11:44-45; 20:7)

 

2 Chronicles 20 - When Moab and Ammon came to fight against the Israelites, they became fearful and all of Judah. They asked help from the LORD and began to seek Him. They didn’t know what to do except turn their eyes to the LORD. He was their only help.  

 

The first thing they did was FAST.  Then, everyone fell before the LORD and worshipped – they weren’t pleading for help.  They were WORSHIPPING. When you are facing a problem that you don’t see any way out of, WORSHIP and see what God will do.

 

Next, the Levites stood up and began to PRAISE the LORD God of Israel with a LOUD voice.  They appointed SINGERS that went BEFORE the army (PRAISE was leading the fight).  The Bible says that WHEN they began to SING and to PRAISE, the LORD set ambushments against their enemies.  

 

Praise is more of an outward and exuberant act like a celebration.  Praise is something that is easy to give when things are going good and God is answering prayers.

 

While worship is more reverent and an act of humbling and bowing ourselves before God.

 

And then there is THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE…. 

 

This is something so much deeper.  This is praise offered up when you feel like hanging your harp upon the willow because your heart is so heavy, broken, and grieving.

Hebrews 13:15 - By Him therefore let us offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

 

Have you ever been through a trial so intense that the night seemed endless and that your sorrow and trial will never end? 

 

You've held on tightly to hope but wonder ‘when will morning come?’ 

You try to smile despite the pain but it never feels quite genuine. 

 

The Bible says in Psalm 30:5… ...Weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.

 

In life, you will go through things at times that literally knocks the breath out of you. 

 

I liken the things we experience in life to a roller coaster.  Some people love roller coasters.  Me, personally, I detest them.  I prefer the smooth, safe rides that don’t make me sick and leave me with my head spinning once it’s over.

But life is a lot like a roller coaster ride with its ups and downs, twists and jerky curves, hurling you upside down in loop-the-loops, then plunging you rapidly downward, and then slowly back up a hill again, only to repeat the unexpected twists, spirals and turns that send your heart racing and cause you to grip the bars of the roller coaster more tightly.

 

You wonder if you will survive the roller coaster of life or if things will ever get better.  But, you will and they will.  

 

The Bible comforts us in that same verse with these words….But Joy cometh in the morning!

 

It may not feel like it at the moment, but your trial, your sorrow, the darkness of night will only endure for a little while.  

 

It can't last forever.  It may feel like it will just as rain seems to be endless at times.  It rains and rains and then it rains some more.  Then we have a short reprieve only to have more rain come our way. 

 

We slosh through the mud and puddles, trying our best not to track it into our cars, our homes, or the church, but it’s inevitable.  The rain and mud eventually get tracked everywhere despite the best of efforts to stop it.   It can be cleaned up but it’s another frustration to deal with and can end up affecting our mood.

 

In the same way, the things we deal with in life (problems, trials, situations, etc) end up bleeding into areas of life that we try to prevent it from affecting, especially when the trial seems to last longer than we want. 

 

As the trial seems to linger endlessly, you may find yourself becoming more agitated as the things you’re dealing with seem to grate like sandpaper.  You may even find yourself being more irritable than you normally would.

 

We need to keep in mind is that the trials are not meant to make us rougher, but rather to toughen us up so we can withstand the fiery darts of the enemy and also to smooth out any rough blemishes that may be in our heart or mind.

 

We need to pliable as clay on the potter’s wheel and let God smooth the rough edges out of us.  It’s not easy when we’re in a storm and we fight bitterness and resentment over the situation we may be in….especially if it’s not from our own doing.

 

I was in a storm after my first husband passed.  I watched as my children battled bitterness and anger toward God, not understanding why He took their dad.  I felt helpless as they drifted further and further away from God and me.

 

I couldn’t bring myself to sing.  My heart was too heavy.  I would raise my hands in Church services, but I could not seem to open my mouth to sing along with the worship songs. 

 

I felt like the Israelites did in Psalm 137 when they were carried away captive to Babylon.  They were in prison and didn’t want to sing either.  Instead, they hung their harps upon the willows.

