What are You Exporting to Others?
(NIV) Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
This passage from Proverbs reveals to us the danger of a quick agreement, but failure to follow through by implementing the truth we heard.
Today there will be people who will attend churches and will nod their heads and even at times let slip a hearty amen to something the preacher says. But some of them may not realize that when they depart the atmosphere of His presence among the saints, they do little to apply what they just heard.
You will notice that the Scripture we read stated blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instructions.
In other words the person who heard wisdom did something with what was heard that turned the truth wisdom revealed into an action.
It saddens me to have to admit that there will be situations playing out today in churches throughout our nation where little to no real revelation is flowing. It will not be flowing because there is no dependence on or desire for the Holy Spirit to have His way with regard to the truth.
But just as sad are the many times someone sat in a congregation where there was revelation released and they did nothing with it.
In the kingdom a thing is not owned just because we agree with it. It is owned when we take possession of it and use it.
During the earthly days of Jesus when He first arrived on the scene preaching, John the Baptist had been thrown in prison awaiting to executed and he sent His disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one to come. Jesus told the disciples to tell John that the deaf heard, the blind see and the dead are raised to life, and blessed is He who is not offended in me. Jesus asked a profound question. In other words, yes John you going before me was worth it. But then Jesus states something after John’s disciples leave.
(NKJV) Matthew 11:7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
The people did not apparently grasp the seriousness of John’s role or his words. Jesus is demonstrating the reality of how revelation can be released and yet missed. He is releasing it in His statement regarding John in verses 11 & 12.
Notice how Jesus stated that even though John was the greatest prophet of those born of women, but He goes on to say, “But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.” That is a monumental statement for Jesus to make and it is incredibly affirming to all who have come into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus.
In other words, our being considered great was fixed based on our entrance into the kingdom and not on anything we have done or will do for the kingdom. Therefore we can do great things because it is an expression of who we already are in Christ!
Imagine what John accomplished at his level and then think to yourself of how you are just as capable if not more as a result of knowing Jesus Christ and having His life in you.
We are not born again to shrink back into some nominal existence, hardly recognizable as believers in Jesus Christ. That kind of life and reputation is reserved for those who lack revelation or have failed to do anything with the revelation they’ve been given.
You see, when we become born again the Father becomes very active in our lives. That is why He promised His Holy Spirit to us. That is how He is with us and moves in and through us in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God with us. He desires to empower us and give us supernatural gifts that set us apart from the rest of the world around us.
It is unconscious deism to imagine God saves us, and then leaves the room where we are and expects us to figure things out on our own. As a Father He is very involved in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. He desires us to live our lives to honor Him and to do that we must learn to walk by faith, a faith that is continually aware of His presence in our lives and is tuned to His voice.
But that faith is not developed by way of skepticism and criticism. It cannot be productive in such environments. Those environments are the product of wrong thinking born from an inward pride. A pride that thinks a person can figure things out on their own, they claim they have been given wit and wisdom and therefore do not need active revelation and truth as a result. They claim to already know all they need to know.
There is a very frightening passage of Scripture in the New Testament.
(NKJV) 1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the
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words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’
fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
“Some will depart from the faith giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron”
This is depicting a condition that flows from a lack of heeding the truth, which I believe is a result of failing to yield to the presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit. It usually leads to a life of skepticism and criticism that pushes one to their own devices for righteousness and acceptance. As always, anyone in such a miserable state of existence needs others to join them to validate their cause and help them perpetuate their own deception so they seek out others who think like they do and consider it to be validation.
But they have rejected true revelation and accepted a counterfeit and their vain attempts at righteousness through self will and work is evidence of their deception just as those who think grace means a person is now free to sin at will is deceived. Neither of these views reveal spiritual maturity or a grasp of sound doctrine.
Right thinking, revelation receiving people know what it means to reject profane and old wive’s tales and “exercise” themselves to being godly. In other words they are practicing the truth on a regular basis.
They have repented of their old way of living in self reliance and sin, they have set aside their defiance of authority, especially God’s authority and they have surrendered themselves to His will for their lives in every area of life. They are a people who are yielded to the Holy Spirit. Not perfect, but yielded and learning as they grow.
Kingdom people understand that often the greatest gains are realized through implementing the truth as opposed to just hearing it and discussing it.
Kingdom people are looking for ways to act on the truth in every day life. They desire to practice kingdom life as their way of life. They grasp what it means to be a new creation in Christ! They have reconciled their thinking and practice of life to the truth that says the old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.
They look at life through a different pair of eyes and they feel life with a new heart and think about life with a mind that is being continually renewed by the truth of God’s word. Because they are living in this manner they have something to offer others in life. They know they are not living temporary lives, they are eternal beings with plenty to live for. They get what Isaiah was saying:
(NKJV) Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.
We who have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and surrendered our lives to Him realize that we have inherited a righteousness that will never be abolished. We have gained a salvation that is forever and this knowledge, this revelation does not make us lazy or reckless with regard to sin and worldly pleasures. It empowers us to rise against such foolishness and live purposefully for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ!
Our eyes have been opened to the futility of this world and the things it deems important. My wife recently returned from an elaborate river cruise in France. It was gifted to her by some good friends and it offered art workshops along the way. She discovered she was on a ship with some extremely wealthy people. People who could have whatever they wished in this life since they possessed an ability to purchase it. But she also noticed very sadly just how empty many were and how having such power, a power so many strive to obtain thinking it would produce happiness and fulfillment, it wasn’t producing that kind of fruit. In fact some of these wealthy ones wanted what my wife possessed and I am not talking about money or fame. I am talking about peace, joy, and contentment in the Holy Ghost.
Among the nations of the world it is common for a nation to be evaluated based on it’s exports and imports. A healthy nation is to be expected to be exporting good things to many nations, meanwhile a struggling nation may be having to import all it’s needs from the nations that are healthy. A healthy nation exports more than it imports because it has so much to offer. For the believer one important question to ask routinely would be, What are you exporting to others?
Negativity? Skepticism? Criticism? Doubt? Anger? Hate? Reliance upon self? Self righteousness? False hope? Empty promises? Temporal satisfaction? Rebellion against authority? How to live for yourself and have the best life here on earth you can possibly have? How to be a better consumer? These are the products the world offers because they do not really have anything of substance to offer as an export. All their exports rely on the strength of the flesh and are generally focused on self.
But for us in God’s kingdom who have been born again. We have received favor! A favor so abundant we have more than enough to export to others! To make certain we have more than enough He gives us the promise of being baptized in the Holy Spirit! Baptized meaning immersed! More than enough! Jesus said he who believes in Him that out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(NKJV) John 4:7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
What are you exporting to others?