PREPARE YOUR HEART
Author: Pastor Clint Yandris
October 10, 2022
2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
Every fall, every accident, every mistake, every slip of the tongue and ultimately every sin happens because our heart was not prepared.
There are people you know that came to God and had an incredible experience. Saved from drugs, sin, addiction. They gave their life to the Lord, had a great family, they were blessed. But then something happened, they fell away. It is all rooted in their hearts not being prepared.
Prepare definition: To do something in advance.
Most people do not prepare to sin. David did not prepare to sin on the rooftop where he saw Bathsheba. But most people also don’t PREPARE.
We don’t do things in advance that would guard our heart when temptation comes.
Three psychiatric patients are eager to be released from the hospital, but the doctor has an examination of their judgment skills that must be passed in order for them to go home. One by one he takes them to the edge of a swimming pool without water and tells them to jump in or not. Take the risk or not. He shows them that the pool has no water, but he doesn’t tell them because they must choose on their own. The first patient looks at the pool and jumps in without hesitation, hurting his ankle. The doctor tells him, “Sir, you failed the examination, and therefore you must stay another year before the next testing.” The patient left very sad. The second patient walks up to the pool’s edge, thinks about it, then jumps in. He hurts his shoulder. Again the doctor says, “Sir, you failed the exam and must stay another year.” This patient also leaves sad and discouraged. The third patient walks up to the pool’s edge, thinks for a while, shakes his head and says, “No way I’m jumping in.” The doctor jumped up with joy and said, “Sir, you have great judgment skills and therefore you are released from this psychiatric hospital.” The patient jumped for joy in excitement. Then the doctor asked the happy patient, “What made you decide not to jump into the pool?” To which the patient answered, “Oh, that’s easy. I don’t know how to swim!”
Complacent: uncritical satisfaction of oneself. You are unaware of your surroundings. Unconcerned and unaware of danger!
Are we really aware of the dangers around us every day?
The places we go
The people we meet
What we see, hear, speak.
The things we let enter our hearts.
Having a battle ready mindset that satan is coming against us, that temptation will happen and that sin always lies at the door is part of preparing our hearts to God.
If you never bump into the devil that’s because your headed in the same direction!
Resistance isn’t a sign you are out of the will of God. It’s the number one confirmation that you are doing Gods will. The gravy train will never help you nor will it lead you toward Gods will.
Think about satans qualities, he has many. However, he is aggressive and consistent. You can resist him, but he gets back up and will come at you again.
I saw a fox attack a woman on YouTube who was walking in the park. By herself, no dog, just her. And a fox just a fraction of the size of this woman came out of nowhere and attacked this woman like she was his lunch. It was the oddest thing, that this small animal thought he could do it. In fact, she kicks the fox multiple times. One time sending the fox twirling in the air. This lady had so much more power over the fox. But the fox kept coming. One man had to rush in to help the lady as she was just getting exhausted because even though the fox was hurt and injured and by far out matched. It kept coming.
That’s the quality of the devil, he just keeps coming!
What if we were that way. We just kept coming, no matter what? Think about the victories you would accumulate over time if you just kept coming.
The Bible tells us the difference between the devils’ qualities and yours. You are powerful and mighty through God. Take time to read: Ephesians 1:19-20, Ephesians 3:20, Colossians 1:29, 1 John 4:4, 2 Corinthians 13:3
There are many more. But the Power is in you! You are dealing with things that are just a fraction of your size.
You need to declare..that the lord of fly’s (satan – beelzebub)…small things…will not defeat me today. That the snare of the fowler…just a small bird trap…will not defeat me! My God is too great and powerful, and He lives and works in me!
Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Here is Jesus casting out an evil spirit. One was brought to him that was both blind and dumb. Couldn’t see and couldn’t speak. And Jesus cast the spirit out, healed the person to where they could instantly see and speak.
And the Pharisees said, you cast out devils by satan himself! By beelzebub the price of devils.
beelzebub: Strongs OT: (translaterated from OT 1176/Ba?alZebub, "the lord of flies" or "fly-god," cf. 2 Ki 1:2) – Beelzebul, a title of satan which stresses he is the prince over demons ("demonic flies").
This is the same god of the Canaanites baal. lord of flies. flys are small but they bring disorder and chaos. Another way to put it, lord of dung or filth.
This is the only way satan can get an advantage, a constant onslaught of small attacks that bring disorder. And Jesus makes a point after knowing their “thoughts – (hearts)”.
A house divided against itself cannot stand
If you heart is not made up and fixed, than the small things can destroy the house.
The house can be great, but it can be the little things that ruin it.
The devils house is not divided, they keep coming.
Why should we quit and give up. We have a great house. We have a great treasure in earthen vessels. We have the power of God working in us. There is no good reason to quit.
Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
Keep your heart, keep your peace. Keeping your heart makes your house strong where the thief cannot come in to divide.
Let us not live our lives uninformed and unconcerned. But rather aware of danger and at the same time aware of our very present help in the time of our trouble. Jesus.
Point of discussion:
What are some ways you prepare?
What is your level of concern?
When the attack comes how do you respond? Gather or scatter? Luke 11:23
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