The peaceable fruit of righteousness: the fruit of the spirit

                                                         Photo by Andrés Dallimonti on Unsplash

 Hebrews 12:10-11

King James Version

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

When God corrects us, it is because he loves us. He corrects us because he is holy and will not allow unholy people to enter heaven. But, he wants and desires us to be holy. He went to calvary to pay the price for our sins so that we could become holy. 

All of this we know, but I've learned something else today. I've never seen this before. It totally changes what I've always thought and been taught. 

It's why we must always stay in his word so that he can teach us all things. It's why I love the word of God so much! It truly is the only truly "neverending story."

I've always understood that the peaceable fruit of righteousness was simply becoming righteous. But have never really understood what that was or entailed. I've never really been taught by anyone what this mysterious fruit was. I was always just told, well, it's just righteousness- or being right. 

But, what does that really mean?

I finally know the answer, thank you, Jesus!  

In preparing for today's bible study lesson, I saw something in Galatians 5, I'd never seen before. I've always been told that there are 9 gifts of the spirit (1 Corinthians 12). This truly isn't true because there are other gifts of the spirit mentioned in Romans 12 that are not included in 1 Corinthians 12. So, there are more than 9 gifts of the spirit. 

Now, follow me here:

Galatians 5:22-25

King James Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Now, what I and most others have done here is counted, love (1), joy (2), peace (3), longsuffering (4), gentleness (5), goodness (6), faith (7), meekness (8), temperance (9). 

And we say, "see, there's nine fruits of the spirit." 

But, read it again carefully:

 But the fruit of the Spirit is..... 

So the ONE fruit of the spirit produces love, joy, peace, etc. in our lives!  The one fruit of the spirit is made up of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. 

So what is the name of the one fruit of the spirit that produces 9 characteristics in the life of the believer? 

The peaceable fruit of?

Righteousness. 

So, righteousness is the one fruit of the spirit. And righteousness produces, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in our lives. 

So the closer we get to Jesus, the more righteous we become. Now, our righteousness is him living in and through us. So, the more we crucify our flesh, the more we can walk in the spirit. The more we walk in the spirit, the more of his righteousness we display. The more righteous we become, the more love we show, joy we have, peace we have and give, longsuffering we are, gentle we are, good we are, faith we gain, meekness we display, and temperance we have. 

Here's a word picture:

They now have learned how to splice different trees together in ways that cause it to produce more than one fruit. For instance, you may have a tree that grows apples, oranges, pears, and plums- all from the same tree. They may produce each fruit at different times of the year, but the same tree produces all these different fruits. 

God was the first to do this.

When we become born again, he grafts his spiritual tree to our flesh tree. And then sets to  fertalizing us, pruning (correcting) us, shoring us up (providing support), getting rid of pests that will eat us up or eat our fruits up, etc so that we will produce the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Then, we will show forth love, joy, peace, longsuffering, faith, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and temperance. 

 One fruit.

Nine characteristics in the life of the believer. 

The name of that fruit?

Righteousness.

So, truthfully, rather than us stressing out over trying to be more loving, joyful, etc. What we should be doing is trying to grow in walking in the spirit. Then, we become more righteous and he can produce these godly characteristics in our lives.

That's the fruit he wants to find when he looks. 

Matthew 7:15-20

King James Version

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

If we will allow God to show up, they will too!

 

5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Full disclosure: I am not writing this as one who has arrived. I have not done what I am writing here. I am trying hard to do exactly what I'm writing here.

Churches in America used to have no issue gaining converts and attendees. As a self-avowed "Christian nation," it was a part of our national psyche to go to church. For millions of Americans, it was a normal part of life.

But, over the years, with government programs replacing church generosity, anti-God changes in our public schools, and anti-God policies being adopted by our leaders and entertainers, church attendance and participation have been falling. 

Add to this, the fact that many churches turned into little more than country clubs or bless me clubs, and the public view of churches has severely suffered. Many believe that all they want is for you to show up, pay up, and shut up.  

One thing, however, that has been a real constant in church history is that revival will draw people. People, at their hearts, are hungry for real. If they truly believe that God is there and will change their lives for the better, they will show up. And they will show up in masse! 

