I’d like to start this by making a statement that many seldom ever consider. We can do this by going all the way back to the very beginning. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden; how many voices did they have to listen to other than their own? If you read in (Genesis) you will notice that God came down in the cool of the day to walk with them.

(Genesis 3:8)

AND THEY HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY: AND ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES OF THE GARDEN.

I use this verse because it appears that this was a normal thing that happened between God and, Adam and Eve. We know that this had happened before. God had already come down and spoken to Adam. He had instructed him (the truth) concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Genesis 2:17) I always like to point out this fact when I write or speak about this fact. God only told Adam (the truth) concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He did so before he even created Eve. (I believe) It’s a very powerful point to made here as it concerns (to whom we listen).

Let’s talk about this before we get to the other voice we see in the garden. We can argue here that Adam was the most intelligent man that ever lived. We know for a fact that he was the smartest man in the Garden of Eden. With all the knowledge and wisdom, he had, it was completely worthless without (the truth) and that only comes from God the Father. I say that because of this fact. If Adam taught Eve the name of every animal, tree, herb and river in the Garden to which they lived; what good was all that knowledge if he failed to teach her (the truth) of God’s word?

Let’s say that one day , not long after the creation of Eve; She and Adam were walking through the Garden. she asked, pointing to a sheep, what’s that? To her question, Adam replied, I call that a sheep. Can we say that he just expounded absolute truth? Again, I asked, what good is (that truth) without the word of God being understood first and foremost?

We know from scripture that Adam and Eve had talked about the Tree of the knowledge of God and Evil because of the answer Eve gave the Serpent when he asked her about that tree. Let’s look at her answer:

( Genesis 3:1-3 )

NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTIL THAN ANY BEAST OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. AND HE SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YEA, HATH GOD SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN? (2) AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN: (3) BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HATH SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, LEST YOU DIE.

When we speak of (to whom do you listen). To whom did she listen? It had to be the voice of Adam that had given her these words she spoke as an answer to the question. However, was the answer she gave the Serpent a true statement from God the Father? Can’t we see added words to her answer? God never told Adam that they couldn’t touch the tree. He only instructed them not to eat the fruit thereof.

Can we say here this; that where God only gave one commandment, man has added to that commandment one of his own? We see here that God speaks to man and, at that point it becomes man’s responsibility to reveal truth to every other person. That truth never needs to be added to or, taken away from! The truth always needs to be (absolute) to the very best of man’s ability.

If man teaches less than truth or, if he adds to truth; do we then open the door for someone else to teach as well? We often hear of (man’s opinions) which has nothing to do with truth. I’m simply guessing here but, I’d say that in (Adam’s opinion) if he could keep Eve away from that tree, she would be fine. Therefore, he added, teaching her not to touch the tree. Can you see how that became a (doctrine of man), teaching to stay away from sin is the answer to salvation?

Can we also see how that not revealing (truth) can bring about the acceptance of other false teaching? Since Adam left (absolute truth) and formed his own man-made doctrine, we see where another came and also taught his own man-made doctrine. I (believe) we can take scripture and prove that Adam did not see the possibility of this happening. In reality, Adam was (well meaning) in what he said to his wife. Although Eve was deceived into eating the fruit, Adam was not deceived, he willing bite the fruit.

(1 Timothy 2:13-14)

FOR ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED, THEN EVE. (14) AND ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED, BUT THE WOMAN BEING DECEIVED WAS IN THE TRANSGRESSION.

When we consider (to whom we listen) let’s also consider this; why is it that Adam willingly excepted God the Father as his (spiritual voice to follow) never being even tempted to bite that fruit, but Eve was deceived by another voice other than the voice of Adam? We see in the verses we read that: (ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED, THEN EVE). It appears that Adam automatically accepted the fact that God was superior to him but, Eve couldn’t see the fact that Adam being formed first was in front of her, being her superior.

Let’s just assume Adam wasn’t perfect in his spiritual teaching. Wasn’t it Eve’s responsibility to listen to him anyway and not (listen) to another’s voice? Can you see that Eve, even hearing another’s voice could have said: I’m going to find my husband and we’ll talk about this? Instead of, simply hearing (another’s) voice and yielding to that voice? Aren’t we; as member of the Church often guilty of doing exactly the same thing? We often readily believe what man has to say through teaching without even considering seeking to hear the voice of God’s Spirit in such matters.

