Sermons Series 4:005, 16 July 2011
Pride
Part 2 - The Eightfold Conquest of Natural Pride
Main Themes: pride, sin, natural pride, 3 satanic statements, 8 collisions Yahweh's Word
Minor Themes:
Continued from Part 1
Introduction
Shabbat shalom kol beit Yis'ra'el! Last week we started out study on the deadly sin called pride and today we are going to zoom in on natural pride, examine the five satanic statements that are its foundation, and then look at the eight collisions that natural pride has with Yahweh's tavnith (pattern) and the eight overcoming principles of divine emet (truth). Those of you who are serious overcomers and desire to conquer this sinful disposition will be invited, if you want to, to enter into covenants with Yahweh to overcome this primary-sin nature.
Natural Pride
The sin of pride breaks out in a Christian's life in two deadly forms. The first is called Natural Pride - in other words, various forms of pre-occupation with the natural man. You will all know someone in this category and that this sin includes such things as pride in how we look, pride in what we've done, pride in how we compare with one another.
Spiritual Pride
The second form of pride is called Spiritual Pride. Its various forms of preoccupation with self include camoflaging yourselves in robes of spirituality. Both kinds of pride are vicious. They enter the bloodstream and spread through the soul like a raging river overflowing its banks under the pressures of a storm.
Today, however, we are going to focus on natural pride and the five ways that Satan gets us prisoners of it.
The Five Satanic Statements
Nearly always Satan takes 5 simple statements and through subtle variation tricks us into conforming to his slimy image. Now those 5 statements of satannic self worth are these. Listen carefully to them -- they sound simple on the surface but you'll be hearing them from the enemy almost constantly in your daily life. Here they are:
1. LOOK AT ME
2. LISTEN TO ME
3. LET ME WIN
4. GIVE ME MINE
5. I NEED PRAISE
Please file these five statements in the back of your mind as we proceed and try to remember them as the enemy tries to work on you. You will be amazed to find out how unimaginative the devil really is. He may dress them up or phrase them cleverly but basically he will run those five demands through the biocomputer that's lodged between our ears over, and over, and over again.
The Satanic Carrier that Infects the Soul
Now Satan has a built-in carrier with which he infects mankind with pride. It's called the World System. It is a humanistic philosophy that appeals to the natural inclination of unregenerate man by elevating the value of self in reducing emet (truth) to a relative system of variables. They can change from day to day -- they can change from person to person. There is no such thing to the world as emet (truth).
Humanistic Philosophy's Key Ingredient
The key ingredient of humanistic philosophy is pride, the enthroning of self. And its basic drive is expressed in those 5 statements: Look at me, listen to me, let me win, give me mine, and I need praise. The world programs these thoughts into our biocomputers almost from the time we are born, over and over again -- in school, on television, in computer games, even from well-meaning parents who say, "Look at me, listen to me, let me win, give me mine, I need praise." And when we become Christians our responsibility is to deprogram and then reprogram our minds to think from Yahweh's perspective.
Let us now compare the conflict between the world and the Word of Yahweh where pride is concerned, and ask ourselves some very personal questions about pride.
COLLISION #1
The Word of Elohim (God) and the world collide over the issue of pride. Collision No.1 -- the world says, Look at me! I have the credentials for greatness! I have a right to glory in my strengths! I'm good! And I can do it!
But the Word of Yahweh says in the Book of Jeremiah:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or let the strong man glory in his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this; that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares Yahweh" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV).
The Called - Who are They?
The apostle Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians that Yahweh did not call us because of our wisdom, or our power, or our reputation. In fact He says that not many noble, not many wise, not many mighty have been called. He then gives the reason:
"[Yahweh] chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus), who has become for us wisdom from Elohim (God) -- that is, our righteousness, set-apartness (holiness), and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in Yahweh'" (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, NIV).
What Do You Teach Your Children?
Now I want to ask you some questions. What are you teaching your children to glory in? What they can do? Their school grades? Their atheletic ability? Their talents? How cute they are? How good they are? What is the basis of your praise in their life -- physical accomplishments or spiritual accomplishments? And yet people wonder why the values of children are the way they are today. Yahweh says there is only one basis for boasting or glorying, namely, that they understand and know who He is -- His ahavah (love), His judgment, His righteousness.
What Pleases You the Most?
Now let me ask another question: What pleases you the most? Your weaknesses or your strengths? Think about it for a moment. The typical reply in the world would be: my strengths! Another question: Are you always saying things about your weaknesses? Most of us do. For example: 'I can't do that! I don't have that ability!' Self condemnation is a form of pride. Remember that your weaknesses are Yahweh's springboard to grace! Yahweh's power is perfected in your weakness. And that's why Paul said: 'That's what I glory in!'
Transformer of Weaknesses
The world says: 'Magnify your strengths!' The Scriptures say: 'NO'. Yahweh would rather transform your weaknesses -- so that whoever glories will glory in Him. The only basis we have to glory or boast is to be proud of Him -- who He is, what He has done.
The First Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name, that I will never boast of my own strength, achievements, and wisdom; but I will give all the glory to Yahweh this day and for ever more. Amen." .
COLLISION #2
Collision No.2 between the Word of Yahweh and the world is this. The world says: Compare -- comparison proves. Find someone less talented than you are and compare yourselves -- it'll make you feel good! Find yourself someone more experienced that you are and compare yourselves -- it'll motivate you!