When Jesus was here physically on the earth and people got wind of his teaching and miracles, they showed up in droves. In the passage above, they forced him into a boat so he had enough space to teach! In many places, Jesus had to escape the crowds in order to pray and teach his disciples. 

One thing that marked his ministry was signs and miracles. It was the same for the Apostles and the generation after them:

Mark 16:20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

So the early church grew like wildfire and turned their world upside down! From ungodly to godly in many places. 

Many of our churches have tried a "show up as you are" approach. Many more have brought in concert-like atmospheres- complete with light shows and sound effects- and why not? Millions flock to concerts every year. Some have tried giveaways. Yet, except for a hard-headed few, people stay away and church attendance falls.

Could it be that we've gotten away from "the gospel of the kingdom?" 

Have we become building-focused, rather than kingdom and people focused?

Have we decided that people are to serve our organization, rather than us having an attitude of serving the people?

If we will learn to listen to and follow the spirit of God- preaching and teaching what he wants us to, hungry people will show up!

If we will truly fall in love with Jesus and let him give us real burdens for real people, hungry people will show up!

More importantly, if we will dive deep into the waters of life, then God will confirm our words with his signs and wonders and people will come in droves! 

The great revivalists of the past were sold out to Jesus and allowed God to operate through them. The crowds showed up. Millions of lives were changed. Sometimes, because of the operation of the spirit of God, whole towns were shut down for a time in order to let people seek God! 

It can happen again! 

It can happen today! 

Biblical and historical revival is not a series of meetings that bring small changes, make us feel better, and see a few people saved. Don't get me wrong, I thank God for every soul reached for the kingdom, but we've set our sights way too low! 

What God did for the early church, he can and will do today! 

What God did a hundred years ago at asuza street, he can and will do today! 

If we will but repent and allow God to take us to where he wants us to be, he can start yet another wildfire that can encompass the whole world!

God help us all to die to ourselves, our platforms, our ideas, our programs, and our organizations, and rise to real life in you so that you can actually work through us in Jesus' name! 

When people truly believe that their lives will be impacted significantly, they will show up!

If we will allow God to show up, then the people will too!

Farewell to a great man of God

 It is with great adoration and love that I offer this farewell to a great man of God. Though I am not close to the family, brother Winslow made a huge and lasting effect on my and my family's lives and walk with God. He will be missed greatly! I pray those who watch this will be blessed and encouraged in their own walk with Jesus.

You've earned your rest, my friend. I love you with all that is in me! May the hand of God rest upon your family and the seeds that you've sown blossom until the Lord returns!

New Year, New Challenge: Want Revival? Go deeper!

 Ezekiel 47

King James Version

47 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Luke 5

King James Version

5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Psalm 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

For most of us in America, we think of revival as a series of meetings where we feel better, get a little closer to God, and go on about our lives. 

But, revival in scripture was an all encompassing and life changing event! 

Whole swathes of society were changed on a personal level in a very short period of time. Sinners became saints. Thieves became honest men. Idolators and adulterers became God fearing family loving people. In seconds, they were all born again and changed.

 Then, he did it again in Kansas and LA in the early 1900's. Again, it effected huge numbers of people and changed their whole world- literally.

But, over time, embers fade and revival was reduced to what we see today. 

My wife and I have been praying for revival. Real, book of Acts and Asuza street revival. For months now, we've asked, we've sought, and we've knocked. We've begged and we've pleaded. 

Last night, as I was praying and listening to scripture, Luke 5 jumped out at me. I could see Jesus on that boat. He looked the big, burly, and experienced fisherman in the eye, and basically said, "If you'll launch out into deep water, I'll give you such a huge catch that it'll nearly sink both your vessels."

From any other man, Simon would've scoffed and said he didn't know what he was talking about. 

But, from this man, Simon felt something different. Though he argued a bit, something in Simon said, "Ok. Why not? We'll give it a shot."

When they reached the deep waters, they dropped their nets and nearly lost their boat! and even though their own net broke, the fish, miraculously didn't leave the area! Their second boat arrived and they had better nets. They caught so many fish that their boats were barely floating under the weight! 

