Completely Honest with God When You Pray

Be Completely Honest with God When You Pray by AW Tozer

“But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause”. Jeremiah 20:12

There is a vital element of true prayer which is likely to be overlooked in our artificial age.

That vital element is just plain honesty!

The saintly David M’Intyre once wrote: “Honest dealing becomes us when we kneel in His pure presence.”

Then M’Intyre continued: “On one occasion Jeremiah failed to interpret God aright. He cried as if in anger, ‘O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived.’ “These are terrible words to utter before Him who is changeless truth. But the prophet spoke as he felt, and the Lord not only pardoned him, but met him and blessed him there.”

I recall another spiritual writer of unusual penetration has advised frankness in prayer even to a degree that might appear to be downright rudeness. When you come to prayer, he says, and find that you have no taste for it, tell God so without mincing words. If God and spiritual things bore you, admit it frankly.

This advice will shock some squeamish saints, but it is altogether sound nevertheless. God loves the guileless soul even when in his ignorance he is actually guilty of rashness in prayer. The Lord can soon cure his ignorance, but for insincerity no cure is known.

We can learn something at this point if we will!

The Danger of Coming Short

The Danger of Coming Short by T. Austin-Sparks

Whenever we are being faced with some new and different course, some fresh proposition or position, there is one all-governing question that we should ask, and which we should take ample time to ponder and pray over seriously. That question is - Does this thing before me stand in direct line with the full purpose of God, as revealed - not in a fragment - but in the fulness of His Word? God has left us in no doubt that He has a clearly defined purpose in view as the ultimate object of all His dealings. He has also made it abundantly clear what that purpose is. Further, it is distinctly shown that believers are "called according to his purpose", and that they are to 'make their calling and election sure'. One who was an aged and advanced believer, and a greatly used servant of God, said - toward the end of his course - that his great concern was that he 'might apprehend that for which he had been apprehended by Christ Jesus'.

It is the business and duty of every true Christian to study so as to be quite clear as to what that 'Eternal Purpose' is. Having done so, everything that arises to engage us must be brought to the judgment bar of that purpose, and interrogated in its light. God will not cut across our path, or give us particular light at any fork in the road, if we have not been diligent in this quest, or faithful to the light given. It just will not do to allow ourselves to be influenced by questions of comparative right or wrong, good or bad, permissibility, desirability, expediency, or policy. Nor must ambition, soul-gratification, enlarged prospects 'for the Lord', wider acceptance in Christianity, or any such thing, colour our judgment or affect our decision. Advantage and cost are ruled out here as deciding factors. One question, and one alone, will decide tragedy or glory: Does this that is before me stand directly in line with the full purpose of God? When the end is reached, the full story told, the sum taken, how much that is bound up with this will be stripped off, as having no real substance with what is Christ, and therefore fail to be carried over into the eternal? What will the River carry away, and what will emerge on the other side?

 

God Resources and Us

Unlimited Resources but Limited Receptacles: by AW Tozer

Since God is infinite, whatever He is must be infinite also; that is, it must be without any actual or conceivable limits. The moment we allow ourselves to think of God as having limits, the one of whom we are thinking is not God but someone or something less than and different from Him. To think rightly of God we must conceive of Him as being altogether boundless in His goodness, mercy, love, grace and in whatever else we may properly attribute to the Deity. It is not enough that we acknowledge God's infinite resources; we must believe also that He is infinitely generous to bestow them. The first is not too great a strain on our faith. Even the deist will admit that the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth, must be rich beyond the power of man to conceive. But to believe that God is a giver as well as a possessor takes an advanced faith and presupposes that there has been a divine revelation to that effect which gives validity to our expectations. Which indeed there has been. We call this revelation the Bible. Believing all this, why are we Christians so poverty stricken? I think it is because we have not learned that God's gifts are meted out according to the taker, not according to the giver. Though almighty and all-wise, God yet cannot pour a great gift into a small receptacle.

The Old Nature Must Disappear: by T. Austin-Sparks

The Old Nature Must Disappear: by T. Austin-Sparks

My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you... (Galatians 4:19).

 The profaning of the Lord's Name, and the taking away of His glory, is the inveterate habit and course of the old creation nature. Should you see any of the old creation getting into the realm of the things of God, what is the result sooner or later? That man takes the glory, and dishonors God. Is not that the tragic, dark story of "the Church"; man in his old creation powers and life pressing into the things of God, and making a name for himself? The Church has been the happy hunting ground of men for reputation, position, influence and all such things. The flesh always does that. It takes God's glory away, it profanes God's Name. In order that that might not be so there must be a new creation, where all things are of God. I see the appalling state of things today amongst the Lord's people everywhere; death, weakness, limitation, defeat, failure, inability to stand up, to go on; and, without being critical, censorious or judging, you have to come to the conclusion as you speak with so many, that the measure of Christ is pathetically small. Sometimes when you speak about the Lord to people, who have borne the name of Christian for many years, they gape at you as though you were talking a strange language.

 Let us ask the Lord that, so far as we are concerned, there may be an increase of Christ in every way. Let us seek grace for any fiery furnace in the light of the explanation, that it is neither what is of Christ that is being tested in us, nor any good within ourselves, but that what is not Christ should disappear, that it should be Christ, only Christ. At last this universe will know nothing but Christ. He will fill all things, and that will be a great day! May He be fully formed in us.

