Getting to the Root of the Problem

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Genesis 37

Joseph's ten brothers had a problem with him. They hated him so much that their words only consisted of unkindness.  Their actions and attitudes took this course because they had seen that their father had loved Joseph more than any of them. Hearing of his dreams, these brothers began to mock Joseph, and then that led to a conspiracy to get rid of him altogether.  His claim to rule over them had been their final straw.  They wanted to murder him, but they 'washed' their hands of bloodshed by selling him into slavery instead.  The killing they saved for their father Jacob's emotions when they lied to him, weaving an evil story of how Joseph was dead as the result of an attack of a ferocious animal.  Jacob died on the inside . . . from a grief too great to bear.  All of these actions eventually accomplished their goal --  the ridding of themselves of their little brother for good . . . or so they thought.

The root of their sin was not their hatred, unkindness, mocking words, evil conspiracy, murder in their minds, or their lying.  The root of their problem is not that they sold their brother into slavery for their own gain.  No, the root of their problem could only be found much deeper than their outward actions.  The root was a sin that was grounded deeply in their hearts.  It was the sin that was the least recognizable to the world, a sin found in the inner man, but one that God could clearly see.  JEALOUSY was the sin that was found in the hearts of Joseph's brothers. Jealousy was their root sin, and ENVY was conjoined to their sin of jealousy.  The brothers were jealous and envious of the love their father had for Joseph.  They wanted to be the one, individually, who could claim to be loved the most.  But Joseph was 'the one', not any of them.

One root sin, not apprehended and destroyed when recognized, will always give growth to many more branches of sin.  Out of the root of jealousy grew the branches of sin that could be seen in Joseph's brothers: their hatred, unkindnesses, mocking, conspiracies, and lying.  Their jealousy also gave birth to a long-lived sorrow in their father's heart as their lie brought him emotional devastation.

What sinful things can be seen  by others as they observe our actions and words is rarely the root of our sin.  The root of our sinful 'branches' is what hides secretly away in the recesses of our sinful hearts.  Jealousy is just one such sin.

What is the real, but hidden, root of your obvious sins?  Chop out that root, and most of those actions and attitudes will also die as well.  Had the brothers properly handled their jealousy, this sad story of sin flowing from a evil root of envy and jealousy would not be found in our Bibles today.  With jealousy chopped out of their hearts, there is no hatred, unkindness, mocking, conspiracy, or lying.  They simply cannot grow if there is no root.

What is your hidden root?  Are you feeding it or killing it?  Your spiritual life must include dealing with the 'root of the problem' of your sin.  It is time to wield the axe!

Jesus, Light of the World (12-20-12)

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Advent Devotional, "Jesus, Light of the World," for preparing to light the fourth Advent Candle, the Wise Men candle.)

Matthew 2: 12-18
"Now that the Magi had seen the Christ Child, had worshiped Him, and had given Him their greatest treasures, they understood that it had been God who had orchestrated their journey and this meeting.  God had spoken to them through the Scriptures and the prophecies, through the sign of the star, and through seeing the Savior as the fulfillment of the journey God led them to make.  But now, this was something new.  God had never before spoken to them in this manner.  Yes, God had clearly spoken to them in a dream, warning them not to return to King Herod!  Leaving Bethlehem, they chose to listen to God and heed His warning, so they returned to their own country, but they did not return by the same path on which they traveled when they were following the star.  Instead, they chose to walk in the Light!

But King Herod refused to accept the Light for who He was.  He chose to remain in the darkness of his sin, jealousy, and bitterness.  Herod believed that he had been tricked by the Magi when they did not return to Him, as he had requested of them, and report to him the exact location of the Christ Child.  It appeared that way as he muttered to himself in the darkness of his own making, but in the light, it is clear that it was God who would not allow Herod to discover the whereabouts of Jesus.

