Falling for false teachers ∙∙

Falling for false teachers ∙∙

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling. – Jude 1:24

Jude 1:24-25

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

In the 19th century, political campaigns were marked by mudslinging and character assassination, with outright fabrications being spread as though they were factual. Moving into the 20th century, mass media like television and newspapers facilitated the rapid dissemination of incorrect information to the public, as seen with the Chicago Tribune’s notorious 1948 headline, “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

The 1950s and 1960s saw a surge of political propaganda. In the 21st century, the Internet and social media have enabled misinformation and disinformation, and “Fake News” has come into its own.

Misinformation consists of false or inaccurate details spread without necessarily intending to mislead, including rumors, unverified claims, and even pranks.

Disinformation, however, is intentionally false information designed to deceive, damage reputations, and misrepresent opposing views through malicious smear tactics, character assassinations, slander, and outright prevarications. It misrepresents opposing points of view. It offers harmful, misleading, and often hateful media coverage.

“Fake News” has become a prevalent issue, characterized by incorrect reporting and fabricated stories. “Fake News may have begun as a slanted interpretation of the facts, but these so-called ”facts” have taken on a life of their own.

In the first century A.D., what we now consider “Fake News” and disinformation were categorized as false teachings, heresies, and apostasy. These were aimed at misleading, confusing, and diverting people, mainly targeting the faithful to dissuade them from seeking God and His truth.

How can we combat this ongoing flood of disinformation? Scriptures provide practical guidance to counter this threat. The Father offers countermeasures and counterstrategies to fight this war for thoughts and minds.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

There are two key goals: to believe and to be filled.

The first step is to accept an incredible gift. We’ve been granted a tremendous promise that becomes ours when we choose to believe. The Father’s promises are like funds deposited in a bank account, available and ready for us to access. All it takes is for us to draw upon them. We simply write the check.

Jude 1:24 assures us that [The Father] is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Of what is the Father capable? How powerful is He? Is He inclined to use His power on our behalf?

The Father is omnipotent, meaning He possesses unlimited power. Whatever strength is necessary, He is more than capable of providing. He is adept and able. But what is of greater importance to His children is that He earnestly desires to protect all of those that are His.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our God, whom we serve, has the power to deliver us (Daniel 3:17).

Father, I am grateful for Your incredible promise to keep me stable. Please help me to meditate on and memorize Your Word.

INSIGHT

We should acknowledge, praise, and worship the Father for His ability and desire to keep the children of the King.

Romans 16:25 speaks of Him, who is able to establish us and make us strong in accordance with His gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ.

The Father has laid a firm foundation for us to stand upon, one that He strengthens us to do so. This foundation is unshakable and impervious to any force, providing a formidable stronghold for believers.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us.

Dream the impossible dream. Seek the unattainable. Embrace the unimaginable and aim for the seemingly unreachable. The Father can do far more than we can ask or think. The only limits are those of logical impossibilities, like creating a square circle. His resources are inexhaustible.

Nothing is impossible when His dreams and aspirations become our dreams.

The Scriptures serve as the food for our faith, filling us with truth and sound doctrine. Mature believers immerse themselves in the Word of God, studying, learning, and applying its teachings. This dedication sharpens us. A keen sense of awareness and discernment develops, preventing us from being tripped up and falling for the toxic deception of false teachers.

Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil [right and wrong].

Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalms 119:9 asks and answers, “How can a young person maintain purity? By living according to your word.”

The Father can keep each child of the King blameless. The Greek word amomos conveys “being without blemish, having no defect or spot,” akin to the flawless sacrifices of the Old Testament, meeting the law’s righteous standards.

By filling our hearts and minds with Scripture, the promise of the Father is realized in us. When we are filled with accurate information, what room is left for inaccurate information?

When false teachers launch their attacks, spreading deception and “Fake News,” we remain secure. In the Father’s hands, we are empowered to stay faithful to the end. Though we may falter at times, the Father prevents His children from falling completely. There may be a few missteps and stumbles, but the Father keeps His children from being hurled down.

Psalms 37:24 Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the LORD holds his hand.
He may fall, but he will not stay down.