The Scriptures say: 'NO!' Paul says in the second book of Corinthians:
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12, NIV).
The Sin of Comparison
Yahweh says: DON'T COMPARE! It magnifies self. The world says use 'ivory liquid' and your hands will be acceptable to society; use 'Wild Ox Roll-on Deodrant' and your odour will be acceptable to society! Wear this, drink this, do this....because everybody does it. Yahweh says: 'NO! My children are divinely unique; no two are exactly alike. No two are exactly in the same place in their spiritual pilgrimage so any comparison is a wrong comparison!'
Self-Exaltation and Self-Condemnation
Now ask yourself these questions: Am I intimidated by those who seem to do everything right? Do I wish I could speak like he can, or sing like she can, or write like he can, or take care of childen like she can? That's pride. Maybe he or she can't pray like you, or give like you, or care like you, or serve like you. Ask yourself: am I always comparing myself with those who can't measure up so I'll feel better about myself? Most people play that game all the time in one form or another. Or am I glad when someone else fails so that I feel less of a failure? That's pride. On the other hand, do some of us rather compare ourselves with those who are successful all the time so we can prove to ourselves how worthless we are? That's pride too.
Concerning either self-exaltation or self-condemnation, Yahweh says: either way, just stop it! The Messiah in you is not comparing you with anybody. Self wants to do that but remember, self is dead.
Over-Competitiveness
Another form of comparitive pride is an over-competitive spirit. It has to win! On the tennis court, in the swimming races, riding competitions, computer games, even playing family games like chess or scrabble. It has to win, no matter who the losers are, even our own children. Ask yourself: Do you get upset when someone you love wins even if it means you lost?
Consider the Losers
When your children win a swimming competition or a tennis match, do you ever stop to think how the other parents feel? Or if its your own parents, how the children of the parent who lost feel? When you yourselves are taking part in competitive sport, do you only think of winning yourself or are your thoughts on how the other player feels?
People or Winning?
Ask yourself: Is winning everything? Or are people what is important? Satan tells us this lie: We deserve to win! Not so. The only winning that matters is winning the crown of life -- and that we obtain not on our own merits but on the merits of Messiah, through emunah (faith)! Competitiveness is not of Yahweh. It belongs to the world.
In the Business World
Another way we build ourselves up is boasting of our bargains. The Book of Proverbs says:
"The customer always complains that the price is too high, but then he goes off and brags about the bargain he got" (Proverbs 20:14, GNB).
Do you ever thank a store-keeper or a business man for giving you a good deal? Do you ever wonder if the store owner or the employees might be struggling as much as you are? Are you so anxious about getting a good bargain that you are totally thoughtless about everyone else? Does the bargain, or the thought of getting it, totally consume you so that you can only think of yourself?
Developing Sensitivity Towards Others
It is good to get a bargain and be grateful for it but it is wrong to get one and be boastful of it. Human nature always wants to think that it can get away with something. But Yahweh's nature never wants anything to be done at anyone else's expense. Yahweh wants us to develop sensitivity towards others in everything and for us to forget ourselves -- we should never want something for ourselves without having done all we can to meet others' needs first. To seek after self-interest, one's own family interests, one's own country's interests, and so on, is all a problem of pride. Yahweh is no respector of persons, families, tribes, or nations, but treats all alike.
The Second Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name, that I will not compare myself with others or allow a spirit of competitiveness to make its home in my lev (heart). Amen."
COLLISION #3
Now we come to Collision No.3. The world says: Do what it takes to be noticed. Go to the right places, meet the right people, do the right things....look at me! But Yahweh says: 'No!' The Book of Proverbs says:
"When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important" (Proverbs 25:6-7, GNB).
A Parable on Humility
Yah'shua (Jesus) put it even better in the Gospel of Luke in his parable on humility and hospitality. He noticed how the guests all chose the best seats in the house. Yah'shua (Jesus) said that when you are invited to a marriage feast, don't sit down in the best seat, because your host may come up to you and ask you to move for someone else. How embarrassing that would be! Rather, go and sit down in the least important seat; the host who has invited you may then come to you and invite you to one of more importance. Thus you will be honoured. The Saviour concludes by saying:
"For everyone who makes himself great will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be make great" (Luke 14:7-14, GNB).
We're All Prodigals
The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that all who wear this mortal flesh are prodigals and that all should seek for the meanest and humblest positions in the Kingdom, just as the younger son did. It is a proud lev (heart) that seeks honours in the Kingdom and is not content with what Yahweh gives to him.
Humility Expects Nothing
The humble man or woman expects nothing but is willing to give everything. One of our revelations, The Second New Olive Leaf, says:
"Thou shalt not demand another to love thee, nor expect it, nor declare it to be thy right...For when a man demandeth ahavah (love), he putteth a price upon it, buying and selling it for profit like unto a usurer..." (Olive Branch 99:21-23).
No Rights
Likewise a man or woman who seeks honour should not expect it of others or of the Kingdom of Elohim (God), for such presume to declare that their desires are their right. But before Almighty Elohim (God) we have no rights -- we have no right to demand anything.
Self-Importance is Fatal
It is fatal to start thinking in terms of our own self-importance, not because we are unimportant, but because self-importance exalts pride.
The mind of Messiah is 180 degees away from the world. It is the reverse of everthing the world thinks and teaches. If you want to be important, then stop trying to be important! Stop trying to work your way into the limelight. Stop trying to show the world who you are. Stop trying to show fellow believers how important you are! Just labour in the shadows faithfully. If you do, you won't face the humiliation of abasement, but the exhilaration of exaltation.