Simon threw himself at the feet Of Jesus and recognized how unworthy he himself was to even be in the presence of God almighty! 

When the vision in my minds eye cleared, I could almost hear the Lord whispering to me:

"If you really want real revival to take hold in your home, street, city, county, state, nation, world, then go deeper in me."

For further explanation (and I don't know all what he said to me entails, just a small portion), he took me to 2 more passages. Ezekiel 47 and Psalms 42.

 "3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles."

Remember "he that believeth on me as the scriptures hath said, out of their belly shall flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER (but this spake he of the Holy Ghost...}" (John 7:38)

As these waters begin to flow in our lives, they rise up to our ankles. We enjoy the feeling of the cool waters washing over our dry and parched feet. It cools our aching feet, soothes the sore bones, washes away the muck and the mire we've been standing or walking in.

But it's only ankle deep. It truly doesn't affect the way we walk. The shallow waters lack the power to counteract the muscles in our body that still respond to the commands our brains give about where to go. We still have control- though we feel somewhat better.

 "4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees."

Now, the waters are a bit deeper. It has the power to somewhat touch our prayers. Some intercession can begin. There's a little more force to the flow, but we are still pretty much in control of ourselves. We still choose what we do and where we go.

"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins."

At this point, the force of the waters has the power to affect how we walk. It's power reaches our baser instincts. It begins to effect our fleshly appetites. It brings some repentance and self control into our lives. We still have control, but we're much more willing to give some of that control over to our master.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

It's at this point that we have a choice.

Do we stay where we are and enjoy the change and living in the cool waters more powerful than we've know current, but still retain some control of our lives?

Or, do we "launch out into the deep?" Do we dive into the river of the Holy Ghost in total abandon? Do we give ourselves over completely to the control of the river? It's here that we experience there true power of the river. It's here that lives are changed. It's here that miracles, signs, and wonders occur. It's here that massive revival breaks out! 

Why? Because we gave God all the control. We let go of our agenda's and pet peeves. We hand every part of our lives over the the master and HE guides our steps. HE guides us to the destination that HE wants us to find. HE works through us and draws them to HIMSELF and the new birth! 

If we will do that, then HE will bring back book of Acts and Asuza street level revivals! 

But, we must give up control. We must give up our own status/reputations. We must give over our rights and die to ourselves- every day. 

If we will do that, then the harvest of souls that he brings in will not be able to be contained! We'll have to search for others to help us to contain and work with the massive harvest he wants to bring in! 

Cause it's not about us, it's about him! It's not about an organization, it's about him. 

It's not about us, it's about the souls he wants to bring into his kingdom!

It's not about who we are, but its's about who he is! 

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalms 42:7)

The word for deep here means "an Abyss (as a surging mass of water)..." and comes from  a root word that means "...to make an uproar or agitrate greatly."

Remember the flood?

The land was all in one piece. The waters had been separated from the land and there was one massive continent. When the waters from above combined with the waters down below it was a catastrophic and world changing event! 

Land masses were reshaped and beaten into place. New mountain chains and valleys were formed. The climate was dramatically changed! Nothing was as it was before. Everything was brand new.

The waters of God want to make an uproar and greatly agitate our lives. He wants to flow over, in, and around us and totally change our whole world! He wants to change how we think, act, dress, speak, what we do, where we go.....

But, for that kind of shaking to happen, we have to relinquish all control and allow him to have all control. 

So, WE have to go deep so that HIS deep can call to us. If we stay shallow, we can't hear his call.

Just as whales can communicate with whale song ONLY UNDER WATER, we can only truly hear God's call if we dive into his waters in total and complete surrender. Let him reshape us. Let him remold us. And let his water flow take us wherever HE wants to take us. 

Incidentally, the word for "calleth" here means "to call by name." 

He has a specific job for each and every one of us to do. I can't do your job. You can't do mine. But if we will all surrender to his life giving flow, HE will remake and remold on a massive, earth shaping scale! 