Warfare Spirituality part 4

Thus far we have been discussing Warfare With the Flesh (and the handling temptations, before they handle us)

  For in my inner being I delight in God's law;  but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. Romans 7:22-23
 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, Colossians 1:13

We have talked about…

Temptation to Anger (Insofar as depression is anger turned inward, these affirmations are relevant for depression as well.)

Temptation to Seek Revenge  This is sin.

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . . If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge" (Rom. 12:17-19).

 

Sexual Temptation

There is no future in this. (It would damage my relationship with God and could destroy my relationship with my spouse and children, as well as damage my reputation and discredit my ministry;

Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 1 Corinthians 7:18

I will not degrade this person but treat her/him with dignity and honor. (I will treat her/him as a subject, not an object, since she/he has been created in the image of God.)

I will let the attractiveness direct me to praise for the greatness of her/his Creator. [This is a kind of spiritual judo in which you use quick movement and leverage to throw your opponent; in this case, you redirect the incoming force from temptation to praise.]

I am no longer under the power of sin, but I am alive to God in Christ Jesus

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11

(I am not a skin-wrapped package of glands, but a new creation in Christ;

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

I will walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desire of the flesh

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16
 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

I will fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and Perfector of faith (Heb. 12:2).

Temptation to Covet

This is sin. "You shall not covet" (Exod. 20:17).

I do not want to sin. Sin is beneath the dignity of the person I have become in Christ Jesus

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

I do not have to sin. I am no longer under the power of sin, but I am alive to God in Christ Jesus

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,  because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14

Then why am I tempted to covet? Because I am not content with what I have.

My lack of contentment stems from comparison with other people. [There will always be people who have better possessions, positions, marriages, children, ministries, etc., than I have. The more I focus on this, the more I can be consumed by jealousy, envy, and resentment.]

I will take my eyes off other people's possessions and fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith (Heb. 12:2).

God is in control and has my best interests at heart (Rom. 8:28). Therefore, I will be content and thankful with what He gives me.

Warfare Spirituality part 3 (The Flesh, the Soul)

How do we deal with the flesh (our soul)?  How do we overcome temptations, which are common to all of us?  Is not the Living God who dwells in us Greater than that which opposes the formation of His Son in us?

Yet temptation is a reality for all of us.  We must be ruthless with ourselves, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  We must speak to ourselves Truth (see Psalm 42 & Romans 12:1-2) to overcome the Lies which abound.  We must realize who we are in Christ and that sin SHALL NOT be our master, because we are not under law but under Grace.  And one last tremendous thought before we discuss common temptations, did you ever stop and think that the Father allows these common temptations to arise and often persist in our lives to bring a greater revelation of His Son in you?  We often pray “Lord remove this temptation” right?  But God deals with us on much deeper levels, that would cause us to flee to Him and discover that “through it all” Christ is able, Christ is Mighty, Christ is the Victor in the believer who abides in Him.

Temptation to Anger (Insofar as depression is anger turned inward, these affirmations are relevant for depression as well.)

1. This is sin. "The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (Jas. 1:20). [This is not dealing with anger against sin (cf. Ezek. 7:3; Mark 3:5), but with sinful anger (Gal. 5:20).]
2. I do not want to sin. Sin is beneath the dignity of the person I have become in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-7).
3. I do not have to sin. I am no longer under the power of sin, but I am alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11; 8:12-14).
4. Then why am I tempted to get angry? Because I have embraced wrong thinking. I have committed myself to unrealistic plans. [I am using "unrealistic plans" in the sense of plans that, for whatever reason, did not come to fruition. For example, I may be committed to the short-term plan of catching a particular flight so that I can get to a meeting on time. If a flat tire blocks this plan, it was "unrealistic"--it was not realized. The problem was not in desiring to get to the meeting on time, but in making my sense of well-being dependent on it.]
5. The correct way to think is to remember that God is in control and has my best interests at heart (Rom. 8:28).
6. My response to this truth is first to trust in the Lord and not lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). [Since 5 is true, God must have intentions in this situation that I cannot presently grasp.]
7. Second, I will walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desire of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

Temptation to Seek Revenge

This is sin. "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . . If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge" (Rom. 12:17-19).
2. I do not want to sin. Sin is beneath the dignity of the person I have become in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-7).
3. I do not have to sin. I am no longer under the power of sin, but I am alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11; 8:12-14).
4. Then why am I tempted to seek revenge? Because I want justice. [This may be as trivial as someone cutting me off in traffic or as deep-seated as the unforgiving spirit (and bitterness) of harboring a resentment against another person for years.]
5. But God did not give me justice (what I deserve); He treated me with mercy (not giving me what I deserve) and grace (giving me better than I deserve).
6. Because I have been forgiven, I will forgive others and treat them with mercy and grace (Col. 3:12-15). [The better I understand God's mercy and grace in my life, the more I will be willing and ready to forgive others when they sin against me.]
7. I will walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desire of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

 

More to follow on the flesh/Soul.

Warfare Spirituality part 2

3. Warfare on Three Fronts

·        The World

 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4

·        The Flesh

 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Galatians 5:16-17

·        The Devil

 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.    
John 16:11
 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:14
 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4

 “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors"

C. S. Lewis, Preface to The Screwtape Letters

4. Warfare With the Flesh (handling temptations)

 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 2:23
 For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
Romans 7:22-23
 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23
 For in my inner being I delight in God's law;
 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
Romans 7:22-23
 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Colossians 1:13

More to come on handling Warfare with the Flesh