Do You Insist on the Best?
So let's ask ourselves some important questions: Do you have to have the best seat? Do you have to have the 'best' of everything? Do you always have to have the last word in a conversation? Are you a self-appointed authority on every subject? Do you volunteer an opinion whether you are asked to or not? Do you automatically assume that you belong at the top, or in the front, or alongside leaders? Are you always 'good friends' with the best? Do you automatically assume that you could do that job better? Would you rather volunteer to take command and be told you're not ready, or labour silently in the shadows, in proper submission and tavnith (pattern) until Yahweh invites you to the place of honour through His heads who have toqef (authority)?
The Reason for Having Guests
And who and why do you have guests in your home? Yah'shua (Jesus) goes on in the Gospel of Luke:
"When you give a dinner or lunch, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbours -- for they will invite you back, and in this way you will be paid for what you did. When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. Elohim (God) will repay you on the day the good people rise from death" (Luke 14:12-14, GNB).
The perennial problem of pride is the Word of Elohim (God) and the world in conflict.
The Third Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will not seek to draw attention to myself but serve humbly in the background as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen."
COLLISION #4
Collision number 4. The world says: Tomorrow, success is mine! I'm absolutely sure! I'm only as good as I think I am, and I'm the one that can. But the Word of Elohim (God) says in the Book of Proverbs:
"Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then. Let other people praise you -- even strangers; but never do it yourself" (Proverbs 27:1-2, GNB).
More Boasting
The apostle James says:
"Now listen to me, you that say, 'Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business, and make alot of money.' You don't even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: 'If Yahweh is willing, we will live and do this or that.' But now you are proud, and you boast; all such boasting is wrong. So then, the person who does not do the good he knows he should do is guilty of sin" (James 4:13-17, GNB).
Planning vs. Presumption
This leads me to ask you some more hard questions: Have you found the balance between planning and presumption? Proverbs says: 'We can make our plans but the final outcome is in Yahweh's hands.' Is your emunah (faith) in the future based on your trust in the sovereignty of Elohim (God) or in your business experience, your life insurance, your five-year plan, or your savings account? Do you fit your plans into the unfolding of Yahweh's will in your life, or Yahweh's will into the unfolding of your plans?
The Danger of Postponement
Do you put off witnessing, or ministering to your neighbour, or visting the sick because there will always be another day? What presumption! How do you know what life will bring forth tomorrow? Life is like a mist -- here one day, gone the next. And you may not be here tomorrow, and they may not be here tomorrow. Man says: I'll do it tomorrow! Yahweh says: Only I know what tomorrow brings. Do it today. So be careful. Postponing our duties is a symptom of the perennial problem of pride.
The Fourth Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will seek at once to know and fulfill Yahweh's plan in my life in His strength, and not my own desires and plans in my own strength. Amen".
COLLISION #5
Conflict number 5 in the collision between the Word of Elohim (God) and the world says this. The world says: If no one else will do it, then I'll do it. I'll tell them how good I am! I'll toot my own horn. It'll help you get a job, it'll help you get a mate, it'll help you get recognised for what you are! But the Word of Yahweh says:
"Let other people praise you.....never do it yourself" (Proverbs 27:2, GNB).
The Book of Proverbs further says:
"Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is!" (Proverbs 20:6, GNB).
Yahweh says: Humble yourself, be honest, and let Elohim (God) through others give you your recommendations.
Sneakey Pride
Now some more difficult questions: Do you find yourself sneaking your accomplishments into conversations? For example: 'Oh, yes, I know who you mean...I was able to help him out.' Such a remark is totally irrelevent to the conversation -- the man talking just wanted the person he was talking to to know he had done something for them. Here's another example: 'Oh, I know what you mean, I had a similar experience when I was on the local team and we won the championship.' This information was irrelevent to the conversation but he wanted you to know he had won a championship. Pride! Sometimes people are so generous that they even give Elohim (God) a little credit by saying: 'I've really been so fortunate -- God is so good to me!' 'I sold more than anyone else in my company this month -- isn't God great?' 'I've had so many investigators this week -- isn't Yahweh wonderful!'
Stop Praising Yourself!
Yes, brethren and sisters, people do this all the time. But you are not to. Question: would Yahweh have been any less great if you hadn't been first? but third, or fourth? He says: STOP PRAISING YOURSELF! SELF IS DEAD! How successful can a corpse be anyway?! If Yahweh has done it, He'll handle the encores. Ask yourself: If you take the 'I's', the 'me's', and the 'my's' out of your vocabulary, will there still be enough words left to form a sentence?
The Fifth Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will never seek to praise myself but remain humble and loyal to my Heavenly Father, to Yah'shua (Jesus) and to my earthly 1 head. Amen".
COLLISION #6
Conflict number 6: The world says: Everybody loves a good fight! Go and get what's yours! Stand up for your rights! Give me mine! The Word of Elohim (God) says:
"Arrogance causes nothing but trouble. It is wiser to ask for advice" (Proverbs 13:10, GNB).
"Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust Yahweh" (Proverbs 28:25, GNB).
The Root of Contention and Strife
In other words, the Lord says that Pride is the root cause of contention and strife.
