by David Brenneman
"the fact of being clever at getting what you want, especially by indirect or dishonest means." Definition of "craftiness".
"render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance, typically an inferior one."
Definition of "adulterating".
"the action of showing something to be right or reasonable."
Definition of "justification".
"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:1-6.
"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
"Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;" Ephesians 4:14.
It, more often than not, takes more work to keep from working than it does to do the actual work required.
Ever think about the words used in a verse rather than just reading over them? I was prompted to include some definitions today so they came first.
That word craftiness stood out and brought to mind the passage in Ephesians. Made me think of the negative connotation of justification and how these words can creep their way into the lives of people. It doesn't matter if you're a Believer or not.
People find their way into countless videos of dishonest gain. Justifying their taking what doesn't belong to them...and being proud of their craftiness!
"Craftiness and deceitful scheming."
"but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God"
Do you do any of this, even in the smallest of ways?" I know in retrospect I have.
We are often the most guilty only when we've been caught. We don't consider guilt as part of the situation until we're caught. More often than not we pride ourselves on our craftiness.
See it now? Those who are saved in Christ Jesus are supposed to be different, supposed to stand out, in this present darkness in which we find ourselves.
We're not supposed to waste time trying to figure out how to create spiritual camouflage to make it through life unscathed and unharmed.
We aren't to be putting on anything more than the whole armor of God. We are to be in the Word of God daily.
We are to be in prayer constantly.
We aren't to try to find ways to get out of participating in the body of Christ because of the temptations of the world in which we live.
Many Believer's by way of craftiness and deceitful scheming embrace idolatry and are so deep into it that they don't see it.
Many Believer's also justified their treatment of others the same way.
Many play God in their lives in deciding who is or isn't worthy of the same gift of salvation that we had received.
What about you?
Are you among those who have added idolatry to your life yet claim to be a Christian? Is the justification so deep that you can't see it? Go ahead...ask in prayer if you have...then don't be surprised by the response.
In big or small ways things of this world have been crafted by Satan to interfere or flat out get in the way of the Christian's life in Christ.
Even Thanksgiving and Christmas can be so twisted as to truly lose their original meaning by way of everything from personal experience to commercialization of the times.
We can get swept up in so much and actually truly enjoy it...and don't take stock of the ramifications...don't see that it's not feeding our spirit in the Biblical sense and actually is feeding our sin nature.
Someone once said that the one you feed in you is the one who dominates you.
You feed your sin nature your sin nature controls you. You feed your new nature in Christ then its Christ who controls you.
Have you been adding things into your life that are there by way of craftiness?
You probably don't think much of them because you enjoy them too much.
Take some time to step back and objectively look at your life.
Are you feeding the new self in Christ or are you feeding your sin nature?
"in the sight of God."
We're doing everything in the sight of God. If it's not at all going to be God honoring...do not do it. Do not participate in it. Scripture says to remove it and cast such things away from us. Even if we aren't going to be popular because we are doing it the Spirit's way.
We who are in Christ are supposed to be growing in Christ. Feeding on the Word of God and prayer. Living in obedience to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ by way of the Spirit of God in us.
Are your words cutting people down? It doesn't matter why. Then stop doing it.
Are your actions not showing people that Christ is in you? Reconsider your why's of doing what you do.
Have you idols in your life? Cast them away. Destroy them influencing yourself or others.
Ask Jesus to show you the truth about you. Then don't disregard the answers. Don't dismiss what you are shown. Don't say that the cost is too high if you give those things up.
The cost to you will be higher if you don't. Willful entrapment will ensue. Willful disregard of other commands of God for you will happen. Once you give the devil a foothold he will exploit it to the uttermost.
Lastly you will be diminishing that crown of righteousness that you will be giving back to Jesus for all He's done for you in your life.
Consider your ways acknowledge Him in your life and clean house of what all the Spirit says to get rid of from you.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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