Pride, one of the 7 Deadly Sins, gets in between you and God. Pride says, “I can do it by myself. I’m strong and can handle anything.” God says, “No you can’t. You need me.” You can’t know God until you break through any proud obstacles keeping you from Him. Let’s take a look at what Paul has to say about this in 2 Corinthians chapter 10…
2 Corinthians 10
Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
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. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
2 Corinthians 10 NLT
Remember, Paul is defending his authority for writing the letter (1 Corinthians) that was given to him by Christ.
So, how do we apply this to our lives and get to know God?
First, you need to understand that your very existence is God-given. You were put on this earth at this particular time for God’s purpose.
Second, everything you know, everything you’ve learned, all your talents come from God.
Third, everything you own, God has allowed you to have it.
You, by yourself, can’t do it all. You wake up in the morning because God allowed it. Thank Him for each day. You have food in your kitchen, a roof over you head, clean, running water, a car, gas in the car, a family, a job, income, money in the bank, because God allowed it. Thank HIM– every day!
Gratitude breaks down pride, because you acknowledge that you didn’t get where you are by your own efforts. Satan and his demonic cohorts will try to make you think that you need to have a strategy for success, when what you have to do is to trust God with what you need, and seek His will in all you do. Satan will tell you that you worked hard for what you have on your own. That’s a lie.
Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24…
But those who wish to boast
Jeremiah 9:24 NLT
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Having said that, how do you get to “truly know” God?
- Humble yourself before God.
- Give Him all your worries, cares, problems, anxieties, stresses by committing each day to Him.
- Read the Bible! The Bible is God’s story about His love for humankind. It also serves as an instruction book for godly living. Read it every day. However, don’t just read it and say you did! Study it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what God is trying to say to YOU.
- Lift everything you do to God in prayer. Praying is just having a conversation with God.
- Give back and become a cheerful giver.
Jesus told us…
13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 14:13-14 NLT
Jesus also said…
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
Pretty simple, huh? Three things:
- Seek the Kingdom of God — aka, the Kingdom of Heaven — above all else! When you put GOD FIRST in your life, everything else falls into place.
- Live righteously. How do you do that? Read the Bible — it tells you exactly what to do and what not to do!
- He will give you everything you NEED. NEED — not want, covet, lust for or desire — NEED. Read the prior post on giving again.
Do You KNOW God?
In your heart, I mean. Sure you know who GOD is, and that Jesus was His son and that there’s a 3rd entity called the Holy Spirit — that’s knowing OF God.
How to really and truly KNOW GOD, is by inviting Jesus into your heart.
Moreover, Jesus doesn’t want ANY obstacles between you and HIM.
You can break through ANY obstacles! Jesus can help you! What are you waiting for?
Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…
Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone Be the Glory!