Question: Do you love a good argument? Would you rather fight than change your opinion? Are you always having to ask somebody's forgiveness because you said something you wish you hadn't? Do you always have to have the last word? Would you rather win the battle even if it means losing the war? Would you rather be right even if you hurt someone in the process or even if you lost someone for Yah'shua (Jesus)? Is there always strife in your homes, strife in your ministry, strife in your workplace? Is everybody else always wrong and you're always right only nobody seems to recognise it but you? Then you do know where the problem is -- the perennial problem of Pride.
The Sixth Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will learn to defend the emet (truth) in meekness and with patience. I will cease being contentious and aggressive and insisting on my rights but learn to live in peace and humility. Amen".
COLLISION #7
Collision number 7: The world says: Walk with self-assurance. Hold your head high and dress so that everybody will notice you. But the Word of Yahweh says:
"Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful" (Proverbs 21:4, GNB).
"There are people who think they are so good -- oh, how good they think they are!" (Proverbs 30:13, GNB).
Or as a more literal translation puts it:
"There are... those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful..." (Ibid., NIV).
Your Face and Eyes Tell All
Ask yourself what the one word would be that would characterise the look on your face at any one time-- angry? desperate? compassionate? arrogant? What about the look in your eyes -- compassion? condescension? or unconcern? Look in the mirror -- look in your eyes. Is there a proud look there? A proud look and lofty eyes are not from Yahweh. They are the remnants of a corpse called Self, and that haughtiness is but a symptom of that perennial problem of Pride.
How Do You Dress?
Never dress to get attention to yourself. Yahweh, through the prophet Isaiah, tells us how He felt about the arrogant women who dressed and over-dressed to call attention to themselves. He says:
"The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps with ornaments jingling on their ankles. Therefore Yahweh will bring sores upon the heads of the women of Zion; Yahweh will make their scalps bald. In that day Yahweh will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the head-dresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls" (Isaiah 3:16-23, NIV).
The Snare of Fashion
Perhaps you recognise that condition in the women of today. Even men are imitating them with fine perfumes, rich clothing, earrings and other jewels. Go around any fashionable city centre and you will see just what Yahweh describes in this revelation. He goes on to say through the prophet that all of these things will be taken away. Speaking of a time when Jerusalem will be destroyed by the armies of Antichrist, Yahweh says:
"Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute she will sit on the ground" (Ibid., vv.24-26, NIV).
The Restoration of the Firstborn
This chapter, and the ones that follow, describe the restoration of 12-Tribed Theocratic Nation of Israel (Zion) 2 in the Promised Land and by extension in the 12 Firstborn Colonies that will be established through this ministry prior to the establishment of the New Jerusalem 3. Isaiah says:
"In that day the Branch of Yahweh will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called set-apart (holy), all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. Yahweh will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. ThenYahweh will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding-place from the storm and rain... In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, 'We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!'" (Isaiah 4:2-6, 1 NIV).
The Firstborn Cities of Refuge
The City of Jerusalem is one of the 12 Firstborn Cities that will be established in the Millennium. As you have heard it will be purged by judgment and by fire. There are eleven others that will arise -- ours is called KADESH EPHRAIM, which means, 'The Holy City of the Tribe of Ephraim'. It will not arise in the way that the Millennial Jerusalem does, for this city, which is of the House of Judah (and is also called KADESH JUDAH) will be purged by warfare, blood, earthquake, disease, and much else. By contrast, this, the House of Ephraim gathered in the north countries, is to be purged in other, though similar, ways.
The Proper Way to Dress
The apostle Peter gives us the keys for proper dress when he says:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold, jewellry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Elohim's (God's) sight. For this is is the way the set-apart (holy) women of the past who put their hope in Elohim (God) used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him 'master' (lord). You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear...." (1 Peter 3:3-7, NIV).
Universal Principles of Submission and Obedience
These principles are applicable not only to husbands as well but to the unmarried. To overcome the world's pride there must be a complete spirit of submission and obedience to men and women of Elohim (God), and to Yahweh Himself. There is no other way to purge the sin of pride out. Wives are to obey, and be submissive to, their husbands in Yahweh, and husbands are to be considerate and respect their wives. Children are to obey and submit to their parents in Yahweh, and parents are not to provoke them to wrath. And all are to submit to and obey their spiritual fathers and mothers.
Ahavah, Tavnith and Set-Apartness
I repeat, there can be no purging of this deadly disease of pride until there is perfect obedience and submission in the ahavah (love), tavnith (pattern) and set-apartness (holiness) of Yahweh. The fruits are simple: purity, reverence, and a gentle and quiet spirit. And these fruits are both for women and men. These are the tokens of Yahweh's Holy Order 4, and are the only keys that will open the doors to the higher degrees and mysteries of the Firstborn.
Be Beautiful Inside
Brethren and sisters, you are all called to be beautiful inside. Zion is a condition of inner beauty, purity and holiness. Though much pride has yet slipped in through the doors of the Bayit (House) of Yahweh, and sits here in its arrogance, it cannot proceed into the Holy of Holies until it is purged. Therefore there is no more progression for such souls until they repent.
Dress to Reveal Messiah
We ought dress to compliment inner beauty and we should dress in the world so that others can see Messiah in us. The clothes we wear in the world should reflect the inner character of orderliness, neatness, simplicity, and cleanliness. The way we dress should therefore be a projection of our spirituality, not of our ego and pride.
The Seventh Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will dress according the standards of Zion. I will dress modestly, neatly, simply, and in such a way so as not to draw attention to myself. I will be circumspect in the symbols I wear on my clothing that I may advertise the Kingdom and the King. Amen."
