By Their Fruits You Will Know Them!

  
Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

In these scriptures Jesus is telling His disciples and the multitude of people who gathered on the mount to watch out for false prophets, those who claim to speak on behalf of God but they are not sent by Him, nor do they have His words in their mouth. They come looking and dressing like sheep, they speak nice sounding spiritual words and even quote scripture, but inside the heart they are ravenous wolves ready to devour the sheep of the Lord. They are bad trees!

Jesus said, 'you will know them by their fruits'. What fruits was Jesus talking about here? The fruits of the Spirit.

John the baptist talked about the Pharisees and Sadducees during his ministry because he saw their hearts even before Jesus began His earthly ministry. The Pharisees knew the law and the prophets inside and out, they read the scrolls every Sabbath day but the word of God did not enter their hearts and they did not obey the law.

Their eyes were blinded by the letter of the law and even though they read the scriptures their ears were dull and they could not hear the voice of the Spirit. They reasoned the scriptures with their carnal minds, and added many of their own traditions to the law, the true interpretation of the spiritual scriptures was hidden from them.

Matthew 3:7-10

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Jesus and John spoke the same word about the trees (people) that don't bear good fruit. This spiritual concept of seed sowing and fruit bearing in the hearts of man can be seen throughout the New Testament scriptures and Jesus made it clear that without His Spirit, His life, and His word, (written & spoken) abiding in us we can't do anything.

John 15:1-8,16

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Jesus is the true vine and He sustains us by His life when we are in Him. The Father is the one who prunes, chastens, and causes increase of the branch's in Christ. Every branch (person) that does not bear the fruits of the Spirit are taken away from the Vine.

These are the ones who are born from above, but don't obey the word. They receive the gift, but they don't do anything with it, they don't seek the face of the Lord and they don't surrender their lives completely to Him and allow the Holy Spirit of God to circumcise their hearts so they can bear His fruits. They are unwilling to undergo the discipline, correction, pruning, and suffering that's needed to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Those who do go on to bear fruit the Father prunes, which means: 2508. kathairo kath-ah'-ee-ro from 2513; to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate:--purge.

So the Father cleanses or purges those who bear the fruit of the Spirit in their heart and they go on to bear even more fruit. The cleansing process is not easy for those who bear fruit in Christ and they go through many tests, fiery trials, tribulations, and suffering in the flesh, but the end result is a whole heart, maturity, sanctification, and all the fruits of the Spirit birthed in the heart.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

Jesus gives us a clear understanding about what His disciples need to do in order to bear fruit. They must abide (stay, remain) in Him! His words must also stay in the hearts of those who believe in Him.

Jesus also tells us that once the fruit is birthed in the heart that it will remain. Those in Christ don't ever have to fear losing a fruit of the Spirit.

Now let's take a look at the spiritual fruits Jesus was talking about:

Galatians 5:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

1) Love -  26. agape ag-ah'-pay from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. (SGL)

1st Corinthians 13:4-8,

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

1st John 4:7-21

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

2) Joy - 5479. chara khar-ah' from 5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

John 15:11

 

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

 

John 3:29

 

"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled"

 

Acts 13:49-52

 

"And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

Romans 14:17

"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy  Spirit."

Romans 15:13

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

2nd Corinthians 8:1-2

"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality."

1st Thessalonians 1:5-7

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe."

1st Peter 1:6-9

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

3) Peace - 1515. eirene i-ray'-nay probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

John 14:25-27

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Colossians 3:12-15

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Philippians 4:6-7

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Romans 12:14-18

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

4) Longsuffering - 3115. makrothumia mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah from the same as 3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.

Colossians 1:9-12

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

Ephesians 4:1-3

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

2nd Corinthians 6:3-6

"We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,"

2nd Timothy 4:1-2

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

James 1:2-4

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

5) Kindness - 5544. chrestotes khray-stot'-ace from 5543; usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor):--gentleness, good(-ness), kindness.

2nd Peter 1:5-8

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

6) Goodness - 19. agathosune ag-ath-o-soo'-nay from 18; goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence:--goodness.

Romans 15:14

"Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

Ephesians 5:8-10

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

7) Faith - 4102. pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Acts 6:8

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people."

Acts 11:22-24

"Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."

Acts 26:17-18

"I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."

Romans 1:16-17

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

1st Corinthians 2:3-5

"I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

2nd Corinthians 5:6-7

"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Colossians 2:11-12

"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

8) Gentleness - 4236. praiotes prah-ot'-ace from 4235; gentleness, by implication, humility:--meekness.

