“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” – Psalms 1:1 (KJV)
This psalm is not addressed to everybody but to those who already believe; those already in the Faith. Those addressed are not in league with the world, nor are they in conformity to the standard or practice of and in the world.
There is a blessing that is pronounced by God upon whosoever it is that meets three conditions here. It is not a blessing bestowed upon pre-determined people, but on who ever meets the requirements. They could be ministers or laity – “the man” could be anyone, but of course it has to be one in the house hold of God.
Three requirements are given here:
(1) “….walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly”
(2) “….nor standeth in the way of sinners,”
(3) “……sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
These three have, like most things, dual applications: physical and spiritual. The first, “to walk” is not to follow in, to carry out or execute the advice or word that does not agree with Godly principles. The second, “to stand”, means not to agree with, to cast ones lot or decision with those who purposely do and involve in evil. And the third, “sit”, means not to pass judgment with the standard of the wicked.
Our focus however is on the third: “sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” As said earlier, there are two levels of application. This third, “sit”, means not to pass judgment on others using the standard of the wicked. That is the natural or physical application.
Spiritually, the word “Sit, means to exercise dominion or authority over everything. This talks of POWER, not only over people but on situations and circumstances!
Examples:
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” – Dan 7:9 (KJV)
“I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” – Dan 7:21-22 (KJV)
“But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” – Dan 7:26 (KJV)
The Saints of God – His children – are having a hard and difficult time against the controlling powers of the earth; suffering despite their belief and trust in God, until “the judgment shall sit”.
This is the Supreme, Sovereign power, over-ruling and setting aside the controlling powers of the earth.
This can be better understood from the angle of a legal tussle in a Court room till the day judgment would be passed. When the judge “sits” everything stands still temporarily, every other powers and authority will be suspended till judgment is passed.
There can be no judgment till there is a “Sitting”!
“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” – Prov 31:23 (KJV)
The Virtuous woman’s husband was not a push over! He was not just sitting at the gate because he was a loafer and had nothing to do, no! He sat with the elders; he was an elder! Elders are the decision makers. The gate was a place of decision making; where destinies are made or unmade, where Souls are traded! Like the angels that would sit to decide what “Fish” would pass and the one to be condemned!
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, AND SAT DOWN, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” – Matt 13:47-50 (KJV)
Angels are those beings that transcend the natural; they are not limited by the limitations of earth life. They are not in league with the world, nor are they in conformity to the standard or practice of and in the world
These Angels are not the ones we normally think about with wings and all; no, these Angels are you and I called to SIT with the Lord! Hallelujah!! What a privilege and an honour!!!
We are called to “Sit” with the Lord at the gate; where decisions would be made! This is where the blessing is! We decide with the Lord who enters eternity justified or condemned!
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” – Rev 3:21 (KJV)
The throne is a place of Authority; a place decisions are made, the place of power!
Oh what an honour to sit with the Lord in power!!!
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” – Eph 2:6-7 (KJV)
What is He doing in Heavenly places? Exercising power and dominion!
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” – Eph 1:20-23 (KJV)
“….that in all things he might have the preeminence.” – Col 1:18 (KJV)
Most gloriously, it is not only later after the rapture that we exercise this power but NOW, whilst still alive! Naturally and spiritually we exercise the power, now!
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” – John 17:24 (KJV)
This was after He had prayed the Father not to take us away from the world.
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” – John 17:15 (KJV)
So where He is now, I am there with Him ruling and exercising dominion!
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” – Col 2:10 (KJV)
BUT THERE IS A CONDITION!
……..to be continued
THE MESSENGER
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 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.” 1 John 4:1-6 (KJV)
John begins by telling us about the messenger, the person who brings the message. He says many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Prophets profess! They speak There is a spirit behind words or messages spoken. He tells us to examine, look closer, deeper, at the prophets to know or discern the driving force beneath their “professing”. We are not asked to believe the prophets but the spirit. Not just what they say, but the spirit or power that inspires or propels such words.
In Acts 16:
“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” – Acts 16:16-17 (KJV)
A young slave girl followed Paul and Silas, saying “good and God-sounding things”, but the spirit behind her message was evil! NO MATTER HOW GOOD A THING MAY BE OR SOUND GOOD, IF THE SPIRIT BEHIND IT IS EVIL THE THING IS EVIL!!!
PREACHING IS NOT ENOUGH!!!
We need to look behind or beneath the message to know what inspires it!
What is behind the message?
(a) Does the Messenger acknowledge That Jesus was born of a virgin, crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem, and is the Son of God?
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” – 1 John 4:2-3 (KJV)
“They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 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.” – 1 John 4:5-6 (KJV)
“Confessing” in the New Testament means more than just speaking but goes beyond to establish and confirm the thing spoken by testimony. Some Ministers have denied the Deity of Jesus unknowingly, by claiming to be of some “divine birth”, being anointed before accepting Christ! I can hear Simon the sorcerer claiming same!!! And the seven sons of Sceva before God exposed them!!!
It is not the miracles done, what do they believe? Belief dwells in the heart, in the deep recess of the being, the fountain of Living waters; from where the Spirit flows. What do they believe? On the surface this won’t show (deception), but through the microscope of the Holy Spirit, it can be perceived! (1 Cor 2:10)
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” – Rev 12:11 (KJV)
WORD, not words! Confessing means to “declare”; to speak or say something: one thing, a “testimony” (not testimonies), a life-time investment, what you believe and are ready to defend or die for. The first rule of discipleship is to defend the Faith!
(b) Does the Messenger or Minister convince people of Jesus Christ? He should point or lead people to Christ, not to himself!
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” – Matt 24:5 (KJV)
Today, we advertise ourselves: how wonderful and eloquent we are, where we have been, and people we have met or have in our circle of friends. The mention of Jesus in messages has become more of reference than The Subject. Paul says “we preach Christ.”
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” – 1 Cor 1:23 (KJV)
(c) Does the Messenger confirm or establish the minds of people in Christ? He should deepen the root of his hearers in Christ by giving them hope and peace in Christ and in His word.
“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” – Col 2:7 (KJV)
The Messenger of God should make people know their hopelessness without Christ. There is a false hope given to the people today; “WHAT YOU CAN CONCEIVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE THROUGH A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!” This sounds good! But it is half Truth and so is not of God! This makes people believe in themselves and in their ability, not In God, Christ or His word! There is absolutely nothing of God in that teaching, which was exactly the same preaching Nimrod gave the people to make them build the Tower! Did they conceive the idea? Yes! Did they build? Yes! Was it of God? No! That was why He scattered it. A false hope is only but for a moment! Enduring hope can only be in God, not in man!
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” – Jer 17:5-7 (KJV)
(d) Does the Minister or Messenger stir in his hearers, higher and more noble thoughts of Jesus than they used to? He should encourage people to love Jesus more and trust Him more; even through his own life style. Is the messenger a person of integrity? When people see the messenger, do they glorify the name of the Lord or do they loathe “the God” of this messenger?
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matt 5:16 (KJV)
Like sensitive children would look at and study a person closely before accepting a gift, we should test the spirits driving the messenger before accepting his “gift”.
To be continued.
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