Souls will be saved on a massive scale. Diseases will be healed on a massive scale. People will be delivered from drugs, alcohol, porn, false religions, etc on a massive scale! 

Watch his pattern though. 

Abraham wasn't a great young man ready to rock his world. He was a nearly retired old man who'd never fathered a child. But God started a bloodline through him that led to Calvary and freed the world! 

He chose Israel, not because of how great and mighty they were, but because of how weak, small, and powerless they were.

He didn't go through the religious somebodies of the world to bring in his church. He chose a bunch of poor folk that the elites looked down upon to rock the church age! 

He didn't go through the religious somebodies to begin the Asuza outpourings a hundred years ago. He chose a bunch of nobodies that the somebodies wouldn't give the time of day to. 

His pattern hasn't changed! 

If we will really dive deep into his word and give ourselves wholly and completely to prayer and repentence, he will give yet another amazing and earth shattering revival! We're not somebody. But that means we're qualified in his eyes! 

Won't you join him? Won't you join us?

Wherever you are. Commit to study, prayer, and fasting. 

Dive deep. 

And watch him change the world!

Lets discuss becoming....

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 John 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The context of this lesson is not about this, but in order to help to make a point here, I must say the following:

The phrase sons of God in Genesis and twice in Job refers to angelic beings that left their position and place with God in rebellion with Satan. They were, beforehand, God's choir. Satan had been their leader in heaven- second only to God himself. But the sons of God followed Satan into open rebellion and were cast down to earth to become demons. 

But, as born-again saints of God, we have been given the opportunity to take their original place in the cosmos and become God's new choir. 

But, being born again does not automatically make us part of the group! 

Being born again only gives us the opportunity to BECOME that. 

What we do with that opportunity will determine where we spend eternity. 

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In order for a person to do many wonderful works in his name they must be filled with his spirit. (Part of the new birth). Evidently, these people will be born-again believers. Yet Jesus says, "I never knew you." 

First, what does that mean? 

Jesus was God in human flesh. There's nobody that God is not acquainted with or does not know better than they could ever know themselves! If there were, then he's not all-knowing and therefore not God. 

The answer lies in Genesis:

Genesis 4:1

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

So Adam had an intimate, loving relationship with Eve and she conceived. 

So Jesus is saying on judgment day, "Yes, you received my spirit, but you never developed an intimate, loving relationship with me. Therefore, because you never developed our relationship, depart from me." 

But, brother Winskie, how could they have operated in the gifts of the spirit and not been right with God?

Easy.

Romans 11:29

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

In other words, If I get born again, and God gifts me and calls me in ways he can use me (worship leader, teacher, preacher, etc) and I do not keep up my relationship with him like I should, the gifts and callings will still work- even if I'm in need of renewal and repentance! 

And he could use me to heal thousands and teach millions because his gifts are still operating when I'm around someone who needs it! It's not because of me. It's because I'm a tool he can use to help a hungry soul- even if I myself am not right! If I stay in that state, I will hear him say depart from me when I die! 

So if I'm not a son of God when I'm born again, and he's only given me the power to become a son of God, how do I become a son of God? 

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

So, when we are born again, we receive his spirit. But, we must pray and actively work on our relationship with him to the point where we can a) hear his voice and b) are willing to obey his voice. 

And please do not try and tell me that we don't hear his actual voice. Really?

Two points:

1) The prophets and some people of old heard his voice and they weren't even born again!

2) Let's hear from the Lord himself:

    John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

So, if the prophets heard his voice and Jesus said we are supposed to hear his voice, then WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HEAR HIS VOICE!

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

There are many, many voices in the world. As a writer, we are constantly being told that we must find and market "our voice." Now, if every writer in the world has a voice, (and there are thousands) and if every singer has a voice (thousands more), and if every political person and group has a voice, and if every company has a voice, then there are literally millions of voices in the world! Movies and TV shows have voices. Even religious groups and personalities have a voice!

It's a cacophony of voices in this modern world. And all are vying for our attention, our support, our money, and our adherence to their ideals! 