It is not that he possesses superhuman strength, courage, or wisdom, nor is it because he is especially deserving that he faces life with such confidence. Rather, it is because God is at his right hand to sustain and strengthen him. God is his helper, and “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Tesh and Zorn).

Every child of the King faces the inevitability of failure at some point in life. It’s a disheartening reality that failure is a part of the human experience. We stumble, we falter, and we sometimes find ourselves on the ground, grappling with our missteps. The pressing question that arises in these moments of profound disappointment is, “How do recover, learn from the experience, and move on?”

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© Dr. H 2024

Worthy of my praise ∙

Worthy of my praise ∙

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Psalms 34:1-8

1 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 In my desperation, I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

In 1999, the album “Better Is One Day” was released. It features a beautiful song that recalls the hymns of old when the Father was the focus of our songs and worship, not us:

You alone are worthy of my praise.

The beginning is as follows:
And I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise

(I will worship)
I will worship (I will worship)
With all of my heart (With all of my heart)
And I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (With all my strength)
And I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (All of my days)
Oh, and I will follow (I will follow)
Follow all of Your ways (All Your ways)

It could be a modern update to David’s ancient Hebrew song, in which he praises and honors the Father for all He has done for him (Psalms 34).

Sometimes, doing good things can have dire consequences and collateral damage. David killed Goliath and became the hero of Israel. Saul grew jealous and pursued him for years (1 Samuel 21). David penned many of the Psalms, including Psalms 34, during this tumultuous period.

Psalms 34 is a vibrant invitation filled with joy. After experiencing the Father’s deliverance, David calls on us to join him in praising the Father and to trust in His saving power. He encourages us to experience the Father’s goodness by seeing, tasting, enjoying, respecting, honoring, and truly knowing Him.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, this Psalm extends an invitation from the Father Himself to all children of the King. He desires for us to taste His goodness, honor Him, and find joy in His presence. The Father is inherently good, blessing and safeguarding those who place their trust in Him (James A. Johnston).

As humans, we often focus on ourselves. This can be a temptation in our service to Him. While seeking the Father’s purpose is commendable, we might find ourselves more absorbed in how it benefits us rather than how it glorifies Him, even in our acts of praise.

True worship should focus solely on the Lord, not ourselves. As children of the King, we are made to praise. Peter reminds us: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, to declare His excellence, for He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

We are called to live lives filled with praise for our Father, and Psalms 34 offers us a roadmap for worship.

When should we worship? Our hearts and words should be full of praise for the Father always, at all times, in every situation, whether good or bad (Psalms 34:1). Worship is a continual, moment-by-moment attitude of the heart.

How do we worship? Our praise and worship center on expressing gratitude and adoration for the Father (Psalms 34:2-3). When children of the King revere Him, an exhilarating transformation occurs within us. Our hearts grow more prayerful and focused on Him. We experience great joy as we rejoice in Him.

Where should we worship? Praise should be a personal ongoing practice. Yet, the psalmist invites us, “Let us exalt His name together” (Psalms 34:3). Collective praise enhances our worship as our voices unite in honoring Him. The Father delights in the collective praise of His children. When children of the King worship and praise Him together, our efforts transcend mere addition; they are exponentially enriched, offering a foretaste of heaven to come.

Is praise an integral part of your life? By giving the Lord a central place in your thoughts and heart, He is magnified, and praise becomes your genuine, instinctive, and natural response (Stanley, Michael W. Wesley).

REFLECT & PRAY

“In prayer, we act like men [people]; in praise, we act like angels” (Puritan preacher Thomas Watson).

Father, guide me to recognize and honor You consistently. May Your magnificent greatness be the focal point of my existence.

INSIGHT

What does it mean to bless the Lord at every moment? To bless someone is to say a good word to them. We speak positively and honorably concerning them.

“Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn’t just words. It’s the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It always involves God because when you do the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing it to pass. So we naturally say, ‘God bless you.’”

“You can bless someone when you will their good under the invocation of God. You invoke God on their behalf to support the good that you will do for them. This is the nature of blessing. It is what we are to receive from God and then give to another.”