Let’s look at something else here. Didn’t both Adam and the Serpent use partial truth in their spiritual discourse with Eve. Adam told her not to eat nor touch the fruit of the tree lest you die, the Serpent told her, (ye shall not surely die). Both are partial truths. When Eve bit the fruit, she didn’t die physically did she? What was (death) or (dying) to Eve anyway? Nothing around her had ever died and, she hadn’t experienced any part of a dying process.

One of the most powerful weapons of Satan today is the teaching of (the ignorance of death). Within that mindset, many people (listen) and heed to what he teaches. What (dying) is came abundantly clear to Adam and Eve very quickly after they had bitten the fruit. When God came down in the cool of the day (they hid themselves from the presence of God)! The way the world defines death is very deceiving and multitudes of people are (Listening) to it and being spiritually blindsided by what they are taught.

Let’s paint a very vivid picture here! The very minute that Adam and Eve bit the fruit is a spiritual type of the very moment you realized that you were a sinner. It could have been, as a small child, you told your mother a lie, knowing for a fact it wasn’t truth. The knowledge of good and evil is now in your possession! You know truth but, you purposely rejected the truth. Let’s just add this: one day you heard about Jesus Christ and his saving grace. You think back to the fact that you are as sinner, remembering the sins you have committed but, you don’t heed the call of God’s Spirit and his offering the free gift of salvation. Now, in a spiritual sense you can say that you just stood face to face with God; you have become naked before him in sin. However, this is just in a spiritual sense. If you will notice in scripture; Adam and Eve stood face to face with God, the Father the same way. In (Genesis 3:7-10)

AND THE EYES OF THEM BOTH WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED; AND THEY SEWED FIG LEAVED TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS. (8) AND THEY HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY: AND ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES OF THE GARDEN. (9) AND THE LORD GOD CALLED UNTO ADAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE ART THOU? (10) AND HE SAID, I HEARD THY VOICE IN THE GARDEN, AND i WAS AFRAID, BECAUSE I WAS NAKED AND I HID MYSELF.

Now, I want you to notice something here. Adam and Eve had sown fig leaves together to hid themselves. However, they were still afraid to stand before God like they were. In a spiritual sense, when we refuse the call of the Holy Spirit, knowing we are sinners. That is, we walk away rejecting the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ when God speaks to our hearts then, we have just used (fig leaves) to cover our sinful shame. In other words, we know it’s not sufficient, but we are willing to try another way to salvation other than the blood of Jesus Christ. Both, Adam and Eve were afraid to stand before God in the covering they had made for themselves. But they did come forth! At that point, the Lord God preached a message unto them in the next few verses. We’ll read some of that message!

(Genesis 3:11-13)

AND HE SAID, WHO TOLD THEE THOU WAST NAKED? HAST THOU EATEN OF THE TREE, WHEREOF I COMMANDED THEE THAT THOU SHOULEST NOT EAT? (12) AND THE MAN SAID, THE WOMAN WHOM THOU GAVEST ME TO BE WITH ME, SHE GAVE ME OF THE TREE, AND I DID EAT, (13) AND THE LORD GOD SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, WHAT IS THIS THAT THOU HAST DONE?

Now, with these few verses in mind, let’s look at another verse:

(Isaiah 1:18)

COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD: THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL. (19) IF YE BE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, YE SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND: (20) BUT IF YE REFUSE AND REBEL, YE SHALL BE DEVOURED WITH THE SWORD: FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HATH SPOKEN IT.

When we consider these two messages from the Lord; it’s so much to speak of. According to (Isaiah) God Truly has a desire to (reason with us) concerning our sin. If you will notice, Isaiah is a prophet of God. He speaks word for word what God desires for him to reveal to his people. Another way of saying it is that (God is doing the speaking) even though it’s coming through the mouth of a man. As we consider, either Adam or, the Serpent what they both revealed was not all of God.

We do see however that both Adam and Eve was very willing to (reason) with God. God, as he spoke to them, he asked them this question; how did you find out you were naked? Who revealed that to you? (The Truth) is that (God Himself) revealed (The Truth) to both Adam and Eve. Now that they see themselves as naked, they are willing to (reason) with God. God preaches a message to them, revealing (truth) to them and, he also sheds blood to make them coats for a coving for their sin.

