James 4:2-7

King James Version (KJV)

2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye
fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it
uon your lusts.
4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendshi of the world
is enmity with !od" whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of !od.
5
#o ye think that the scriture saith in vain, $he sirit that dwelleth in us
lusteth to envy"
6
%ut he giveth more grace. &herefore he saith, !od resisteth the roud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.
7
'ubmit yourselves therefore to !od. (esist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
If You Pray Wrongly, You Can Be Sure
Your Prayers Wont Be Answered!
Ye have not, because ye as not!
Ye as, and rece"ve not, because ye as a#"ss!
$ %a#es &'(,)
eve all encountered #o#ents "n our s*"r"tual l"ves when we *rayed w"th no results!
A**arently the *eo*le to who# %a#es was wr"t"ng h"s e*"stle were hav"ng the sa#e e+*er"ence!
%ust as you have *robably ased yourself at one t"#e or another, "t a**ears that these bel"evers
were
also as"ng, ,Why arent our *rayers be"ng answered-. We can sur#"se that they were as"ng
th"s /uest"on
because %a#es *rov"ded an answer "n %a#es &')' ,Ye as, and rece"ve not, because ye as
a#"ss!.
0he 1ree word for ,a#"ss. "s aos, wh"ch descr"bes so#eth"ng that "s bad or wrong! As %a#es
uses
"t "n th"s verse, "t de*"cts a *erson who "s as"ng wrongly, badly, or "na**ro*r"ately! You could
say that th"s
*erson "s s"#*ly not h"tt"ng the #ar "n h"s re/uest! Although he *rays w"th the greatest fervor,
he "s not
h"tt"ng the target w"th what he "s as"ng! 0h"s *erson "s a**arently as"ng 1od to do so#eth"ng
that "s
not "n agree#ent w"th 2"s Word! 0herefore, regardless of how long or how *ass"onately the
*erson ass,
1od w"ll not answer h"s re/uest w"th a *os"t"ve answer because "t "s not "n agree#ent w"th the
Word!
3r *erha*s th"s *erson "s as"ng for the r"ght th"ng, but because he "s so fretful and f"lled w"th
fear
and an+"ety, he doesnt as "n fa"th! 4ather than *ray"ng fro# a *os"t"on of fa"th, he cr"es out to
the 5ord
"n fear and an+"ety! But fear doesnt #ove 1od $ fa"th does! 2ence, although th"s *erson #ay
be
as"ng for the r"ght th"ng, he "s as"ng fro# a wrong s*"r"t! 0hus, he "s as"ng badly or
"na**ro*r"ately!
0h"s #eans what we as and how we as are both of v"tal "#*ortance "f we are go"ng to get our
*rayers answered!
A literal translation of this verse
would be as follows:
,!!!You as, and rece"ve not, because you are as"ng wrongly, badly, "na**ro*r"ately!!!!.
6s*ec"ally when I was younger "n the 5ord, I #ade the #"stae of as"ng th"ngs wrongly when
I *rayed! Perha*s #y "ntent"ons were r"ght, but #y *rayers were not "n agree#ent w"th the truths
revealed "n the B"ble! 0here were other #o#ents when I f"nally got #y *rayers "n agree#ent
w"th
the Word of 1od, but I was so #ot"vated by an+"ety and fear that I couldnt as "n fa"th!
Consu#ed
w"th worry, I *ounded the floor as I *rayed, yell"ng and screa#"ng out for 1od to #ove on #y
behalf! But because I was so f"lled w"th fear regard"ng the s"tuat"on I was *ray"ng about, all #y
*ound"ng, yell"ng, and screa#"ng d"dnt do a b"t of good! I was *ray"ng fro# a wrong s*"r"t $
out
of fear rather than out of fa"th $ so all of that effort resulted only "n a sore throat!
2ave you ever had the e+*er"ence of as"ng the r"ght th"ng "n the wrong way- Pray"ng
scr"*turally
and "n fa"th "s essent"al "f you want your re/uests to be answered *os"t"vely!
7"rst %ohn 8'9& says, ,And th"s "s the conf"dence that we have "n h"#, that, "f we as any th"ng
accord"ng to h"s w"ll, he heareth us!. 0he word ,conf"dence. "s the 1ree word *arres"a! It
descr"bes
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
):)
W
conf"dence, boldness, or assurance! It *"ctures a *erson so conf"dent that when he s*eas, he has
no
doubt about what he "s say"ng! 2e nows what he "s say"ng "s correct or a**ro*r"ate; therefore,
he
beco#es very bold! In the conte+t of *rayer, th"s word *resents the *"cture of a bel"ever who "s so
conf"dent he "s r"ght "n what he "s as"ng that he ass unasha#edly and conf"dently!
What can g"ve you th"s "nd of conf"dence- 0he verse goes on to tell you' ,If we as any
th"ng accord"ng to h"s w"ll, he heareth us!. So when you 9< now 1ods w"ll and (< as 2"# to
do
so#eth"ng that "s "n agree#ent w"th 2"s w"ll, you can be 9==>*ercent sure that 1od w"ll hear you
and that your re/uest w"ll be *os"t"vely answered!
