Tag: Goodness

Accusations and How to Deal with It

Posted on by ascendthehill

What is an accusation?

Some people think accusations are based on lies, and some are… but not always. The woman caught in adultery was quite literally caught in the very act of adultery (cheating on her husband). When the Lawyers came before the Just One to bring her to trial for her ACTUAL offense, His JUDGMENT was to show her mercy, but what he said to her concerning the Lawyers shows an insight into the nature of our adversary, the devil.

When they all left the scene of her JUDGMENT the Just Judge asked her, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” The accusation was HER ACTUAL OFFENSE, not a made-up charge. She ACTUALLY cheated on her husband and under the penalty of the LAW she was to be condemned to die.

Satan uses the ACTUAL offenses contained in the LAW (knowledge of good and evil) to accuse you. Sometimes it is not a made-up offense it is our actual offense that he will use. Then what happens is we become alienated from God in our minds because our crimes have been elevated to a point where we think that God’s love and mercy cannot not reach… or worse we try to justify ourselves instead of submitting ourselves to the One who justifies the ungodly. <<<—This is a bad place to be<<<—

A Fool For A Client

If we’re busy trying to justify ourselves, receiving mercy is hard. There is a saying that used to be popular that states, “A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.” This is so true for us when we try to be our own representation. Because if we are being honest with ourselves we know that we are guilty.

“Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:19-20

This is what Jesus did to the Pharisees when they tried to condemn the woman who was caught cheating on her husband. He used the law to shut their mouths so that they would understand that they too were guilty before God by their own laws. And every one of them dropped their stones and walked away.

In their zeal for God, they condemned a woman. But their zeal was not according to the knowledge of God. Their zeal was according to the works of the law, which is what it means when it says, they were trying to establish their own righteousness. They were trying to justify themselves instead of submitting themselves to the mercy (or righteousness) of God.

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.

Romans 10:1-4

Submission Is The Key

Jesus said,
“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary delivers you to the judge, and the judge delivers you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.”

Matthew 5:25

When the accuser comes in trying to accuse you don’t get caught up trying to justify yourself and fighting on his terms. If he comes in like a flood accusing you about how terrible you are turn to him and agree,
“Dang, devil, you’re right. I am a sinner above everyone else. Praise God that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. Let’s go see what God has to say about this…”
We all know how that court case turned out in the Old Testament when the devil WAS allowed to be in the courtroom of heaven (reference Zechariah 3) now he’s not even allowed in there (reference Luke 10:18).

We Have A Better Representative: His name is Jesus!

Look, we don’t fight the devil on his terms in his court! We submit to God. We submit to the righteousness of God. He decided to come here and save sinners. He decided that all who put their trust in the righteousness of His Son Jesus shall be saved. He made those judgments.

Let’s submit ourselves to the righteous judgments of our Father and realize our salvation does not depend on us. It is completely dependent on Him. No more justifying ourselves and trying to live by our righteousness. Let’s live by HIS. We aren’t here to fight the devil on his terms. We’re here to submit to God and live by His terms. And this is the terms that we have with Him whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved!

Love you guys!

Our FATHER loves us! He is a Just Judge and He delights in showing mercy, mercy triumphs over Judgment. When we enter into judgment with our accuser we are not coming in trying to defend our righteousness (testifying in court of our own innocence). We are coming in submitting to the righteous Judgment of our Savior!

A Piece of Earthly Wisdom: aka A Demonic Doctrine

Posted on by ascendthehill

How can the wisdom of this world be demonic?

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

James 3:14-15

First, I want to clarify why earthly wisdom is a doctrine from devils. The wisdom of this world denies its Creator. It leaves your destiny in your own hands. The wisdom of this world is all about self. It’s your promotion and what you can do to achieve your potential. me, Me, ME. That’s what it’s all about, self… For greater clarification of the wisdom of this world being demonic in origin, I will take you to Jesus’ rebuke of Simon Peter.

From that time forward Jesus began to show unto his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Let these things not come near you, Lord: this shall not happen to you." 

But he turned, and said unto Peter, "Get behind me, Satan: you are an offence to me: for you do not savor the things that be of God, but those that be of men."

(Matthew 16:21-23).

What was his offense towards Peter? That he thought and dwelt on the things of this world. What was the topic that Peter was addressing? Jesus’ torture and death. We want our family and friends to live long and prosperous lives so why is this an offensive mindset? Because it’s all about this earth, and getting the most out of this earth. Peter was rebuked and called Satan because his thoughts (at that time) were steadfastly on the affairs of this earth. This is why earthly wisdom is demonically inspired.