Every man that ever stands behind a pulpit is supposed to be (A Tree). He has (The knowledge of Good and Evil). (The Fruit) he has brought (truth) to those that hear him. The very same tree also brings (The Knowledge) of salvation to those that truly hear truth. Here’s something many people completely miss. It’s never (a person) that reveals to you that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Only God the Father can reveal that fact to any person.

God uses people to be his voice. He places his Spirit within born again believers to share that knowledge. When man seeks to show you that you are a sinner it only brings rebellion to the sinner. but, when God’s spirit opens your understanding of who you truly are, when you gain (the knowledge) of yourself and, you except (The Truth) from him then and only then can salvation come.

People often place themselves on a pedestal, putting themselves above the sinner they are speaking to. When to Holy Spirit is at work, every person is on equal ground. There are no big (I’s) or little (U’s). The Holy Spirit shows every person that they are sinners, and they need to be lifted above that sinful nature. When we consider this, if we are to be saved, we must never be satisfied being on equal ground. You see, didn’t Satan also place Adam and Eve on equal ground with him? He caused them to assume they could be satisfied being (like him)! (The Tree) revealed something different.

(To Whom Do We Listen)? What happens, far too often, we are taught to be satisfied being on equal ground by the very (tree) to is supposed to cause us to see ourselves as (naked) before God. Often there is some false and some truth mixed within the messages we hear. That fact makes the person speaking exactly like (The Serpent) or (Adam). What can I gain by being (like Adam)? Satan or, those that work for him will never show you the whole truth! When Adam and Eve bit the fruit; they then realized (the truth).

That is a fact because (the tree) revealed truth by the power of God. When (the tree) reveals truth then we see ourselves as naked before God. Once we gain that knowledge then God’s Spirit will always be there to point us to salvation by his saving grace. However, if we don’t gain that truth then we never see ourselves as needing salvation.

I want you to look at what (The Serpent) preached to Eve.

( Genesis 3:4-5 )

AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. (5) FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.

I’d like for you to consider the term (as gods). Do you realize that Satan has always desired to be (a god) or (equal to God)? Now, let’s look at something. What is actually happening in the average Church today. As long as you are seen (as equal to) everyone else in that Church then; everyone is satisfied, that is, even the pastor. However, let’s add that you get a little out of line. You commit adultery. Now, we can’t have that can we? Therefore, you are approached by (the council). They advise that you must repent, turn from your wicked ways, or else!

So far, this is what you’ve done. You said you believed in Christ, got baptized and joined Church. However, you’ve been caught as a sinner, therefore, you confess your sin, stand before the Church and make things right. You stop committing adultery. My question to you; does this act cause you any closer to God the Father or, did you just get right with the Church?

Let’s also add a point here! Let’s say, if you are a man; the woman you committed adultery with is a woman that most of the men in your Church were committing the same act in their thought process with the very same woman, they just didn’t carry out the act physically, possibly because they didn’t have the opportunity. We can use the same scenario with the women and an individual man. Why is it that these people didn’t have to confess?

Now, let’s look at this verse:

(2 Corinthians 7:10)

FOR GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION NOT TO BE REPENTED OF: BUT THE SORROW OF THE WORLD WORKETH DEATH.

(To whom do we listen)? I know that what I’m about to say is not popular but, it must be said and understood. Satan’s mindset was then and, is now to set up his own kingdom. There are many religious leaders and denominations that do the very same thing. Often, without even realizing it (they listen) to a voice of some other person that are actually listening to Satan himself. We can give a verse to prove this”

(Jude 1:4)

FOR THERE ARE CERTAIN MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES, WHO WERE BEFORE OF OLD ORDAINED TO THIS COMDEMNATION, UNGODLY MEN, TURNING THE GRACE OF GOD INTO LASCIVIOUSNESS, AND DENYING THE LORD GOD, AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

I’d like to give a personal situation here. It will share how I feel about a certain subject and make a point at the same time. Let’s first read this verse in:

(1 Corinthians 14:39)

WHEREFORE, BRETHREN, COVET TO PROPHECY, AND FORBID NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES.