“This isn’t just a verbal performance. It isn’t ‘bless you’ said through gritted teeth. It’s a generous outpouring of our whole being into blessing the other person” (Dallas Willard).

When the Father blesses someone, He speaks words over them for their well-being and prosperity. However, when we bless the Father, it isn’t about enhancing or improving Him, as we cannot add to His perfection. Instead, it’s about acknowledging His attributes: His kindness, goodness, beauty, and generosity. To magnify the Lord is to proclaim His greatness (ESV notes).

But there’s more!

As children of the King, we are meant to experience His goodness firsthand. We are not to merely believe in His goodness; we are to come and find out how delightful His goodness is. David appeals to us to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalms 34:8). This is one of the unique instances in the Scriptures where the Father invites His children to put Him to the test. The Father challenges us to actively engage with faith and discover His goodness in our personal experience. Sampling the Father and experiencing His delightful goodness is transformational.

“Tasting” typically means experiencing flavors through the mouth, but it can also metaphorically refer to sampling something for understanding or appreciation. For instance, the phrase “Taste and see that the Lord is good” suggests that one should experience and understand the goodness of the Lord through personal engagement and reflection.

The Hebrew word translated as “taste” is taam. Taam has to do with determining or perceiving the quality of something. We are encouraged to discover through experience what the psalmist already knew: the Lord is good.

How can we sample the Father’s goodness? By immersing ourselves in His Word and meditating on it, we uncover just how delightful the Father truly is.

Psalms 119:103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

“Taste” doesn’t suggest a sip or a nibble; it implies feeding on the Lord through His Word and experiencing all He has for us. It means knowing Him better and enjoying Him more (Wiersbe).

“Too often, we are too full of the stuff of the world to care about tasting from the Lord. May the Lord challenge us to put that stuff aside and taste and see that He alone is good (Stanley)!”

“You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice” (Liddell).

“If it’s not your practice, pick a day this week and praise God throughout the day. Praise Him when you wake up, praise Him when you eat, praise Him when you leave the house and when you return” (Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2024

Two kinds of storms ∙

Two kinds of storms ∙

The LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. – Jonah 1:4

Matthew 14:22-33

 22 Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.

 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.

 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Storms on Earth typically arise from disturbances in the atmosphere, often due to a mix of factors like changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure. As warm, moist air ascends and cools, it can lead to cloud formation and precipitation. When a low-pressure area develops and is encircled by high-pressure zones, the resulting pressure difference causes air to flow from high to low pressure, creating strong winds and severe weather phenomena.

Storms often bring intense weather conditions, such as powerful winds, tornadoes, hail, thunder, lightning, and heavy rainfall or freezing rain. These can significantly disrupt everyday life and often result in significant costs to human life, animals, and property.

The Scriptures distinguish between two types of storms. The first type refers to those allowed by the Father for our growth. These storms are meant to be instructive, offering lessons that enhance our ability to handle challenges with greater skill and fortitude. By responding appropriately, our faith is fortified, and our trust in Him deepens.

As children of the King, we experience the Father’s discipline (child training) aimed at nurturing a faithful, robust generation of loyal followers. His wish is for all His children to become strong in faith and mighty in spirit.

Proverbs 3:11-12

 11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.

 12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

The Scriptures reveal a different kind of storm, one that arises when we stray from God’s will. These storms aim to provoke change in those who encounter them.

In Jonah 1:4, the LORD unleashed a fierce wind on the sea, creating such a tumultuous storm that it threatened to tear the ship apart. Jonah was fleeing from the Father’s plan and call, rejecting the assignment he was given. Instead of traveling east, he boarded a ship heading west. The Father was in hot pursuit. He produced a dangerous storm at sea that posed a threat to the boat and its crew. However, the objective was not to harm them but to reroute Jonah toward Nineveh to complete his calling. To this end, the  Father had made available an intelligently designed and engineered underwater transportation system, aka the great fish.

The tempest arose as a consequence of Jonah’s deviation from the Father’s plan. He was out of God’s will. This was a corrective storm designed to bring Jonah back into alignment with the Father’s will. The storm was a consequence of Jonah’s disobedience, and he needed to be redirected onto the right path. The Father used the storm to guide Jonah to where He wanted him to be.

