The Carpenter's Chapel (7)

Monday, 6th March, 2006

Show forth from day to day His salvation

“Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” - 1 Chronicles 16v23-24

David presented a beautiful psalm upon the return of the ark to Jerusalem. As a part of that psalm He instructed the people not to keep God’s work quiet, but to make it known to others. This same challenge is applicable to us today. The instruction is simple, yet can be so difficult to carry out.

· Sing unto the Lord
· Show His salvation from day to day
· Declare His glory and His marvellous works to the lost

God brought the ark back home. What a wonderful truth and what a blessing for the nation. His very real presence was back among the people. This was a wonderful event and a true reason for praise.

Compare that to what God has done for us. When we were saved He came and dwelt in our lives forever, never to leave. Would not David’s words even apply more to us? Are we doing what David declared here? Are our songs sung to the Lord? Are we showing His salvation to those around us day after day? Are we declaring His glory and His works to the lost around us?

 

Tuesday March 7, 2006

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).
This beautiful verse is in the midst of a psalm of praise for God's deliverance of His people "in that day" (v.4)-the coming day when the Lord shall return to the earth and reign "in the midst of thee" (v.6). Until "that day" comes, however, we can appropriate its spiritual blessings right now.
The word translated "wells" is more often translated "fountains," denoting flowing springs of water that never run dry. It is first used at the time of the great Flood, when in one "day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up" (Genesis 7:11). On that day, the primeval fountains provided by God for the perpetual supply of living waters to the inhabitants of the "very good" world He had created were cleaved open, the living waters became lethal waters, and "all that was in the dry land, died" (v.22).
But one day another fountain was cleaved open. As Jesus died on the cross, "a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came out blood and water" (John 19:34). At the great Feast of Tabernacles, He had cried: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38)
The blood and water flowed together from the deep fountain opened in the Savior's side that day, and their cleansing powers became a fountain of life to all who will drink. The waters again became living waters from a fountain that will never run dry, "a pure river of water of life...proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1).
Then, wonder of wonders, there is not just one well, for all who believe likewise send forth "rivers of living water," as with eternal joy, we each share with one another, forever drinking from the never-drying wells of salvation!

 

Wednesday, 8th March, 2006

Strangers and sojourners

“For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” - 1 Chronicles 29v15

David had a marvellous perspective on his life on earth. Although he was preparing the nation to build a very visible physical temple, we reminded them that we are but “strangers and sojourners” or “aliens and pilgrims” in this world and that our visit here was like a shadow, where do one truly abides.

The New Testament also carries this same theme - our life is only a vapour that appears for a little while then vanishes away. We tend to set so much on what is here on earth. We set our affection on things below. We live like this sojourning place is our permanent abode and so we spend most of our lives preparing for our life here.

As Christians our true citizenship is in heaven. We must make daily provision for our life here, but we do well to remember the good old gospel song – “This world is not my home, I just a passing through. My treasures are laid out, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me through heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

Are you homesick for heaven?

 

Thursday March 9, 2005

"Then Samuel took a stone , and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (I Samuel 7:12).
Many Christians have joined in the singing of a familiar verse in an old hymn, without knowing its great meaning: "Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’ve come." When the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines, the old priest Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, all died the same day, as did Phinehas' wife in childbirth. It was a tragic day for Israel.
But then the people returned to God, under Samuel, and twenty years later the Lord gave them a miraculous victory over the superior armies of the Philistines. In commemoration of this deliverance, Samuel set up a stone monument in the same place where the Philistines had captured the Ark twenty years before, calling the stone "Ebenezer," a name which was always associated thereafter with the site (I Samuel 4:1; 5:1).
Now "Ebenezer" means "Stone of Help," and seeing it would always remind the people, whenever they might later come to fear the circumstances around them, that God had been their "help in ages past," and thus could be trusted as their "hope for years to come." Only God is truly able to help in times of great need, but He is able! "From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).
It is well to remember those times in our own lives when God has helped in some special way. We forget so easily, and the sin of ingratitude is cited by God as one of the first harbingers of imminent apostasy (note especially Romans 1:21). A physical token can help us remember, but whatever it takes-remember! God will hear and answer our prayers for future help, too, but "with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6)

 

Friday. 10th March, 2006

They set their heart to seek the Lord

“And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.” - 2 Chronicles 11v16

After Solomon’s death the nation fell into disarray. Jeroboam went north and began getting rid of all vestiges of true worship. He set up altars to false gods and literally ran the Levites and priests off. The moved south to Jerusalem where, for a time at least, they found a supporter in Rehoboam.