In this verse the Bible plainly tells me not to forbid to speak in tongues. There’s always been a controversy concerning what (tongues) truly are. My personal belief is that God, at one time gave men to ability to speak another language in order to be able to share the gospel with people that spoke other languages. When this would happen, the people that spoke the other language knew that it was of God (by faith). Another point is that, if a man was in a Church, let’s say that this Church needed spiritual instruction and, there was a person there that spoke a different language, God inspired him to stand and speak in his native tongue the message he wanted to share. In every case, there would be a person there that could speak both languages and, would be able to tell the people what this man just said. According to scripture, this would never be a woman, just men.

That’s where I stand! There are those that believe that there is an actual (unknown tongue) that some men can speak but, if this is the case, according to scripture; there still must be someone in that Church to translate what was just revealed that all can understand the message.

The problem: I cannot concretely prove my stand on this, not with scripture, if you can, I’d like for you to show me! However, I can say that the Apostle Paul told me not to forbid speaking in tongues. It just has to be done descent and in order. The verse next verse says this:

(1 Corinthians 14:40)

LET ALL THINGS BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.

I seek to explain that because I desired to share this concerning (to whom we listen). My wife and I visited a Church a while back that we thought we might enjoy. This Church believed in the gift of tongues. I can’t say the actual way they believed it was to be carried out however, before the Church service started the pastor said this and (I quote) If any person here desires to speak in tongues, you meet with one of our deacons and share your message with him. At that he will decide whether your message is worthy to be shared with the Church or not.

I thought! Then who are we actually going to be (LISTENING TO)? You mean to tell me that what God shares with one man, then another man gets to decide whether I can hear it or not? In reality, if tongues are to be used in our Church today, then it’s a great possibility that (the pastor) will not be able to speak on that day; Why? Because a man is going to stand up and be recognized; it doesn’t matter whether he is speaking another language or, and (unknown) tongue. He is going to share God’s message with that Church and, then an interpreter is going to tell us exactly what that man said in our own language! It will never be left to another man to decide what he thinks it should be.

Now, this Church readily accepted what this pastor said! Do you see what I’m saying about (TO WHOM WE LISTEN)? Thats just one example! Every man, every person is just (a man). They are no different than you. As far as listening, every word that any person says should be weighed by God’s word, listening to God’s Spirit. If we do anything less then, we become fools! It’s our eternal destiny and, our relationship with God’s Son that is at stake!

When it comes to (whom we listen) there are two things we must never fall in love with. As I make that statement; I’m using the (love) in a very generic form. When we allow ourselves to fall in love with a building or a pastor, often that love becomes very blinding, it blocks out our ability to recognize (truth) and that by God’s Spirit.

Let’s close with these verses as it relates to (whom we listen).

(1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM BECOME A SOUNDING BRASS AND TINKLING CYMBAL. (2) AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSYERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE, AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM NOTHING. (3) AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING.

As we look at these verses, charity means basically (love put in action). Now, what is love? How many people do you know that can give the correct definition to that word? The word love: like many words we use today is only known because of the word of God. It, also; like many words has a Biblical definition and, no other way that it might be defined matters. There could be a section in these series written entitled (LOVE DEFINED BY TH WORLD’S STANDARDS). SO, LET’S SEE THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF (LOVE).

(1 John 4:6-8)

WE ARE OF GOD: HE THAT KNOWETH GOD HEARETH US; HE THAT IS NOT OF GOD HEARETH NOT US, HEREBY KNOW WE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR. (7) BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER: FOR LOVE IS OF GOD; AND EVERYONE THAT LOVETH IS BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWETH GOD. (8) HE THAT LOVETH NOT KNOWETH NOT GOD; FOR GOD IS LOVE.

The world has its way to define love as well. Many people fall for (the worlds) way of defining that word. We often listen to people, teachers, pastors because (we believe) they love us. However, because we don’t understand how love is truly defined, we are deceived by those very people. They do (love) but, as defined by this world and not by God the Father.

The Bible says this in:

(Romans 5:1-5)

THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: (2) BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO HIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. (3) AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE; (4) AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE, AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE: (5) AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.

I realize that all this is a message within itself. However, I feel compelled to teach this as it relates to (whom we listen). The very first question you must resolve for yourself is: (have you been justified by faith)? As I say that; justification comes only through and by the Holy Spirit of God. It is meaningless for me or any other person to tell you that you have been justified. That would only be (the love of the world) speaking to you!

