“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors]. Proverbs

15:3 AMP

We are reminded today that nothing is hidden from the Lord! I love this verse because it reminds me that God is looking at the intentions of a man’s heart and not necessarily at his actions. Now, I am not saying that one only have need of good intention but rather when we do go astray, God knows our heart. We must remember and always be on guard that we are sinners saved by grace. The sin nature is always at work within us. Nowhere in the Scripture is there a redemption of the flesh. The flesh is where the sin nature lives. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church the following:

“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 sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].17For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the 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

The command to the believer is to “walk in the Spirit.” The word walk is an active verb. In order to walk you have to make a conscious choice and command your legs to move. You must expend energy to empower your legs to move you forward, and you must pick a direction in which to travel. It is the same in the Spirit! Having victory over the flesh is an active process. You must make a conscious choice to forsake the ways of the world and adhere to God’s Word. You must then expend energy to empower you walk by spending time in His Word building yourself up in the most holy faith. Then, you must chose the direction of your actions and thoughts. 

When we go to the Word of God it is likened to looking into a mirror.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. 25But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].”

James 1:22-25 AMP

Herein lies the issue. Many go to the Word of God but then do not respond to what they see in their life! According to James, if we chose to see the reality of our life and bring it into subjection to God’s Word, we will be “blessed and favored by God!” What a tremendous promise from the Father. It does however say that we must “be an active doer.” I love the verse in 2^nd Chronicles. It is both a blessing and a warning.

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you will have wars.” 

2^nd Chronicles 16:9

God is looking today for those whose hearts are set on Him. We may have losses in the battle, but the Lord will sustain us if we keep our hearts pure and set on Him! Have a blessed day! Pastor Ken