For every earnest seeker of The LORD and His Word, must learn that the higher we seemingly go in man’s eyes, the lower we go in humility as a servant.
Our perfect example in The Bible is Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD.
For example, I have experienced the intimacy and special love for the brethren by following Christ’s example in washing the feet of the believers.
The times I experienced foot washing, I was so blessed by God to wash those feet! Those people I love, and I know, I so identified with those feet who bring good news and good tidings.
It is really a wonderful spiritual event and I found that sitting there having my feet washed was a lot harder to receive than to give.
It demolished all my pride and boy did the tears flow as I prayed for those precious feet and received in all humility.
Jesus himself took off his robe and took the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Everything that Jesus did has an eternal lesson even today.
“So, He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.
He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him.
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”” John 13:4-17 BSB
The older and more mature I get in The LORD, the less I know!
There is so much value in having godly relationships that you are accountable to. There will always be much more to learn, and we will never gain all knowledge or know everything.
If we did, we wouldn’t need to rely on the Holy Ghost or on the body of Christ.
If someone says they know the whole Bible and understand it all, we need to run, run, run away from them.
We must depend on The Holy Ghost no matter how mature we think we are for confirmed instructions. As time continues forward, it will be very necessary to know those who labor among us! (1 Thessalonians 5:12-18)
Bible scholars all fight for knowing their truth. But if you look at most godly examples in The Bible, many if not all people who were chosen or called to lead God’s people, there was a long seasoning process.
Why do we measure ourselves among ourselves? The Bible says those who measure themselves among themselves are not wise. (2 Corinthians 2:12)
God is a jealous God and His Spirit can be grieved and provoked. Over the years I have watched a pattern over and over; God will provoke a heart, to get us to react, then on to action, to get us to see our own heart of the matter.
It is not because The LORD doesn’t know what’s in our heart, but because he wants us to see our own heart!
Why do we hold on to petty jealousy, aggravation, and reasonings?
Why do we feel threatened, and why are we jealous?
We need to ask ourselves these questions.
What is God doing with us?
He tests our motives and will provoke a reaction to action to get to our heart issues. God has our best interests at heart.
He already knows the problem and what hinders us, but He wants us to see the problem! That we may not realize.
Once our heart issues are revealed, we repent and press forward to the high calling in Christ Jesus!
We must remember that Satan sends tribulation and trial, but God tests us in our strengths hoping for a greater outcome!
Jealousy and envy are evil and if continued can cause serious divisions among God’s people. Jealousy and envy will eat away at our bones and jealousy will destroy relationships! (Proverbs 14:20)
Did you know that bitterness can defile many?
Jealousy and envy are nothing to dabble with or put off, because the results left unchecked will cause division in the home, Church and in all relationships.
I have personally seen the results of jealousy and envy. I have watched it divide even after a clear leading from The LORD to repent!
In rebellion, I watched them turn away and I have seen marriages and many relationships ruined. It is so sad.
When The LORD reveals our sin and makes it plain, He expects us to be quick to repent. It is time to repent and turn away from the sin that so easily besets us. If the condition warrants it, there are ways to make amends if necessary.
IMPORTANT: If you cannot seem to get free of jealousy, envy, or division you need spiritual counsel and prayer for deliverance. It is so important to be accountable to those whom you trust so they can pray for you.
We are stronger together, not apart. Satan will try to keep us apart and isolated from each other.
Jealousy, envy, and division are destructive and deadly; look at Joseph’s brothers in how they treated him when they wanted to kill him but sold him instead into slavery. (Genesis 37:26).
The Bible says that envy, strife, confusion cause every evil work. (Study James chapter 3)
If you personally have experienced this, you need to remember that in the last days there will be false ministers in every form, even like Angels.
That is why we need to assemble ourselves together for strength because iron sharpens iron, and we need each other.
Just because someone serves and looks the part, but behind the scenes has no evidence of a growing prayer life and their fruits are rotten we need to take a deeper look.
We need to judge ourselves lest we be judged. We need to watch our own lives! Are we becoming more of a servant and loving to others in public? What about behind the scenes?
Yes, we all need to watch and pray about everyone and ask The LORD, if we are seeing facades and pretenses?
What are we witnessing behind the scenes? Are they spewing hatred out their mouth?
When they are not in front of anyone that matters to them, are they a totally different person?
We must understand that not only does God see us, but he also sees all and knows all! (1 Corinthians 11:30-32)
In a group setting and if sin presents itself, the one with the Spiritual knowledge is accountable to confront it and call it out and or leave.
Especially if the group are Christians. We are not supposed to even eat with those who say they are believers but practice lawlessness. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
We will fully know them by their fruits!
It can look like a duck, quack like a duck, and even waddle like a duck, but it can be a decoy! In these uncertain days ahead, we each need to be accountable and have relationships where people know us and love us.
If we were to see behind other doors, we would be shocked! They perform a good act, but the truth is not in the act, the act is behind the door and that is what God judges.
There are those who are insanely jealous but cover it up by doing “can you top this? ” For these, it is more of a competition in aggression instead of a person who is humble, broken, and lowly of heart.
Yes, we are to fear God and not man. However, there will be evidence to others in authority about a person’s integrity, honesty, loyalty, commitment, accountability, and all the fruits of the Spirit.
We are not to judge by the gifts either, only by the fruits. God will make room for his gifts.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death,Jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame.” Song of Solomon 8:6 NKJV
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
New Beginning Christian Ministries International 