You aren't swayed by men,because you pay no attention to who they are.''
Dear people of God, in this above Scripture we read people calling Jesus, a (man) of integrity.
Now, if we meditate on this portion, we understand that they have observed certain aspects of integrity, in the teaching ministry of Jesus.
Let us list down those aspects, as given in the above scripture:
1.Teaching the way of God.
2.Teaching in accordance with the Truth.
3.Unswayed by people.
4.No attention to who men are.
All these above four fundamental aspects made Jesus unique in his Teaching.
And due to these, people adored him as a Good Teacher with integrity.
Being born in human form, here, the Son of God was setting us an example of how He wants the people to be - those, whom He calls to serve Him as 'Teachers' in the kingdom of God.
As we meditate on this, if we are someone who is called to teach in the Kingdom of God, then we need to introspect ourselves and learn to imitate Jesus.
Even if any one of the four aspects is compromised then we are not meeting the requirements of our Head Teacher, who called us to be teachers like Him and has scattered His gifts to us.
As the Spirit of God helps us, let us meditate on each of the four aspects of a Good Teacher that we have noted down from Matthew 22:16.
1.Way of God:
God's way is never the way of the world.
'' Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.''
We need to ensure that in all we teach, we are showing the way to heaven.
Our teaching must not influence people towards seeking the things of the world, but towards seeking the eternal life that Jesus has promised.
Our God is not the god of this world. If our teaching focuses on the seeking earthly things, then we are not teaching the way of God.
For God is in heaven and we are all one day going to meet Him in the clouds and we need to prepare ourselves to face Jesus in the mid skies.
If we desire to be a part of those set of people who would be raptured to see the King in Glory, then our teaching must be nourished with the heavenly wisdom and must proclaim the way of God that leads to eternal life.
'' Acts 20 : 28 - 31 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Even from your own number men will rise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard ! ''
2. Teaching in accordance with the Truth:
'' Proverbs 11: 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. ''
When we are teaching, we must be careful that we are conveying the Truth of the word. And not any false interpretations caused by delusions of depraved minds, that arise due to the desires of the soul.
'' Proverbs 11: 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. ''
When we are teaching, we must be careful that we are conveying the Truth of the word. And not any false interpretations caused by delusions of depraved minds, that arise due to the desires of the soul.
Truth is One.
Truth is not broken, that one man receives one kind of interpretation and another man receives a contradicting interpretation.
God gives the same Spirit of Truth to everyone. So we need to be careful to test and see if we are receiving the Spirit which is from God, and receiving the right revelations from the word that are given by the Spirit of God.
Our human wisdom is not enough to unfold the Truth of the Word of God, by ourselves.
Our human wisdom is not enough to unfold the Truth of the Word of God, by ourselves.
Being called to be teachers, means, God has anointed you with His Teaching Spirit, and fills you with the Truth about His word that you are ought to teach.
God will not contradict with His word, when revelations flow.
Therefore, whenever we receive the hidden mysteries in the Word, being unfolded by the Spirit of God, God will confirm the same through His Word too.
If the Word is saying something and the revelation you receive is contradicting the word, then do not go after the understanding that you presume to be a revelation, because this is only coming from the world and our human spirits and our human wisdom. And is only a deception.
God's Spirit will not reveal contradictions on His own instructions.
Word of God is the TRUTH.
And Spirit of God helps us to understand and unfold the mysteries in this Truth.
But Spirit of God will not bring a new truth, contradicting the word itself.
If the Word is saying something and the revelation you receive is contradicting the word, then do not go after the understanding that you presume to be a revelation, because this is only coming from the world and our human spirits and our human wisdom. And is only a deception.
God's Spirit will not reveal contradictions on His own instructions.
Word of God is the TRUTH.
And Spirit of God helps us to understand and unfold the mysteries in this Truth.
But Spirit of God will not bring a new truth, contradicting the word itself.
'' Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord , until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception.''
We need to sow righteousness - Righteousness is the Word.
But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception.''
We need to sow righteousness - Righteousness is the Word.
The Truth.
'' Zechariah 14:9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.''
The name of the Lord alone is the only name which is going to prevail. He will be King over all the earth.
