How's the pressure? The last two Sundays have been great reminders to us that Satan like a roaring lion is seeking to destroy us. He is a master of applying pressure to our lives. Pressure that causes us to respond in ways that please him rather than pleasing God. James 3:13 ask the question "Who is a wise man and endured with knowledge among you?" The kind of wisdom that a person has will show up in their responses to the pressures of life. The verse goes on to say "Let him shew out of a good converstation his works with meekness of wisdom." We will evidence who is in control, and where our wisdom for living is sourced, by the way that we respond to the pressures that are at work in our lives. "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not agaisnt the truth" (James 3:14). Responses that demonstrate bitterness and strife are not sourced in God. James 3:15 tells us "this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, develish." This worldly wisdom is going to pass away, but the person that lives his life doing the will of God will abide for ever (see 1 John 2:15-17).
When you are trusting the Lord with all your heart and seeking His wisdom your response to pressure will be much different. James 3:17 says "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." The peaceable response does not hold bitterness in or explode with anger. Paul reminds us to "be angry and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"(Ephesians 4:26). When we are angry and sin, we give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). We allow the pressures to produce a worldly, develish response. Instead of submitting to God and resisting the devil, we allow his ungodly control in our lives.
How do we maintain right responses in the midst of such difficult attacks? The promise in Philippians 4:6,7 is one place to start. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Pray! Believe God and expect His Peace to Rule in Your Heart and Mind! God wants you to be at peace. He has provided His peace for you. Prayer is the means available for you to SUBMIT to GOD and RESIST the Devil! James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
For More Information on this topic listen to messages on line: "Lord I Need You!"- Feb 8th and "Who is Winning the War?" - Feb. 15
