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The Definition of Love – Not Jealous

Love is longsuffering, love is kind, love is not jealous … 1 Corinthians 13:4

Jealousy is wanting what another person has. It is not just being resentful or angry of another’s good fortune or achievements, but a strong desire to possess them. Unlike zeal, which is an enthusiastic devotion to a cause or goal making someone eager and determined to do something, jealousy takes this type of attitude and uses it in a way that damages others to get what they have. So one who is jealous will be zealous to obtain what another person has.

Jealousy will produce actions that are harmful to others.

“And the patriarchs, becoming jealous, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him – Acts 7:9

We also see an example of jealousy in Galatia where men came down from Jerusalem who sought to make Paul look bad to the saints there as though he was their enemy so they could exclude the saints to themselves. This is a very common tactic of false teachers and those seeking to usurp a position of authority even today.

They jealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. – Galatians 4:17

Because of jealousy for their father’s love, the brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery. Because of jealousy for the saints, false teachers came into Galatia teaching that they had to keep the law to be saved, not for the sake of those they sought to persuade but so these false teachers could look good before others and get them to only follow them. Jealousy always leads to hurting others. The Jews were very jealous of Paul when he would teach […]

The Definition of Love – Not Jealous2023-12-14T08:35:00-08:00

The Definition of Love – Kindness

Love is longsuffering, love is kind … 1 Corinthians 13:4

Another aspect of God’s quality of love is kindness. One who is kind is described as having a good or benevolent nature or disposition, which will put others at ease. This is not an aspect of the human nature.

All turned away. They altogether became useless. There are no doers of kindness, there is not even one. – Romans 3:12

Unlike anywhere else in Scripture, here in first Corinthians Love is defined as a verb, where all other times it is a noun or adjective. Kindness is expressed in how we make others feel at ease around us not so much in an emotional sense, but an ease of mind, due to expressing a benevolent nature. This is the kind of person you feel comfortable around, not because they agree with you, on the contrary they are typically the ones that will call you out for doing wrong, but they do not judge, they do not speak harshly, mock, make fun of, or embarrass others. They are just good people to be around who understand the importance of having a benevolent disposition towards others.

If we want our lives to have a big impact on others, we need to pay attention to what God does, for it is the kindness of God that leads us to a change of mind, not hell, fire and damnation.

Or do you think little of the riches of His kindness, and tolerance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness from God leads you into a change of mind – Romans 2:4

Without God showing us kindness, we would not be saved; therefore, this should be our same attitude and actions towards […]

The Definition of Love – Kindness2023-12-14T08:36:19-08:00

Experiencing the Holy Spirit – A Comforter

When we believed that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, we received the promise He gave when He told the disciples before His death that even though He was going away He would send another comforter.

in Whom also you, after hearing the Word of the Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in Whom also you believed, were sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise – Ephesians 1:13

And I will ask the Father and He will give to you another comforter in order that He will remain with you into the age, the Spirit of the Truth, Who the world does not have the inherent ability to receive because it cannot watch Him, nor experientially know Him, but you experientially know Him because He remains alongside you and will be in you – John 14:17

Comforter is referring to someone that has been called alongside another. This can mean they comfort, encourage, or even advocate on behalf of another. The Holy Spirit was given to the Church to remind us of the truth and testify concerning Jesus Christ.

But when the Comforter comes, Who I will send to you from alongside the Father, the Spirit of the Truth, Who proceeds from alongside the Father, that One will testify concerning Me – John 15:26

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who the Father will send in My name, that One will teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, which things I said to you – John 14:26

It is through the reminding us of what was written that we have comfort and learn patience.

For as […]

Experiencing the Holy Spirit – A Comforter2023-12-14T08:42:30-08:00

The Methods of Satan – Cowardice in Spiritual Things

When faced with the possibility of persecution, ridicule, or even discrimination we can be tempted by Satan to deny our faith.

Peter, who was so willing to die to defend Christ on the night in which He was betrayed was used as an example for us on how Satan can manipulate the situation so that we negatively react when facing opposition.

Just prior to the betrayal of Christ, Satan had made a request to sift all the disciples; however, he was given permission to only sift Peter.

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked for you, to sift as wheat. But I have supplicated concerning you, in order that your faith should not fall and when you return to support your brethren – Luke 22:31,32

Peter was not a coward and was willing to even die for Christ.

And he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to be with you and unto prison and unto death to go.” – Luke 22:33

However, Peter would not even make it through the night without denying Christ three times.

And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will never crow before you deny to know Me three times – Luke 22:24

In the end Peter did just as the Lord has said and denied he knew Him three times before the rooster crowed, even though he was in no danger. This broke Peter’s heart, but would later, after the Lord restored him, be used for our benefit because in the letters he wrote to the Church we learn a lot about defending ourselves against Satan.

Protecting the sensitive part of the mind

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest […]

The Methods of Satan – Cowardice in Spiritual Things2023-12-14T08:46:50-08:00

The Methods of Satan – Disappointment

Disappointment is used to bring us into a mental state of being defeated in our expectations and hope. This is done by situations coming upon us that we question as to why they are happening to us because we deserve better.

It is through Job’s persecution by Satan that we see all of Satan’s methods that he uses to get us to go against God.

In Job 3:1-13 Job is recorded expressing disappointment in his situation and wishing he was never born. What value was life since he was in this condition?

Remember, Satan’s whole purpose for doing this to Job was to get him to curse God.

Job 2:4, 5 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

Job may have never fully understood why God permitted such calamity to come upon him, but we do. It was through this that God fully shows us how Satan works to get us to go contrary to God.

How should we react to a situation that we see as unfair? It should be with thanksgiving and rejoicing.

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – Ephesians 5:20

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice – Philippians 4:4

In everything give thanks for this is the desirous will of God in Christ Jesus unto us – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We may see a situation we face as unfair and discouraging, which Satan will try to use to bring us to […]

The Methods of Satan – Disappointment2023-12-14T08:48:39-08:00
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