0h"s #eans you have sol"d ground on wh"ch to stand as you *ray "n agree#ent w"th the
revealed w"ll of 1od, the B"ble! S"nce your re/uest "s "n agree#ent w"th what 1od has already
revealed "n 2"s Word, you now you can be bold when you #ae your re/uest! And there "s no
need
for you to *ray out of fear and an+"ety e"ther! %ust /u"et down, and let the Word of 1od f"ll you
w"th
*eace; then as "n fa"th!
7"rst %ohn 8'9& guarantees that "f you as anyth"ng that "s "n agree#ent w"th 2"s w"ll, 1od
w"ll hear you! In fact, verse 98 goes on to *ro#"se you, ,And "f we now that he hear us,
whatsoever
we as, we now that we have the *et"t"ons that we des"red of h"#!.
?now"ng what to *ray and how to *ray "s v"tally "#*ortant! So always ee* th"s "n #"nd as you
get ready to #ae your re/uests nown to 1od' 1od l"stens for 2"s Word, and 2e res*onds to
fa"th!
When 2e hears 2"s Word *rayed fro# a heart of fa"th, 2e "s co#*elled to act!
0he success of your *rayer l"fe "s u* to you, fr"end, so dont as ,a#"ss. when you *ray! @ae
sure you are as"ng correctly and "n an a**ro*r"ate s*"r"t of fa"th! As you learn to *ray "n l"ne
w"th
1ods Word fro# a heart f"lled w"th fa"th, the answers you see w"ll #an"fest "n your l"fe #ore
/u"cly and
#ore fully than ever before!
5ord, I can re#e#ber t"#es "n #y *ast when Ive *rayed the r"ght th"ng the wrong way, and
"t resulted "n unanswered *rayer! I as You to hel* #e as correctly when I *ray, and to as
"n a s*"r"t of fa"th and not "n a s*"r"t of fear, dread, or an+"ety! I never real"Aed before now
how "#*ortant "t "s to as "n the r"ght way! 2oly S*"r"t, I as You to hel* #e as correctly
and *ray a**ro*r"ately fro# th"s #o#ent forward! Whenever I start *ray"ng wrongly or out
of a wrong s*"r"t, *lease sto* #e! I as You to correct #e and teach #e how to *ray "n l"ne
w"th Your Word fro# a heart of fa"th!
I *ray th"s "n %esus na#e!
I confess that 1ods Word "s #y gu"de to hel* #e as correctly when I *ray! I declare that I a#
#ot"vated by fa"th and not by fear, dread, or an+"ety when I *ray! Because I as accord"ng to
1ods w"ll, 2e hears #e when I *ray! Because 2e hears #e, I now that I have the *et"t"ons
I as of 2"#! 1od acts *ro#*tly to answer #y *rayers because I as w"th a heart f"lled w"th
fa"th "n accordance w"th 2"s w"ll! Because I #ae sure that what I *ray "s correct and how
I *ray "s a**ro*r"ate, I a# rece"v"ng #ore and #ore results fro# #y *rayers all the t"#e!
I declare th"s by fa"th "n %esus na#e!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
):&
Whose S"de Are You 3n-
A fr"end of the world "s the ene#y of 1od!
$ %a#es &'&
hen a Chr"st"an who has waled w"th 1od and nows the th"ngs of the S*"r"t dec"des
to ste* bac "nto the world $ "ntent"onally or un"ntent"onally $ th"s "s a very ser"ous
#atter to 1od! When I say ser"ous, I# tal"ng about a s"tuat"on so grave that "t eventually causes
1od to tae an aggress"ve and antagon"st"c stance toward that bel"ever! 0h"s "s why %a#es &'&
says,
,A fr"end of the world "s the ene#y of 1od!.
Bot"ce that %a#es refers to bel"evers who have beco#e a ,fr"end. of the world! 0he word
,fr"end. "s fro# the 1ree word *h"leo, a word that has #any d"fferent facets, "nclud"ng the "deas
of
fondness, fr"endsh"*, or love! 0h"s "s the 1ree word so#eone would use "f he wanted to e+*ress
affect"on
or even ro#ance! And when used to de*"ct fr"ends, th"s word "s the *"cture of very close fr"ends
who are fond of and fa#"l"ar w"th each other!
7ro# the word *h"leo we get the word *h"le#a, wh"ch #eans to "ss! In the anc"ent world, a
"ss was a for# of greet"ng that was reserved for fa#"ly #e#bers, fr"ends, fellow church
#e#bers, or
any other estee#ed and cher"shed *eo*le "n ones l"fe! A "ss l"e th"s would never be g"ven to a
stranger, but to so#eone for who# a *erson felt dee* affect"on or w"th who# he had so#e "nd
of
relat"onsh"*!
0h"s leads us to the ne+t usage of the word *h"leo! In so#e *laces, "t *ortrayed a *erson who was
under so#e ty*e of co##"t#ent or obl"gat"on due to a relat"onsh"*! 0h"s relat"onsh"* could be
fa#"ly>related,
bus"ness>related, soc"ally>related, or fr"endsh"*>related! 4egardless of the bas"s for the
relat"onsh"*, "t "s
one that "ncludes obl"gat"ons, such as the obl"gat"ons that e+"st "n a #arr"age, between bus"ness
*artners,
or even between fr"ends! 0hese relat"onsh"*s carry res*ons"b"l"t"es! 0he word *h"leo could be
used to
descr"be these ty*es of relat"onsh"*s and the obl"gat"ons that result fro# enter"ng "nto the#!