REFLECT & PRAY

“There are two kinds of storms: storms of correction, when God disciplines us; and storms of perfection, when God helps us to grow” (Wiersbe).

Father, help me to remember that in the midst of storms, You are by my side and interceding for me. You are greater than any storm.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ intentionally sent His disciples ahead in a boat as He stayed behind to pray for them. Was He aware a storm would arise? Of course! Did He purposefully lead them into it? Indeed! They were safer amidst the storm within His will than on solid ground amidst the crowds but outside His will.

“We must never judge our security based on circumstances alone” (Wiersbe). Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God.

When a powerful storm arose, the disciples were terrified, fearing for their lives. Yet, they faced this storm precisely because they followed Jesus’ instructions. He was their Personal Trainer. This was part of His training program for them. It was an opportunity for the disciples to observe and learn more about His miraculous power and control over nature. They were astonished by what happened.

Amid the storm’s fury, Jesus approached them, walking on water. The exact nature of His walk is left to the imagination. Was He like a surfer riding the curls beneath the crests of the large plunging waves? Did the sea calm as He walked and became relatively placid beneath His feet? The Scriptures do not say. Regardless, He was in complete control of the energy and surge of the storm and powerful waves.

But there is more. They had just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. What was the intended takeaway? The Lord Jesus Christ has power over nature. It is mere fingerwork for Him to provide for people’s needs. After He sent the disciples into the sea to face the coming storm, He retreated to the hills to pray for their safety and growth.

Mark 6:44-52

 44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!

 45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida while he sent the people home.

 46 After telling everyone goodbye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,

 52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

The disciples had failed to put two and two together and were unprepared to handle the coming storm effectively.

Many Christians mistakenly believe that following God’s will guarantees an easy journey. But this isn’t true. Jesus assured us, “In the world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). When we’re caught in a storm due to our obedience to Him, we must remember that He led us there and is capable of taking care of us (Wiersbe).

While we navigate life’s storms, where is the Lord Jesus Christ, and what is He doing?  He is seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places. He was praying and making intercession for us. What a wonderful prayer partner!

Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

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© Dr. H 2024

I want out ∙

I want out ∙

As for me, I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. – Psalms 55:16

Psalms 55:4-18

 4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.

 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

 6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!

 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.

 8 How quickly I would escape – far from this wild storm of hatred.

 11 Everything is falling apart; threats are rampant in the streets.

 12 It is not an enemy who taunts me – I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them.

 16 But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.

 17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.

 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me.

Fear is a universal human experience, with at least 60 percent of adults acknowledging that they harbor at least one unreasonable fear. Despite its pervasiveness, the exact reasons why these fears manifest remain elusive. Secular research offers various theories: one suggests a genetic predisposition to fear, while another attributes it to past traumatic experiences.

Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats or dangers. It is often characterized by anticipation or dread of potential disappointment or catastrophe. Fear can be rational, based on real and immediate threats, such as physical danger. However, it can also be irrational, arising from imagined dangers or past experiences, like the fear of failure or the fear of rejection. Phobias, such as arachnophobia or claustrophobia, are extreme examples of irrational fears that can significantly affect a person’s life.

Fear is a fundamental survival mechanism that triggers a range of physiological and psychological reactions. It prepares the body to either confront or flee from the threat, a response commonly known as “fight or flight.”

At times, our world can be daunting, causing fears to surface and driving us to worry, dread, and heartache. This is especially evident when it comes to fearing the future. Fear reveals more about us and our inner selves than our circumstances. While it is natural to experience anxiety when danger is present or bad things happen, overcoming fear is possible. It all depends upon what we do with it. By acknowledging our fears, understanding their origins, and facing them with courage, we can transform fear from a limiting force into a catalyst for growth and resilience. Faith has the power to transform our fears into opportunities for growth and resilience.

In Psalms 55, David is overwhelmed by the turmoil surrounding him and teeters on the brink of what we might now call a nervous breakdown. Engulfed by uncertainty, he yearns for a way to escape. David wants to run away, make that, fly away.

Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! (Psalms 55:6).

Despite the weight of his fears, David had developed a lifestyle of faith in the face of overwhelming odds. Rather than giving in to fear, David chose to pursue hope and confidence. Rather than running away from his pain, he decided to face it and ran to the Father. David called upon the Father to rescue him in his circumstances, not from the circumstances (Psalms 55:16).

In those moments when life feels unbearable, and escape seems tempting, David’s journey inspires us to boldly trust in the Father and rise above our immediate fears.

As Charles Stanley reminds us, “When the walls close in and the floor gives way, we often wish we could be anywhere but where God has put us. Trusting God, however, means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Consider your own responses to fear and uncertainty. Are you seeking to escape or find refuge in faith?

Father, I often find it easy to feel fearful. Many difficult and dreadful events have left me with a hollow ache that turns into dread and anxiety. But, dear Father, You are my rock and fortress against fear. Please rescue me.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ, through His atoning death, resurrection, and present intercession for us at the right hand of God, has broken the power of fear.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Because we are children of the King and members of the Father’s Forever Family, we have a dynamic and remarkable power residing within us to overcome our anxieties.

Fear doesn’t become ingrained in us overnight, and courage and confidence don’t happen suddenly, either. Developing the ability to trust the Father with boldness and unwavering confidence rather than yielding to our natural fears is a gradual process. Peter shows us the way. It all starts with humility, setting the stage for a deeper connection with the Father and transforming how we handle fear.

1 Peter 5:6-7

 6 Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time, he will lift you up in honor.

 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Faith or fear, the choice is ours. The Father promises perfect peace to those who trust in Him. We have the power to choose faith over fear, and in doing so, we can experience the peace that comes from trusting in the Father.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Psalms 97:11 Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.

Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

The psalmist does not say, “If something ever scares me,” he says, “whenever I am afraid.” Fear is a natural human reaction to danger. The Father does not tell us to ignore our fears but to bring them to Him (Stanley).

“If people are afraid, it is because of something in the past that haunts them, or something in the present that upsets them, or something in the future that they feel threatens them. Or it may be a combination of all three. A believer in Jesus Christ does not have to fear the past, present, or future, for he has experienced the love of God, and this love is being perfected in him day by day” (Wiersbe).

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,

over all victorious in its bright increase:

perfect, yet still flowing fuller every day;

perfect, yet still growing deeper all the way.

Trusting in the Father, hearts are fully blest,

finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.

(Frances Ridley Havergal)

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

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© Dr. H 2024

Squeezed into a mold ∙

Squeezed into a mold ∙

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. – Romans 12:2

1 Peter 1:13-23

 13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

 21 Through Christ, you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

 22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

 23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Josiah Wedgwood, an English potter born on July 12, 1730, revolutionized pottery with his renowned Wedgwood line. Establishing the Wedgwood company in 1759, he implemented various innovative techniques to enhance pottery production, earning him the title “Father of English Potters.”

One significant technique he utilized was press molding, which allowed for the mass production of ceramics with consistent shapes. He introduced the art of creating embossed decorations on his distinguished Wedgwood pottery.

Press molding involves placing clay into a mold and pressing it to adopt a specific design. Once the clay dries, the mold is removed, revealing an exact copy of the mold’s interior.

The concept of press molds is far from novel. The enemy has used this technique for around 6000 years. He devised it to undermine and subvert the human race. He is at work 24/7, pressing people into conformity with the world system.

For those who are not yet children of the King, the world has already shaped them, continuing its influence without pause. They become entrenched in the world’s system, remaining so unless the Father intervenes. Once we become children of the King, we are given the power and authority to reject this mold. We can choose to renounce this conformity. This is precisely what Paul encourages us to do. Such a change requires a total paradigm shift and perspective transformation.

It is essential to realize that we do not conform ourselves to the world’s patterns; instead, external spiritual forces work to mold us into them. We are subjected to the enemy’s relentless press molding. Regrettably, we are targets of a potent, abusive, and malevolent personality intent on causing us harm. He has our worst interests at heart.