 

I prayed but I couldn’t praise.  That’s when praise becomes a sacrifice. 

 

Merriam-webster’s definition of sacrifice means: Destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.

 

I had to learn to surrender my will and let my worship rise above my sorrow for the sake of my children (so they could see me worship through my pain and it would be a testimony to them). 

 

During our times of weeping in the trials and tests of the dark nights, it’s a sacrifice to offer up praise.

 

You don’t feel like praising.  You feel more like weeping.

 

Jeremiah was known as the ‘weeping prophet.’  He wrote both the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.  Jeremiah was persecuted and imprisoned for prophesying about the coming captivity because of their idolatry and forsaking the Lord their God. 

 

He suffered much because the people and leaders did not want to hear any proclamations of doom and consequences for their sins (sounds a lot like today), yet Jeremiah wrote….

 

Jeremiah 33:11 - The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say,  Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE into the House of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land,
as at the first, saith the Lord.

 

The sacrifice of praise will turn our captivity!

 

The devil knows how powerful our praise can be, especially when it is a sacrifice, so he tries to silence our worship.  But our trials and tests can be our greatest blessings because it causes us to draw closer to God.

 

I slowly began to force myself to sing when I didn’t want to sing and to worship when all I wanted to do was wallow in sorrow and cry.  It was a sacrifice for me to offer up praise, but the more I praised, the more I would begin to feel God strengthen me and lift me up out of the ashes. 

 

I found that just as the night turns into day and the sun always rises in the morning, joy will return….if we keep our eyes on Jesus!

 

Paul also knew what it was like to suffer.  He had been beaten many times, ship wrecked, stoned a couple times, bitten by a venomous snake, betrayed, lied about, he suffered hunger and cold, but through it all, he learned the importance of offering up the sacrifice of praise.

 

Hebrews 13:15 - By Him therefore let us offer the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

 

He admonished us to offer the sacrifice of praise CONTINUALLY.

The sacrifice of praise is the fruit that comes from our lips as we offer up thanks to the Name of Jesus for all He’s done and brought us through and will continue to bring us through.

 

God’s Word promises that the weeping will only endure for a night (it really is just a short span of time), but JOY cometh in the morning!

 

God has also promised that…. We know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).

 

What the devil meant to destroy you, God can use to bring Him glory....if you allow it.

Your test will become your testimony!  Your trial will become your victory!

What was meant to destroy you will only make you stronger in Christ Jesus!

 

If you keep your eyes on Jesus, keep offering the sacrifice of praise, and let His perfect will be formed within you, He will work all things together for good.

 

So, if you’re in a trial, keep hanging in there and offering the sacrifice of praise!  Joy will return, and the sun will shine again eventually.  

 

David penned in Psalm 30:11-12 - Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.

 

David had been through some intense trials, but He found God to be faithful and that the trials will not last forever.

 

For those who are in a trial, God will take off the sackcloth of sorrow and gird you once again with gladness. He will turn mourning into dancing and restore joy just as the morning dawns each day.

 

So, don’t let your praise be silent! 

 

In the good times praise Him! That’s when it’s the easiest. But remember also while in the bad times to offer to Him the Sacrifice of Praise!

 

And find a place to worship – prostrate yourself before Him.  Worship is where you go deeper in the things of God as you humble yourself before Him and place Him on the throne where He belongs.

THE BEATITUDES ~ Matthew 5:1-6

 THE BEATITUDES ~ Matthew 5:1-6 

As Jesus went throughout the regions of Galilee and Samaria healing those that were sick and delivering those that were afflicted, more and more people from all over made long journeys to get to where He was.  The Bible says that great multitudes came from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

The Bible says that when Jesus saw the multitudes, He went up into a high mountain and began to teach what we call ‘the Beatitudes.’

I was curious where that term came from since Beatitudes is not mentioned in the Bible.  This word is a Latin word which means ‘blessed.’ Therefore, it is a fitting description since each concept Jesus taught began with ‘blessed.’

