Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Falling Flatter

Humility is a thing that is challenged on a daily basis. If someone refers to us as humble, it ahould always come as a surprise to us. If we think that we are the hallmark of humbleness, then we are not humble. It is not difficult in movement ministry for pride to come in. If we have effective dance ministries, we will constantly be presented with compliments, praises, and comparisons to other dancers. Pride can come suddenly and must be cast down as soon as it tries to enter our thoughts.

Authority, recognition, and entitlement seem to be sought by so many who seek to be validated in their gifts. Our flesh wants to feel satisfaction from people who anticipate OUR ministries, OUR anointing, OUR presence, OUR contributions. It's time to stop fighting to get ahead of one another, and fight for the advancement of the Kingdom of God! Promotion comes from Him. Let's make sure that we know what He has given into our hands, and move in obedience concerning our own assignments.

There is no sin in giving honor to whom honor is due. There is a problem with giving people compliments in order to obtain favor from them. Many of us were taught that, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." The revision should be "If you cannot speak the truth in love, don't say anything false." Flattery breeds destruction and pride. Since the Lord searches our hearts, we must keep them yielded to Him.

Proverbs 28:23 (NKJV)
"He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue."

Jude 1:16 (NKJV)
"These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage."

Daniel 11:21 (NKJV)
"And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for these daily devotions.They bless me and minister to me as leader of our new group.