As you sit in any Church, listen to any pastor or teacher; you can’t prove for a fact that any person has been justified by faith. The only person that you can speak for is you. Now, the next part of this says this: (you have peace with God) (through our Lord Jesus Christ). I’ll ask you a question here. (DO YOU HAVE PEACE WITH GOD)? Can you answer that, not giving me the answer, but you? What does God’s Spirit reveal to you?

Let’s look at this a little. So, let’s just say that you are born again and, your pastor is born again. That means that (the love of God) is shed abroad in both of your hearts. When we say that we have (PEACE WITH GOD) we are saying that as long as our pastor preaches (the truth) (of God) no matter what he says, no matter how hard it hits us, we have complete peace with that truth. We are saying that because it’s our desire to have our fleshly bodies completely conform, to be completely transformed into all God desires for us to be. We beg to hear that truth!

When the majority of Church members are not born again and, when their pastor preaches simply showing forth the love of God as he preaches then, what he says is not pleasing words to the majority of the congregation. Why? Because they are not at (peace with God).

In this world, you can count on this fact: you can always find a man, a woman, somebody that can say the things you desire to hear! However, (TO WHOM ARE YOU LISTENING)? You are filled with the love of this world and not the love of God!

If we are born of his spirit (born again) we have access by faith to his grace, it tells us that in (Verse 2). When we see the word (tribulations) and (we glory in tribulations) it’s speaking of the storm that is occurring in our hearts as (the love of God) is being (shed abroad in our heart). Why? Because we realize that it is working patience within us and hope of the day when we can stand before him. prepared to do so.

Any person that calls him or, herself a pastor and offers anything less than the love of God to you is a hireling. He or she is simply bought and paid for by you or, your Church. They and you both, (have your reward)! They, the hireling gets compensated financially for the worldly words they offer, and you get to feel spiritual without changing a thing about yourself. I want you to consider this and, even consider (to whom you are listening).

(Matthew 7:13-14)

ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT: (14) BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THEREBE THAT FIND IT.

In the average Church setting, most members consider this to be speaking to people that are not members of a Church. There are even those that believe that if you are not a member of their Church these verses are speaking to you. Howbeit, it’s actually speaking to all those that haven’t found that (strait gate). What would be that (strait gate)? If you will notice, Jesus Christ being to person that made that statement didn’t define what that strait gate was in those verses did he? He did however tell you in the next verse this:

(Matthew 7:15)

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES.

I want you to know that (this world) is filled with its (false prophets) to whom many people listen and are very deceived thereby. Within the word of God, the (strait gate) comes as a mystery. It is hidden from this world. The only way that mystery or hidden wisdom can be revealed is by (God’s Holy Spirit). By design, in time Jesus Christ did reveal that mystery but, it was not at that time. I like to show people these verses:

(1 Corinthians 2:1-8)

AND I, BRETHREN, WHEN I CAME TO YOU, CAME NOT WITH EXCELLENCY OF SPEECH OR OF WISDOM, DECLARING UNTO YOU THE TESTIMONY OF GOD. (2) FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU, SAVE JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. (3) AND I WAS WITH YOU IN WEAKNESS, AND IN FEAR, AND IN MUCH TREMBLING. (4) AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN’S WISDOM, BUT IN DEMOSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND POWER: (5) THAT YOUR FAITH SHOULD NOT STAND IN THE WISDOM OF MEN, BUT IN THE POWER OF GOD. (6) HOWBEIT WE SPEAK THE WISDOM AMONG THEM THAT ARE PERFECT, YET NOT THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD, NOR OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD, THAT COME TO NOUGHT: (7) BUT WE SPEAK THE WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY, EVEN THE HIDDEN WISDOM, WHICH GOD ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD UNTO OUR GLORY: (8) WHICH NONE OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD KNEW: FOR HAD THEY KNOWN IT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY.

In the time we call the Old Testament and that includes the days to which Jesus Christ lived, there were people that already understood the (hidden wisdom and mystery) concerning Jesus Christ. Those people believed that through God’s amazing grace that he would make a way to redeem sinful man. They also knew that it would be something beyond what the eye could see, such as Jesus Christ in his flesh. They knew that simply believing that a man in the flesh (Jesus Christ) lived and died in the flesh was not salvation.

