DESPERATELY WICKED HEARTS

Without a life yielded to the Holy Spirit, we are apt to do anything.

1 John 4:4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

In 2 Samuel 13, we have one of David’s sons that is filled with lust for his sister. He listened to advice from an ungodly friend; leading to the rape of his sister Tamar. Amnon, just like each of us had a choice when it came to the temptation he faced. Unfortunately, he let lust linger, it caught Him looking, and cost him his life.

Christian friend, the temptation you are facing right now will define the rest of your life. Will you make the choice to follow the Lord or will you follow your desperately wicked heart? You will end up with some severed relationships, an ended marriage, or maybe, as Amnon, even dead! Sin will cost you! What are you willing to pay for it?

WICKEDNESS TO THE CORE

If a man has a shriveled-up heart and a big head he is a monster. - D.L. Moody

Proverbs 28:25-26, He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

            Pride is a dominate characteristic in the world today. It’s not the good type of pride in which we take pride in our job or other responsibilities. We have the wrong type of pride in which we think we are all that in every aspect of life. We have the wrong type of pride in the place which we live, wrong pride of race, and even the wrong type of pride in the grace in which God has bestowed upon the believer.

            I’m thankful and proud that I’m an American. I believe it to be the greatest country on earth but that does not mean we are any better than anyone else. I’m content in the race God made me. Not because I’m white but because it is the race God wanted me to be. We ought to be thankful God created us the way He created us. I’m also thankful for the grace God bestowed upon my life. Not because I deserved it because I didn’t. I deserved hell! I deserved to be eternally separated from God but God, who is rich and mercy saved me from my sin! That ought to humble us unto obedience!

            What we need is a big ole dose of humility--Humbling ourselves before God in obedience to do His will for our lives. His will consists of: being saved, being sanctified, and serving Him all the days of our lives.

WICKED BUT LOVED

Jesus knew Judas’ heart but yet He loved him anyway.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

Can you imagine knowing someone was going to betray you and yet you allowed someone to kill you for them? Yes, that is exactly what Jesus did for Judas. He knew Judas was going to betray Him, yet He loved him. All the time He was washing Judas’ feet, He loved Judas. He knew He was going to the Cross. All the time He was being beaten, He loved Judas. All the time He was hanging on the Cross, He loved Judas. When He became sin, He loved Judas. And when He got up from that grave, He loved Judas. But it was too late for Judas….he had hanged Himself.

            I can’t fathom the love Jesus showed on the Cross the day He was crucified. It is mind boggling to me that He would suffer so much for such an unworthy sinner such as... not Judas… but I. You see Judas represents me. I was the unworthy one. I betrayed Jesus. I was the one that cause Him to be beaten. I was the one that put Him on the Cross. I was the one that caused Him to be pierced. I was the one He was talking about when He said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” It was for me He died, for me He was crucified, but praise be to God it wasn’t too late for me… He arose for me and He saved my wicked, wretched soul!

What about you? Have you been saved or will it be too late for you one day? 

WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY?

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.  --Thomas a Kempis

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. Proverbs 14:17

Anger is a hindrance to the Child of God. It will get you off your game plan causing you to open your mouth and insert your feet!  If you constantly get angry over the least little thing, you need to get alone with God so He can work in your heart exposing the sin that keeps tripping you up. You need to confess and repent of the sin that is exposed, trusting He will help you never do it again.