The Beasts of the Field

 The Beasts of the Field

A Lesson on our Christian Struggle.

When we get saved, we might notice that there are things that change in us immediately. But, there are other things that do not. It's like God saves us and removes some things but leaves other things in our lives for us to struggle with. I mean if God wants us to be good, then why  not just take it all  away?

I really had a problem with this, so I prayed about it and the answer was revealed to me in Deuteronomy Chapter 7.

But, first let's do some clarifying. If you have spiritual questions, the first place you should turn is the Lord. James says God will give you wisdom if you ask. Jesus says in John, that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. (James 1:5, John 16:13, 1 John 2:27)

Second, Paul said that The things that happened in the Old Testament was done to teach us things today. ( 1 Cor. 10:11)

So, when you read Deuteronomy chapter 7 you will see that the chapter is about God giving instructions and encouraging Israel in their battle against the wicked people who were now occupying the promised land which God was bringing Israel into. He is telling them that He will help them to overcome these people. 

BUT....  

He then says this "And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee."

When I read this it struck me.

The entire Exodus story is a picture of our salvation. God brings us out of the World (Egypt) by His mighty power, not by ours.

He parts the Red Sea (sin) and brings us through to where He sets us down to teach us.

He brings us to the abundant life he promised.(The Promised Land) If we fail to trust Him, then He lets us wander in the wilderness till our faith builds and our old selves die out.

That's what happened with Israel, and that is what happens with us in our salvation experience and relationship with him.

See it?

So, imagine that the nations in the promised land are not people groups. Imagine them as sinful behaviors or demons in our life. Yes, They were literal people groups, but God did this to teach us a spiritual truth, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10.

So, we enter into the abundant life He promised. An abundant life comes through salvation and a relationship with Him. When we are saved, God has washed us and removed us from the Kingdom of Sin, Satan and Death, and placed us in His kingdom. This is a spiritual act, which will become increasingly more real over time, and be fulfilled when we leave this life. Abundance is not what we think it is. But, our mind will change to see the abundance. Our abundance is in Him and His presence and provision. As He chooses. (John 10:10, Romans 12:1-2)

As we live and grow in Him, these demons (wild beasts) are driven out and we no longer do the things we once did. This is spiritual growth. God drives out the Sinful behaviors or Demonic entities from our lives.

See it?

He does this as we grow ready to receive it. When we get saved we are washed and cleaned. But there are still battles. As we grow we overcome through Him, and the battle grows us and prepares us for the next battle. All this is done by Him and through Him. Not our works. The Fruits of the Spirit are developed in us as we listen to His Spirit and follow Him.

If God just took it all away, then we would not be prepared to hold on to it.  More demons and sinful behaviors would come because we were not ready to stand against it. We could not occupy our life, the abundance would lead to our destruction. Like a poor person winning the Lottery and they are ruined in a year. They did not have what was needed to excel.

Like Jesus said, " When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matt. 12:43-45)

So what do we learn from this?

Well, we learn that God is in control He is fighting the battles and we just move in and occupy. Sometimes its tough waiting, but that is teaching us patience and trust. 

Sometimes we grow frustrated and think God is not there or He doesn't care about how we are suffering. But, that is not true. That is the enemy trying to get you to step out of God's will or take matters into your own hands. The Lord will tell you what to do. Trust Him. He is working. (I'm not telling you to stay in really bad situations. pray and seek Him, listen to the Spirit. He knows the truth.)

So, the point is that you are saved. You know you are saved, because you care about spiritual growth and the relationship with God. So, relax. God's got this. Do not think that the dirty little things you do are destroying your relationship with God. Just confess them, and watch Him work. Your confessing to Him, is bringing it up so it can be removed and you can grow. No matter how many times you fail. Keep confessing it.

He has left things in your life to help you grow and to keep you in relationship with Him. He is not worried about it. You should not be either. You are not ready to hold on yet.

Read Deuteronomy 7. Think of it in terms of your struggles. Be encouraged. God saved you cause He loves you. He did not go through all that pain and effort, just to let you die in the wilderness. Trust Him.

-----

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Read more from Chris Bunton:

Hearing From God... https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/2024/02/hearing-from-god.html

Are You a Hypocrite?

 Are You a Hypocrite?