So when %a#es tals about bel"evers who have beco#e ,a fr"end of the world. Cthe 1ree word
*h"leo<, he "s tal"ng about Chr"st"ans who have dr"fted so far bac "nto the world that they now
feel
close to the world; they have affect"on and fondness for "t! 0he connect"on and sense of
fa#"l"ar"ty they
have w"th the world "s so "ntense that they feel an obl"gat"on to the world or to the"r worldly
fr"ends!
0hese bel"evers have e+changed the"r once>dee* affect"on for the 5ord for a renewed alleg"ance
to the world fro# wh"ch they were rescued! Because they now have a strong affect"on for the
world,
"t lets us now that these bel"evers have been dr"ft"ng for a long t"#e! Bacsl"d"ng l"e th"s
doesnt
ha**en overn"ght! It "s clear that a slow, #ethod"cal, seduc"ng *rocess has lured the# away fro#
Chr"st and bac "nto a relat"onsh"* w"th the world! Bow the"r sense of obl"gat"on to the world "s
greater than the"r sense of obl"gat"on to the 5ord!
%a#es sole#nly declares that any bel"ever who has sl"**ed bac "nto th"s ty*e of ser"ous
relat"onsh"*
w"th the world beco#es the ,ene#y. of 1od! 0he word ,ene#y. "s fro# the 1ree word
echthros, a word that a**ears #ore than &8= t"#es "n the 3ld 0esta#ent Se*tuag"nt to descr"be
hate,
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
9()
W
hatred, host"l"ty, an ene#y, or an o**onent! 3ne e+a#*le of "ts usage "n the Bew 0esta#ent "s
5ue
()'9(, where "t *ortrays the an"#os"ty, antagon"s#, en#"ty, r"valry, and co#*et"t"on that e+"sted
between 2erod Ant"*as and P"late! 0hese two #en were def"n"tely not on the sa#e s"de!
What does th"s #ean to you and #e- It tells us that 1od "s Dealous when a bel"ever transfers h"s
devot"on bac to the world! In fact, th"s creates strong Dealousy "n the heart of 1od for that
bel"ever!
1od sees that bel"evers relat"onsh"* w"th the world as a v"olat"on of 2"s own relat"onsh"* w"th
h"#!
%ust as a s*ouse would feel v"olated "f he d"scovered that h"s #ate had secretly carr"ed on an
"nt"#ate
relat"onsh"* w"th so#eone else, 1od feels betrayed when a bel"ever transfers h"s affect"on away
fro#
2"# and bac to the world! In these cases, 1od taes an antagon"st"c v"ew toward the "#*ro*er
relat"onsh"*
and beg"ns to set th"ngs "n #ot"on to see that relat"onsh"* end!
Because 1od wants that bel"ever to refocus h"s affect"on where "t ought to be, 2"s grace #oves "n
to
"ntervene! It #ay not feel l"e hel* at the t"#e, but 1od, who "s "ntensely Dealous for 2"s *eo*le,
sees 2"#self
as a Contender for that bel"evers affect"on and devot"on! 2e w"ll therefore do what 2e #ust to
get the
attent"on of 2"s wayward ch"ld so 2e can turn h"# around and br"ng h"# bac to where he ought
to be!
Bacsl"d"ng "s ser"ous bus"ness! When you try to s*l"t your heart between the 5ord and the
world,
"t s"#*ly wont wor! 0heres too #uch an"#os"ty between a holy 1od and the world fro#
wh"ch you
were rescued! So dont let yourself head bac "n the d"rect"on of the world, because 1od wont
Dust s"t bac
and watch "t ha**en! 2e w"ll co#e after you l"e the #ost ser"ous Co#*et"tor "n the whole
un"verse
Is It Poss"ble for a Chr"st"an
0o Beco#e the 6ne#y of 1od-
Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
now ye not that the fr"endsh"* of the world
"s en#"ty w"th 1od- whosoever therefore w"ll be
a fr"end of the world "s the ene#y of 1od!
$ %a#es &'&
ow does 1od v"ew a bel"ever who once waled w"th 2"# and new the *ower of the
2oly S*"r"t but has now beco#e so entangled "n the world that he hardly ever *"cs
u* h"s B"ble to read "t, rarely *rays, and co#es to church only "f "t ,f"ts. "nto h"s schedule of
th"ngs
to do- 2ow does 1od loo on "t when a bel"ever de*arts fro# the red>hot s*"r"tual *ass"on he
once *ossessed
and turns h"s devot"on to other th"ngs-
%a#es &'& says, ,Ye adulterers and adulteresses, now ye not that the fr"endsh"* of the world "s
en#"ty w"th 1od- whosoever therefore w"ll be a fr"end of the world "s the ene#y of 1od!. 0h"s
verse
tells us e+actly how 1od feels about a bel"ever who wanders away fro# 2"#!
