PRAYER LIFE SEMINAR
Learning To Pray In A Distracting World
“How do you stay focused when you are distracted with so much to do?”
“How do you pray longer than five minutes?”
“How do you pray when your own life is messed up?”
“How do you ask when you’ve tried it before and it doesn’t work?”
Come learn the answers to these questions!
Join us on August 26, 2006 @ 8:45 a.m.
Lunch & Childcare provided
$15 a person
Register now ONLINE www.ompc.org
Oak Mountain has a prayer conference coming soon.
Led by Paul Miller
"Many of us are quietly defeated in our private prayer lives. We've tried praying, but it just doesn't seem to work. So we feel frustrated and guilty.
Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian faith, but it is often uncomfortable for Christians because it arouses feelings of frustration and guilt for them. Difficult questions that often contribute to these feelings are:
How do I start praying when my own prayers put me to sleep?
How do I ask when I've tried it before and it doesn't work?
In this seminar, we will learn step-by-step how to begin a private life of prayer in fellowship with our heavenly Father."
(For more information, please visit Paul's ministry website - www.seejesus.net)
About the speaker: http://www.seejesus.net/about_director.html
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Fruit of the Spirit – Gentleness - Jim McCool
(Meekness and Humility)
July 30, 2006
Blessed is the man … He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1,3
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
1. What does gentleness look like & What does gentleness not look like?
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Isa 41:17, Lu 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Ga 5:23) Strong’s Lexicon in The Unbound Bible
"Meekness" is more in the mind internally; "gentleness" in the external behavior, and in relation to others… Jamieson Fausset Brown
>Self-forgetful and Others-rememberful
Strong’s Lexicon brings out two directions for the characteristic of gentleness, or meekness. The meekness toward God is anchored in the confidence that God will bring about justice in His time. This is related to what Gordon was talking about in the lesson on joy – specifically in adversity. It is also related to patience. It believes God is in control and He is bringing about, or allowing, what is best. The second direction is gentleness toward people. Gentleness is other-focused, not self-focused. It doesn’t create strife or dissention. This statement in Strong’s also points out how it is God’s goodness that allows the gentle person to be good to others. This is just another indication that the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit; all these characteristics come along together when the Spirit is bringing about growth.
James 3: 13, 16-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom…. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
>Temperament vs. Gentleness as a characteristic of Spiritual fruit
Some of us have temperaments that are the opposite of whatever Pleasers are. Our natural inclination is to view almost all of our anger as righteous indignation. We point to Jesus driving out the money changers, or just before he healed the man with the withered hand on a Sabbath and he looked around at the crowd with anger, or when he bellowed for Lazarus to come forth. We look at these and we say, “Yea, Jesus! That’s what I’m talking about!” And we justify our reactive temperaments. Clearly, we do not need anyone to tell us that it’s OK for God’s children to be angry about certain things. We know how to be angry all too well.
Others of us do, in fact, have the Pleaser temperament. We will just let folks string us out until we are way over-extended. We think we are being so gentle. Then, in order to keep from disappointing someone, we may resort to “a little white lie”.
Another distortion of a Pleaser temperament leads some of us to have a definition of gentleness that somehow includes passive-aggressive manipulation.
Coercing or manipulating others is not the same as being gentle. Denying our gifts as image-bearers also is not being gentle.
>Gentleness and Strength, or Courage, are not mutually exclusive
We have heard it said, “Meekness is not weakness.” The reference that John gave all of us to use as a starting spot for these lessons is The Fruit of the Spirit by John W. Sanderson. He camps out on the point in the chapter on gentleness that this characteristic does not exclude strength or courage. If we look at Moses, David or Paul, they were hardly men of weakness. John Sanderson makes the point that Christ was meek, but it took infinite strength for him to go through what he did for us.
Within the work of the kingdom, there are times and reasons for exercising more gentleness or more strength. And, courage is necessary to exercise either in a spirit of wisdom.
2 Corinthians 10:1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
I Corinthians 4: 20-21 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Perhaps another way to look at this gentleness & strength issue is to recognize that it takes the meekness of wisdom and strength of character in order to bless others or to lead them into the throne room of God.