A Word on Hypocrisy

 

 

Calling someone a hypocrite, or saying "Don't judge me", are the sword and shield, which people use to defend their actions. So, let us look at hypocrisy and figure out what is going on.
     First, If a person feels the need to use these terms such as “You’re a hypocrite or don’t judge me”   They should stop for a minute and ask themselves. Who is it that is judging me?  Is it the person outside?  Or is there something deep inside of me, which makes me feel like what I am doing is wrong, so I must blame others?  Which is it?  Why is it there?
     Second, we are all hypocrites to some degree. We often tell our children not to do things that we ourselves have done in the past or currently do. We tell children not to cuss, even when they have heard us cuss. We do it because we do not want little Johnnie to yell something bad at Grandma’s house. We do it because we do not want to hurt Grandma. We are hypocrites.
     Is it wise to say, “Sure Johnnie, you can go out and drink and drive with your high school buddies.  After all, I did it, and I really wouldn’t wanna be a hypocrite.” Then, little Johnnie becomes a drunk and dies in a car wreck 10 years later, because you allowed it, without saying a word.   But, at least you kept your integrity, I guess. Sure Johnnie might do it anyway, but at least you tried to stop him. Parenting in this manner, by letting kids do anything they want to do so we can avoid hypocrisy, would be insane.
     Third, why does hypocrisy always surround moral issues? If we were at a picnic and I told you that someone poisoned the water cooler and I drank from it and got sick. You would call me a hero for protecting you and your family. However, if I told you that being a drunk ruined my life and the lives of many people around me. You would call me a hypocrite and say, “don’t judge!!”  Is it me who is judging you or is it something inside of you, poking at your heart?
     Why are generalizations allowed in hypocrisy? If I say that Jesus died to save us from Hell, and we should turn to Him, confessing Him as Lord, asking Him to save us and work in our lives. I am called a hypocrite because I am a Christian. Not because of anything, I have taught personally, but just because I am a Christian. Are all Christian’s hypocrites?
     A hypocrite is someone who tells people to do things they do not do themselves. Therefore, searching for some other bad thing another person does, in order to make you feel better, does not make the other person a hypocrite. It makes them a sinner like you and me. They are only a hypocrite if it is the same thing you are doing; and if they tell you that you should not do it. For example: a thief telling someone not to steal would be a hypocrite. But, dredging up the fact that your sister cheats on her husband, when she says you’re a drunk, doesn’t make her a hypocrite. It makes her a sinner like you.
     Finally, the hypocrisy of the speaker does not change the truth of the message. If a man is terribly over weight and he points at you with a chicken leg he is eating, and tells you… “You better watch what you eat and eat healthy. Don’t eat too much and make sure you exercise” Is he a hypocrite? Yes! However, his message is true nonetheless.
     God can use many methods to bring a warning or message into our lives. He once used a donkey to tell a prophet he was wrong. We must listen to the message and not look at the messenger. God will often use the foolish things to confound the wise. (1 Cor. 1:25-31) He might use a homeless man to open the eyes of a lawyer. But, what if the lawyer refused to listen, because the man was homeless?
      Calling someone a hypocrite or saying “Don’t Judge Me” is a defense mechanism that Satan has given humans, in order to keep you from escaping his control of your life. It’s quite an ancient phrase and was even used in Sodom against Lot, when he asked the people not to rape the travelers. (Gen. 19:7-9) Ask Jesus to save you and help you. Even saved people can have demonic influences in their lives. Learn to recognize the difference between the demonic and the Holy Spirit. You would be very surprised to learn how many believers listen to a Spirit of Fear, or some other entity and not the Holy Spirit.  Ask the Lord to help.
     Am I saying that we should obey everything that people tell us to do in our lives? No. But, evaluate the message. Do not just discard it because of who the messenger is; because it is very easy to find fault with every messenger. If you cannot find fault with the messenger, then Satan will place many other excuses into your mind or my mind that will work just fine to help us avoid listening and evaluating.
     I am Chris Bunton and I am a hypocrite. I ask God to forgive me, save me and help me to overcome. Now, how about you?

------

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the Author, The Ceiling of The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

First, Go To Your Brother

 First, Go To Your Brother

A Lesson on Resolving Conflict in the Church.

