“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” (Prov. 16:18 NIV)

We keep sinking lower into sin

I usually try to focus on positive promises in my daily postings because there are thousands of them throughout the Bible, and the world is filled with negativity and needs a positive remedy to offset it. However, in saying this, the Bible does warn us sternly about the extreme advancements of sin coming on the world during the final days before Christ’s return and we must be aware and warn others. 

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Tim. 3:1–5). 

A world rebelling against God

There are many people today who call evil “good” and good “evil,” as they promote behaviors that the Bible specifically calls sin. People who celebrate homosexuality “pride” and defend abortion on demand often mock those who value life and support traditional marriage, calling evil “good” and slandering good as “evil.” Rebellion against God's word concerning sin brings a skewed perspective and embraces a reversed morality.

Calling good “evil” and evil “good”

A sure sign of spiritual wickedness at work:

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20 KJV)

Why most people don’t see it

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4)

Therefore

What should we as followers of Jesus do?

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Eph. 5:11 ESV)

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17 ESV)

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1 ESV)

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” (2 Cor. 13:5 NLT) 

Like a lot of young boys, I didn’t like tests in school. I was very active, likely classified as ADHD in today's terms, and the day of the test revealed how much I'd read and studied the material, which typically wasn't enough to perform well on a test. But eventually I matured, got better at it, and came to understand that testing is a great way to measure yourself and be prepared properly. In spiritual matters, the more you study the Bible, meditate on what you've read, and grow in Christ, the better you will be at navigating life's challenges. It's a good practice; continuously testing and examining your ways aids in your constant return to God in all your doings.

“Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.” (Lam. 3:40)

Therefore

“No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:27)

“Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28)

“When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed” (Luke 12:43 NCV)

The above promise tells you how to receive a blessing from God. It's simple: stay busy doing what God has equipped you to do. The following passage asserts that God has created you in accordance with Jesus's handiwork to perform the good works he has prepared for you to do.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10 NIV)

Everybody has the ability to do good works, even you!

Depending on the gifting and skill level each person has received from God, the size and type of good works vary. Some can do much, some can do small, but everybody can do something.

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48 NLT)

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Heb. 6:10)

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” (Prov. 27:19 NLT) 

Your heart is what makes you, you

Your heart affects everything you say, do, and feel. It includes your interests, desires, dreams, and ambitions—the things that motivate you to get up in the morning. 

What to do

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37)

How to do it? By putting God first in all your interests, desires, dreams, and ambitions. Pray and ask Him to help you have a clean and righteous heart: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Therefore

Commit your heart to God: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23)

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ez. 26:36)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” (Col. 3:23 GNT)

Whatever you do 

The verse at the top of the page is pretty straight-forward. You must approach whatever you do with the mindset of working for God, not for people. Thinking like this will have a significant impact on your attitude and the quality of your work, propelling you to success in all your endeavors. In fact, it affirms the following command that Jesus gave: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 ESV)

Therefore

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3)

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)

Ask, seek, and knock

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 ESV)

Therefore

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm. 129:195)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Someone once compared Christians to tea bags, stating that you discover their true nature when they get into hot water (trouble). True! Everyone experiences trouble from time to time. And unfortunately, not everyone does well in times of trouble. It's not that God isn't aware and willing to help, it's just that they give in to the problem without seeking His help and guidance. That’s not good! The Bible warns, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” (Prov. 25:26) 

What to do

Turn immediately to God when trouble comes and stay filled with faith.

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 ESV).

In other words, faith is believing when we have no evidence.”  

Therefore

 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

“Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:10)

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4 ESV)

Here’s how

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31)

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom. 12:10)

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rom. 15:1-2)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)

While at a coffee shop recently, I overheard someone say that they hated a certain politician passionately and wished that they would... (I won't repeat what they said they wished would happen to them, but it was ugly.) The person saying this was a fellow believer, so I asked him if that politician was made out of “flesh and blood.” And if their answer is “yes, they are,” then our fight isn’t against them but against the enemy who is using them for his evil purposes. The passage above reveals that our warfare isn't with people but against the spiritual powers who inspire and use people.

God can change evil people!

Pray that God will save and turn around those who are off track. God is good at doing this! A good example of this is the Apostle Paul, who was complacent in the murder of Stephen and actively persecuted and imprisoned Christians. However, Jesus dramatically converted him, transforming him into a great servant for Christ. (See Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-21; and 26:12-18).

Therefore

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Tim. 2:1_2)

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matt. 5:44 ESV)

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)