Simply Uncaged

Jesus teaches us about discernment.

To discern is to investigate.

We must investigate fruits.

A strawberry can try to say they are a pineapple but the moment you take a bit out of that strawberry, you discern it's NOT a pineapple.

We MUST do the same when it come's to fruit inspecting.

We know people by their FRUIT not their FOLLOWING.

(Matthew 7:15-20)

They might look like a sheep on the outside, but they are wolves on the inside.

Wolves are skilled at hunting & taking down prey.
Wolves roam for large distances.
Wolves have manipulative abilities.

Jesus is teaching us to be aware & alert.

If you continue to read through all of Matthew 7, you'll notice Jesus breaks down in two.

Two roads. (Narrow & Wide) Matthew7:13-14
Two animals. (Wolf & Sheep) Matthew 7:15
Two trees. (Bad fruit & Good fruit) Matthew 7:16-20
Two kinds of disciples. (True & False) Matthew 7:21-23
Two builders. (Wise & Foolish, Rock & Sand) Matthew 7:25-27

(John 15:1-8)

Our ability to bear good fruit is our awareness to know that we must be attached to Jesus.

The vine - Jesus is the vine & the source of life and sustenance for the branches.

The branches - The followers of Jesus who draw life and the ability to grow and bear fruit from the vine.

The vinedresser - God the Father is the gardener who takes care of the vineyard.

Abide - to abide in the vine means to be connected to it & receive nourishment.

Bearing fruit - Fruit comes from being connected to the vine.

Pruning - To cut off what is needed to be cut in order for spiritual growth.

Gardeners KNOW when to prune a branch! Trust God through that process.

The Symbols
1. the Son is the true vine (15:1)
2. the Father is the gardener (15:1)
3. the believer is the branch (15:5)

The Steps
1. Submit to the pruning of the Father (15:2-3)
2. Abide in the Son (15:4)

The success
1. Results in bountiful fruit (15:7-8)
2. Results in glorifying the Father (15:8)

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20:11:18)

There was a moment when Mary saw Jesus but didn't know it was Jesus.

She didn't know it was Jesus UNTIL He called her by name.

When Jesus calls you, can you recognize it?

How to bear good fruit as a Christian?
#1 Good seed - word of God.

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11)

#2 Good soil - heart.

15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:11)

#3 Good ground - community.

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinth

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God is our ultimate source of wisdom.

Many people think they are “wise”, but really they just have a lot of knowledge.

When we get wisdom that comes from Him, we are able to be set apart

We will have good judgement in every situation that comes our way

Wisdom is the ability to have correct judgement to make the best decision

Our knowledge and understanding directly correlate to wisdom

Wisdom is not fear of the unknown, 

but making godly decisions based on what is known and understood.

The fear of the Lord, a reverence for God, births wisdom from God

because all will know that it comes from Him and not from you.

True wisdom comes from above.

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man.” (1 Corinthians 1:25 NKJV)

KEYS ON GETTING WISDOM FROM GOD:

#1) PRAY FOR WISDOM

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5 NLT)

Ask. believe, and you will receive. God already communicates to us in this passage that he desires and wills for us to have wisdom, so asking in faith for it will without a doubt lead to receiving.

#2 FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD’S SPIRIT 

If bad company corrupts good character, then good company sharpens good character. 

You become like who you are surrounded by and if you are in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, then you will learn wisdom from Him. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom.

 #3 GET UNDERSTANDING

To get wisdom, you first need understanding, which is the tie between knowledge and wisdom. 

“Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:17 KJV)

“Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.” (Proverbs 14:33 NKJV)

“A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.” (Proverbs 14:6 NKJV)

“He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” (Proverbs 15:32 NKJV) 

Understanding is a principle of wisdom, the one that is the converter of knowledge into wisdom. 

We gain from it knowledge and wisdom, and we gain it from correction and rebuke. 

When we allow God to correct us, we know he does it out of love in order for us to gain understanding.

When we can operate from a place of wisdom and not emotions,

our lives begin to be transformed through God

Who is the only one who can give a wise and discerning heart (1 King 3:9-14)

God’s wisdom triumphs over all, because he knows and sees all.

You're not planted in a church if you're not serving.

We must get planted so we can bear fruit.

Because every fruit has a root! & the only way to bear fruit is to have roots.

The phases of going from seed to truly being planted so you may bear fruit...

Seed
Root
Baby Plant
Adult plant

To do ministry is service. To serve! 

