“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate,” Proverbs 8:13 (ESV). The “fear of God” is not frightful quaking in His Presence or worry-driven obedience to His Will. The fear of God is to love and honor Him above all other things, especially oneself. Oil and water do not mix, nor does godliness (godlikeness) and worldliness. Our role as Lovers of God is not simply pointing to what is wrong in this world, it is for us to illustrate what redemption looks like. We can be fully functional “in this world’ while not being “of this world”. Pure motives, driven by godly morals and delivered in unselfish love is a divine steamroller, crushing foolish arguments, pulverizing false precepts and preparing the ground for what God wants to construct. Father make me an instrument of Your amazing love and use me to reflect your resplendent Light to all I meet.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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