Even in the midst of all this trouble there were some, from “all the tribes of Israel,” who were different. We read of these people that they “set their hearts to seek the Lord.”

Seeking the Lord was a minority view. It was not the popular thing to do, but there were some who still did it.

Seeking the Lord with ones whole heart is no more popular today than it was then. Sadly this extends to many Christians who never give themselves to whole-heartedly seeking the Lord.

There are, however, a few. May the Lord strengthen me to be one of those few.

 

Monday March 13, 2006

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9)
This fantastic promise refers back to another great promise given by God to His people: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him" (Isaiah 64:4).
The Old Testament promise applied primarily to the nation of Israel, but its New Testament extension incorporates it in a global promise to all who love the Lord of glory, "crucified" by "the princes of this world" (I Corinthians 2:8), the One who was also the Savior of the world.
Comparison of the two prophetic promises yields three vital truths. These things that God has prepared for His loved ones have been in view "since the beginning of the world," and have been revealed in part by the prophets, who have been speaking also "since the world began" (Luke 1:70).
Secondly, those who "wait for Him" in the Old Testament are synonymous with those who "love Him" in the New. The apostle Paul joins both themes together when he says: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing" (II Timothy 4:8).
Finally, we cannot even begin to comprehend the glorious things God has prepared for those who love Him and wait for Him. In some measure, the Spirit later revealed them in part through John's eyes and ears, when he saw "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven," and heard "a great voice out of heaven saying...God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:2-3). Then our eyes shall fully see, and our ears hear, and our hearts understand, the fullness of God's love in Christ.

 

Tuesday, 14th March, 2006

Let no man prevail against thee

“And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.” - 2 Chronicles 14v11

How many men does God need to win a victory?

Shortly after Asa became king of Judah he set about restoring true worship to the land. He tore down the idols and their high places. Asa was one of the few who chose to follow the Lord.

He faced a major challenge when an Ethiopian army that out numbered him by about two to one confronted him. His roughly half million men faced a million man plus army.

Asa had enough faith that he was not troubled by this massive army. He simply called out to the Lord with a cry of faith, “It makes no difference to you Lord to save with many, or by those who have no power. We rest on thee and in thy name we go forth and no man will prevail against you.”

Asa knew that the physical numbers meant nothing. With God on our side we will prevail at the end of the day. The next time you feel outnumbered or alone, remember that it makes no difference to God to save by a great number, or with a weak powerless few.

 

Wednesday March 15,2006

“And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.”
(II Samuel 5:23)
As one reads through the Old Testament narratives the danger of spiritual complacence and self-confidence quickly becomes apparent. Believers are tempted to think past victories assure future success, and they cease to realize the need for constant communication with God and dependence upon Him for direction.
When Joshua went into the land, the Israelite army followed God’s directives exactly and saw a major victory at Jericho (Joshua 6). But then they became confident in their own power and comfortable that they could similarly defeat the next town in their path. “And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai…saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up…for they are but few” (Joshua 7:2-3) The Israelites never inquired of God and learned a hard lesson when the few men of Ai defeated them. Only after they communed with God and dealt with the sin that had removed His protection and blessing from Israel were they prepared to go up and gain victory.
The newly anointed King David won a great victory over the Philistines in II Samuel 5, much like the Israelite victory at Jericho. However “the Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim” (v.22). Rather than assuming that he could repeat the previous victory, David was wise enough to again commune with the Lord. It was well that he did so, because this tome God instructed him, do “not go up.” If David had employed the same strategy that earlier had brought victory, it would have resulted in defeat like Ai. But because he stayed tuned into God, he won a key victory and secured his kingdom.

 

Thursday, 16th March, 2006

Be not afraid or dismayed

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.” - 2 Chronicles 20v15

King Jehoshaphat was facing daunting task. The nations of Moab, Ammon, and Mt Seir were allied against him. Jehoshaphat took the entire nation to the Lord where they sought His leadership. At first he was afraid. In response he sought the Lord and called a fast and prayed. The Lord responded by sending these words through the prophet Jahaziel. “Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this multitude, for the battle is not yours but the Lords.”