COLLISION #8
Collision number 8: The world says: When others praise you, lap it up. Revel in it. You deserve it! But the Word of Elohim (God) says in the Book of Proverbs:
"As gold and silver are purified by fire, so a man is tested by his reaction to praise" (Proverbs 27:21, LB).
Response to Praise is the Great Revealer
To put this into other words, your pride quotient -- the real you -- will surface like the dross when gold is refined the minute you're confronted with praise.
Ask yourself -- when somebody comes up to you and says: 'Hey, that was good! That was a job well done. I like that!' No matter what you say, do you in your spirit swell with pride? and say: 'There's a person with good judgment! I really was pretty good!' And what if no one recognises the job you're doing, are you just as motivated to keep doing it? Or is praise the fuel that powers the engine of your faithfulness?
A Sinless Response to Praise
There is, of course, nothing wrong in being praised or feeling good about praise provided in your lev (heart) you are spontaneously praising Yahweh and thanking Him for His goodness to you. It is good to praise and be praised if this praise to provoke praise for Yahweh! It's what we do with it that makes it either good or sinful.
Self-Praise is Abmoninable Pride
Pride is a disease which Satan injects right into our levim (hearts). And yet the world thinks it is an acceptable way of life. But Yahweh hates it. There is no room for it in the Assembly of the Firstborn. Yahweh can't stand it. He declares that it is an abomination. He resists it and if it continues He humiliates us. This is a fundamental spiritual law which if you have not already understood it you will come to understand it with crystal clarity.
The Eighth Covenant
I invite you, therefore, either now or when you are alone with Yahweh, to enter into a personal covenant with Him along the following lines:
"I covenant, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name that I will not glory in the praise of others but learn to be modest and retiring. Amen."
Looking Ahead to Spiritual Pride
Brethren and sisters, this concludes what I want to say about the sin of pride. We have looked at the sin of Natural Pride. We have yet to look at the sin of Spiritual Pride -- how Satan takes His personality and infiltrates it into the assemblies, into the churches, into the ministry, into meetings and programs, our attitudes towards faithfulness, our leaders, our theology, and even our spiritual growth. We will then take a look at success, which is Satan's greatest tool to destroy the work of Elohim (God). We will also look at the conflict between humility and a healthy self-image.
Wisdom Born of Humility
Having spent much time looking at pride, we will next come to the wonderful world of Wisdom and how to actually see humility take control of our lives. Until then, when I take this subject further, you should seriously examine yourselves because Yahweh wants to show you specific areas of pride that are crippling your spiritual growth. He desires to give you the spirit of understanding so that you may eventually come under the complete control of the mind of Yah'shua (Jesus).
Jeremiah Prophesies
Yahweh said to the prophet Jeremiah:
"Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for Yahweh has spoken. Give glory to Yahweh your Elohim (God) before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but He will turn it to thick darkness and change it to deep gloom. But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because Yahweh's flock will be taken captive.....Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads" (Jeremiah 13:15-18, NIV ).
What You Must Do
The Word of Yahweh to you today is to sit down, humble yourself, or you will lose your crown of glory. If He is obeyed, a whole new world of fellowship and ministry will open up to you and Yahweh will begin to do His mighty work through each of you. This time of self-examination may be painful but it is necessary if you are to grow in Yah'shua (Jesus) and enter new dimensions of light and simcha (joy). I want you to consider this time to be a time of grace, to allow you to wrestle with your inner man or woman before you are put through new fires in the years to come as Yahweh perfects us in His ahavah (love). All unconfessed and hidden sin will be exposed before the the Great Judgment so it is better to take care of it now in life and yield to Yahweh's purification! His knife may, at times, seem overly sharp but the vessel that it hollows out will enable you to receive and hold the Ahavah (Love) of the Firstborn. May you, like Jacob, wrestle valiantly until you have obtained Yahweh's blessing and entered into the lev (heart) of Messiah, becoming spiritual fathers and mothers of Zion.
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray together:
May Yahweh bless you and keep your minds and levim (hearts) focused on the covenants you enter into. May His love distill upon your levim (hearts) as you submit yourself to Him and His righteousness, fulfilling all that He asks of you. May His shalom (peace) abide in you, is my blessing upon you, in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name. Amen.