I want you to not"ce the word ,"s. "n th"s verse! It "s fro# the 1ree word ath"ste#", wh"ch
#eans to const"tute or to render! 0h"s "s very "#*ortant, for "t alerts us to the fact that when a
bel"ever
chooses to tae a worldly *ath, he sets h"#self "n d"rect o**os"t"on to the godly *ath 1od des"res
for
h"#! As a result of the cho"ces he has #ade, he has rendered, const"tuted, or caused h"#self to
beco#e
the ,ene#y. of 1od!
I now that the word ,ene#y. "s strong, so lets see what "t #eans! 0he word ,ene#y. "s the
1ree word echthros! 0h"s word "s usually used to descr"be ene#"es "n a war or ene#"es "n a
#"l"tary
confl"ct! It "s the *"cture of two nat"ons who are "n o**os"t"on to one another and have therefore
engaged "n a #"l"tary confl"ct! 0hey are warr"ng nat"ons! 0hey feel host"l"ty, antagon"s#, and
even an"#os"ty
toward each other!
In 5ue ()'9(, the word echthros "s used to co##un"cate the en#"ty and an"#os"ty that e+"sted
between P"late and 2erod Ant"*as before they beca#e all"es at the t"#e of %esus cruc"f"+"on!
Pr"or
to for#"ng the"r new all"ance, P"late and 2erod Ant"*as were f"ercely host"le toward one another!
%ealousy and co#*et"t"on raged between these two #en! 0hey were ene#"es!
So the #ean"ng of the word echthros "n %a#es &'& "s un/uest"onable! It "s the *"cture of a host"le
force! But now %a#es uses th"s word to e+*ress the feel"ngs and e#ot"ons that 1od *ossesses
toward a bel"ever who transfers h"s devot"on and *ass"on fro# 2"# to the world! By us"ng th"s
word,
%a#es tells us that "f a bel"ever chooses to #ae h"s relat"onsh"* w"th the world a greater *r"or"ty
than
h"s relat"onsh"* w"th 1od, he "s #a"ng a cho"ce that w"ll *ut h"# "n d"rect o**os"t"on to 1od! In
fact, the word echthros lets us now that 1od taes th"s dec"s"on so *ersonally that 2e v"ews "t as
an
act of war! 0o 1od, th"s "s the ult"#ate v"olat"on!
I real"Ae that 4o#ans E')9 says, ,If 1od be for us, who can be aga"nst us-. But by the sa#e
toen,
"f 1od taes a stand aga"nst us and our act"v"t"es because our act"ons are wrong, our *lans and
*ursu"ts
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
&)8
2
w"ll be frustrated and *aralyAed, and we w"ll not succeed "n our endeavors! 1od "s not aga"nst us
be"ng
blessed or hav"ng a lot of *ossess"ons! But 2e "s aga"nst whatever taes 2"s *lace "n our hearts!
When the
th"ngs of the world #ove fro# our hands "nto our hearts, that "s the v"olat"on that concerns 1od
the #ost!
In @atthew F'(&, %esus sa"d, ,Bo #an can serve two #asters' for e"ther he w"ll hate the one,
and love the other; or else he w"ll hold to the one, and des*"se the other! Ye cannot serve 1od
and
#a##on!. Accord"ng to these words of %esus, "t "s "#*oss"ble for us to g"ve our hearts
s"#ultaneously
to two #asters! We #ust choose who# we are go"ng to serve' 1od or #a##on!
,@a##on. was an e+*ress"on used by the %ew"sh co##un"ty of Bew 0esta#ent t"#es to
e+*ress the "dea of worldl"ness! So when %esus sa"d "t was "#*oss"ble to serve 1od and
#a##on, 2e
was actually say"ng that "t "s "#*oss"ble to serve both 1od and worldl"ness!
0he word ,serve. "s the 1ree word doulos, wh"ch descr"bes a servant or a slave! 0h"s word was
used to denote a servant who had beco#e a slave for the rest of h"s l"fe! 0h"s servants l"fet"#e
res*ons"b"l"ty
was to ,serv"ce. h"s #aster w"th all h"s attent"on, t"#e, and energy! In other words, he catered
to h"s #asters every w"sh, des"re, or de#and! 2e was there to hel*, ass"st, and fulf"ll h"s #asters
wants and drea#s to the e+clus"on of all else! 0h"s servants ent"re e+"stence was to ,serv"ce. h"s
#aster
"n whatever way the #aster ased or de#anded!
5et #e g"ve you th"s e+a#*le! When you *urchase a car or a wash"ng #ach"ne, these #ach"nes
w"ll o*erate for a wh"le w"thout your attent"on! 2owever, a t"#e co#es when you #ust g"ve your
attent"on to the# "n order to ee* the# "n good wor"ng order! And "f you own a house or
a*art#ent,
you now that a ho#e re/u"res all "nds of t"#e, attent"on, energy, and #oney "n order to
ee* "t "n good sha*e! In other words, all these natural *ossess"ons #ust be ,serv"ced!.
