God is not mocked | Lesson 18

 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -Galations 6:7

[PDF copy available here : download . print . add to your study binder]

Boot camp was pretty intense! Seven days of a hard look at ourself should produce some repentance and humility.  Right?  I hope so!

There is in each of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, something for each of us to learn.  We just have to be teachable, right?  Humble, right?  Jesus Christ himself is speaking to us with the utmost urgency to take stock of our heart and make the appropriate adjustments.

Could we be so full of ourselves to think that we shouldn't have ears to hear? God forbid.

In this lesson, we will continue on the subject of SELF EXAMINATION.
Is this fear of God such an excellent thing? Is it attended with so many blessed privileges? Then this should put us, every soul of us, upon a diligent examination of ourselves.

Keeping the Christian from self examination is the teaching that we should not be 'sin conscience' but rather 'God conscience'.  That we should be so focused on God that we are not hindered by the guilt of our sin.  But is that the way that God wants us to think????

*Now if you have truly repented of a sin in your past, if you have truly turned around from your wicked ways and walk after the LORD God, then you are freed from that past sin.  You may be reminded of it, feel remorse for the wrong done, but you can know that you have been made a new creation in Christ because of the redemption price paid by Jesus Christ on your behalf.

HOWEVER, If you still indulge in things that are against God's ways, well then..you will be 'sin conscience' because the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.  If you choose to ignore that conviction, then you are hardening your heart against God .. and well.. that is very dangerous.

And as we are finding out throughout our study, this all comes around to a heart issue and whether or not we fear God.

We will be reading pages 48-53 of A Treatise of the Fear of God for these next two or three lessons and learning about the type of person who does not fear the LORD.  Why? Well, simply put, we are examining our own heart to keep it in check.

Look up Jeremiah 17:9-10 and write it here: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In Lesson 17 we covered the first type of person who does not fear God: the proud, high minded.
A high mind and the fear of God are set in direct opposition the one to the other.  Can a man at the same time be a proud man and fear God too? 

The second type of person who fears not God is the covetous.

DEFINE:

• Covetous
• Boast
• Envy
• Idolater
• Mock

I am amazed how the word covetous has been candy coated with words such as (and taught with a giant MY in front of each word)

• Dreams
• Pursuits
• Goals
• Passion
• Calling
• Mission
• Ministry

When the reality is that the way of the world, the way of looking out for number one -- me, myself, and I -- has been so gladly welcomed by the church.  The church now calls evil good and is teaching others how to live a life of covetousness.  "You can have what makes you happy -- God wants you to be happy" WOW!  Or another deceptive version of covetousness, is to say "oh, it's not for me...I am supposed to be a distribution center"  (In some circles, wouldn't that be considered money laundering? Just sayin')

It is still about the love of money. And I would comment also, it is what money brings with it.   Remember I Timothy 6:10? For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

LOOK UP:

• Jeremiah 18:12
• Ezekiel 33:31
• Palm 119:36
• Isaiah 57:17
• Luke 12:15
• Romans 1:29
• Ephesians 5:5
• Colossians 3:5
• Hebrews 13:5

God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that will he also reap.  OH MY WORD! that Scripture has been used to reinforce covetousness!  If you want money...sow money.  If you want a new house..sow your present one.  If you want your bank account to increase...give it to your local church or favorite TV/online preacher (or more accurately .. empty it into the hands of charlatans, con men, deceivers, thieves, and impostors.)  

Whatever happened to learning this verse? James 4:4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The sad truth is that covetousness is a BIG problem in the church.  And it is being fostered and encouraged from pulpits all around the country.  

The third type of person that fears not God is "the riotous eaters of flesh"  aka GLUTTONOUS 

DEFINE:

• Gluttony
• Excess

LOOK UP:

• Proverbs 23:20
• Jude 12
• II Peter 2:13
• Luke 21:34
• Romans 13:13

Read again Revelation 3:14-22

Do you suppose that the church of the Laodoceans could be considered as these types of people?

Let's make sure that we are humble before the LORD and keep a pure heart.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, 

O Lord my strength and my redeemer.  -Psalm 19:14