Endnotes
1
Father or husband
2
See Israel
3
See The Final Gathering
4
See Chavurah Bekorot
5
See Authority and the Council of Yah's Elohim
Continued in Part 3
Author: Lev-Tsiyon
Glossary of MLT Hebraic, Greek and English Terms For other terms and full details please see the Micropedia
A
Adon(ai) = Master, a pagan fertility god, Adonis; used by many Messianics but not MLT
(a)eon(ian) = 7 dispensation- or age-long time periods, not forever (see le-olam-va-ed)
Alef-Tav = Alpha-Omega, A-Z, first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet = Yah'shua
Amen = truly, let it be so, written Amein by some Messianics
Apocrypha = Hebraic Scriptures not a part of the Protestant canon (e.g. Baruch)
Anti-Messiah = Hebraic term for the end-time Antichrist or anyone opposed to the Messiah
antinomian = lawless Christian who disregards all or part of Torah/commandments
Ashkenazi Jew = East European Jew descended from the Turkic-Japhethite Khazars
Assembly = church, congregation, ekklesia, community, fellowship, koinonia, gathering
Azazel = the Yom Kippur scapegoat
B
Baal, Ba'al = any other master than Yahweh, usually demonic in MLT terminology
Bachor(im) = firstborn son(s)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah = Son/Daughter of Commandment, covenant to obey Torah at age 12
being = soul, the whole person (spirit and body), e.g. "my whole being"
Beit, bet, beth = house, e.g. Beit Yisrael (House of Israel), Beth Lechem (House of Bread)
Beit haMikdash = Yahweh's Temple in Yerushalayim
B'rit Chadashah = the New Covenant; B'rit Chadashah Scriptures = New Testament
B'rit Milah = circumcision - abolished in the B'rit Chadashah, replaced by Mikvah
C
canon = authoritative Scripture (Heb. qaneh, Gk. kanôn = measuring instrument)
Catechumen = a serious, covenanted investigator seeking Mikvah or Baptism in MLT
Chag haMatzah = Feast of Unleavened Bread, second of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Chavurat Bekorot = MLT's Priesthood Order, Holy Order and Assembly of the Firstborn
Cohen = priest; Cohen Gadol = High Priest (also spelled Kohen)
Council of Yah's elohim = the heavenly Assembly of the Firstborn or Chavurat Bekorot
D
demon = fallen malek or angel in rebellion against Yahweh (Heb. shad; see Êl-Shaddai)
derech = the Way, Path or Road - Yah'shua and the Gospel are the Way
Drash = moral or homiletic interpretation of Scripture - see PaRDeS
E
Echad = One, Union of two or more in one (as opposed to Yachid) - see Elohim
Echad Godhead Doctrine = Father Yahweh, Son Yah'shua and Sevenfold Ruach (Mother)
Êl, Eloah, Elah = God the Father, Yahweh
Êl-Elyon = Most High God, Yahweh
Êl-Shaddai = Master/Lord over all shads or demons
Elohim = God, the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit), lit. 'Mighty One(s)', 'Ruler(s)'
elohim = Israelite judges, rulers, angels or gods (false deities, idols, demons)
emunah = faith, actively trusting, clinging or adhering to (especially Yahweh or Yah'shua)
emet = truth, Yah'shua is the Emet
Ephraimite = descendant of the patriarch Ephraim and head of Messsianic Israel
F
Feasts of Yahweh = the 7 annual Moedim (Pesach, Chag haMatzah, Yom haBikkurim, Shavu'ot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot)
G
Gan-Eden = Garden of Eden, Paradise and state of the purified heart in Messiah
goy(im) = nation(s), Israelites or gentiles not born in or converted to the Covenant
H
hallelu-Yah = praise Yah(weh)!
Heylel = proper name of Satan or haSatan = the Adversary, the devil
Sabbath = Yom Shabbat (Friday to Saturday sunset, add 1 day in IDL Zone)
Hochmah = Wisdom, title of the 7-fold Ruach haQodesh
I
IDL = International Date Line, false man-made time division in Pacific Ocean
IDL Zone = Area between the true Divine Date Line (Lake Van/Eden) and the false one
Israeli = citizen of the modern Edomite-Khazar Republic of Israel (not Biblical Israel)
Israelite = citizen of biblical state of Israel or a modern follower of the Messiah
J
Jew = post-biblical term describing descendants of Edomite and Khazar converts to Judaism
Johannine = pertaining to the Apostle Yochanan (e.g. Gospel of John)
Josephite = descendant of the patriarch Joseph, the head of Messianic Israel
Judahite = a person in direct descent from the patriarch Judah, forefather of the Messiah
Judaism = a Talmudic-based religion rejecting Yah'shua the Messiah
Judean = a citizen of the Kingdom or Province of Judah until the 2nd Century diaspora
K
Kadosh la Yahweh = set-apart or dedicated to Yahweh, 'Holiness to the Lord', MLT motto
Karaites = Jews (from 700 AD) who reject the Talmud and accept only the Tanakh
kashrut = keeping kosher, food laws of Yahweh and correspinding lifestyle
Ketuvim = Writings or Hagiographa of the Tanakh
Khazar = a Turkic convert to Judaism ~700 AD forming the Ashkenazi Jewish community
kosher = clean foods authorised by Yahweh for human consumption
L
Lashon Hara = evil-speaking, gossip or slander
legalism = false route to salvation through works (self-salvation)
le-olam-va-ed = dispensation- or age-long, aeonian, not eternal, forever or for eternity
Lev = heart, as in Lev-Tsiyon = heart of Zion
Lev-Tsiyon = Heart of the Fortress [of Yahweh], Hebrew name of MLT's founder
M
Master = Lord, Sir, Adon(ai) - (one in authority, a ruler - a king, husband, prophet, judge)
Malak(im) = Angel(s), heavenly supernatural messenger(s)
manna = wafers of honey, bread from heaven (lit. 'what is this?')