As we read and study the Beatitudes, we need to understand that Jesus was teaching SPIRITUAL concepts, not earthly ones. Our understanding will grow as we look at Jesus words from the spiritual side instead of the natural. Although the natural side can help us to grasp and understand the spiritual.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT….

Jesus began teaching in Matthew 5 verse 3, “Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Has anyone else wondered what that means?

What does a poor person do?  A person who is poor realizes they have a need.  They know that they can not make it on their own.  They know they have to ask for help....whether it’s for food, clothing, shelter, or some other need.  Sometimes a person may become so desperate that they resort to begging for help.

A person who is poor in spirit realizes they have a spiritual poverty – meaning they realize they need Jesus! They are broken, repentant, and humble before the Savior.  They are pleading with Him for His help. They know they cannot make it without Him.

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit (those that realize they need Jesus – they realize they are spiritually impoverished without Him), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ 

 

THEY THAT MOURN….

The next thing Jesus taught in verse 4 was, “Blessed are THEY THAT MOURN: for they shall be comforted.”

When we hear this phrase, we often think about various Scriptures that reference how God will comfort the brokenhearted.

We cry at times because we are sad.  A person who is sad is brokenhearted. 

We cry at times because life can be tough or stressful. 

We cry at times because someone has been hurtful with their words. That old phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is the furthest thing from being accurate.  Words can hurt much much deeper and leaves a wound at times that is harder to heal than any wound left by sticks or stones.  Therefore, we need to be careful with our words and never purposely try to hurt someone with them. God listens to every word we speak and knows the intent in the heart.

We cry at times because we are grieving over the loss of a family member, a friend, or a well-loved pet. 

There are many things that can make us cry.

It is true that God is near to the brokenhearted. 

Psalms 34:18 comforts us, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart…”

Psalms 147:3 assures us, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

When Jesus read the Scriptures from Isaiah 61:1 in the Temple in Nazareth, He said He has come to heal the brokenhearted.  (Luke 4:18)

I can testify that this is true.  But Jesus, here in Matthew 5, is referring to a spiritual mourning.  The message that John the Baptist, Jesus, and many of the prophets went around preaching was a message of repentance. 

Jesus is teaching here about the need to be sincerely sorry for our sins and repent with real tears, being broken before God.

This is not the tears that children cry when they get caught by mom, dad, or Grandma… “I’m sorry, I PROMISE I’ll NEVER do it again!” Not really meaning it, but they are crying and saying it because they don’t want to be punished or grounded.  Yet, there is no change and they WILL do it again. 

You can tell if someone is truly sorry or not.  Actions will speak louder than their words.  Repentance/mourning over our sins will bring true tears letting God know that we sincerely realize we have done wrong and are sorry for our sins. And will change.

‘Blessed are those who mourn (are truly sorry and repent of their sins), for they will be comforted.’

 

THE MEEK…..

Jesus continued His lessons by saying in verse 5, “Blessed are THE MEEK: for they shall inherit the earth.”

What does it mean to be meek?  To be humble. 

Many today are filled with PRIDE and vanity, the opposite of meekness and humility. 

People like to boast about their self.  

They like to brag about their accomplishments. 

There are those who are proud and boast about their sinful ways.

The Bible warns about children thinking they know more than their elders. Isaiah 3:5,12 ….the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient…..” “…as for my people, children are their oppressors….”  (meaning children are talking down to, backtalking, and mistreating adults)

Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” 

A prideful, haughty attitude will be that person’s downfall. No one will make it to heaven with pride or haughtiness in their heart. Pride and haughtiness reveal what is going on in a person’s heart and spirit.

And while this correlates with the spiritual, in this teaching, Jesus is again talking about spiritual things. 

There are those who are spiritually prideful and haughty – these are there are those who feel like they don’t need Church; they don’t believe they need a Pastor; and they definitely do not want a Pastor telling them when they are doing something wrong.

There are some who feel they already know it all even though they do not really know what the Bible says; and they cannot be instructed even if a preacher or teacher gives them Scripture to support what they are teaching.

It is difficult to reach those like this. 