I first came across this verse in about 1977. I was only saved a couple of years and had just started dating my dear wife. We were separated for the summer and writing back and forth almost daily (LONG before e-mail). We tried to share some devotional thought every day.

I was going through some particular struggle, that I don’t remember now, and was checking my post office box. As usual I immediately opened Mary’s letter and saw this passage. The Lord used it immediately to remind me that the Lord was the One who would fight the battle for me.

Many times through the years the Lord has brought this passage back to my heart and mind. What battle are you looking at today? What challenge is before you? Might you do well to follow the example of Jehoshaphat? The battle is not yours, but the Lords!

 

Friday March 17, 2006

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psa 100:5)
Psalm 100 is entitled, “A Psalm of praise.” Like Psalm 23, it is one of the most familiar and beloved of the one hundred and fifty Psalms.
In it the Psalmist’s great desire is that all the peoples of the earth would recognize the true “Lord,” and out of a heart of heartfelt gratitude, praise and serve Him (vv. 1-2). The author, David, assures us that this Lord is the only true God and Creator of us all. “It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves” (v.3).
Therefore, we are to acknowledge His Lordship by willingly worshipping Him with thanksgiving and praise, blessing His name (v.4)
The complete fulfillment of this Psalm is believed by man to be in the millennium, one thousand year reign of Christ, when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). It will be at that time “all ye lands” will “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (v.1)
Believers in this present age of grace do not have to wait to do all this Psalm enjoins. They have the privilege to sing, praise, worship, and be thankful on a daily basis, blessing God for who He is and what he has done.
David ends Psalm 100 extolling three great attributes of God.

1. “The Lord is good” (v.5) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psa 31:19)
2. “His mercy is everlasting” (v.5). But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; (Psa 103:17)
3. “His truth endureth to all generations” (v.5).

 

But when he was strong his heart was lifted up

“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” - 2 Chronicles 26v16

Uzziah was a brilliant leader in the land. His army grew, he set up watchtowers out in the desert and he even had new weapons developed that could fling arrows and stones from the top of the watchtowers on the enemies. He supported agriculture and had new wells dug and supported farmers and shepherds. Judah was becoming a mighty power and verse fifteen says that Uzziah was made strong.

In verse sixteen it all changes. When Uzziah became strong his heart was lifted up and he sinned by trying to take on the priestly role. His pride led him to try and do things that God did not want him to do. His job was to be king, not priest, but in his strength he thought he could do whatever he wanted.

There is a real danger in strength. Strength can too easily led to pride as it did with Uzziah. Perhaps that is why God tells us in the New Testament that God uses the weak, the base, and the foolish things of this world. When he uses these things they can only glory in the Lord.

Let us rejoice in our weakness and beware in our strength.

 

Tuesday March 21, 2006

"For, lo, He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is His thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is His name" (Amos 4:13).
The awesome ascription of judgmental power to God is in the midst of a dire prophecy by Amos to the ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel. He had reminded them of earlier judgements, including even that of Sodom and Gomorrah, concluding with the fearsome warning: "prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" (Amos 4:12).
Then, in our next verse, He seems to carry them still further back in time to remind them of an even greater destruction. The great winds of the earth, like its rains, first blew over its surfaces at the time of the mighty Deluge (Genesis 8:1), and the present mountains of the earth likewise rose out of the churning waters of the Flood (Psalm 104:6-9). It was at the time of the Flood that dark clouds first obscured the sunlight which before had perpetually shown through the pre-Flood "waters which were above the firmament" (Genesis 1:7), which had then condensed and fallen to the earth in great torrents from "the windows of heaven" (7:11).
This awful judgment had come because the antediluvians, like the Israelites, had rejected their Creator and gone after other gods (6:5). As if to confirm that he was, indeed, referring to the Deluge, Amos, a few verses later, exhorted the Israelites to "Seek Him...that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth" (Amos 5:8).
It is dangerous and foolish for any nation or any person to question the true God of creation. He made all things, He knows all things, and He judges all things. "The Lord of hosts is His name."

 

Wednesday, 22nd March, 2006

In their faithfulness they sanctified themselves unto holiness

“And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:” - 2 Chronicles 31v18

As a part of Hezekiah’s nationwide reform he called for the people in general and the priests in particular to dedicate themselves to the Lord. The priests in particular were charged with setting themselves and their families apart, or sanctifying themselves, to God.