matzah = unleavened bread, see Chag haMatzah
Menorah = 7-armed candlearbra = the 7 annual Moedim and 7-fold Ruach haQodesh
Messiah = Christ; Anti-Messiah = Antichrist
Messianic Community = Body of Christ, sum total of all true believers; all true fellowships
Messianic Evangelicals = Designation of New Covenant Christians
Messianic Israel = all who worship Yahweh, trust in Yah'shua, obey Torah and overcome
Messianic Jew = Messianic convert from Judaism still clinging to Talmudic traditions
Midrash = aggadic interpretation of scripture viâ Drash, a scriptural discussion
Mikvah = baptism by immersion of convert into Yah'shua or of wife into husband
Mishpachah = family: nuclear, congregational, tribal or the whole of Messianic Israel
MLT = Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon = family of the heart of the fortress [of Yahweh]
Mishpat = right-ruling or judgement
mitzvah/mitzvot = commandment(s)
moed(im) = appointment(s) of Yahweh, 7 Annual Feasts, Sabbath and Rosh Chodesh
N
Nefilim, Nephilim = giant offspring of materialised demons and human women
Nevi'im = prophetic writings of the Old Testament or Tanakh
New Birth = spiritual conversion in the Ruach haRishon, being 'born again' with new heart
New Covenant Christians = members of NCCG or MLT
Nidah = a woman's menstruation period during which no intercourse is permitted
O
Olive Branch = collection of revelations, prophecies and visions published by MLT
P
Paraclete = Comforter, Advocate (NEB), Counsellor, Ruach haQodesh (Gk. paraklêtos)
PaRDeS = method of textual interpretation (homiletics) - see P'shat, Remez, Drash, Sod
Patriarch = a father who is head of his family, clan or tribe (lit. 'father-ruler')
Pentateuch = first five books of the Tanakh (Genesis-Deuteronomy), also called Torah
peribolaion = headcovering worn by daughters/wives in submission to fathers/husbands
Pesach = Passover, first of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Peshitta = an Aramaic version of the Bible
Prototrinitarianism = early, simplified MLT formulation of the Echad Godhead Doctrine
Prush(im) = Pharisee(s)
Pseudepigrapha = Non-canonical Hebrew writings additional to the Apocrypha
P'shat = literal, contextual, philological, exoteric, outer meaning of Scripture - see PaRDeS
Q
Qadosh Qadoshim = Holy of Holies, most sacred set-apart room of the Beit haMikdash
Qodesh, Kodesh = set-apart, holy (see Ruach haQodesh)
R
Rabbi = Teacher, term used by Messianic Jews and some Messianic Israelites = Pastor
Refuge, the 12 Cities of = divinely protected MLT fortresses during the 7-year Tribulation
Remez = hint or allegorical level of Hebraic understanding of Scripture - see PaRDeS
Rosh Chodesh = monthly New Moon appointment of Yahweh
ruach = spirit of a person (lit.'breath')
Ruach Elohim = Spirit of God (the Spirit of the collective Godhead or Elohim)
Ruach haChamashee = 5th Ruach presides over Yom Teruah and Yom Chamashee
Ruach haQodesh = the Sevenfold Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost (lit. 'Set-Apart Breath')
Ruach haRevee = 4th Ruach presides over Shavu'ot, Yom Revee and Bar Mitzvah
Ruach haRishon = 1st Ruach presides over Pesach, Yom Rishon and the New Birth
Ruach haShanee = 2nd Ruach presides over Chag haMatzah and Yom Shanee
Ruach haSheshi = 6th Ruach presides over Yom Kippur and Yom Sheshi
Ruach haShleshi = 3rd Ruach presides over Yom haBikkurim, Yom Shleshi and Mikvah
S
Sabbath = Yom Shabbat (the 7th day of the week in the lunar-solar calendar)
Satan = rebel archangel Heylel, father of lies, devil, chief demon (lit.'Adversary')
Sephardic Jew = West European Jew of mixed blood containing many Judahites
Septuagint = Greek translation of the Tanakh, LXX
Shegal haShabbat = 7th Ruach (Sabbath Queen) presides over Sukkot and Yom Shabbat
Shekinah = Divine Presence and Glory of Yahweh-Elohim
Set-apart = holy, sanctified, consecrated, dedicated, separated (to and by Yahweh)
Shabbat-Shabbaton = High Sabbath (e.g. Yom Kippur)
Shalom = heavenly peace, standard Hebraic greeting invoking Yahweh's peace
Shamash(im) = servant(s), deacon(s), attendant(s)
Shavu'ot = Pentecost or Weeks, fourth of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Sheol = grave or pit, euphamism for Hades or hell - also see Tartarus
shofar = ram's horn, blown during Yahweh's Moedim
simcha = joy, keynote of Sukkot
Sod = mystical, anagogic, inner or esoteric understanding of Scripture - see PaRDeS
Sukkot = Tabernacles or Booths, seventh of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Synagogue = Greek word used by Jews and Messianics (but not MLT) for a meeting house
T
talmid(a) = male/female disciple or student
Talmud = scriptures, teachings and commentaries belonging to non-Messianic Judaism
tavnith = pattern of commandments defining a Torah lifestyle
Tanakh = acronym for Old Testament Scriptures - Torah, Nevi'im & Ketuvim
Tartarus = place of imprisonment under the earth for rebellious angels and Nephilim
teshuvah = repentance, remorse and contrition leading back to Torah obedience
toqef = authority, as represented by a husband's or king's sceptre and right to rule
Torah = Yahweh's teachings or Law; New Covenant Torah includes Yah'shua's teachings
Tribulation, the Great = the final 7 years of the present aeon when Anti-Messiah rules