Evil poured out of King Herod.  He became so enraged at the course of events, so threatened by this Child King, that he committed the unthinkable.  He recalled from his conversation with the Magi the approximate time that the star had appeared to them in the eastern sky.  He took that information and ordered his men to go to Bethlehem and its surrounding area and kill every male child who was declared to be two years old and younger.  They carried out his wishes to the letter and left in their wake so great a mourning and weeping that our finite minds could never completely imagine it.  Herod's evil and dark plan was intended to snuff out the flame of the Light of the world before others could catch on to His fire.  This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the event of the birth of Christ (Jeremiah 31:15).  But God had other plans for His Son.  Before the decree went forth from Herod, He had spoken to Joseph in a dream to warn him as well.  Joseph was told by God to take Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt because Herod was going to search for the Child with the intent to destroy Him (Matthew 2:13).  Joseph was complicit, and he immediately and wisely chose to obey the warning of God.  Joseph and Mary, with baby Jesus in her arms, quickly packed up and left for Egypt, where they remained until God called them out, when Herod died and it was safe for them to return home.

God still speaks to those who will listen.  He used the Magi in His eternal plan for the gospel to go forth.  They were a part of His divine purposes.  And today, so are we!  As we continue to attempt to be faithful to spread the Light of Jesus in our dark and lost world, there will surely be opposition to overcome.  The darkness will always be looking for opportunities to extinguish the Light.  So we must be constantly connected to God and His word, listening to the directions that He gives us, so that the Light that we have to share will not be snuffed out.

Pray for divine appointments from God in which you can share Christ with others.  Pray for protection over the words that you will speak, so that they might not be overcome by the evil one.  Listen to the warnings and directions God is giving you.  Obey in faith all that He asks and directs you to do.  Those who can be called 'wise men' today are those who know the voice of God and who are willing to be intimately connected to Him and His purposes so that the gospel of Light can be shared with those who are trapped in the darkness of the evil one.  Who knows how many might say, 'I have seen the Light!' because of your willingness to share Him with them!"

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 33

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Day 33:  Philip and Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8: 1-24)

The death of his beloved friend, Stephen, clouded Philip’s thoughts.  How he mourned this dear man.  Philip had come to know Stephen as they took meals every day to the widows, taking care of their sisters who were alone.  “Stephen had such a pure heart.  How could they stone him?” Philip lamented in his troubled mind.  This one thing he was sure of—these evil men would never be able to stop the spread of the gospel.  Stephen’s death served only to make Philip and the other followers even more determined to carry out their individual calls to ministry.  The Voice of the Spirit even seemed to be speaking more loudly and clearly.

Hearing that Saul, one of the men who had been present at Stephen’s stoning, was now ravaging the church, Philip was compelled by God to leave and go to Samaria and preach the gospel of salvation.   Ministering in the Spirit and by His power, many Samaritans believed and were baptized.  One such man was Simon, a former magician who had made great claims about himself in the past.  He believed and was baptized when he realized that people were no longer amazed at his magic.  How he longed to do the powerful things that Philip was doing, so that the people would be amazed with him again.

When the disciples came from Jerusalem to see what was happening in Samaria, they laid hands on all the new converts, and they received the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw this great sign, he came forward seeking what the disciples had.  But Simon’s heart was not right with God.  It was clearly focused on the wrong things.  He did not ask for the Holy Spirit to come to him because he needed the Holy Spirit and desired Him.  Instead, his heart was “Simon-centered.”  He offered to pay the disciples money if they would give him the gift that they had.  Simon was seeking the power of laying his hands on people so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.  He was not seeking the Spirit Himself.  Simon had believed the gospel message and had been baptized, but his heart had not been resurrected.   He was still in bondage to sin and pride.

Do you desire gifts you have not been given because they are more visible to others and seem more important?  Are you jealous of those who have what you want?  God knows every intention of every heart.  What does He see in yours?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 32

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Day 32:  Stephen, Full of Faith (Acts 6-7)

The ministry of the early church was increasing.  The original disciples were dedicating themselves to prayer and the study and teaching of the Word.   There arose a need for men to take food to some neglected widows, so the original disciples charged the other followers of Christ to choose seven dedicated men for this ministry task.