Subtle Lies From Demons

“Surround yourself with prominent people in your community and you will go higher in that community…”

Demonic Rhetoric

I have heard this and similar expressions come from Christians. Honestly, it disturbs me. Isn’t this the same thing the children of this world do? It seems to me that it is.

“Surround yourself with well-to-do people and you will also rise to the top with them.”

More Demonic Rhetoric

This mindset has held the church back from being the city on a hill the Lord has called us to be. We need to get back to the teachings of the Bible.

But the wisdom from above is first pure…impartial, free of hypocrisy

“My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: did God not choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called? If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators.”

Holy Inspiration, James 2:1-9

It’s the disregarded that many Christians cast to the side that God is after. Stones disallowed indeed by men (see 1 Peter 2:4). Seeing how our messiah was an outcast and chose a bunch of outcasts it’s a wonder this kind of teaching gains speed in the church.

I’m so glad our Father chose the foolish, the poor, the disregarded, and the children to confound the “put-together” people of Jesus’ time.

“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”

Jesus the Son of God, Matthew 11:25-26

And he will do it again. Remember his word,

“For this reason also, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill, and some they will persecute.”

Jesus the Messiah, Luke 11:49

Final admonition

We need to wake up and smell the broken. Jesus is here for them, but instead, we turned Christianity into a networking club about who you know… it’s a shame really. I wonder how often the Lord or one of his angels has come into a church as an unrefined person and sat there in the service waiting for people to receive him?

“For if you love them which love you, what credit is that to you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what credit is that to you? for sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

Jesus the King of kings, Luke 6:32-36

Love you all!

The Power to Subvert Kingdoms

Posted on by ascendthehill

Pointing out a problem without giving a solution always leads to one or more of the following: discouragement; anger; bitterness; hopelessness; fear; anxiety; helplessness; unworthiness… the list goes on. The thing is, pointing out a person’s problem doesn’t really help them, it just leaves them wanting. With no solution, facing these problems seems daunting and turns into fear and discouragement.

These problems scoff and laugh at us. They blaspheme the armies of the living God as we sit on the sidelines shaking in fear, too afraid to say anything against the insults and blasphemous slander. Just like Goliath, they stand in the way of God’s kingdom, openly opposing its advancement.

David believed in the Solution more than the problem. He didn’t ignore the problem and act like it wasn’t there. He addressed the issue by faith. He knew there was an issue, but he knew his God was bigger than the problem. David when looking out at this giant saw an enemy of God’s people and knew “if God be for us, who can be against us” (from Rom. 8:31). He gave his fear to the Lord instead of fearing this Philistine. He glorified the living God and said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

When David looked out he saw a problem, but he did not shrink from it. He glorified God and knew the God who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear will deliver this Philistine into his hands. We look at David like he had courage in himself to do this great feat, but we so easily forget that David is a man just like me and you. His courage was not in himself, he just believed in God. It’s very easy to exalt a champion of the Lord’s, and they are champions indeed, but their victory didn’t come from themselves it came from believing in God. As we think about the great cloud of witnesses that went before us, let us be reminded that they accomplished everything through faith in the living God. So, we must be victorious through faith in the living God as well.

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”

Hebrews 11:33-39

God Is Light

Posted on by ascendthehill

The biggest takeaway from Christianity is: God is good; mankind is evil; God is faithful; mankind is unfaithful; God is righteous; mankind is unrighteous; God justifies the ungodly; mankind is unable to be godly without God.


If your theology points toward human effort and the establishment of your own goodness (especially that over God’s) then you are wrong. Everyone wants to try very hard to be righteous through their own effort, but never really trust in the righteousness of God.
I will be as direct and honest as I can be. MOST Christians believe that they have good standing with God by their own merit. Now most Christians would argue and say that they do not. But, a good portion of Christian teaching is how the recipient of grace must behave himself to be in good standing with God.

Do you want power? Fast, pray, and live a holy life then maybe God will send it. Do you want fellowship with God? Fast, pray, and live a holy life then maybe God will talk to you. Do you want anything from God? Well, you must live according to how a “good” person lives, and then God will give it to you…

The reason why sinners and publicans enter the kingdom of God before the “righteous” is because they rely on God being morally good over their own moral goodness. Many will declare their acts of love and devotion toward God (i.e. prayer, fasting, religious works), but I WILL ALWAYS DECLARE GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS!

The God who is light in whom there is no shadow of turning. The God who, despite myself, loved me and gave me new life. The God who has remained faithful even when I was unfaithful. The God who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. The God whose devotion toward me has far surpassed any feeble devotion I have shown him. I will DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!! I will declare him to my brothers! Jesus is LORD and I have found favor in him!

All those who trust in anything besides the righteousness that is the LORD’s will fall.