When %esus told us, ,Ye cannot serve 1od and #a##on,. 2e was tell"ng us that both 1od
and
#a##on re/u"re t"#e, attent"on, energy, and #oney! %esus new that there "s not enough of you
and
#e to *ro*erly ,serv"ce. both 1od and worldl"ness "n our l"ves! 2ence, we #ust choose wh"ch
#aster
we are go"ng to serve! 3nce that dec"s"on "s #ade, we #ust then ,hate the one and love the
other!.
0o truly serve 1od, you #ust s*end t"#e w"th 2"# so you can now 2"s vo"ce and develo* a
*attern of obed"ence "n your da"ly wal! It w"ll de#and your fullest attent"on! 0he wor of 1od
#ust
be ,serv"ced w"th *rayer, obed"ence, re*entance, and worsh"*!
If a *erson chooses to serve ,#a##on. Cworldl"ness< "nstead of the 5ord, he w"ll have to turn
h"s attent"on and devot"on to the world! As a worldly *erson, he w"ll be re/u"red to learn the
ways
of the world and to ada*t to the th"n"ng of the world! Serv"ng the world and worldl"ness re/u"res
9== *ercent of a *ersons attent"on!
%ust as serv"ng 1od re/u"res your t"#e, attent"on, energy, and #oney, the world w"ll de#and
the sa#e fro# you! 0h"s "s why %esus sa"d "t "snt *oss"ble to serve both 1od and #a##on! You
see,
there Dust "snt enough of you to serve both of these #asters s"#ultaneously, so you #ust choose
who# you are go"ng to serve!
So let #e as you th"s' Who# are you serv"ng "n your l"fe r"ght now- What #ost re/u"res your
t"#e
and attent"on- Can you truthfully say you are g"v"ng 1od your fullest attent"on and that the ch"ef
*r"or"ty "n your l"fe "s to serve and obey 2"#- 3r #ust you confess that worldly *ursu"ts,
*ossess"ons,
and cor*orate success consu#e your thoughts and energ"es-
If you are consu#ed w"th 1od, these other th"ngs w"ll tae a lower *lace on your l"st of
*r"or"t"es!
But "f you are consu#ed w"th the world, #ater"al th"ngs w"ll do#"nate the landsca*e of your
#"nd! So Dust sto* and as yourself, What do I th"n about #ore than anyth"ng else "n l"fe- Your
answer
w"ll *robably tell you who# you are serv"ng the #ost w"th your heart!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
&)F
%a#es &'F tells us that 1od taes a stand aga"nst a bel"ever who turns h"s devot"on to the world
and beco#es worldly! In fact, "t says 1od ,res"sts. such bel"evers! 0he word ,res"st. "s the 1ree
word
ant"tasso $ a #"l"tary ter# that #eans to #"l"tar"ly order ones self aga"nst so#eone else! 0h"s "s
no acc"dental,
fly>by>n"ght *lan of res"stance but a well>*lanned, *re*ared res"stance!
0h"s e#*hat"cally declares that 1od taes "t so *ersonally when a bel"ever turns h"s devot"on
fro# 2"# to the world that 2e sets 2"#self "n o**os"t"on to that bel"ever! 5"e a #"l"tary
co##ander,
1od rev"ews the s"tuat"on; then 2e dec"des how to res"st and frustrate the th"ngs th"s bel"ever
"s try"ng to ach"eve and thus br"ng h"# to a *lace of surrender!
If th"s bel"ever does not /u"cly surrender, re*ent, and co#e bac to where he ought to be,
1od w"ll cont"nue to tae a stand aga"nst h"s act"v"t"es! 0he Chr"st"an can rebue the dev"l all day
long, but "t w"ll be to no ava"l, for h"s *roble# "snt the dev"l $ h"s *roble# "s 1od!
It doesnt #atter how s#art that *erson "s, how #any talents and g"fts he *ossesses, or how
hard he wors to ach"eve h"s goals, th"ngs Dust wont wor out r"ght because 1od "s stand"ng "n
o**os"t"on
to h"#, frustrat"ng every ste* he taes "n order to get h"s attent"on and hel* h"# get h"s *r"or"t"es
bac "n d"v"ne order!
As terr"ble as th"s res"stance sounds, "t "s a #an"festat"on of 1ods grace! By bloc"ng our way
and res"st"ng our cho"ces, the *rec"ous 2oly S*"r"t endeavors to get our attent"on and to br"ng us
to
a sweet *lace of broenness where s"n "s confessed and fellowsh"* w"th 1od "s restored!
You see, 1od "s so *ass"onate about your relat"onsh"* w"th 2"# that 2e "s unw"ll"ng to share
you w"th the world! 0hat doesnt #ean you cant have a Dob or be successful! In #ost cases, you
#ust
have a Dob, and 1od wants you to be successful! But "f you sw"tch your alleg"ance fro# 1od to
the
world around you, 1od v"ews that as the ult"#ate v"olat"on "n 2"s s"ght! It "s the very act that
causes
2"# to dec"de to r"se u* and to do so#eth"ng to br"ng you bac to where you ought to be!
So I adv"se you to tae a good loo at your l"fe and #ae sure your *r"or"t"es are where they need
to be! @ae sure you are #ore al"gned w"th the 5ord than w"th the world around you! 3therw"se,
1od #ay
ste* forward to del"berately frustrate your *lans "n order to br"ng you bac to where you ought to
be!
