Do You?

Do you?

by David Brenneman 

‭"in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Thus they will be My people, and I shall be their God,” ’ declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 14:11

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

Is it important to you what is important to Jesus?

In both the Old Testament and the New Testament we read examples of defilement of a life.  

We wrap our arms around what the world refers to as fun.

We embrace theologies that seem like they're from God but we've never checked with Jesus about them. 

We find our joy and happiness in things of this world and don't see our neglect of our relationship with Jesus.

What's both a wonderful thing and a n unknown curse is this digital world we are drowning in.  While answers to questions can be found in an instant...we blindly trust those answers. 

We blindly trust those answers yet both question what a sermon might be saying to our hearts.

We blindly trust the internet yet won't seek Godly counsel.

Most don't realize that our digital world is instantly modified.  You might have read a possible true story today that can be edited to reflect something else and you have no proof of your facts of today. 

Whole school texts are now digital only. History is whatever it's been edited to say.

This is a scary concept.  Defilement is that tiny pebble placed just so in our minds and hearts to redirect the person from the righteous life that God desires. 

Defilement is just as pertinent in today's world as it was in Jesus's day, as it was in Daniel's day, as Noah's, as King David's, as Adam's. 

This is a sin cursed fallen world that is saturated with defilement until after the 7 year Great Tribulation when Jesus Himself will rule and reign for a thousand years.  

We choose to follow something or someone each day.  We either are flying the plane or Jesus Christ is. 

We choose where our minds and hearts go.  We are often none the wiser when deception hits.

We don't seek the wisdom of God when life happens.  We first try to figure it out on our own. 

In the opening days of the children of Israel entering the Promised Land...where they sought the Lord first, they were successful. When they decided to not, they were unsuccessful.  In fact they were cursed beyond several generations because they made vows and sealed them in the name of the Lord. 

We often reject the notion of idolatry.  Why?  Because we don't want to learn that we were so deceived.  We don't want to give up whatever is bringing us such wondrous pleasure.  We want to fit in with other's.  We don't see the consequences of being defiled and we don't want to.  

We wear symbols of idolatry.  Ezekiel 13 mentions items worn that were idolatrous in nature. 

The Spirit wishes to open our eyes yet...we often choose to put our hands over them because of the pleasures they bring. 

‭"His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.  Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.  “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Luke 8:9-18.

Confession before Jesus is to agree with Jesus.  If Jesus says something is wrong, then, it's wrong. No excuses or exceptions. 

Just because it makes you feel good doesn't mean it's wholesome or good for you.  

"It's harmless!" 

If it's separating you from the will of God for you...it's most definitely not harmless. 

Defilement is as valid a problem today as it was in the days of Noah. 

Everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.  See that in today's world?

What don't you see?  Christian lives that seek the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and spirit.  All means all and that's all that all means. Carving out time for Jesus is wrong...especially when we have no trouble with a movie night. When we have no trouble with concerts. When we have no trouble with spending gobs of time with sporting events. 

Defilement is as much a problem today as it has been throughout history since Adam and Eve.

We are to be holy as He is holy. 

Holy is to be set apart. 

Take a good look at your life.  Has any or all of this message applied to your life?

We're going to give an account of our lives before Jesus.  Will the activities of your life amount to anything in Christ?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.