>Christ set an example of gentleness/meekness/humility
Psalms 45:4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 21:5 Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.
Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Peter 2:21-23 Show us that Jesus’ response to evil against him was to silently entrust the situation and its outcome to God.
>Other examples
Moses Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.
Paul 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
2. Where and when do we see it in Scripture?
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt 5:5 (also Psalms 37:11) We see that there are some similarities between the fruit of the Spirit and the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are like the fruit of the Spirit in that they are not usually recognized as being descriptive of different kinds of people with different blessings. They are characteristics of a single kind of people who have a deep and complete sense of well-being as a result of recognizing how God is: (1) meeting their needs; and (2) strengthening them for service. Other places in Scripture where gentleness, meekness or humility is a characteristic of blessing or action:
Receive the word of God with gentlenessJames 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Answer for our hope with gentleness1 Peter 3:15-16 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (apologian) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Restore the erring with gentlenessGalatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Instruct opposers with gentleness2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Ministers are to … Titus 3:1,2 Remind [believers] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once … But … God our Savior appeared….
It distinguishes those who are adorned and saved by God Psalms 76:8-9 From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth.
Psalms 147:6 The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
By being teachable, the gentle are taughtPsalms 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
Increases our joy Isaiah 29:19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
Fosters unity in the church
Ephesians 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
3. How do we get it?
>Diligently - We are to be aware of going after it.
1 Timothy 6:10-12 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
Here, it is characteristic of those who are being saved. And, those who are already humble are to seek humility. So, we are to seek growth in the fruit (this is active, not passively sitting and waiting).
Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Here, these characteristics are contrasted with anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, etc. as Paul tells us to put off the latter and to put on the former. The same Greek word to “put on” is used here as is used in Eph 6 where we are told to put on the whole armor of God. It involves our active participation.
>Communally
Most of the graces, fruit given by the Spirit, are evidenced only in community. Gentleness, along with patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control are all evidenced only in community. Not only are they evidenced in community, they won’t grow apart from community. e.g. Patience (or as KJV says, “long-suffering”) You can’t be long-suffering without being long-bothered.
Not only do we need other muscadine vines, we need the right kind of muscadines!
We need the right kind of community. We need a community where we have given others permission to speak into our lives. This won’t be everyone in the church; but, if there’s no one who has the right to speak into your life and point out where there’s an absence of fruit, then you aren’t hanging out with the right muscadines. Getting to that place takes intentional wisdom.
>Paradoxically
Spiritual fruit bearing is organic growth. It’s not mechanical; it’s organic. What’s the difference?
What does it take for a seed to grow? It has to die.
Organic growth of Spiritual fruit is paradoxical in a way.
What does it mean to be self-forgetful?
Is this a Biblical mandate? Absolutely. Think of others more highly than we think of ourselves.
But, what does it mean for us to study and show ourselves approved? We have to be self-aware.
How can we do both: self-forgetful and self-aware?
Seeing little stars at night is clearer with our peripheral vision. We gaze in one direction and we see more objects in our peripheral vision than if we looked straight at the area where those objects reside. Likewise, when we gaze at Jesus, we are able to see more of ourselves and more of others.
There has to be recognition of our weaknesses without an intense focus on us or them. If we’re trying so hard to be gentle, or humble, or meek, it’s still about us. When there’s a focus on “growing fruit”, the flesh will absolutely turn it into a performance. And, then, we are under the law again.
>Crucifixically
What’s the solution? Crucify the flesh (vs 24). But, focusing on crucifying the flesh, just like focusing on growing fruit, is just another focus toward a performance-based identity. So, how do we do this? Notice that “crucifying the flesh” is always linked with the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16 & 24). Having desires is not bad. The flesh does desire; but, the Spirit desires, too (Gal 5:17). God created us with desires. So, gratifying the flesh versus crucifying the flesh doesn’t have to do with getting rid of our desires. It has to do with what our desires are.