5ord, I a# runn"ng to You! I want to be as close to You as I can *oss"bly be! I dont want
even the s#allest h"nt of worldl"ness "n #y l"fe! I want to be l"e You, to th"n l"e You, and
to *lease You "n every *art of #y l"fe $ #y fa#"ly, #y Dob, #y relat"onsh"*s, and #y
f"nances! 2oly S*"r"t, "f there "s any *art of #e that has been "nfluenced wrongly by the
world, I as You to *lease show "t to #e and hel* #e get "t corrected!
I *ray th"s "n %esus na#e!
I confess that I a# on f"re for %esus Chr"st! I a# al"ve to 1od and dead to the world around
#e! Both"ng #eans #ore to #e than *leas"ng %esus! 6very day of #y l"fe, I l"ve to serve 2"#
and to do 2"s w"ll! Although I l"ve "n the world, I a# not of the world! I a# a c"t"Aen of
2eaven, l"v"ng w"th etern"ty at the forefront of #y #"nd!
I declare th"s by fa"th "n %esus na#e!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
&):
0he 2oly S*"r"t
6arnestly Yearns for You!
Go ye th"n that the scr"*ture sa"th "n va"n,
the s*"r"t that dwelleth "n us lusteth to envy-
$ %a#es &'8
as there ever been anyth"ng you wanted so badly that you Dust couldnt get "t off your
#"nd- 6very t"#e you tr"ed to th"n about so#eth"ng else, your #"nd Dust e*t dr"ft"ng
bac over and over aga"n to that th"ng you des"red! 7"nally, your urge to *ossess "t beca#e so
"ntense
that every f"ber of your be"ng wanted to reach out and ca*ture "t before anyone else had a chance
to
snatch "t f"rst!
5et #e use a d"fferent "llustrat"on to #ae th"s *o"nt! If a drug add"ct or an alcohol"c abru*tly
dec"des to sto* do"ng drugs or dr"n"ng after #any years of che#"cal abuse, what ha**ens-
Hnless that
*erson has a #"raculous del"verance, "t *robably wont be too long before h"s body beg"ns to
crave
those che#"cals! In fact, h"s a**et"te for drugs or alcohol #"ght get so forceful that he doubles
over "n
agony! 0hats how #uch h"s body yearns for a ,f"+. of what "t has hab"tually rece"ved "n the *ast!
In the Bew 0esta#ent, the "#ages above would be de*"cted by the 1ree word e*"*otheo,
wh"ch "s a co#*ound of the words e*" and *otheo! 0he word e*" #eans over, and the word
*otheo "s
the word for des"re! But when these two words are co#*ounded together, the new word
e*"*otheo
*ortrays an "ntense des"re, a crav"ng, a hunger, an ache, a yearn"ng for so#eth"ng, a long"ng or
*"n"ng for
so#eth"ng! @ore s*ec"f"cally, "t descr"bes an "ntense, abnor#al, e+cess"ve yearn"ng!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
I9
@y Confess"on for 0oday
Juest"ons for you to cons"der
2
Hsually th"s word "s used to "nd"cate an "ntense yearn"ng for so#eth"ng that "s #orally wrong
and s"nful! It "s the *"t"ful *"cture of so#eone, such as a drug add"ct or an alcohol"c, who needs
h"s
,f"+. so ser"ously that he "s doubled over, raced w"th *a"n, and cry"ng out, ,Please, so#eone,
g"ve #e
what I need!.
4e#arably, th"s 1ree word e*"*otheo "s the sa#e word found "n %a#es &'8 to descr"be the
des"re of the 2oly S*"r"t when "t says, ,!!!0he s*"r"t that dwelleth "n us lusteth to envy!.
0he word ,lust. "n th"s verse "s fro# th"s sa#e 1ree word e*"*otheo! 3nly th"s t"#e the word
"s not used to descr"be the *a"nful add"ct"on of a drug add"ct or alcohol"c; rather, "t de*"cts the
S*"r"t
of 1od! 0here "s obv"ously so#e obDect that the S*"r"t of 1od craves! In fact, th"s 1ree word
*"ctures
2"# as des"r"ng "t so des*erately that 2e "s l"e one who needs so#e ty*e of ,f"+. to sat"sfy an
add"ct"on! 2e "s cry"ng out, ,I have to have "t! I cant wa"t any longer! 1"ve #e what I crave!
1"ve
#e what I a# ach"ng and yearn"ng to have!.
But what does th"s #ean- What "s %a#es &'8 say"ng to us- What does the 2oly S*"r"t yearn for
so s"ncerely that the B"ble would *"cture 2"# "n th"s way-
In %a#es &'8, the B"ble reveals the "ntense yearn"ng the 2oly S*"r"t *ossesses to have us ent"rely
for
2"#self! 0hat should be no sur*r"se to us! 2e "s our Indweller, our Sealer, our Sanct"f"er, and our
Source of
*ower! 2"s attent"on, 2"s g"fts, 2"s *ower, and 2"s Word are all d"rected toward us! 2e "s "n love
w"th us!
