Evil From Within

When God confronted both Adam and Eve for their sin of disobedience to Him in the Garden of Eden, it is telling both of them blamed others rather than taking personal responsibility.  Adam blamed God for the wife He gave him, and Eve blamed the serpent who deceived her.  Adam and Eve presented themselves as unsuspecting pawns in the devil's game, except the devil wasn't the problem:  the situation exposed the sin that was in their own hearts.  Like a warm compress brings a boil to a head, Satan worked to bring mankind's natural corruption into full view.  All the descendants of Adam and Eve share their sinful, fallen condition.

I have heard people quip, "If only Adam and Eve didn't eat that forbidden fruit!" not realising sin had already stirred in their hearts it entered their mouths.  The Law of Moses put great emphasis on commands to do and to avoid what was deemed sinful, and thus people saw physical acts as sinful--which they certainly can be.  What the Law could not address was the sinful condition of the heart.  Jesus taught sin does not begin with the action but takes place in the heart and mind before sin is brought forth in our members.  Eating without washing hands according to the tradition of the elders did not defile the disciples of Jesus, for it is what comes from within that defiles.

The disciples of Jesus asked Him about the meaning of the parable, and Mark 7:18-23 reads:  "So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,¹⁹ because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" ²⁰ And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  Cain did not begin to sin when he killed Abel, but he sinned by pride, hating and being envious of his brother Abel before he struck him.  Before Cain murdered Abel, God warned Cain that sin was at the door.  I have often viewed this as Cain was inside and sin waited outside, but it may be more accurate in light of what Jesus said that sin crouched inside the door of Cain's heart, waiting to be released by angry blows.  When our sins are revealed by our actions, we ought to take personal responsibility to confess our hearts are sinful, the driving force of our own transgression--and we were at the wheel.

God is not sinful for allowing temptation, and the only reason we are tempted is because of our sinful desires.  God is gracious to bring the secret sins of our hearts into full view in the light of His Law so we can see our need to repent and seek cleansing and pardon found in Jesus Christ alone.  James 1:13-15 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  God is not willing any should perish, and sin brings forth death.  While our lives continue the merciful God provides opportunity to repent of our sins and receive Jesus by faith.  He gives us new hearts, yet in these bodies of flesh old habits die hard.  It is good we avoid sinning with our bodies, but know we need transformation of the heart, a divine renovation God does within us that we must choose to yield to.  It isn't what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but what comes out of your heart.

Spiritual Small Ball

When it came to the game of baseball, my dad always had an appreciation for "small ball" to manufacture runs.  While hitting home runs and driving balls to the outfield gaps are flashy and impressive, my dad loved it when the batter noticed the infielders playing deep and dropped down a bunt for a base hit.  He would cheer what is called a "sacrifice bunt," when the batter bunts to move runners to the next base--even though he would be out at first.  Moving the runners set the table for the next hitter to drive in runs rather than grounding into an inning-ending double play trying to be a hero.

As a kid, I never quite understood the draw to small ball.  Preceding the All-Star Game Major League Baseball hosts a "home run derby" where the league's best sluggers compete to see who can hit the most home runs.  They never had a bunt derby (and never will), though bunting remains a fundamental skill most players ought to practice and master.  Many games have been won by splashy home runs, but well-placed bunts have also resulted in famous victories.  Unexpected bunts have ended no-hitters and created opportunities for baserunners that broke games wide open.

When it comes to Christian service, my desire is to do my best and make the greatest impact possible.  I would like every sermon I preach to be like a fastball hit out of the park.  The thought came to mind today that just as the manager gives the sign to "swing away," he may also give the sign to "bunt" or "hit and run."  The player may want to swing for the fences at every opportunity, wanting the chance to make the big play and win the game in an instant, but the batter needs to follow the sign given from the coach.  The LORD may choose to do the equivalent in spiritual matters, to call for a bunt or to even take a pitch rather than swinging:  it is not God's design every sermon will be a home run.  Laying down a bunt to move the runner along may be the manager's call, and to execute the play is always the right call.

The harder a batter tries to swing, the easier it is to miss.  We can make the mistake in spiritual matters to put all the pressure on ourselves to do everything, to win a battle with a single swing of the bat when there are many other players on our team who also can make meaningful contributions for a team victory.  Isn't this encouraging to consider in regards to the church?  Even when we fail in our execution and strike out, having done our best, we can trust Jesus has power to redeem all for good and His glory.  Our Little League managers used to give out game balls as trophies to a kid who hit a home run as well as the player who laid down a sacrifice bunt.  I believe God is even more generous with His rewards He gives those who love and serve Him the best we can.

He Is All Fair

 "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you."

Song of Songs 4:7

In the love story Solomon penned, the Beloved and the Shulamite had a romantic relationship that resulted in an unlikely but happy marriage.  Both husband and wife were enraptured in the love of one another, and in their eyes their spouse was perfect in every way.  This is how people can be in the throes of romantic love, so smitten with happy emotions they overlook faults which become plain to them over time.  Though we admit theoretically no one is perfect, when someone exceeds our ideals we imagine we have found a person who is an exception to the rule.  Modern rates of infidelity and divorce suggest the discovery of flaws in one once chosen to be their lifelong partner.