The world, in its wisdom believes that Jesus Christ lived and died. There are very few people that won’t admit they believe that. The secret is, that the world and its prophets desire for you to believe that (simply believing) is salvation! However, in the (hidden wisdom, the mystery) the gate that Jesus Christ spoke of goes much deeper than that: (and few there be that find it). In these verses we see, this is what the Apostle Paul is seeking to reveal to these people that say they believe. There are also many people that truly believe that Jesus Christ will return for his Church. That fact still doesn’t constitute salvation.

Salvation and how it’s gained is a mystery. It can be found only in the hidden wisdom of God. That mystery and hidden wisdom will only be revealed to any person by God’s Holy Spirit. When we consider (to whom we listen) it must be God doing the speaking. God chose to place himself within the body of sinful people that he might reveal himself to other sinful people. The sinful person that reveals truth has already heard the message from God, from another sinful person. That message opens his spiritual eyes to the absolute truth. The truth that he is a (hell deserving sinner) (without hope) in a (sin cursed world).

The very same voice that he is listening to also reveals that there is a savoir that is completely willing to redeem you from your sin cursed condition. Actually, it’s not the person that is doing the speaking, at that time, that you are listening to. It’s the Holy Ghost of God that you are hearing. The voice that we hear when truth is revealed also shows us what truly believing really means. It’s one thing to say (you believe) fire will burn. It’s quite another (to know) fire will burn. Isn’t both believing? However, the word (believe) is used in two different lights in the English language. For instance: If I say (I believe) this will work, I’m speaking with doubt but, willing to try it. I can also say (I believe) and mean (I know) something as a fact.

When we consider this in spiritual terms; we must clarify what we actually mean. That means when a man is preaching it must be clearly understood what (believing) means. I often feel we are missing this defining power in the message we hear. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in:

(John 3:7)

MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

As we look at this one scripture; I’ll try to build a spiritual message here. In (John 3) Jesus Christ is the preacher. His congregation is Nicodemus. As he preaches his message, we see that his message is causing Nicodemus to ask questions, questions that demand an answer. It is absolutely no different than any person that is speaking or preaching to you. The message is being heard aloud. When we see Nicodemus asking question, it’s like you listening and all these questions popping up in your heart as you hear the message that is being preached. These questions need to be answered. As you read here in John, that is exactly the Jesus as the preacher does, he answers Nicodemus’ questions with spiritual answers.

One day in my life I heard the voice of Jesus Christ by his spirit that flowed through the lips of a man. By Faith, as that man spoke, I ask Jesus Christ to be my savior. Beginning on that day, I had many unanswered questions that it would take a lot of time and study to understand. I even had to learn that (to whom) I (was listening) was not the man standing behind the pulpit. The person that was teaching me was not the man standing behind the pulpit. When we learn (to whom we truly need to listen) it will transform our lives!

(The world) desires for you to just hear them! It doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or woman in a night club, a beer hall, a counseling session or, a person standing behind a pulpit. We have theological professors, doctors, teachers that truly want you to think they can teach you all you need to know.

Again, as we consider this, the small town I live in is centered in between at least four well known seminaries. I can drive less than three hours and be in the parking lot of at least five different schools that teach students to be pastors and teachers. Without knowing for sure I’d say that each of these schools graduate at least five hundred students every year. I’ve often wondered over the years, where do they all go? With all these people being taught spiritual lessons; it should be a revival of mass proportion happening within a two-hundred-mile radius of each of these schools. so, where does the problem lie? It lies within the fact that these students are being taught by man and not by the Holy Spirit!

God’s mystery, his hidden wisdom is right before our eyes. However, we must be willing to hear him, blocking out the deception that is in this world. My friends, listen to God’s Holy Spirit as I speak. There is nothing; spiritually speaking that you cannot find right in the confines of your own home. That is, down on your knees humbly before him and, then seeking his words as God’s spirit directs you to do so.

I might add; there’s nothing wrong with education! However, we must be careful (to whom we listen). The world’s desires to be so loud that it blocks out God’s Spirit. The world wants you to think they are something they are not. Hell is filled with people that thought they could trust the teaching offered by the world.

To whom do you listed? To whom do you hear? As you consider what I’m saying, consider this; every person, male or female that actually was inspired to write a book in the Bible, just how educated were they? As you consider that, it’s a point we can make. Every person from Moses to the Apostle Paul denounced what they had been taught by this world and, wrote what God told them to write. That even includes Doctor Luke!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7