This was apparently a personal dedication of priests and families to the Lord. It reminds me of Joshua’s pledge that “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” For a New Testament principle we can look at Romans 12v1-2; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Like the priests mentioned above, we too should be willing to sanctify ourselves to holiness as we faithfully serve Him. A puritan write is quoted in “The Valley of Vision” with these applicable thoughts -

“There is much unconquered territory
in my nature,
scourge out the buyers and sellers
of my soul's temple,
and give me to return pure desires,
and longings after perfect holiness.”

Are we willing to separate ourselves to holiness, forsaking all that the world has to offer, as we faithfully serve the Lord?

 

Thursday March 23, 2006

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (II Timothy 3:5).
Included in Paul's graphic description of the "perilous" characteristics of the "last days" this warning concerning the religious leaders of the last days. They would observe the outward form (church buildings, sacraments, religious services, etc.) of "godliness" (that is, "religion"), but would reject its supernatural aspects. They would desire the trappings of religious professionalism since they would be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (v.4).
Such specifications aptly describe the modern world of scientism and liberal theology, which pervades practically all religious denominations and overlaps with all kinds of liberal social movements (women's liberation, gay rights, "New Age" pantheism, and others). Although these are widely diverse in structure and purpose, they all share one vital feature in common; they reject supernatural Christianity, especially literal creationism. Many liberal preachers give nominal allegiance to the teachings of Christ and the Bible, but they invariably deny the power of God in special creation, as well as the great worldwide miracles of the Bible-the Flood, the dispersion, etc.
This prophecy is not given in Scripture simply as a matter of information. It contains a warning urgently needed by Bible-believing Christians who are under pressure today to compromise with humanistic liberals on this great doctrine of God's creative power. Many have accepted the evolutionary system of "ages geology, and this is tragic and dangerous. Instead of compromising with evolutionary naturalists and religious liberals, as many evangelicals today are inclined to do, Paul warns: "From such turn away!"

 

Friday, 24th March, 2006

With him is an arm of flesh, but God is with us

“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 32v8

Hezekiah had seen God do great things in the spiritual realm. The idols were destroyed, the high places had been torn down, and the Passover had been restored.

Now, however, he faced a new and real threat. The mighty King Sennacherib and his mighty army were roaring down from the north wiping aside all opposition. Israel had fallen to the mighty Assyrian army and things looked dark for Judah. Defeat looked certain.

Hezekiah had it all figured out though. “Sennacherib has a mighty arm of flesh,” he said, “but we have the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles.” These words of comfort caused the people to find rest.

Sometimes it seems like in our Christian lives we are looking up at a mighty army of opposition like Sennacherib had. The arm of flesh which opposes us seems too strong for us to bear. In those days we would do well to heed the words of Hezekiah and find our own rest in them as well. They might have a mighty arm of flesh, but we have the Lord our God on our side to fight our battles for us. We have no need to fear. When God is on my side, why should I fear what man can do to me?

 

Monday March 27,2006

"Joseph is a fruitful bough...whose branches run over the wall: the archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him and hated him" (Genesis 49:22-23).
Grievous persecutions can come from unexpected sources, yet in Joseph's case it was his own brothers that "grieved him, and shot at him and hated him." In fact that hated him to such an extent that, except for God's intervention, they would have killed him. In spite of all of this, whatever wall was placed before him he got over it, and whenever the archers shot at him he was able to escape. "His bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob" (Genesis 49:24). Victory was assured because "the mighty God" was on his side.
David had a similar experience. King Saul became obsessed with killing him. He hunted him "every day" (I Samuel 23:14). Yet God would not allow Saul to succeed in taking David's life. Thus, toward the end of his life, David gives testimony to this in his great Song of Deliverance in II Samuel 22 (also Psalm 18). He said, "The Lord is my fortress and my deliverer" (Psalm 18:2) "The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence" (II Samuel 22:3). In this Psalm David summed up his whole life in the following statements. "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall" (v.29). "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip" (v.36).
Believers have always had to contend with the enemies' walls and arrows. Yet, it is good to remember that, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31), and that by "taking the shield of faith," we will "be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).