2nd Corinthians 10:1

"Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you."

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

Philippians 4:4-5

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand."

1st Timothy 6:11

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

 9) Self-Control - 1466. egkrateia eng-krat'-i-ah from 1468; self-control (especially continence):--temperance.

 

Acts 24:25

 

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

 

1st Corinthians 7:5

 

"Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

 

1st Timothy 2:15

 

"Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."

 

2nd Timothy 3:1-5

 

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

 

In closing, I pray that these words of life will sink down into your hearts and ears, and that you will examine yourselves to see if you are really in the faith. (2nd Cor. 13:5)

 

Matthew 7:21-23

 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

 

In His Love,

Tyrone

Pela Fe...

By: Cynthia R. Palmer

Dizer o que? A Palavra diz tudo! Leia, medite e viva!

HEBREUS 11

¹Ora, a fé é o firme fundamento das coisas que se esperam, e a prova das coisas que não se vêem.

²Porque por ela os antigos alcançaram bom testemunho.
³Pela fé entendemos que os mundos foram criados pela palavra de Deus; de modo que o visível não foi feito daquilo que se vê.
⁴Pela fé Abel ofereceu a Deus mais excelente sacrifício que Caim, pelo qual alcançou testemunho de que era justo, dando Deus testemunho das suas oferendas, e por meio dela depois de morto, ainda fala.
⁵Pela fé Enoque foi trasladado para não ver a morte; e não foi achado, porque Deus o trasladara; pois antes da sua trasladação alcançou testemunho de que agradara a Deus.
⁶Ora, sem fé é impossível agradar a Deus; porque é necessário que aquele que se aproxima de Deus creia que ele existe, e que é galardoador dos que o buscam.
⁷Pela fé Noé, divinamente avisado das coisas que ainda não se viam, sendo temente a Deus, preparou uma arca para o salvamento da sua família; e por esta fé condenou o mundo, e tornou-se herdeiro da justiça que é segundo a fé.
⁸Pela fé Abraão, sendo chamado, obedeceu, saindo para um lugar que havia de receber por herança; e saiu, sem saber para onde ia.
⁹Pela fé peregrinou na terra da promessa, como em terra alheia, habitando em tendas com Isaque e Jacó, herdeiros com ele da mesma promessa;
¹⁰porque esperava a cidade que tem os fundamentos, da qual o arquiteto e edificador é Deus.
¹¹Pela fé, até a própria Sara recebeu a virtude de conceber um filho, mesmo fora da idade, porquanto teve por fiel aquele que lho havia prometido.
¹²Pelo que também de um, e esse já amortecido, descenderam tantos, em multidão, como as estrelas do céu, e como a areia inumerável que está na praia do mar.
¹³Todos estes morreram na fé, sem terem alcançado as promessas; mas tendo-as visto e saudado, de longe, confessaram que eram estrangeiros e peregrinos na terra.
¹⁴Ora, os que tais coisas dizem, mostram que estão buscando uma pátria.
¹⁵E se, na verdade, se lembrassem daquela donde haviam saído, teriam oportunidade de voltar.
¹⁶Mas agora desejam uma pátria melhor, isto é, a celestial. Pelo que também Deus não se envergonha deles, de ser chamado seu Deus, porque já lhes preparou uma cidade.
¹⁷Pela fé Abraão, sendo provado, ofereceu Isaque; sim, ia oferecendo o seu unigênito aquele que recebera as promessas,
¹⁸e a quem se havia dito: Em Isaque será chamada a tua descendência,
¹⁹julgando que Deus era poderoso para até dos mortos o ressuscitar; e daí também em figura o recobrou.
²⁰Pela fé Isaque abençoou Jacó e a Esaú, no tocante as coisas futuras.
²¹Pela fé Jacó, quando estava para morrer, abençoou cada um dos filhos de José, e adorou, inclinado sobre a extremidade do seu bordão.
²²Pela fé José, estando próximo o seu fim, fez menção da saída dos filhos de Israel, e deu ordem acerca de seus ossos.
²³Pela fé Moisés, logo ao nascer, foi escondido por seus pais durante três meses, porque viram que o menino era formoso; e não temeram o decreto do rei.
²⁴Pela fé Moisés, sendo já homem, recusou ser chamado filho da filha de Faraó,
²⁵escolhendo antes ser maltratado com o povo de Deus do que ter por algum tempo o gozo do pecado,
²⁶tendo por maiores riquezas o opróbrio de Cristo do que os tesouros do Egito; porque tinha em vista a recompensa.
²⁷Pela fé deixou o Egito, não temendo a ira do rei; porque ficou firme, como quem vê aquele que é invisível.
²⁸Pela fé celebrou a páscoa e a aspersão do sangue, para que o destruidor dos primogênitos não lhes tocasse.
²⁹Pela fé os israelitas atravessaram o Mar Vermelho, como por terra seca; e tentando isso os egípcios, foram afogados.
³⁰Pela fé caíram os muros de Jericó, depois de rodeados por sete dias.
³¹Pela fé Raabe, a meretriz, não pereceu com os desobedientes, tendo acolhido em paz os espias.
³²E que mais direi? Pois me faltará o tempo, se eu contar de Gideão, de Baraque, de Sansão, de Jefté, de Davi, de Samuel e dos profetas;
³³os quais por meio da fé venceram reinos, praticaram a justiça, alcançaram promessas, fecharam a boca dos leões,
³⁴apagaram a força do fogo, escaparam ao fio da espada, da fraqueza tiraram forças, tornaram-se poderosos na guerra, puseram em fuga exércitos estrangeiros.
³⁵As mulheres receberam pela ressurreição os seus mortos; uns foram torturados, não aceitando o seu livramento, para alcançarem uma melhor ressurreição;
³⁶e outros experimentaram escárnios e açoites, e ainda cadeias e prisões.
³⁷Foram apedrejados e tentados; foram serrados ao meio; morreram ao fio da espada; andaram vestidos de peles de ovelhas e de cabras, necessitados, aflitos e maltratados
³⁸(dos quais o mundo não era digno), errantes pelos desertos e montes, e pelas covas e cavernas da terra.
³⁹E todos estes, embora tendo recebido bom testemunho pela fé, contudo não alcançaram a promessa;
⁴⁰visto que Deus provera alguma coisa melhor a nosso respeito, para que eles, sem nós, não fossem aperfeiçoados.