I have found the greater my familiarity is with something or someone, their flaws become more apparent.  Take the purchase of a house, for example.  No matter how carefully I have observed the structure, appliances, roofing, flooring and landscaping, it is not until I have lived in the house for weeks and months I suddenly become aware of imperfections and faults that escaped my notice previously.  Some issues could not be seen on the surface, like a loose wiring connection to an aerial or a faulty globe in a garage door opener.  My focus in testing the door was making sure the door opened--not that the light was working.  Other things were in plain view the whole time, yet were easily overlooked because I had not shined light directly upon them or run my hand across the uneven surface.

It was not until months after moving into our current house I noticed a crack in the wall where a previous repair had come loose.  I tackled the project, imagining I was fixing the only gyprock damage in the house.  In the midst of the repair I began scouring the house, making sure there was no other significant damage.  I found a few more dents and holes I patched and primed--only to find more faults--which included affixing the whole ceiling of one room that was sagging from the ceiling joists.  There have now been three occasions I believed I was done with screws, fiberglass tape, mud, sanding, primer and paint only to start right back at the beginning because I discovered more problems.  The faults were always there, and it took close examination to notice them.  It would be utter folly to suggest the walls and ceilings are in pristine condition, for even my repairs are imperfect.

What is wonderful about Jesus Christ is the exact opposite is true:  the closer we examine Him and the more familiar with Him, His righteousness, goodness and holiness exceeds our wildest imaginations.  He who loves us is all fair, and there is no spot in Him.  The longer I have followed Jesus, the more impressed with Him I am.  The Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed when she came to visit Solomon in person, for the stories she had heard did not do him justice.  I have found this to be even more the case with Jesus, for He routinely impresses me and blows my mind.  He is continually faithful, true, gracious, keeps His promises and never disappoints.  He does not forget or forsake us.  The more I grow to know Him, the more His perfection appears.  I am convinced there is nothing or no one remotely like the almighty God who is perfect in all His ways.  I will joyfully stake my life on the reality of the perfection of my God and Saviour Jesus, and I urge you to do the same.

Insidious Idolatry

One insidious aspect of idolatry is the human capacity to make idols of things or activities that are not bad in themselves.  The problem of idolatry goes far beyond graven images, money or stuff.  We can turn a memorial of God's victory into a shrine we venerate as holy ground.  The children of Israel preserved and later worshipped the bronze serpent Moses had made, naming it "Nehushtan" and burned incense to it (2 Kings 18:4).  Gideon destroyed his father's altar and image before facing the Midianites, yet after God delivered them into his hand he used plunder to fashion an ephod which became a snare to all Israel and His house.  In Jerusalem. I have witnessed people moved to tears as they caressed and kissed stones Jesus might have touched, pouring out affection upon relics that are not God.

It isn't just objects that we can worship and put in God's place, but we can idolise things that can be good and even God-glorifying.  After king Solomon and the children of Israel built the temple in Jerusalem in obedience to the LORD, they venerated the temple because it was God's dwelling place--rather than reserving their affections for God alone.  There are some who, having benefitted from miraculous physical healing, make healing an idol they seek more than the LORD who heals.  It struck me today since a building consecrated for worship and physical healing can be idols, prayer itself can become an idol when we make the primary focus our activity and efforts rather than God who answers prayer according to His will.  The problem of idolatry is not in a place, object or spiritual exercise, but it is the natural inclination of our hearts to put ourselves, others or anything in God's rightful place.

Thus Christian ministry can be an idol; our abilities and exercise of spiritual gifts can be idolised.  One spiritual gift can be lifted up above the rest in emphasis because it gives us credibility among Christians.  Godly men and women who have been used by God and have been a blessing in our lives can be lifted up in our hearts, that we tend to look and listen to them and follow their lead instead of seeking the LORD first.  Easier than anything is to idolise ourselves:  our reputation, honour, role, convictions and methods.  What we have done, our successes and accomplishments, can be glorified in our eyes to the point we pursue them relentlessly to our own ruin--like a drug addict does a high.  Jesus taught His disciples in Luke 12:34, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  God is to have our complete loyalty, desire and affection, for He is the Creator and LORD over all.

Through Jesus Christ, born again Christians have fellowship and a relationship with the living God.  Everything we can see, hear, hold, think and feel has the potential to morph into idols because of the weakness and folly of our flesh.  Our knee-jerk reaction is to rid ourselves of stuff, to avoid doing or having anything lest we be ensnared by idolatry--and completely miss our need for a transformed and renewed heart.  Like the Colossian believers, we tend to embrace a "touch not, taste not, handle not" approach (Colossians 2:21) and idolise legalism rather than putting Colossians 3:1-4 into practice:  "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

By putting off the works of the flesh and putting on the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of Christ, we are divinely enabled to glorify God and be His conduits of forgiveness, peace and love to all.  Let us thank and praise God for delivering us from the sin of idolatry in its countless forms, that He would have all honour and praise.