Without this name 'Jesus,' which is the Truth and The Living Word, there is no kingdom of God. If you are teaching under the influence of any other name, then be alert and chek yourself which way your heading.
Any other name could be the names of your desires, could be your wealth, it could be anything else under the sun, that has taken you for captive. And leading you to deceptive doctrines.
We should not be hasty in proclaiming anything that hits our understanding without checking it with the word of God.
As we read above, seek the Lord until He comes and showers righteousness. Wait till you are given affirmations from His righteousness, which is His word.
But if we are hasty, and do not care whether the revelation is coming from God's Holy Spirit, or has its origin anywhere else, then we will be planting only wickedness,
And wickedness produces evil, which is the fruit of deception.
3. Unswayed by People:
'' Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.Others slapped him and said, '' Prophesy to us ,Christ. Who hit you ? '' ''
Even when people spit on Him and challenged Him, to prove Himself, Jesus was unswayed about the Truth of who He is.
In order to escape the humiliation of people, He did not use his Godship and started to prophesy as they were saying Him to, in order to protect Himself from their insults.
He knows who He is and what He is saying is the Truth.
And therefore He was never swayed according to the behaviour of people.
We need to imitate Christ like behaviour. If holding on to the Truth is leaving you under tests and trails, be it be. Face them and endure in them.
If people around you are making fun of you, for your various troubles, be it be.
'' Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.Others slapped him and said, '' Prophesy to us ,Christ. Who hit you ? '' ''
Even when people spit on Him and challenged Him, to prove Himself, Jesus was unswayed about the Truth of who He is.
In order to escape the humiliation of people, He did not use his Godship and started to prophesy as they were saying Him to, in order to protect Himself from their insults.
He knows who He is and what He is saying is the Truth.
And therefore He was never swayed according to the behaviour of people.
We need to imitate Christ like behaviour. If holding on to the Truth is leaving you under tests and trails, be it be. Face them and endure in them.
If people around you are making fun of you, for your various troubles, be it be.
Persevere in them.
But do not be swayed by how people treat you, either good or bad, but hold on to the Truth of the Word and do just as the Word directs you.
Lets us also read couple of Scriptures on how Apostle Paul served the Lord during his ministry, and get encouraged:
''Acts 20 : 19-20 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentence and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.''
'' Acts 20 : 22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus have given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. ''
But do not be swayed by how people treat you, either good or bad, but hold on to the Truth of the Word and do just as the Word directs you.
Lets us also read couple of Scriptures on how Apostle Paul served the Lord during his ministry, and get encouraged:
''Acts 20 : 19-20 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentence and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.''
'' Acts 20 : 22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus have given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. ''
Let us therefore, consider ourselves as nothing, and steadfastly focus on finishing the race our Lord has given us.
You must also be careful that you are not carried away by the applause of people and swerve from the way of righteousness and start mixing your lessons with unworthy deceptive teachings, just to get an applause from the audience.
Do not mix vain things in your teachings just to please or entertain people in order to retain them in your fellowship.
Word of God clearly states, that praise is only a test.
'' Proverbs : 27 : 21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.''
'' Proverbs : 27 : 21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.''
4. No Attention to who men are:
''1 Kings 4 : 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt .He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite - wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.''
If we notice in this Scripture,we see that there were already some renowned names who were regarded for their wisdom, prevalent during the time of Solomon.
However, God blessed Solomon with astonishing wisdom - wisdom, greater than any
other man !
God kept Solomon's name above all these noted men.
Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom.
Dear people, you could be one of those, teaching God's word, in a place where there are already well known teachers, who have gained good reputation for their talents.
Or you could be teaching God's word among some authorities of your nation.
However, you should not really pay attention to who people are, when it comes to carrying out your responsibilities that God has assigned you.
The strong positions of people around you must not drag your attention and hinder the work of God.
You should not lose your confidence by looking at the fame of already established people, if you know you are proclaiming the Truth of the Word of God.
God has blessed Solomon with such a great wisdom, and we read in 1 Kings 4:32 that he spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
Will not God grant us similar anointing, and place us at higher positions, with unique teaching talents, if we submit ourselves to His calling, and stay unswayed by people and hold on to the Truth, dedicating ourselves to the work He has assigned , and proclaim only the way of God?