For example:
Desiring the acceptance of others is not a bad thing. When it becomes an ultimate thing, we have set our hearts and minds on the things below. We have turned a good thing into an ultimate thing. When my sense of being a valuable person is dependent upon another person’s acceptance, that person’s acceptance has become my God. At the point I am aware of it, I have to say to myself, “The God who made me with the desire for acceptance … that God does accept me! That’s the ultimate acceptance I really want and need.”
First, I have to be aware of where I have placed my highest desire. Then, I remember where my ultimate identity and satisfaction lie. I remember that God “takes pleasure in his people, he adorns the humble with salvation (Ps 149:4 and Col 3:12)
When the flesh is being crucified like this, the fruit will grow. When the fruit grows, it includes gentleness.
(Meekness and Humility)
July 30, 2006
Blessed is the man … He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1,3
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
1. What does gentleness look like & What does gentleness not look like?
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Isa 41:17, Lu 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Ga 5:23) Strong’s Lexicon in The Unbound Bible
"Meekness" is more in the mind internally; "gentleness" in the external behavior, and in relation to others… Jamieson Fausset Brown
>Self-forgetful and Others-rememberful
Strong’s Lexicon brings out two directions for the characteristic of gentleness, or meekness. The meekness toward God is anchored in the confidence that God will bring about justice in His time. This is related to what Gordon was talking about in the lesson on joy – specifically in adversity. It is also related to patience. It believes God is in control and He is bringing about, or allowing, what is best. The second direction is gentleness toward people. Gentleness is other-focused, not self-focused. It doesn’t create strife or dissention. This statement in Strong’s also points out how it is God’s goodness that allows the gentle person to be good to others. This is just another indication that the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit; all these characteristics come along together when the Spirit is bringing about growth.
James 3: 13, 16-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom…. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
>Temperament vs. Gentleness as a characteristic of Spiritual fruit
Some of us have temperaments that are the opposite of whatever Pleasers are. Our natural inclination is to view almost all of our anger as righteous indignation. We point to Jesus driving out the money changers, or just before he healed the man with the withered hand on a Sabbath and he looked around at the crowd with anger, or when he bellowed for Lazarus to come forth. We look at these and we say, “Yea, Jesus! That’s what I’m talking about!” And we justify our reactive temperaments. Clearly, we do not need anyone to tell us that it’s OK for God’s children to be angry about certain things. We know how to be angry all too well.
Others of us do, in fact, have the Pleaser temperament. We will just let folks string us out until we are way over-extended. We think we are being so gentle. Then, in order to keep from disappointing someone, we may resort to “a little white lie”.
Another distortion of a Pleaser temperament leads some of us to have a definition of gentleness that somehow includes passive-aggressive manipulation.
Coercing or manipulating others is not the same as being gentle. Denying our gifts as image-bearers also is not being gentle.
>Gentleness and Strength, or Courage, are not mutually exclusive
We have heard it said, “Meekness is not weakness.” The reference that John gave all of us to use as a starting spot for these lessons is The Fruit of the Spirit by John W. Sanderson. He camps out on the point in the chapter on gentleness that this characteristic does not exclude strength or courage. If we look at Moses, David or Paul, they were hardly men of weakness. John Sanderson makes the point that Christ was meek, but it took infinite strength for him to go through what he did for us.
Within the work of the kingdom, there are times and reasons for exercising more gentleness or more strength. And, courage is necessary to exercise either in a spirit of wisdom.
2 Corinthians 10:1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
I Corinthians 4: 20-21 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Perhaps another way to look at this gentleness & strength issue is to recognize that it takes the meekness of wisdom and strength of character in order to bless others or to lead them into the throne room of God.
>Christ set an example of gentleness/meekness/humility
Psalms 45:4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 21:5 Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.
Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Peter 2:21-23 Show us that Jesus’ response to evil against him was to silently entrust the situation and its outcome to God.
>Other examples
Moses Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.