A spiritually meek person will be humble and have a teachable spirit.  We can read the same chapter in the Bible ten times and see something different from it every time IF we have a teachable spirit. 

If we live to be 100 years old, there will always be something new that we can learn and be taught concerning God’s Word and our walk with Him.  The spiritually meek will always be open to hear and learn (while still standing firm for Truth because there are strange doctrines that will come to try to sway and trip you up.)

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek (those that are not spiritually prideful but rather humble and have a teachable spirit), for they will inherit the earth.’

 

HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS…..

Jesus next taught, “Blessed are they which do HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: for they shall be filled.”

Have you ever been so thirsty, your mouth is parched, you’re seeking for something cold to refresh you.  You walk into a restaurant and ask for an ice cold glass of water and they point and say, “outside is a mud puddle.  Go drink from it.”

Has anyone ever been really really REALLY hungry?  You are so hungry your stomach is gnawing at your backbone.  You come in the house, searching for something to eat – not just chips or cookies, but something that will nourish your body and satisfy your hunger. 

You are searching through the cupboards and fridge.  A family member hollers from the other room, “What are you looking for?” You holler back, “I’m hungry!” They come into the kitchen and hand you a rock and say, “here you go.” Or maybe they hand you a snake.  A SNAKE?! I’d be running and think they do not love me.  Wouldn’t you?

Jesus taught a parable about that in Mt 7:9-10.  He said, “What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?”  No, someone who cares is going to give you some real food. 

Yet, there is a spiritual hunger inside of each of us.  However, instead of feeding our spiritual man the Bread of Life (reading the Bible), we hand it a stone.  Instead of feeding our spiritual man spiritual meat, we hand it a serpent.

This is what we are doing each time we turn on the tv, or browse social media, or listen to music that promotes ungodliness and things contrary to the Word of God instead of opening up and reading the Bible, turning on Christian music or preaching that feeds the spiritual man and gets our minds focused on Jesus and the spiritual rather than the carnal.

We are filling our hearts, our eyes, our ears, our minds with stony things and bad things that are like a snake that will bite and inject its poison into our hearts and minds. (remember the devil came as a snake in the Garden of Eden injecting his poison of lies and questioning of God’s Word into Eve’s mind and heart.)

But, when we come to God hungry and thirsty to know more about His Word and desiring a deeper relationship with Jesus, He will feed us with good things and He will fill us. 

However, we must GET A SPIRITUAL APPETITE. We have to HUNGER and THIRST after RIGHTEOUSNESS – notice Jesus said to hunger and thirst after RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:33 to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

We are to seek not only the Kingdom of God, but we are to also seek after HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  These are the FIRST things we are to seek after.

What is HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS?  Righteousness is doing what is right in the eyes of God.  We have to HUNGER (DESIRE) and not only hunger, but we must also then DO what is RIGHT IN GOD’S EYES.   

We have to SEEK for His Righteousness. How will we know what is right in God’s eyes?  By reading and searching the Bible, coming to Church faithfully, then listening to what the pastor or the teacher teaches is right according to God’s Word.

Jesus said when you ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness,’ you will be filled.  You will feast from the Word of God.

We have to DESIRE the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:2 – as newborn babes, DESIRE the SINCERE MILK of the WORD, that ye may grow thereby.

Old habits are hard to break.  When a person realizes the need to nourish the body so they can become healthy, they have to break the habit of reaching for junk food instead of fruits and vegetables.  They have to MAKE their self eat right.

In the same way, to get spiritually hungry, you have to break old habits and make yourself reach for the Bible.  Make yourself turn off the tv or put down the phone and take time to pray.  (Let’s be honest: it’s not so much that we have to MAKE time, but rather we need to MAKE OURSELVES TAKE TIME to pray.)  Make yourself turn on Christian music or preaching – things that feed the spiritual man rather than the carnal.

Get hungry for the things of God.  Get thirsty for the things of God.  Crave them more than your daily food, more than sleep, more than even life or breath itself.

“Blessed are they which do HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: for they shall be filled.”