Que Deus possa abencoar sua vida te dando FE e FE para viver a Sua Palavra,

Cynthia Palmer

By Faith

Hebrews 11

By Faith We Understand

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;^[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child^[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,^[c] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”^{[d] 19} concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in^[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,^[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

May God bless your faith,

Cynthia Palmer

Patience

This is one of the things the Lord has been dealing with me :"BE PATIENT" and I am very thankful that He is for I want to be an overcomer in every weakness that I may have in my soul that can hinder the fullness of Christ in my life. I want to have all the fruits of the Spirit and exercise them well. So, this is actually a study I am doing for myself about patience and I am sharing with you.

What does Patience mean? (wikipedia)

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

Galatians 5:19-26

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Can you already identify in you if you are crucified for the flesh or not? If patience (longsuffering) is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, it means I need to have the Spirit of God in order to have TRUE LONGSUFFERING! It means that without the Spirit there is NO FRUIT! It means that if I am lacking in any of these gifts, I still need to crucify my flesh and DIE to myself in order to have His fruits in me! So simple, but so deep this truth !!!! Let us face it in order to be delivered from the works of the flesh. Because the scriptures say that if we bear NO FRUIT we will be CUT OFF! So, better to face what you must change now while there is still time!!!

Romans 8:25 (New Interlinear Greek-English Bible)

But if we hope for what we do not see, through patience we eagerly expect.

Patience in this verse means: 5281. hupomone hoop-om-on-ay' from 5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:--enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

So, if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly expect it cheerful, patiently, enduring whatever we need until we can touch it and see it! :-) Aleluia Jesus! :-)

Romans 15:4-6 (New Interlinear Greek-English Bible)

⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our instruction, that through patience (5281) and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. And may the God of patience and encouragement give to you to mind the same among one another according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that with one accord and with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just God can give us patience, nobody else! And you also see in these verses that even to have HOPE you need to have patience and you also need to encourage yourself through studying the Scriptures. In conclusio: To expect things with confidence you must have patience and also study the Scriptures.

What is hope? (wikipedia)

Hope is the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.^[1] It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or "feel[ing] that something desired may happen". ^[2] Other definitions are "to cherish a desire with anticipation"; "to desire with expectation of obtainment"; or "to expect with confidence".