Every person is called to serve God, & the Lord will position us on how to serve.

Salvation is when you have Jesus.
Discipleship is when Jesus has you.

There is power in being planted in ministry.
There is purpose in being planted in ministry.

When you are planted in a church, you'll bear fruit & accelerate your walk with Christ as a real disciple.

Being planted is healthy.
Being planted lays down accountability.
Being planted allows us to move in glory.

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:12-13)

Community is very important.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (John 15:1-8)

The vine - Jesus is the vine & the source of life and sustenance for the branches.

The branches - The followers of Jesus who draw life and the ability to grow and bear fruit from the vine.

The vinedresser - God the Father is the gardener who takes care of the vineyard.

Abide - to abide in the vine means to be connected to it & receive nourishment.

Bearing fruit - Fruit comes from being connected to the vine.

Pruning - To cut off what is needed to be cut in order for spiritual growth.

When you plant seed, make sure it's good soil.

Certain plants can't grow if the soil isn't good. Soil can be rotten.

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

When you're in righteousness with God & planted with the Lord, you will bear fruit in due season!

We are called to be fruit inspectors.
We are also called to be root inspectors.

A plant can't survive without roots because the primary functions of a root is to absorb water & nutrients which are essential for survival for a plant.

Just like people, plants need water & nutrients to grow! Roots are the anchor for the plant & help plant survive periods with too much or too little water or nutrients.

The time it takes for a plant to grow roots depends on the type of plant, the conditions it's in, & whether it's being propagated form a cutting or transplanted.

Type of plant
Conditions
Environments

How to get planted?

Decide
Commitment

How

Knowledge = information
Understanding = revelation
Wisdom = application, demonstration, transformation

While people are asking for more resources, finances, things...

But we must continue to pray for the spirit of wisdom!

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you. (Proverbs 4:6)

If you exalt wisdom she will promote you!

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. (Proverbs 4:8)

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, (Ephesians 1:17)

It's easy to obtain things.

But there's a level of wisdom to be able to maintain things.

It's easy to get into a relationship.
It's more challenging to maintain a healthy relationship.

It's easy to get into a house.
It's more challenging to maintain a house.

Wisdom is spiritual maturity.

2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2)

We need these 7 spirits of the Lord.
Spirit of the Lord
Spirit of wisdom
Spirit of understanding
Spirit of counsel
Spirit of might
Spirit of knowledge
Spirit of the fear of the Lord

Experience is a hard teacher.
Wisdom is the best teacher.

You'll know wisdom is all around the bible... Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & so much more.

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs in his earlier life.
Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in his later life.

Solomon prayed this prayer to the Lord, & he could of asked for anything else but he prayed this..

9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)

& God was pleased with this prayer.

(1 Kings 3:10-12)

All that God wants is our heart!

That level of humility, surrender & sacrifice... to get access to the power of God!

Diligence
Discretion
Prudence
Understanding
Knowledge
Wisdom
Discernment
Discipline
Fear of the Lord

11 Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you, (Proverbs 2:11)

2 That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge. (Proverbs 5:2)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 8:12)

15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding, (Proverbs 2:3)

5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5)

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6)

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning. (Proverbs 16:21)

Now... there is a level of wisdom the world has access to.

James calls it demonic wisdom.
Corinthians calls it the wisdom of this age.

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Self-Condemnation vs. Conviction.

What is the difference?

Self- Condemnation is after a person sins and/or makes a mistake they end up expressing complete disapproval of themselves by strongly criticizing themselves in an unhealthy manner.

Conviction is when a person sins (this can include personal conviction(s) as well) & they are made aware of it by the Holy Spirit.

If you or someone you know is dealing with and/or struggling with the spirit of condemnation we’ve got a few discernment truths and a break down of how to overcome it. Of course deliverance is not always cookie cutter, but we pray that this will help you or someone you know to acquire biblical knowledge, gain understanding, and walk in wisdom with the truths and keys that have been presented. Remember we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) and Jesus has given us the authority to trample on scorpions and serpents (Luke 10:19). So condemnation does not have us, we trample on that thing in Jesus' name!

Let’s get into it!

Discernment Truths - Condemnation vs. Conviction Break Downs: 

#1) The spirit of Condemnation is derived from Satan.

#1) Conviction is derived from the Holy Spirit.