Trinity = Catholic Godhead formula - see Echad Godhead Doctrine and Prototrinitarianism
Tsiyon = Zion, a fortress, a name of Jerusalem and a prominent hill
Tzitzit/Tizitziyot = tassel(s) worn by men in remembrance of Torah
U
Universalism = salvation of all at the cosmic Yovel, with different rewards and punishments
Y
Yachid = one, single person or item, as opposed to Echad (many in one, unity)
Yah'shua the Messiah = Jesus Christ (the Son)
Yahudah = Judah - see Judahite
Yahweh, Yah, YHWH = the true Name of our Heavenly Father, also carried by Yah'shua
Yahweh-Elohim = LORD God (the Father, Yahweh as Head of the Godhead or Elohim)
Yahweh haQatan = the sent Yahweh = Yah(weh)'shua, Malak of Yahweh's Presence
Yam Suf = Sea of Reeds, the true Israelite Exodus water crossing, not the Red Sea
Yarden = Jordan River (lit. 'meanderer')
Yerushalayim = Jerusalem
Yisrael = Israel (lit. 'ruling with Êl') = true believers under the New Covenant
Yom Chamashee = 5th day of the week (Thursday, Friday in IDL Zone)
Yom Din, Yom haDin = (the) Day of Judgement
Yom haBikkurim = Feast of Firstfruits, third of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Yom Revee = 4th day of the week (Wednesday, Thursday in IDL Zone)
Yom Rishon = 1st day of the week (Sunday, Monday in IDL Zone)
Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement, sixth of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Yom Shabbat = 7th day of the week and Sabbath Rest
Yom Shanee = 2nd day of the week (Monday, Tuesday in IDL Zone)
Yom Sheshi = 6th day of the week (Friday, Saturday in IDL Zone)
Yom Shleshi = 3rd day of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday in IDL Zone)
Yom Teruah = Day of Trumpets, fifth of the annual feasts of Yahweh
Yosef = Joseph - see Josephite
Yovel = Jubilee or Year of Jubilee
Z
Zaqen(im) = elder(s) of an assembly or congregation, or senior members of a community
Zoë Life = Greek term for spiritual life in the Messiah
Commonly Used MLT Abbreviations
For additional abbreviations and explanations, please see the Micropedia
A
Amp.V(er). = Amplified Version of the Bible
Aram. = Aramaic
AV = Authorised Version of the Bible - see KJV
B
BCAY = B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh - see NCCG
BCEA = B'rit Chadashah Evangelical Association - earlier name of NCM
BoA = Books of Abraham (e.g. 1Abr., 2Abr., etc.)
C
cp, cf = compare with
CB(Q) = Chavurat Bekorot
CEV = Contemporary English Version of the Bible
ch. = chapter
CJB = Complete Jewish Bible
CLNT = Concordant Literal New Testament
CYe = Council of Yah's elohim
E
Eng. = English
ESV = English Standard Version
F
ff. = and onwards/forwards
fn = footnote
G
Gk. = Greek
GNB = Good News Bible - see TEV
H
Heb. = Hebrew, Hebraic
HEM = Holy Echad Marriage, eternal marriage
HO = Holy Order - see Chavurat Bekorot
HOC = Holy Order Collection of revelations - see OB
HRV = Hebraic-Roots Version of the Bible
I
ibid. = ibidem (lit. 'in the same place'), referring to a book previously cited
ICJC = Independent Church of Jesus Christ, earlier name of NCCF
ISRV = Institute for Scripture Research Version of the Bible
J
JB = Jerusalem Bible
JBP/Phillips = J.B.Phillips translation of the New Testament
JNT = Jewish New Testament
K
KJV = King James Version of the Bible - see AV
L
LB = Living Bible
lit. = literally or literature
LXX = Septuagint, Greek translation of the OT
M
ME = Messianic Evangelicals
MLT = Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon
Moff. = Moffatt translation of the Bible
MRC = Messianic Renewed Covenant Version of the NT
MS(S) = Manuscript(s)
N
NASB, NASV = New American Standard Bible/Version
NC&C = New Covenants & Commandments - see OB
NCCF = New Covenant Christian Fellowship, earlier name of NCCG
NCCG = New Covenant Church of God, earlier name of MLT - see BCAY
NCM = New Covenant Ministries, evangelistic umbrella over NCCG, MTL, &c
NCP = New Covenant Press, publishing arm of MLT
NCW = New Covenant Witness, MLT magazine
NEB = New English Bible
NIV = New International Version of the Bible
NKJV = New King James Version of the Bible
Nor. = Norwegian
NT = New Testament, B'rit Chadashah
NWT = New World Translation of the Bible, unreliable Jehovah's Witness version
O
OB = Olive Branch - see NC&C
OJB = Orthodox Jewish Bible (Phil Goble)
op.cit. = opere citato (lit. in the work cited)
OT = Old Testament, Tanakh
P
p(p). = page(s)
pl. = plural - see s.
PWNC = Prophetic Words of the New Covenant, revelation cataloging system - see OB
Q
QED = quod erat demonstrandum (lit. which was shown to be proved)
R
RCF = Restoration Christian Fellowship, earlier name of ICJC
RhQ = Ruach haQodesh, Holy Spirit
RSTNE = Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition of the Bible
RSV = Revised Standard Version of the Bible
RV = Revised Version of the Bible
S
s. = singular - see pl.
S&G = Smith & Goodspeed Version of the Bible
T
TEV = Today's English Version of the Bible - see GNB
V
Vulg. = Biblia Vulgata, Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible
W
WEB = World English Bible
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This page was first created on 9 July 2011
Last updated on 9 July 2011
Copyright ©2011 Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon (MLT) - All Rights Reserved