2 Cor 1:1-6  (New King James Version)

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring (5281) the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Here Paul is explaining that he and his companions suffered greatly in order to bring "comfort and salvation" for the Corinthians. The "sufferings of Christ" are the ones we suffer also to do ministry and also the ones we suffer to be like Him, like His image. But just as Christ comforted them, God would also comfort the Corinthian believers ( and also us today) when we suffer for our faith and to be like Christ as well. God gives us strength to endure all the trials and tribulations. He blesses us with comfort, strength and patience, so we may also comfort, be strong and patient with others.

2 Cor 6:4-10

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience (5281), in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ⁷ by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Paul always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ and we should also consider how we act and react to everything in our lives so we may be like Christ and never make people reject Christ. If we are always short in patience, people will perceive that , it will communicate that you are lacking in something in your walk with Christ. The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, so we must seek God's face in order to be helped in everything we ourselves cannot figure out or destroy the root!

James 5:7-12

⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸ You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.^[c] Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Even to wait for the Lord's return we must be patient! :-) We have the examples of the prophets and Job to follow! Even the farmers have to wait so patiently for their crops to grow. They cannot rush the growing of the fruits, vegetables, etc....they must wait for the right time and we must wait the time of the Lord for everything in our lives as well IF we want our lives to be led by Him! We have a bunch of examples in the scriptures of patience, suffering, persecution and we should follow the example of the prophets, our brother Job and many others, for the end intended by the Lord for us is always perfect!

1 Peter 2:20-22

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently (see below: 5278), this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,^[f] leaving us^[g] an example, that you should follow His steps:
²² “ Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;^[h]

5278. hupomeno hoop-om-en'-o from 5259 and 3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:--abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.  

Note that not every time you do good you are going to receive a positive response, Jesus only did good, therefore many hated Him, many persecuted Him, but not because He was a bad man, but because He was speaking what the Father was telling Him to speak! The truth alone will be the reason why many will hate you, many will persecute you, many will not want to be near you, many will despise you, but if you do good and suffer patiently, this is commendable before God. Never give up following Christ's example!

Romans 12:10-12

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient (enduring -5278) in tribulation(in trouble -see below: 2347), continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

2347. thlipsis thlip'-sis from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

We are called by God to endure pressure, anguish, burdens, persecutions, tribulations, troubles. And who likes all these things? If we could escape all of them we would, wouldn't we? But the Lord is calling us to follow His footsteps, His example. He endured all things, He overcame the world, and we can too IN HIM!

1 Cor 13:4-7

⁴ Love suffers long (see below: 3114) and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.    

3114. makrothumeo mak-roth-oo-meh'-o from the same as 3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient:--bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.

Note that if you are not patient with the ones you say you love, your love is stained and needs to be cleansed, the love inside your heart needs to be worked out by God in a way that you will have patience even when the love you give you receive nothing in return! This is the love Christ teaches us! He first loved ones when we were still in sin.

2 Tim 2:24

²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient (see below: 420), ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

420. anexikakos an-ex-ik'-ak-os from 430 and 2556; enduring of ill, i.e. forbearing:--patient.

There is no servant of the Lord that knows nothing about suffering! If you have never suffered being in Christ, it means you are not a disciple of Christ, you are not following Christ's footsteps!

1 Thessalonians 5:14

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient (3114) with all.

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (3114)toward us,^[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Proverbs 14:29

²⁹ He who is slow (H750)  to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive^[c] exalts folly. 

750 'arek aw-rake' from 748; long:--long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger).

Proverbs 15:18

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow (H750)to anger allays  (H8252)contention. 

allays = 8252 shaqat shaw-kat' a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative):--appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet(-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.

Proverbs 16:32

³² He who is slow(H750) to anger is better than the mighty (H1368) , And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 

 We can clearly see that the man who is patient to wrath has great understanding, quiets the contentions and is better than the powerful and the strong!

Luke 2:25

²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting (4327) for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

4327. prosdechomai pros-dekh'-om-ahee from 4314 and 1209; to admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await (with confidence or patience):--accept, allow, look (wait) for, take.

2 Timothy 3:10-12

¹⁰ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering (see below: 3115), love, perseverance (see above: 5281), ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

3115. makrothumia mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah from the same as 3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.

Hebrews 6:13-15

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”^{[d] 15} And so, after he had patiently endured (3114), he obtained the promise.

