We began this series listing eight qualities needed for spiritual maturity. With the current pandemic situation gripping the world, we need to stay focused. It does not mean that we ignore the crisis, it means that we keep our eyes on the Lord. It is a trial and we must go through it as overcomers. The way to victory is through faith, as we stay focussed on our goal to be perfected in love.
In this article I don’t want to start a discussion on why this pandemic is going on. Good comes out of every situation, so I want to stay focussed on the good that will come out of it. James tells us that the testing or our faith produces patience, which helps us grow spiritually. (See James 1:2-6) James goes on to tell us that as we go through trials, we should seek wisdom from God. Wisdom is applied knowledge. It involves the renewing of our minds to the Word of God, the submission or our will to God’s will, and the expression of His life through us by the obedience of faith. With wisdom comes discernment and understanding. (See Prov. 2:1-11) We need to discern between good and evil in ourselves in order to come to maturity. (Heb. 5:14) We need understanding in order to maintain the victories that we are given. (See Ps. 32:8-9) We have a promise from God that if we submit to Him and resist the devil, he will flee from us. (Jas. 4:7)
So, how do I submit to God in a trial? I guard my heart so that no doubt or evil thought settles in. That includes any type of fear or selfishness. I seek to remain humble enough to know that some of these thoughts could find their way into my heart, so I pray “Search me O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24) Then, I incline my ear to wisdom, I apply my heart to understanding, and I cry out for discernment. (Prov. 2:1-3) If I do this, I will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:5)
What is the fear of the Lord? It is a reverence, a respect for who God is. He is all knowing, all powerful, and I cannot come near Him unless He permits me. The good news is that He has opened the way for me to obtain mercy and grace to help in my time of need. (Heb. 4:16) I can come boldly (not arrogantly) before Him by the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10:19) The fear of the Lord also means that I recognize He is just and that I must give an account to Him for all my actions. (See Rom. 14:12; 1Co. 3:.13-15; 2Co. 5:10) To fear the Lord, therefore, is to hate evil. (Prov. 8:13) Every type of sin brings death so it is imperative that I recognize it and remove it at the root. The fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Prov. 9:10)
As stated above, discernment comes with wisdom. I need discernment because some problems are deeply rooted in wrong understanding and beliefs. There are strongholds of the enemy in my life that I may not be aware of. (2Co. 10:3-5) Since I don’t know the problem exists, I need to be placed in some type of circumstance that will cause it to rise up. If any behaviour occurs in me that is not in line with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), I recognize that as the works of the flesh. I need to repent for that behaviour, but in order to overcome it, I need to discern the root of the problem. I have been taught to look for the root in three main areas: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1Jn. 2:16) This is the nature of sin that came into all humans because of the fall of man. (Gen. 3:6) As I explained in the article on the Process of Transformation, my struggle is against “sin” which lives in my natural body. This force of sin operates through the parts of my soul that have not yet been transformed. I put to death the works of the flesh by faith with the help of the Holy Spirit. (Ro. 8:13)
Let me give you an example in my own life to illustrate this process. When I came to the Lord at the age of 20, I had a serious problem with the fear of man. One day, while walking through Queen’s Park in Toronto, I found a tract with The Lord’s Prayer printed on it. When I looked up, I could see in the distance a man sitting up against a building with his head down. It looked like he had a gun in his hand, and he appeared wounded. There was a strong impression in me to give this man the prayer card. Well, there was no way I could do that. As I continued to argue with the Lord, some police officers arrived and approached the man. He did not resist them. By this time there was no longer a threat of harm, but I still could not find the courage to go up and ask if I could give the man the prayer card. I continued on my way feeling like I had let the Lord down, and of course I had. I later repented of my failure but I did not want to fail again so I sought the Lord for deliverance from this fear. He led me through some healing of past hurts where this fear had found a foothold. Remembering those situations was part of the needed discernment. I had to forgive those who had offended me. I also had to repent of the decisions I had made to protect myself. The Lord showed me that this fear was rooted in the pride of life. I did not want to sin against the Lord but this behaviour was such a stronghold in me that I had to admit I did not know how to live without it. It was like a security for me. It is difficult to let something go if you think you need it. So, I asked the Lord how I could act in situations if I had no fear. He showed me through His Word, especially in Proverbs, that I needed to get wisdom. This is how I came to seek after wisdom with all my heart.
The trials I go through are never pleasant, but when I realize the fruit that can come out of them, I can be thankful in every circumstance. (1Thess. 5:18) I don’t thank God for something the devil does, but I thank God in the situation because He will help me through it. He is big enough to cause all things to work together for my good because I love Him and He has called me according to His purpose. (Ro. 8:28)
Highway in the Wilderness 