I have worked in church ministry for around 17 years now. In the ministry you must deal with all kinds of people, and live your life in a way that is above reproach. Often times even to the extent that your freedom is curtailed, and you are keeping yourself from doing things that God’s Word allows you to do; simply because of traditions, or the false beliefs of others.
     What often happens in churches is that a brother or sister will notice some behavior, or flaw in another church member or a staff member of the church.  Then, instead of going to the “offending” party, they will take the matter to the pastor of the church, or a teacher, or some authority.  Almost like little kids running to tell the teacher or principal. Why anyone would want to come and be a part of this sort of school yard nonsense is beyond me.
     Jesus in the book of Matthew sets down how conflicts of this sort are to be resolved. He says “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”---Matthew 18:15-17
     It doesn’t say, “Run and snitch to your pastor.” I have looked everywhere, and I cannot find it at all. What amazes me is that pastors allow it; and even go confront the “offending” brother for the other person. A pastor or person in authority should refuse, and immediately ask the tattle tale “Did you go to the person alone already?” This simple question would take so much pressure off a pastor or leader, and solve many problems in the body.
     The first thing that refusing to follow the words of Christ does is make the pastor or leader look bad. They are violating the words of Christ in order to confront someone for allegedly violating the words of Christ. How ridiculous is that? They are wrong from the get go. Then, it creates a barrier between the authority and the alleged offender. The pastor or leader should be someone that every member can go to and feel safe talking to or gain spiritual advice from. But now, here’s this thing that has popped up between them causing embarrassment or anger or resentment. It is from Satan and is part of his effort to divide the flock, so he can isolate members and destroy them.
     Jesus knows our frame. He knows we have a corrupted nature and that we will sin. He set down rules for a particular reason, and to be followed in a particular way. Think about it. He knows we are often petty. He knows we get bitter, and irritated or frustrated, and that we think only of self. So, he commands that if we have something against a brother or sister we should go to them alone.
     The purpose of this is to cause the person to consider whether it’s really worth confronting someone over, or not. Does it need to lead to a confrontation that could destroy friendships and drive people away?  But, if you can just go complain to someone and get them to attack the person, there’s no soul searching needed.
     You are supposed to carefully consider yourself first. What is my real motive in this confrontation? Do I have a valid reason or is it just my pet peeve or OCD acting up again? Do I have a real relationship with this brother or sister, to be able to go to them in love? What will be the possible outcome? What’s the worst case scenario? Is it really sin? Could God be using this to grow me; and reveal flaws in me that I need to look at and confess to Him, so He can get that stuff out of me? What is really going on with this brother or sister?
     Do you see the self reflection that should come from this situation? Next, it should lead a person to search the scriptures, and pray to the Lord for the Holy Spirit to show them what the Word says on the subject. A believer must go to a person in love, but also realize that they are going to them in the authority of the Lord. If not, then don’t go to them. Just leave it alone instead. Pray for them, and forgive them within yourself.
     Believers are supposed to be focused on their own walk with God, not worrying about what others are doing. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  God never answered this question, but there are other places in scripture that shows we are to be concerned with the lives of others as well. However, the scriptures also show that there are ways to do this.
     First, focus on your own walk. Mind your own business. You are as much a sinner as anyone else, remember that. What if God decided to be as picky toward you as you are to others? What if He decided to strike you every time you sin? Consider this. Then show grace, like God does. He is teaching you grace. Second, there are times when someone does something to you that needs to be dealt with. Pray about it, and then go to the person alone, in love with scriptures to support you if needed. Do not let it become an argument. Say your piece, then listen to their reply, then answer again, and listen to their reply, then start to work your way out of the situation.
     Also, sometimes the Lord will bring someone else’s sin to your attention. There are many reasons for this. First, maybe he is using someone else’s sin to teach you something about yourself.  Second, He wants you to pray for the person caught in sin. That is always the case. Third, if God continues to burden you with the sin, then you must prepare yourself with prayer and self reflection, and scripture. Then, if the burden remains and you know you are being called by God to go to the person, then go in love. Hopefully you already have a relationship with the person.  This is important.
     If the person refuses to hear you, then you take it before 2 or 3 others. This is when you would go to the pastor or other leader, as well as mutual friends. Now, “refuses to hear you” does not mean that they refuse to obey your wishes or views. They might have valid reasons, and even scripture for why they are doing what they have done. That’s what talking alone will resolve.
     Next, if the person won’t listen, then take it to the church, and then treat them as a publican or sinner; which basically means that you love them and pray for them but reduce fellowship with them. This is done to protect the church from falling prey to the same sin the person has committed, or to protect the offender from getting hurt as well in some other way. The hope is that eventually God, will bring all parties to their senses, and the relationship will be healed.
     Churches are a gathering of believers. They are a body, which has a purpose. That purpose is to reach others for Christ, and to strengthen each other, to make us more effective soldiers in this war. We need to follow the Spirit, and learn how to conduct ourselves in ways that won’t drive others away from Christ, or from the Body.  I’m not saying that we must conform to the standards the world sets on us; I’m saying that there are simple methods in the Bible, laid down by the Lord Himself that can help us prevent trouble before it starts; if we only will do it.
    How people are treated within a church body is important for keeping believers on a spiritual path and drawing closer to the Lord and others in the body. Not driving them away into the world where the Enemy seeks to devour them. Great resentment exists in the hearts of many who turned to the Lord, and God’s children at church drove them away. Stop doing it. 

-----

 Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry Ebook called Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery Ebook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the Author. A bridge over swampy waters on a trail in Southern Illinois.