Let not any one around you who could be considered wiser or intelligent or holding any kind of position, drag your attention and weaken you in your confidence levels.
The strong positions of people around you must not drag your attention and hinder the work of God.
You should not lose your confidence by looking at the fame of already established people, if you know you are proclaiming the Truth of the Word of God.
God has blessed Solomon with such a great wisdom, and we read in 1 Kings 4:32 that he spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
Will not God grant us similar anointing, and place us at higher positions, with unique teaching talents, if we submit ourselves to His calling, and stay unswayed by people and hold on to the Truth, dedicating ourselves to the work He has assigned , and proclaim only the way of God?
Let not any one around you who could be considered wiser or intelligent or holding any kind of position, drag your attention and weaken you in your confidence levels.
Do not pay attention to who men are. God can provide us more than we can accomodate.
We only need to turn to God and ask him to fill us up, if we lack anything.
And we need to ask right things in our prayers.
We only need to turn to God and ask him to fill us up, if we lack anything.
And we need to ask right things in our prayers.
Let us read what Solomon asked God:
'' 1 Kings 3: 7-9 Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David.But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.For who is able to govern this great people of yours ? ''
From this Scripture we learn that Solomon had asked God only the things needed for him to play the role God has assigned him.
God has entrusted HIS chosen people to Solomon and wanted him to lead them and rule over them.
Solomon took this as his key responsibility, rather than as an elevation from God.
And hence wanted God to grant him all the wisdom and discernment he needs to carry out his responsibility properly.
If we are someone who is called to teach, then we must realise that it is a responsibility that God is entrusting us.
From this Scripture we learn that Solomon had asked God only the things needed for him to play the role God has assigned him.
God has entrusted HIS chosen people to Solomon and wanted him to lead them and rule over them.
Solomon took this as his key responsibility, rather than as an elevation from God.
And hence wanted God to grant him all the wisdom and discernment he needs to carry out his responsibility properly.
If we are someone who is called to teach, then we must realise that it is a responsibility that God is entrusting us.
We should not look at it as being exalted or elevated to be called someone in the kingdom of God. But humble ourselves and seek from God the right things that we need in order carry out the duties God has entrusted to us, and do what is right in order that those entrusted to us are ministered in the way pleasing to God.
After all, people who are listening to our teachings are God's own precious chosen people.
We must be extremely careful in guarding what is entrusted to us.
Wisdom in teaching, knowledge about His Word, and the right skills that are needed to impress on people and help others, all these things and much more, shall be poured out on us, provided our walk and our hearts are devoted to the Truth of God's word.
'' Jeremiah 48 : 10 A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord's work! ''
If we are careless about the Work of God, and fail in any of these above four crucial aspects of integrity, that made Jesus, a Good Teacher, and if we fail anywhere in imitating HIM, then as said in Jeremiah 48:10, we will only be subject to curses.
If we want to be faultless in what we say, then we need to keep a chek on our whole body all the time, giving no scope for any sin.
'' James 3 :1,2 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in chek. ''
'' Jeremiah 48 : 10 A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord's work! ''
If we are careless about the Work of God, and fail in any of these above four crucial aspects of integrity, that made Jesus, a Good Teacher, and if we fail anywhere in imitating HIM, then as said in Jeremiah 48:10, we will only be subject to curses.
If we want to be faultless in what we say, then we need to keep a chek on our whole body all the time, giving no scope for any sin.
'' James 3 :1,2 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in chek. ''
Now, how can we keep a chek on our whole body - what are the traps of the enemy for each part of the body ?
'' Proverbs 6 : 16 -19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him :
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. ''
Let us therefore be very careful in preserving ourselves from the traps of the enemy, and serve our Master faithfully, carrying out our tasks in fear and reverence, with all integrity.
'' Titus 2: 7,8 In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. ''
God Bless You.
'' Proverbs 6 : 16 -19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him :
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. ''
Let us therefore be very careful in preserving ourselves from the traps of the enemy, and serve our Master faithfully, carrying out our tasks in fear and reverence, with all integrity.
'' Titus 2: 7,8 In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. ''
God Bless You.
