Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word.” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review with me the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God.
Today, I will share verses from the Amplified Bible. Let’s review examples of God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message.
Here is our first verse.
For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
– Psalm 73:3 AMP
This verse, a psalm of David gets right to the heart of the matter discussed in today’s message. It speaks to the human condition of envy when we see those who are not walking in step with God and have what we seek. David speaks directly to the prosperity witnessed by the wicked and confesses the envy that grew in him when he witnessed the lifestyle of the arrogant.
Let’s have a look at another verse.
But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [a]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [b]sinful nature; for these, [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
– Galatians 5:16-17 AMP
In this verse, Paul writes to the Galatians about the conflict between the desires of the Holy Spirit and the desires of our flesh. I spoke to this today when I mentioned the fact that we cannot have it both ways. We cannot walk in a world that is sinful in nature and also expect to reap the benefits and rewards of walking in the precepts of God.
It is so important that we seek to align ourselves with God first above the world. While none of us are perfect and we are all sinners, let us all do our very best to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, and even prompt us when we are behaving or about to behave in a way that is in conflict with God’s will. In doing so, we can be confident to be aware when we are potentially blocking our blessings due to our actions.
Let’s have a look at one more verse.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God.
– 1 Corinthians 2:12 AMP
In this verse, Paul writes to the Corinthians as a reminder that we must not align ourselves with the world above God. We are created from God and we all have the Spirit of God within us. We must be mindful to keep in our minds that God can provide us with peace, wisdom, and strength that defies understanding in a way that the comforts of man can never match. If we keep our minds on this truth, we can remember to ensure we are prioritizing Him over the offerings by the world.
Does it mean we cannot enjoy the things of the world? No, not at all. But, if we know there are things of the world that do not honor God, let us choose God first and seek things that will serve to enrich us and equip us to serve God. Let us seek out things in life that bring us joy but would never pull us away from our heavenly Father.
Thank you for your time in reviewing these verses with me today.
Thank you for the opportunity to share encouragement. Here @walkinginstepwithGod we truly appreciate your support. We are fully committed to Christ and the community. We invite you to join us in fellowship and to seek opportunities for fellowship in your local community as well.