Paul 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
2. Where and when do we see it in Scripture?
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt 5:5 (also Psalms 37:11) We see that there are some similarities between the fruit of the Spirit and the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are like the fruit of the Spirit in that they are not usually recognized as being descriptive of different kinds of people with different blessings. They are characteristics of a single kind of people who have a deep and complete sense of well-being as a result of recognizing how God is: (1) meeting their needs; and (2) strengthening them for service. Other places in Scripture where gentleness, meekness or humility is a characteristic of blessing or action:
Receive the word of God with gentlenessJames 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Answer for our hope with gentleness1 Peter 3:15-16 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (apologian) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Restore the erring with gentlenessGalatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Instruct opposers with gentleness2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Ministers are to … Titus 3:1,2 Remind [believers] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once … But … God our Savior appeared….
It distinguishes those who are adorned and saved by God Psalms 76:8-9 From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth.
Psalms 147:6 The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
By being teachable, the gentle are taughtPsalms 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
Increases our joy Isaiah 29:19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
Fosters unity in the church
Ephesians 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
3. How do we get it?
>Diligently - We are to be aware of going after it.
1 Timothy 6:10-12 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
Here, it is characteristic of those who are being saved. And, those who are already humble are to seek humility. So, we are to seek growth in the fruit (this is active, not passively sitting and waiting).
Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Here, these characteristics are contrasted with anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, etc. as Paul tells us to put off the latter and to put on the former. The same Greek word to “put on” is used here as is used in Eph 6 where we are told to put on the whole armor of God. It involves our active participation.
>Communally
Most of the graces, fruit given by the Spirit, are evidenced only in community. Gentleness, along with patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control are all evidenced only in community. Not only are they evidenced in community, they won’t grow apart from community. e.g. Patience (or as KJV says, “long-suffering”) You can’t be long-suffering without being long-bothered.
We need the right kind of community. We need a community where we have given others permission to speak into our lives. This won’t be everyone in the church; but, if there’s no one who has the right to speak into your life and point out where there’s an absence of fruit, then you aren’t hanging out with the right muscadines. Getting to that place takes intentional wisdom.
>Paradoxically
Spiritual fruit bearing is organic growth. It’s not mechanical; it’s organic. What’s the difference?
What does it take for a seed to grow? It has to die.
Organic growth of Spiritual fruit is paradoxical in a way.
What does it mean to be self-forgetful?
Is this a Biblical mandate? Absolutely. Think of others more highly than we think of ourselves.
But, what does it mean for us to study and show ourselves approved? We have to be self-aware.
How can we do both: self-forgetful and self-aware?
Seeing little stars at night is clearer with our peripheral vision. We gaze in one direction and we see more objects in our peripheral vision than if we looked straight at the area where those objects reside. Likewise, when we gaze at Jesus, we are able to see more of ourselves and more of others.
There has to be recognition of our weaknesses without an intense focus on us or them. If we’re trying so hard to be gentle, or humble, or meek, it’s still about us. When there’s a focus on “growing fruit”, the flesh will absolutely turn it into a performance. And, then, we are under the law again.
>Crucifixically
What’s the solution? Crucify the flesh (vs 24). But, focusing on crucifying the flesh, just like focusing on growing fruit, is just another focus toward a performance-based identity. So, how do we do this? Notice that “crucifying the flesh” is always linked with the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16 & 24). Having desires is not bad. The flesh does desire; but, the Spirit desires, too (Gal 5:17). God created us with desires. So, gratifying the flesh versus crucifying the flesh doesn’t have to do with getting rid of our desires. It has to do with what our desires are.
For example:
Desiring the acceptance of others is not a bad thing. When it becomes an ultimate thing, we have set our hearts and minds on the things below. We have turned a good thing into an ultimate thing. When my sense of being a valuable person is dependent upon another person’s acceptance, that person’s acceptance has become my God. At the point I am aware of it, I have to say to myself, “The God who made me with the desire for acceptance … that God does accept me! That’s the ultimate acceptance I really want and need.”
First, I have to be aware of where I have placed my highest desire. Then, I remember where my ultimate identity and satisfaction lie. I remember that God “takes pleasure in his people, he adorns the humble with salvation (Ps 149:4 and Col 3:12)
When the flesh is being crucified like this, the fruit will grow. When the fruit grows, it includes gentleness.
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