#2) The spirit of Condemnation attacks the disciples character & calls them outside of their name/ who they are not in Christ Jesus: 

#2) Conviction will develop character and call you by name: 


#3) The spirit of Condemnation gives an illusion of hopelessness.

#3) Conviction provides hope: 

HOPE HAS A NAME & IT IS JESUS (1 Peter 1:3)!

Yes we were born into sin... BUT GOD:

BUT GOD: John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

BUT GOD: 1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

BUT GOD: Ephesians 1:7 - “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

How to overcome if we have fallen and are dealing with self- condemnation: 

#1) Acknowledge the sin and/or mistake for what it is.

#2) Repent:

Repentance is an action that we need to do on our parts by making a change in our hearts and minds to decide to no longer do the thing that is displeasing to God. God will give us the grace to overcome, but we just need to humble ourselves and take accountability.

*Unfortunately AFTER REPENTANCE, CONDEMNATION MAY STILL TRY TO CONDEMN because of belief*

This is where we need to proceed with the next steps below...

#3) Discern the 4 voices:

Devil
John 8:44: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Flesh 
Romans 7: 15-20:

God
John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

#4) Take EVERY thought captive into the obedience of Jesus Christ:

#5) Believe the power of the blood of Jesus & His forgiveness (aka: the truth):

1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

6) Fix our eyes on Jesus

7) Decide to move forward because “It is Finished!” (John 19:30):

Philippians 3:12-14 

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Doubt is a demon.

People will ALWAYS have an opinion about you!

But we don't live for people, we live for the Lord!

You gotta let them DOUBT you.

While God DEVELOPS you!

Stop sharing seats with insecurity & doubt...sometimes you have to talk back to your problems.

I am the head not the tail.
I am above not beneath.

Dysfunction opens doors to demons

& the enemy always wants us to doubt God's promises.

Dysfunction blurs discernment.

Not trusting the right people because we believed the wrong people.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (James 1:2)

God doesn't promise we won't have trials.

But He does give us access to have joy THROUGH the trials!

Jesus
Others
You

Happiness is temporary.
Joy is eternal.

We need joy through the valleys, through the trials, through the rejection, through every battle situation.

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:3-5)

Our faith being tested produces patience, & another word for patience is long suffering.

Reproach - disapproval/disappointment.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8)

Doubt is wavering, it's to oppose

Double minded - wavering, uncertain, doubting. divided in interest.

How to know if I'm operating in double mindedness?
unstable
inconsistent
restless

Doubt
Double minded
Division

Our faith gets tested.
Testing in our faith produces patience.
Comfort that patience has it's perfect work.
Ask in faith with no doubt.

How to make sure that this is God's will?

#1 Prayer
#2 God's word
#3 Fasting

We want to honor what is from God, so it's always great to make sure this is of the Lord & His will over our life.

The longer you entertain what is not from God, the longer you'll postpone what is.

God can do more with your surrender than YOU can do with your control...

Whenever you hear about doubt, there may also be insecurity.

We need faith and hope so we can cancel doubt and insecurity. 

Hope cancels doubt.

5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5-6)

Do you put your trust in...
self?
man?
flesh?

It will birth curses. Our trials will test if we really trust in God.

Doubting God will blur our discernment because we will not be able to see when good comes.

(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Our hope in God matters.

Trust & hope go together, which keeps us grounded as God's people.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

Hope 'put off' makes our heart sick.

When we don't have hope, our hearts become vulnerable to sickness.

We must have hope, but it starts with faith.

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We don't want to be POPULAR, we want to be PURE before the Lord.

When you are pure, you are FREE from corrupt desires.

Purity is not perfection, it's being set apart.

& making set apart decisions.

Set apart from the world, culture, selfish desires, darkness, confusion, evil....

Set apart from the things of this world so you can be used for God's glory.

There is POWER in PURITY as a believer & follower of Jesus Christ.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

#1 Purity starts with repentance.

A heart of repentance ignites a heart of revival.

Purity starts with the heart, & TRUE repentance towards God can change that in any moment.

The Lord wants ALL our heart when we SEEK Him!

13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. (2 Chronicles 7:14-16)

#2 God's word purifies.

6 The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (Proverbs 30:65)

The Lord wants us to be made pure & there is nothing like the living word of God that purifies our soul.

God's word purifies our heart & mind.

When you receive the word of God, you receive instructions that have been God given over your life.

A Holy Nation & a Chosen generation!

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)

#3 Our faith in Christ purifies us.