We cannot change ourselves; the Father is the one Who performs the transformation. Our role is to allow Him to perform His transformative work. When we choose to stop being conformed, we decide to allow ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit through the renewal of our minds.

REFLECT & PRAY

Galatians 5:16 Walk by the Spirit, then you will not be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Father, thank You for Your ability and willingness to overcome the relentless pressures we face. Encourage me to let You transform me through the renewal of my mind.

INSIGHT

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Two significant internal processes are influencing humanity. The first involves being conformed or molded, as external forces apply pressure to shape our inner selves.

The second process is indescribably incredible, involving the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. Through spiritual metamorphosis, the Holy Spirit renews our minds from the inside out, morphing us in ways we could never have imagined.

The Greek term for “conformed” is syschematizo. Syschematizo refers to an internal process that shapes one’s behavior according to a specific pattern or set of standards. It aligns thoughts and actions to a diabolically inspired design.

It’s as if the adversary has crafted a unique blueprint for each person’s life, persistently striving to mold individuals into his desired outcome. This extends beyond mere behavior changes. It is an inner process at work that shapes one’s psyche, thought processes, and belief systems, encompassing values, ideologies, motivations, objectives, beliefs, worldviews, and so much more.

The Greek verb form syschematizo deserves more attention. It is an imperative, meaning Paul is issuing a command, not merely a suggestion or recommendation. It is in the present tense, which implies an ongoing, repeating, continuous action. It is also passive, indicating the conforming forces are external, pressing upon the individual rather than being self-generated.

In simpler terms, we must cease permitting ourselves to be continually pressed into the mold crafted by our adversary. We should endeavor to thwart his attempts to mold us according to his will.

Take a moment and let that sink in. The malicious and malevolent adversary of our King relentlessly exploits every opportunity and strategy to subvert the children of the King. He warps their minds, emotions, beliefs, and actions.

How appalling is that?

The Greek term aionis translated as “world,” signifyingthe system of worldly customs and principles adhered to by those who are not connected to or in alignment with the Father, the living God.

The world can be described as follows: “All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale, – all this is included in the aion (age) . . ., the subtle informing spirit of the kosmos or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God” (Trench).

The Greek word for “transformed” is metamorphoomai. Metamorphoomai means to change the essential form or nature of something; be transfigured, changed from the inside out. As the inner being changes, so does the outward expression.

This Greek verb is also a command, not a suggestion. It is also in the present tense,    which signifies continuous action, something to be done repeatedly. It is passive, meaning the transformation is received rather than self-produced. The person being transformed is not responsible for producing the transformation; instead, they are receiving it.

As children of the King, we are not entirely passive; we actively cooperate by allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming our hearts and lives.

The process of metamorphosis in butterflies serves as a compelling metaphor for this inner transformation. The life cycle of a Monarch butterfly involves several stages of growth leading to adulthood. The most intriguing phase of metamorphosis is when the pupa, or chrysalis, transforms into a fully developed butterfly.

The caterpillar selects a suitable branch, attaches itself, and hangs there, shedding its skin to become a chrysalis. This final phase showcases the miraculous process of metamorphosis, a testament to the Father’s intelligent design. In this stage, the chrysalis is filled with undifferentiated cells and amorphous goo. It has no eyes, antennae, or legs and remains immobile. During this transformation, significant changes in form, size, and structure occur, allowing the chrysalis to effortlessly become an adult butterfly.

How, then, does spiritual transformation occur? The Father renews the mind of each child of the King. The Greek word for “renewal,” anakainosis, refers to a process that makes something new, different, and presumably better.

Instead of being molded by the worldly system under the enemy’s influence, we are transformed “more and more to that new spiritual world into which we have been introduced, and in which we now live and move” (Trench).

In this journey, the Lord Jesus Christ becomes the focal point of our lives.

The alteration of outward behavior relies on the renovation and complete change of the believer’s cognitive functions. This is achieved through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Wuest). When we intentionally and consistently yield to Him, He “puts sin out of the believer’s life and produces His fruit. He does that by controlling the mental processes of the believer” (Wuest).

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© Dr. H 2024