It's no wonder that the voice of God is called a "still small voice." His voice is constantly having to compete with all the other voices in this world that try and lead and guide us. But, he doesn't use the tactics of the world to get our attention. God simply speaks to us and tries to get our attention, love, and obedience. 

In other words, other voices want something from us. But God wants us! Our whole hearts and our whole selves. He wants a real relationship with us.

Therefore Jesus says his sheep KNOW his voice and won't follow another.

But in order to KNOW (be intimately acquainted with and know well- with no doubts) his voice, and be able to differentiate between his voice and the millions of others out there, we must actively work at getting close enough to him to be able to hear his voice clearly! 

And in order to trust his voice, we have to allow him to talk to us actively and often. As we hear and obey his voice, we learn through experience that his words are true and his ways work best. When we do this, then when we hear other voices telling us to do things that God's voice and written word say are wrong, then we won't follow those other voices! (This is called discerning of spirits, by the way. When Paul heard the demon-possessed girl yelling out the truth about him, he recognized the demonic voice behind the truthful statements and cast the demon out. Why? Because he knew the voice of Jesus!)

Then we are his sheep. And guess what? We are sons of God because we are being led by his spirit! And as long as we are listening to, and following his voice, then we will remain sons of God. So, how do we gain that level in God? 

Philippians 4

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

This is where the vast majority of us live. We pray and ask. We offer thanks. We drift away. Then we find ourselves in a crisis. We begin to really cry out! We repent and ask God for forgiveness and deliverance. He then comes through and delivers us. We find ourselves at peace in the world because of his intervention in our lives. Then, we chill and begin to fall away again. 

Read the book of Judges. 

This is the same seemingly endless circle that Israel followed. And most of them didn't make it! Their country and promises wound up being lost because they continually stopped listening to and obeying the voice of God. 

The same can happen to us if we stop with being born again and do not actively work at our relationship with God so thatwe can become what we were recreated to become! 

So how do we get out of the endless cycle of chaos that becomes a slippery slope to losing out with God? 

Philippians 4

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

It's simple really, and to the world, it seems harsh. 

We continue praying to and praising him. But, instead of only doing that at church or in rough times. We do that daily. Paul said, "I die daily." He "put (his) flesh under subjection."

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

How do we keep our body (flesh) under subjection?

It begins in our thought life, but that begins in our actions. 

Psalm 101:3

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

That means we keep his word foremost in our minds ("whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."). And because of that, we will not purposely set anything evil (according to God's definition) in front of our eyes. 

Yes, we will sometimes accidentally come into contact with evil. We are to reject those influences in Jesus' name and go on with him- leaving those things behind.

Why? Because the eyes are the window through which we see the world. And what we see affects how we think. And how we think affects how we act. And how we act, affects how we live. And how we live affects our eternal destiny! (Thank you Bishop Jeff Arnold for burning that thought process into my mind!)

So, we are to be careful what we look at, what we watch, what we read, what we listen to (for hearing adds another element that makes what we see that much more powerful), who we hang around (because they can influence how we think and act), what we become involved in, etc. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

So we are to judge what we see, hear, etc by the word and voice of God. If what we see/hear disagrees with what God says in his word and to us (note: his voice will never disagree with his written word), then it is exalting its ideas against what God says is true and just. We are to understand that and cast down that idea out of our thoughts and lives in favor of God, his word, and his ways. 

As we learn to obey his written word and rid ourselves of nonbiblical distractions, the other voices begin to lose the hold that they once held on our lives. This has the effect of having the voice of God grow louder to us. 

The more we practice this, the more we cut out the world's voices and cling to his word and his voice, and the more we can be led by God. 

If we will saturate ourselves with the things of God, prayer, and working at hearing his voice, then the world will lose its grip on our lives and we will become what he wants us to be (the sons of God). We will have not just the peace of God, but we will have the God of peace actively working in and through us to change us and reach out to others!

That's when miracles begin to happen. That's when people begin to be reached. That's when cities, towns, and individual homes begin to be changed into what God wants and ordains.

Lord Jesus, grant us repentance to the acknowledgment of and obedience to your truth. Help us to become.... what you have called us to become! 

In Jesus' name, we pray!