Stephen, being found to be full of faith, was chosen as part of this group of seven.   A good reputation and being full of the Spirit and wisdom were the top requirements for this ministry.  Now in Stephen’s case, the power of the Spirit was quite evident because he had been performing many great miracles and signs among the people he came in contact with.  But as is often the case, jealous men began to rise up against Stephen and tell lies about him, saying that he had spoken blasphemies against Moses and God.  So vicious were the lies that the men brought him and his case before the Council.

With power and great wisdom, and even greater diplomacy, Stephen stood before the Council and told them, in elaborate detail, the story of God and His people, Israel.  He spoke clearly of Israel’s continued disobedience to God’s commands.  Then he compared the Council and the accusers to their disobedient forefathers, reminding them how they themselves had not kept and obeyed the Word.

Incensed by Stephen’s accusations (that were true), these men cried out in anger.  Covering their ears so that they would have to listen to no more, they chased Stephen out of the city, and then stoned him to death.  The conviction of the Spirit in their thoughts and in their hearts was completely ignored by the men who would have rather silenced the truth instead of being transformed by it.  On the other hand, Stephen was a transformed man, with Jesus’ resurrection in his soul, who was willing to put his life in jeopardy for the truth.  He boldly spoke out what he knew would not be received, but was truth nonetheless.

Have you allowed your heart to be resurrected in truth?  Are you more like the men who refused to listen to the truth about their hearts and true change?  Can others see the Spirit’s power and wisdom at work in you?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 29

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Day 29:  James, The Brother of Jesus (Mark 3:20, 31)

It hadn’t been easy growing up with Jesus as my older brother.  Hearing over and over the story of His divine conception only added to my feelings of inferiority.  How could I ever measure up to a brother who was the Savior?  He always seemed to do what was right, and I always had to learn everything the hard way. 

Jealousy became a way of life for me.  It started when Jesus didn’t pick me to be one of His disciples—ME!  His brother!  This feeling led me to do strange things that seemed right at the time.  For instance, there was the time that my family and I tried to take Jesus into custody because we were all sure He had lost His senses.  When we came to the place where He was, and they told Him that His family had arrived, He said that His mother and brothers were those who would do His will.  I was insulted!  Then I tried to get my brother to “go public” at one of our Feasts, knowing how many Jews would be there.  I wanted to cash in on His popularity and power, but He saw right through me.  Again, I was rebuked, and He didn’t attend the feast, at least as far as I knew.

But something changed in my heart as I watched Him at the trial and crucifixion.  Suddenly I knew that what I’d been told from the beginning was all true.  When Jesus rose from the dead that blessed morning, there were no doubts that remained.  I knew for sure He was the Savior.

Now I understood that to be His brother, I had to do His will.  He was no longer by biological brother; He was my spiritual Brother, my Lord and Savior.

Do you remember all those lessons I said that I had to learn the hard way?  They became a part of the Spirit’s contribution to God’s Word through me.  In the Bible you read today you can learn how to do God’s will in the book that bears my name, the Book of James.

Does it insult you that Jesus still says that His family is those who do His will, not the ones who just believe in Him?  Beyond your salvation, how are you purposing daily to do His will?  Have you seen in James’ life a God who can use you no matter what your sins have been?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 7

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It was an unusual day for Martha at the market in Bethany.  It wasn’t unusual that she would be there, for she loved running the household for her siblings, Mary and Lazarus.  That was her gift and contribution to the work of their family.  But what was unusual was that she met Jesus there.  Everyone was talking about Him, so she seized the opportunity to be hospitable and invited Him to stay at her home.  How thrilled she was when He accepted her invitation!

Upon arriving home Martha set out to prepare the evening meal.  She busied herself at the fire where she roasted a lamb and baked bread.  When her Guest arrived, she kept the fruit bowl and glasses filled at the table where Jesus and Lazarus reclined.  They were talking about God and His ways, and it was a lively conversation.  She listened as she went about her preparations for the meal. 

