Word of Encouragement (10/21/2020)
“8. Take special care, as the apostle says, to ‘quench not the Spirit’ (1 Thess. 5:19). Do not provoke Him by your sin to stand afar off, for He is the fountain of your grace for holiness. He must quicken, excite, and apply your new life unto particular duties of obedience, but you must maintain close communion with Him. [Think about why the Spirit grieves when we sin. It is because He loves us deeply and knows what devastation sin can effect in our lives. He is ready and able to help us grow in holiness but He does not do it against our will. He woos us by speaking to us through Scriptures, encouraging us with His comfort and peace, warning us against temptations, and convicting us of our sins. We must respond in faith and obedience.]
“9. If you grieve the Holy Spirit by your careless demeanor toward Him, not a single promise can make you glad. If you provoke Him to withdraw and suspend His light, no rays from the promises can free you from the darkness of His desertion. If you make Him your enemy by purposely ignoring His conviction, none of the promises can speak peace to you. [The graces of God mentioned here are not acquired by magic; they are ours to have and enjoy only in union with Christ through the bond of the Holy Spirit. While they are already in our possession through our legal union with Christ, our enjoyment of them comes from our experiential union with Christ in mind and heart. We must cherish and honor the indwelling Spirit of God in our humble yet bold reliance upon Him always.]
“10. When you struggle with a strong lust and feel defeated by its incessant blows, go to the Lord and plead the covenant. Say, ‘Lord, I feel this temptation is too strong for me and is a lust I cannot overcome; as Thou hast said that Thou wilt circumcise my heart, that Thou wilt dissolve these lusts and cleanse me of all idols, I call upon Thee to fulfill Thy own promises.’ ‘We must with boldness and reverence challenge [the Lord to fulfill] the covenant of grace. There cannot be a more forcible argument in prayer than to plead God’s covenant and the interest we have in him.’” It is important to appeal to God’s promise early, before the temptation gets a hold of our heart in any way. When we give sin an inch, it will take a mile and drag us down quickly.
May God help us cherish His gladness, His light, and His peace far more than what the world promises to give us. Have a blessed and victorious day!