Revelation 1:9

   ⁹ I, John, both^[e] your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In brief, we see that to be patient is not an option if you are in Christ, you must be patient, you must endure tribulation, you must endure pressure, you must be an overcomer, you must have the fruits of the Spirit! You must overcome the world, the flesh, the lusts, the pride, we must endure temptations, we must pass the tests and trials otherwise they will come back for us to be able to overcome them if we really want to be holy! So, do not be surprised if you are asking the Lord to  be like Him and have His fruits bore in you and you start facing everything that takes your patience away! This is the work of God to make you an overcomer, to deliver you! Remember that!

I pray that the Lord may grant me and you patience, endurance, forebearing in everything we still don't like, we still feel pricked in our flesh with, that we still need to be worked on for us not to be anyhow hindered to have the fullness of Christ in us and for us to never be an obstacle for anybody's salvation!

In Christ's love,

Cynthia Palmer

Hypocrisy and Hypocrites

I would like to share one of the things that Jesus rebuked harshly and directly, without fear of men and without compromising the word of God and it was called: Hypocrisy and/or Hypocrites. Let us go directly to the point of what these words mean:

Hypocrisy

5272. hupokrisis hoop-ok'-ree-sis from 5271; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"):--condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.

Hypocrite

5273. hupokrites hoop-ok-ree-tace' from 5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite":--hypocrite.

We normally use the word "pharisee" to describe a person who calls himself a christian but they just act like if they were christians, but in reality do not live like a true disciple of  Jesus Christ at all. The pharisees were actually Jewish religious people who were supposed to obey the law given by God to Moses. So, let us check what this word means as well:

Pharisee

5330. Pharisaios far-is-ah'-yos of Hebrew origin (compare 6567 ) ,a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.

Wikipedia - from Hebrew פְּרוּשִׁים pĕrûšîm, pl. of פָּרוּשׁ pārûš, meaning “set apart);


Let us check the scriptures why Jesus rebuked the hypocrites so harshly:

Matthew 23:1-5 ; 13-16 ; 23-28 ; 29-36

 ¹ Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: “The scribes ( 1122. grammateus gram-mat-yooce' from 1121. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk. )  and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,^[a]that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to be seen by men.

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.^[c]
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.^{[f] 26} Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.    

Verse 28

The word hypocrisy in this verse is-  5212. humeteros hoo-met'-er-os from 5210; yours, i.e. pertaining to you:--your (own).

The word lawlessness is-  458. anomia an-om-ee'-ah from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Matthew 6: 1- 8 ; 16-18

¹ “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.<sup>[a]


5</sup> “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^{[b] 7} And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[d]

Matthew 7:1-5

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 15:7-9 ; 15-20 Jesus speaking:

 ⁷ Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
⁸ ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And^[e]honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”<sup>[f]

15</sup> Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
¹⁶ So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷ Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? ¹⁸ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Matthew 22:17-18

¹⁷ Tell us (pharisees), therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Luke 12: 1-3 ; 56

¹ In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. ³ Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Luke 13:14-17

¹⁴ But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
¹⁵ The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite!^[b] Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶ So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Romans 12:9

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy (dissimulation). Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

hypocrisy in this verse is dissimulation:

505. anupokritos an-oo-pok'-ree-tos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 5271; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.

1 Timothy 1:5

⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (unpretended faith, without dissimulation - greek: 505)

1 Timothy 4:2

¹ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy (strong's number: 5272- see above), having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Peter 2:1-3 (Interlinear Greek English Bible)

¹ Then, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies (5272), and envies, and all evil words, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure soul-nourishing milk , that you may grow by it,  if indeed you tasted that the Lord is good.

Concluding, we clearly see in the scriptures that Jesus does not want us just obeying words written as a tradition, a ritual or a habit, but He wants us to obey His commands with all the love in our hearts, we must obey Him from the heart, not just because somebody is demanding you to do so! Or just for men to see what you are doing for Christ or people! Hypocrites today are those who even preach and teach the word of God but they themselves do not obey it! Let us not deceive ourselves, but let us obey God with all our hearts, souls and minds and LIVE the abundant life that Christ has for us on the earth and in heaven!

We must know that to be a real disciple of Christ envolves dying to self, to your own will, envolves suffering, persecution, sincerity, prayer, fastings, reading and obeying the scriptures and have much pure love in order to overcome the world, the flesh and satan and to grow into maturity with Christ.

I pray that you may NOT be found a hypocrite, BUT a faithful servant of Jesus Christ filled with His Holy Spirit and dressed spiritually with the full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.


May God bless all those who truly walk in Him and grant repentance to those who are hypocrites,

Cynthia R. Palmer