On one of her trips to refill the fruit bowl, she noticed Mary just sitting and listening.  Jealousy filled her thoughts.  “Why must I be the one to do all the serving?  Mary should be helping me.”  Taking her case to Jesus, she complained, “Don’t you even care that my sister has left me to do all the work of serving alone?  Tell her to help me!”

She knew she had spoken too boldly; His response made her cheeks turn crimson.  “Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things.  Only one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good part.

But what was the good part?  Should Martha have been sitting instead of serving?  No, Martha was called to be a servant in her hospitality. Instead, she served, but complained as she did it. Mary’s gift might have been to teach or encourage or have wisdom and knowledge.  If that were the case, it would be totally appropriate for her to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn.  Again, what is the “good part?”  It is to be a servant who is content to serve where you are called, without jealousy or grumbling.  Martha had to learn to use her gift of hospitality as a servant, not just to be one who serves.  (See John 12:1-3.)  Do you see the difference?

Are you one who grumbles while serving, or are you a servant of Jesus?  When you talk to Jesus in prayer, do you tell Him what to do?

Breaking the Chains of Unforgiveness

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Bound in Chains

Do you struggle with bitterness? Do you have a hard time forgiving those who have hurt you? The story of David and Saul is a great reminder that, with God, you can find the strength to forgive and move on, not harboring the bitterness that will only destroy you. David knew some principles that we need to put into practice if we desire to break free of the bondage that unforgiveness will always bring to our lives.

Saul asked David to come into his palace from time to time and play his harp to help soothe his mind.  Saul had a tormenting spirit  that  terrorized him.  The door for that evil spirit was left open by Saul who chose to disobey God in such a way that God removed HIS spirit from him.  David would play his melodious tunes, and Saul would be comforted.  Oh,  how Saul loved David because of what he could do for him!  But as soon as David became popular with all of the palace, and then all of Israel when he killed Goliath, Saul's heart began to envy David.  Daily his jealousy grew greater and greater.  

Saul's jealousy began to turn to bitterness and even hatred, though David had done him no wrong.  The root was becoming a full-grown vine that was wrapping itself around Saul, choking the spiritual life out of him.   But David escaped the grasp of the vine, for he did not think about Saul in the same way that Saul thought about him.  

How did David escape from thoughts of bitterness and hatred?  How was it that no matter what Saul had done or continued to do, David acted in love toward him?  How did he avoid the tormenting evil thoughts that often come when you have been wronged, when you are undeserving of the evil that has come to you?

Though David was not a perfect man, and he failed God on so many occasions, we can see by his actions and responses that he lived by different principles than Saul.  Though Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear on three occasions, and he created at least two murderous plots, David always held his king, anointed by Samuel the priest, in the highest regard.  Let's look just a little closer at the principles that ruled David's heart.

David trusted in his God to handle the consequences of sin in Saul's life.  David saw no need to take out his retribution and revenge on Saul.  He considered that God in all His power was the only One who had authority to do so.

Because he trusted in God David was able to truly just let it go.  That doesn't mean that he never had a thought about it; it simply means he didn't let the thought go any farther than that. And he never seemed to sit around and dwell on it, either.

David thought the best of Saul.  Even though Saul was doing evil things to him, David continued to look at him in a positive light, not a negative one.

David knew that he himself was not without sin and that God still loved him and was forgiving of those time he had fallen woefully short.  If God would forgive him, then surely he could expect, and even desire, God to forgive Saul.

And finally, David practiced these things OVER AND OVER again!  Once would never be enough for David to be untouched by the sin of Saul.  When it came to his mind, and I am sure that it did countless times, David practiced these principles again...and again....and again.  

Saul was a man bound up by his hateful attitudes, who acted evilly because of them.  David was a man set free from hateful attitudes, and therefore, he did not practice evil against Saul.  Which man does your life resemble--Saul or David?