 

Tuesday, 28th March, 2006

The Golden Opportunities of Youth

“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.” - 2 Chronicles 34v3

Way back in secondary school in 1973 I entered a speech competition in Alabama and did quite well! The topic for the speech was “The Golden Opportunities of Youth” I don’t remember the speech, but I do remember that I used examples of youth through history to demonstrate the opportunities youth had in those heady days.

Today I would surely include King Josiah in that list of examples. King at eight, he began following the Lord at sixteen, and at twenty he began making major changes in the kingdom to reverse what the previous king had done.

Youth is a prime time to serve the Lord. “Remember now your Creator in the years of your youth,” is a clear admonition to all young people. Young Christians today have a golden opportunity to serve the Lord. There are not many takers for the position of Godly Young Person. The church., today more than ever needs some Josiahs in its midst. We are never more capable of serving the Lord than when we are young. Those who are young should stand up and say, “I want to be a Josiah!”

Those of us who are no longer young have a job to do as well. When we see a potential Josiah who wants to serve the Lord it is our job to do whatever we can to encourage and assist them along the way.

May God give us Josiahs in 2006 and may he remind us who are older of the golden opportunities of youth.

 

Wednesday March 29, 2006

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (II Timothy 3:5).
Included in Paul's graphic description of the "perilous" characteristics of the "last days", is this warning concerning the religious leaders of the last days. They would observe the outward form (church buildings, sacraments, religious services, etc.) of "godliness" (that is, "religion"), but would reject its supernatural aspects. They would desire the trappings of religious professionalism since they would be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (v.4).
Such specifications aptly describe the modern world of scientism and liberal theology, which pervades practically all religious denominations and overlaps with all kinds of liberal social movements (women's liberation, gay rights, "New Age" pantheism, and others). Although these are widely diverse in structure and purpose, they all share one vital feature in common; they reject supernatural Christianity, especially literal creationism. Many liberal preachers give nominal allegiance to the teachings of Christ and the Bible, but they invariably deny the power of God in special creation, as well as the great worldwide miracles of the Bible-the Flood, the dispersion, etc.
This prophecy is not given in Scripture simply as a matter of information. It contains a warning urgently needed by Bible-believing Christians who are under pressure today to compromise with humanistic liberals on this great doctrine of God's creative power. Many have accepted the evolutionary system of "ages geology, and this is tragic and dangerous. Instead of compromising with evolutionary naturalists and religious liberals, as many evangelicals today are inclined to do, Paul warns: "From such turn away!"

 

Thursday, 30th March, 2006

Seek…do…and teach

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” - Ezra 7v10

After all of the delays caused by political and legal wrangling the people finally were able to finish the building of the Temple. It was a glorious day and the Passover was reinstituted. Ezra came to Jerusalem as a spiritual leader. Ezra gives us an example of wisdom in leadership.

· Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Lord
· Ezra did what he studied
· Ezra taught the people how to do the same

Here we have a logical plan that each of us can carry out when serving the Lord. First we must prepare our own hearts to seek His word. Diligent Bible study is the very first thing required because without that we can’t do any of the rest. Once we have prepared our own hearts, we must do what it says. Many people fall short here and become useless Bible scholars. Once we know it, its time to do it.

Finally, once we have learned, and once we are doing, then we must teach. There can be no teaching without doing ourselves, and doing should always involve teaching so that the learning can be passed on.

Study…do…and teach! What a plan!

 

Friday March 31, 2006

"This wisdom descended not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:15)
True wisdom is "from above" and is "pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (v.17)
False wisdom, on the other hand, may come from the world outside us ("earthly"), the flesh within us ("sensual"), or the powers of darkness tempting us ("devilish"). All such wisdom leads to "envying and strife...confusion and every evil work" (v.16). Believers, therefore, should be able to recognize the influences of the world, the flesh and the devil.
The good news is that each divine Person of the Tri-une Godhead is on our side. The Father is opposed to the world, the Spirit to the flesh, and the Son to the devil, and they are well able to give victory.
"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him...And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof" (I John 2:15,17). Thus, to overcome the love of the world, we must cultivate the love of the Father in our hearts and lives.
Similarly, to overcome the desires of the flesh, we should follow the leadings and convictions of the Holy Spirit, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other (Galatians 5:17). Therefore, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (v.16).
The devil and his evil hosts use their own dark powers to tempt and destroy the people of God, but "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (I John 3:8). Christ assured Satan's defeat when He paid for our redemption on the cross. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).