8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:8-9)"

Without faith it's impossible to please God.

& it should be no surprise that our foundation should TRULY be in Jesus!

Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.

#4 Obedience in God purifies our soul.

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (1 Peter 1:22)

Obedience is greater than sacrifice.

Obedience is being in alignment with the Lord's instructions & His will.

The ability for our obedience in obeying His truth to purify our souls is a testimony of God's love, grace & mercy for us as His children!

Not by might, nor by power but through His Spirit!

Are you feeling powerless as a Christian?

There are season's of up's and down's in our walk with Christ.

The Christian walk was never promised to be easy, but it does lead to life.

In fact the narrow gate is difficult.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.(Matthew 7:13-14)

May you continue to live a surrendered life with God.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

This is not the great opinion.
This is not the great suggestion.
This is not the great option.

This is the great commission!

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:46-48)

The Holy Spirit is that Promise that Jesus told His disciples. & we saw that Spirit fall fresh on the day of Pentecost.

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

The anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit that activates & works through us!

Our gifts will draw people to us.
The anointing will draw people to Jesus.

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

It wasn't Apostle Paul's speech... it was his ability to demonstrate God's power! & only the Lord can do that through him and us.

How to activate power of God?

#1 Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
#2 Prayer & fasting.
#3 Holiness & Consecration.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. (Matthew 3:11)

John the Baptist says he baptizes with water unto repentance...but Jesus baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire!

That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

How do you know you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit?

Your spiritual appetite starts to change.

You no longer desire the world.
You no longer desire consuming yourself in sin.
You no longer desire anything related to darkness or the demonic.

Fasting without prayer is just a glorified diet.

You must do BOTH simultaneously! They both work in effective ways & go hand in hand.

To live holy & consecrate is to set yourself apart.

You're constantly guarding your mind and heart from anything wicked.

As you're going through seasons, make sure you keep your faith in Christ!

Idolatry. 

What is idolatry? 

Idolatry simply put, is whatever you subconsciously or consciously put above the true living God, or whatever you subconsciously or consciously make equal to or greater than the true living God.

If you really think about it, now a days idolatry is pretty sneaky and can come in any shape or form. It could be ourselves, ministry, food, a family member, body image, and/or cars. All in all, it could be absolutely anything. 

Before idols were super easy to identify because they were mainly physically man made. But now a days they can come in the form of being both physically man made and/or spiritually man made sitting on the throne’s of our hearts. 

As it is written in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

We know that with context this verse is talking about how a person cannot worship God and money at the same time. But when we really think about the verse on a deeper scale it is really addressing idolatry. That we cannot serve a false god and the true living God simultaneously. That our treasure must be in God so that our hearts can be fully with Him. 

In Exodus 34:14 it says, “[...] for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God [...]”. 

So if it is written that God “is a jealous God”, then this shows us that God is not willing for our desires or affections to be shared with any other gods other than Him. Of course God is not saying we cannot show the love of Christ to others, but what He is saying is that He does not want just a part of us, but He wants all of us because we are His spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5 & Hebrews 3:6).

We pray that as we go through this blog (we also have a video linked if you’d like to tune into the podcast) that the Holy Spirit will convict, encourage, and make every crooked path straight to draw us closer and closer to Jesus. Remember there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so lets look into the topic of idolatry a little deeper so that we can expose and tear down any idols that may be on the thrones of our hearts in Jesus’ name, so that God can claim His rightful throne on our hearts in Jesus’ name. 

How to Overcome and Tear Down Idols: 

1) Acknowledge the idolatry for what it is - Do not make excuses

2) Repent - make a change in our hearts and minds in deciding to no longer do thing that is displeasing to God. In this case it is putting anything above God and/or anything that was made equal to or greater than the true living God.

• 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

3) Decide to tear down all of the idols - physically and/or spiritually 

If it is a physical idol, throw away everything and anything that resembles false gods whether it is a conviction or a personal conviction from the Holy Spirit. 

If it is a spiritual idol, renounce those false god’s and with the Holy Spirit tear them down and then rebuild the pure spiritual altar for the Lord. 

• Joshua 24:15: 15 

4) Take Action/ Make a Plan of Action: 

With the Holy Spirit take action and/or make a plan of action. Sometimes it may be a process that takes some time because it was made into a habitual thing. Remember we want to break chains not continue them. This is why we need the Holy Spirit because He knows exactly how to break the chains by the blood of Jesus.