0he 2oly S*"r"t "s so "n love w"th us that 2e wants #ore, #ore, #ore, and #ore of us! 6very
day 2e wants our t"#e, our attent"on, our devot"on, and our fellowsh"*! If we deny the 2oly
S*"r"t
of what 2e wants fro# us, 2e cr"es out, ,I need you! I #ust have you! I want to f"ll you,
e#*ower
you, and flood you w"th @y d"v"ne l"fe!.
James 4:5 conveys this compelling idea:
,!!!0he S*"r"t has an all>consu#"ng and *ass"onate des"re to have #ore and #ore of us! In
fact, th"s des"re to *ossess us "s so strong that 2e l"terally yearns, craves, and *"nes after us!.
Bever forget that the 2oly S*"r"t "s a G"v"ne 5over who l"ves on the "ns"de of us! 2e *ass"onately
yearns to fulf"ll 2"s res*ons"b"l"ty to the 7ather to hel*, teach, gu"de, and e#*ower us! 0he word
e*"*otheo e#*hat"cally #eans that when "t co#es to you and #e, the 2oly S*"r"t can never get
enough!
0he 2oly S*"r"t des"res to *ossess you $ all of you! Because of th"s "ntense des"re, 2e "s focused
on chang"ng you, e#*ower"ng you, confor#"ng you to the "#age of %esus Chr"st, and hel*"ng
you
fulf"ll 1ods *lan for your l"fe!
5earn how to y"eld to the 2oly S*"r"t! Allow 2"# to have #ore and #ore of you each day!
Sat"sfy the yearn"ng of th"s G"v"ne 5over! 5et the 2oly S*"r"t love you! 5et 2"# control you! 5et
2"# e+erc"se
2"s author"ty "n your l"fe and flood you w"th 2"s d"v"ne des"re!
5ord, hel* #e to be #"ndful that the 2oly S*"r"t l"ves "ns"de #e and wants to *ossess #ore
and #ore of #e every day! Please hel* #e learn how to surrender to the S*"r"ts *ower and
to y"eld to 2"s sanct"fy"ng Presence! I now that as I y"eld to 2"#, 2e w"ll f"ll #e full of
every good th"ng I need to l"ve a ha**y and successful l"fe "n th"s world! I want to beg"n today
by o*en"ng #yself to the 2oly S*"r"t co#*letely! 2oly S*"r"t, I as You to f"ll #e anew r"ght
A 1uaranteed Way
0o Infur"ate the 2oly S*"r"t!
Go ye th"n that the scr"*ture sa"th "n va"n,
0he s*"r"t that dwelleth "n us lusteth to envy-
$ %a#es &'8
now you want to *lease the S*"r"t of 1od w"th your l"fe, so today I want to tell you
about so#eth"ng that "s guaranteed not to *lease 2"#! By now"ng th"s, you can avo"d
gr"ev"ng 2"# and can concentrate your attent"on on do"ng those th"ngs that are sure to br"ng 2"#
*leasure!
%a#es &'8 says, ,Go ye th"n that the scr"*ture sa"th "n va"n, the s*"r"t that dwelleth "n us lusteth
to
envy-. I want to draw your attent"on to the word ,envy. "n th"s verse! But f"rst I want to bac u*
and s*ea
to you about the ,lust. that the 2oly S*"r"t feels for you and #e!
I noted "n the 7ebruary 9& S*arl"ng 1e# that the word ,lust. "s the 1ree word e*"*otheo, a
word that *ortrays an "ntense des"re; a crav"ng; a hunger; an ache; a yearn"ng for so#eth"ng; a
long"ng
or *"n"ng for so#eth"ng! Hsually th"s word "s used to "nd"cate an "ntense yearn"ng for so#eth"ng
that
"s #orally wrong and s"nful! But "n %a#es &'8, th"s 1ree word descr"bes the "ntense yearn"ng
that
the 2oly S*"r"t *ossesses to have us ent"rely for 2"#self! Because the word e*"*otheo "s used to
de*"ct
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
9)I
@y Confess"on for 0oday
Juest"ons for you to cons"der
I
the S*"r"ts long"ng to have us, "t e+*resses the dee* love and affect"on that the S*"r"t of 1od has
for
every bel"ever!
2owever, %a#es goes on to tell us that "n add"t"on to th"s "ntense yearn"ng for us, the 2oly S*"r"t
also e+*er"ences ,envy. regard"ng you and #e! 0he word ,envy. "n %a#es &'8 "s the 1ree word
*hthnos,
a word that descr"bes a *erson who "s Dealous about so#eth"ng; a *erson who feels r"valry or
envy; or a
*erson who holds a grudge because of so#eone elses behav"or! It also carr"es the "dea of "ll w"ll
and #al"ce!
0h"s word *hthnos "s the very word that would have been used to "llustrate the e#ot"ons a
young #an e+*er"ences when he d"scovers h"s s*ouse "s be"ng ro#ant"cally *ursued by so#eone
else!
Because %a#es uses th"s word to de*"ct the 2oly S*"r"t, we need to sto* and th"n about what "t
#eans for a few #o#ents!
Anger, resent#ent, rage, envy, Dealousy $ these are the e#ot"ons a #an feels "n such a s"tuat"on!
