Sensible Worship

Don’t allow these to be stumbling blocks to your soul. God is calling all true worshippers to honor and respect Him according to John 4:24. Life’s circumstances happen, and it is not fair sometimes, but our Lord is there during any and all transitions. You must discern the times and know that the list given will help you to stop the madness:

1. Satan
2. Your Flesh Nature
3. Pride
4. Grieving the Holy Spirit

These things are not for you! Let’s read a few scriptures so you can know how to spiritually fight. They are just life’s obstacles to stop you from worshipping God and giving Him your all.

Satan

He is the enemy of every true Believer of Jesus Christ. This fallen angel hates the very nature of mankind. You can NEVER trust his motive, but you can discern the truth spoken by this devil. Your daily walk must be in the spirit by being alert and sober-minded according to 1 Peter 5:8, which states “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” for Satan is truly a punk and a coward. Let’s read his bio from Isaiah 14:12-17, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! ¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. ¹⁵ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. ¹⁶ They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; ¹⁷ That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”

Don’t let him deceive, capture, or kill you. Do you remember Luke 4:6-8 about who should you worship, which said, “And the devil said unto him [Jesus] All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. ⁷ If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” His desire is to stop you from worshipping Almighty All-powerful Creator God. But it’s too late, glory hallelujah! We are to worship God alone according to verse 8: “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” We have the ability in Christ to be a world overcomer just like our Savior (John 16:33). He might be the prince of this world, but He is NOT King of this world.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Your Flesh Nature

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:1,8

The flesh is under the curse of the law, and its penalty for evil is death (Romans 8:13). If you follow your sin’s desire, your father is the devil. Nothing good comes from selling your soul for stuff in this world. No true worshipper of God doesn’t dishonor their Creator. They worship on His terms, and not their own. No flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29).

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 5:1-6 for an example how sin corrupts the flesh nature:

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

Fornication is following the flesh and sin. Having coitus with someone that does not belong to you is against the Law; the principles of God’s commands.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

This was vulgar and inappropriate. What is wrong with this person who serves in this assembly? This is evil even among the Gentiles. He must be excommunicated.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

If you let this act of sin stand, it will kill the person or the entire assembly. Through one person’s sin of disobedience, we have to deal with the flesh’s nature according to Romans 5:19. Apostle Paul shares insight with us about our sinful scope in Romans 7:18 AMP, “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not.” This is the daily war between our physical and spiritual nature.

This is why we are told to walk in the spirit (Galatians 5:16). Seek the Holy Spirit of the living God and be responsive to His guidance. When you do, you cannot fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Pride

What is pride? When a person is arrogant, excessive self-satisfaction, and unreasonable conceit of superiority. What does the scripture tell us about biblical pride? Those who decide not to keep silent, but adopt the braggadocio syndrome by overestimating oneself and discounting others. In order words, a pompous person who lies a lot.

“The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (Psalm 12:3)” Boasting lies is always evil. How are you saying that you love God, but speak destruction and gossip? The obedience of the Lord will comply with or yield to the perfect liberty set by God Almighty. Let’s read a few more scriptures to ponder:

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Are you humble in spirit? Grace is extended to you. If not, God will fight against your disobedience according to James 4:6, which says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and gratitude for receiving salvation. Thank the Lord for having grace; which leads us to be humble in spirit. This is a daily practice of respecting God. Honoring Him is true worship. Anything else is arrogant or disdainful.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Ephesians 4:30

The Holy Spirit should never be grieved, but always do what pleases Him. To grieve is to hurt in distress, have emotional pain, or cause sorrow. God Himself regrets or grieves. There are many bible scriptures that tells us so, as well as what the Lord hates from those who claim to be for Him. Let’s read some of them below:

Genesis 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

God wasn’t suprised for man’s actions, but He was grieved over the sin of man because it was appropriate for Him to do so.

Deuteronomy 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Abomination is an extreme dislike, wrongdoing, or hate. This aversion is always against God’s principles, just like idolatry.

Deuteronomy 16:22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.

Remembering the 2nd commandment: Worship Only God! To worship another is to remove His glory. This action is dark and evil, a true abomination. To get what that Lord is saying to us, we need to understand Proverbs 6:16-19 which states, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹ A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Hearsay, rumors are spreading misinformation and gossip are not the light of righteousness, but an act for you to miss the mark from the 9th commandment. We should always tell the truth (Exodus 20:16), and walk always in the spirit. Your conduct is vitally important, especially for those who are hearing your speech. Watch what you are saying: for you are an ambassador in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

Our manners is empowered by the Holy Spirit: for His job is to be our Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), and to guide us to the ultimate victory with the Lord.

If you would like to worship God acceptably, don’t be led by the devil and his demons, your flesh, flash pride, or disobedience to God’s word. Only worship in spirit and truth. It is vitally important to get yourself together according to the holy scriptures. Today decide who you will follow in this world – God or Satan. You can NEVER be a lukewarm Christian. If you are, please stop according to Revelation 3:16. Choose life and live!

God loves you and wants the best for your life; which is to follow the Messiah and do His commands. Hindrances will definitely keep you away from His presence. Selah. There job is to keep you from the Truth: for Christ is the way. Will your name be written in the Lamb’s book of Life?