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Listening to the Man of God
Read 2 Kings 5:8-14
“And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (v. 13)
Our world abounds with advice. Self-help books clog shelves, pop psychologists abound on the airwaves, and the internet offers help for whatever problems persist in our lives. People called “Life Coaches” are now paid ridiculous amounts of money to guide people into finding purpose in their lives. While these sources may offer some actual help to people, rarely do they address the core problems that people face.
I imagine that the world in which Naaman lived was much the same. Since he was the second most powerful man in the Kingdom of Aram, people were lined up with ways to make his life better. Some of them might have provided a temporary easing of Naaman’s suffering, but none of them could solve the core problem of leprosy.
Then two lowly servants pointed him in the right direction. A young Jewish girl pointed him to the Prophet Elisha, who at this time spoke for God. When Naaman didn’t like what the prophet had to say, another servant reminded him of the importance of obedience. How desperately we need to hear and obey God’s Word today. That is the only path to true wisdom. (Randy Joe Bland)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Where will you go to find answers to the problems of life?
This devotional is the Monday, October 19, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Possessing a Teachable Spirit (Wisdom)
Lesson 8 - October 25, 2015
Central Truth: The Christian family engages in a lifelong pursuit of godly wisdom.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several areas in their lives for which they need more knowledge and understanding.
Lesson Outline:
- The Purpose of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-4)
- The Journey of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:5-6)
- The Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:7-9)
Lesson Highlight: "bought with a price"
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:20)
In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
Ye are bought with a price. Your body should have a “Sold” sign on it! The purchase price is the blood of Christ which “cleanses from guilt,” “releases from bondage,” and “abolishes the enmity” that sin created between man and God (The Essentials of Life, W. H. Griffith Thomas). Therefore glorify God in your body. This might be translated “with your body,” but “in” is the more literal reading of the Greek text. Since the property in which you live belongs to God, live in such a way as to bring Him glory. Don’t trash the place where you live with immorality which is not becoming to the owner of the house.
Discussion: Since we have been bought by the blood of Christ, how then should we live?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 43.
Lesson Highlight: "whosoever looketh"
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
In "Word Focus", Dr. Glenn McClure writes:
Jesus made a definite point to inform the Pharisees that this commandment not only dealt with the external act, but also the secrets of the heart and the movements of the eye. Matthew 5:28 brings to mind two quotes of Wünsche: “The eye and the heart are the two brokers of sin.” “Passions lodge only in him who sees.” Within this short verse we find this truth revealed, and why Scriptures deal seriously with moral purity.
The word looketh on in the Greek is blepō, which literally means “to see.” It is not just sight, but is an intended look, an effort made to gaze upon something; the constant fixation of the eyes upon something to examine it. Metaphorically it implies directing the mind upon it or joyfully beholding it. “According to the literal meaning of the Greek, the man who is condemned is the man who looks at a woman with the deliberate intention of lusting after her” (Barclay, NDSB).
The words of Randolph O. Yeager seem appropriate on this subject: “Jesus is not condemning everyone who looks at a woman; only those who look at a woman for the specific purpose of illicit sexual fantasy. The look must be directed toward the woman with a specific purpose in mind — that mental adultery with her can be enjoyed. Many men have looked at women in a legitimate way and later, as a result of that look, have found themselves aroused to evil thoughts. This is not the situation that Jesus was describing. The evil intent must precede the look; thus the look is for an evil purpose. The mental adultery has already been committed before the gaze is directed at its object. This is the force of hēdē (already). . . . Note that epithumeō (lust) [used here in v. 28] is the word used in the tenth commandment (Thou shalt not covet)” (Renaissance New Testament).
Discussion: Why might some argue that what they look at has no effect on them spiritually?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page, 40.
Purity 101
Read Psalm 119:9-16
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (v. 9).
101 courses are generally considered rudimentary, or basic introductions to further studies or pursuits. Many colleges may offer several of these 101 courses, but I don’t know of any that offer Purity 101! In fact, there seems to be very little written or taught on purity outside of religious circles. It is not a popular topic in our day. If you want any authoritative instruction regarding purity, the Bible, God’s Word, will give you the best overview and the clearest understanding that this is a matter of the heart!
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” This psalmist seemed to understand that, for after raising the question about cleansing his way, he went on two verses later to say, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” The object of cleansing is purity; parameters of moral purity are found throughout God’s Word, so that aligning ourselves with God’s standard and living by it is basic and imperative for Purity 101. (Rodney Stearns)
Purity is based on our relationship with God, without such a relationship purity becomes unlikely!
This devotional is the Thursday, October 15, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Maintaining Purity
Lesson 7 - October 18, 2015
Focus Text: Matthew 5:27-28; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Central Truth: The Christian family is careful to promote sexual purity.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to name several ways they safeguard their family in the area of sexual purity.
Lesson Outline:
- Purity in Thought (Matthew 5:27-28)
- Purity in Speech (Ephesians 5:3-5)
- Purity in Action (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)