2e taes th"s threat to h"s #ar"tal relat"onsh"* very *ersonally and holds a grudge aga"nst the
*ursuer!
6very t"#e the husband th"ns about what that ro#ant"c band"t "s try"ng to do, feel"ngs of #al"ce
and "ll w"ll toward the v"olator r"se u* "n h"s soul!
6ven #ore s"gn"f"cantly, a #an who really loves h"s w"fe "s not go"ng to s"t by and watch h"s
w"fe be
stolen! 0he envy and Dealousy he feels w"ll #ove h"# to act"on $ to do everyth"ng "n h"s *ower
to w"n
bac h"s w"fe and *er#anently el"#"nate h"s co#*et"tor!
Because the husband "s env"ous, he does all he can to see h"s relat"onsh"* w"th h"s w"fe restored!
All of these "deas are conveyed by the 1ree word *hthnos used "n %a#es &'8 when the B"ble
tells us
about the ,envy. of the 2oly S*"r"t!
One scholar says the picture contained
in the Greek word phthnos could be understood this way:
,0he S*"r"t taes "t very *ersonally when we share our l"ves w"th the world! 2e wants us so
ent"rely for 2"#self that "f the world tr"es to tae us away, "t "nfur"ates 2"#! You need to now
that "n these cases, the 2oly S*"r"t w"ll not "dly s"t by and watch "t ha**en! 2ell do so#eth"ng
to change the s"tuat"on!.
Bot only does "t "nfur"ate the 2oly S*"r"t when bel"evers turn the"r devot"on to the world,
but "t dr"ves 2"# to "ntense Dealousy! At th"s *o"nt, 2e w"ll release 2"s full rage aga"nst that
unholy
relat"onsh"*, #ov"ng on the scene l"e a G"v"ne 5over who has co#e to defend and rescue the
relat"onsh"*
2e holds so dear! 0h"s "s so#eth"ng you can be sure of' If you co##"t #ore of your heart,
soul, and attent"on to worldly th"ngs than you g"ve to the S*"r"t of 1od, 2e w"ll not tae "t l"ghtly!
Bever forget that the 2oly S*"r"t "s a G"v"ne 5over! 2e "s *reoccu*"ed w"th you! 2e wants to
*ossess you totally, and 2e des"res that your affect"on be set wholly on 2"#! 0hats why the
2oly
S*"r"t feels l"e a lover who has been robbed "f you wal and tal l"e an unbel"ever or g"ve your
l"fe
to the th"ngs of th"s world! 2e Dealously des"res 2"s relat"onsh"* w"th you to be restored! 2e has
d"v"ne #al"ce toward the worldl"ness that has usur*ed 2"s role "n your l"fe!
0he 2oly S*"r"t "s not a *ass"ve Partner! 2e aggress"vely and act"vely *ursues you! 2e f"ercely
wants #ore of you! When you g"ve *art of yourself to so#eth"ng or so#eone elses control, the
2oly
S*"r"t wants to se"Ae that *art of your l"fe and br"ng "t bac under 2"s d"v"ne control! 2e even has
#al"ce toward your *reoccu*at"on w"th th"ngs "n th"s natural real#!
So #ae your relat"onsh"* w"th the 2oly S*"r"t your to* *r"or"ty! Gont g"ve 2"# a reason to feel
betrayed
by or env"ous of other th"ngs "n your l"fe that have taen 2"s *lace! 1et to now the 2oly S*"r"ts
vo"ce "n your
s*"r"t so 2e can hel* you set your l"fe "n order! @ae sure every area of your l"fe "s under 2"s
lov"ng control!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
9&=
5ord, "f I ever turn #y devot"on to the world, *lease #ove on the scene l"e a G"v"ne 5over
who has co#e to defend and rescue that relat"onsh"* You hold so dear! 2el* #e never to forget
that You are *reoccu*"ed w"th #e and want to *ossess #e totally! I now that You want
#y des"res and affect"on to be set on You, so "f I beg"n to wal and tal l"e an unbel"ever
and g"ve #y l"fe to the th"ngs of th"s world, *lease nudge #e and br"ng conv"ct"on to #y
heart to change! And "f I refuse to l"sten, I as You to *lease #ove w"th d"v"ne #al"ce toward
those th"ngs that have usur*ed Your role "n #y l"fe!
I *ray th"s "n %esus na#e!
I confess that I res*ect the 2oly S*"r"ts Presence "n #y l"fe; therefore, I a# careful "n the way
I th"n, the way I s*ea, and the way I connect w"th the world around #e! I do not gr"eve the
S*"r"t of 1od by allow"ng worldl"ness to beco#e a *art of #y l"fe! 2e f"ercely wants #ore of #e,
and I want #ore of 2"#! 0he 2oly S*"r"t "s the to* *r"or"ty "n #y l"fe, and I never do anyth"ng
that would #ae 2"# feel wounded, gr"eved, or env"ous! I l"ve a l"fe that *leases 2"#!
I declare th"s by fa"th "n %esus na#e!
9! Is your relat"onsh"* w"th the 2oly S*"r"t the to* *r"or"ty "n your l"fe-
(! 2ave you allowed anyth"ng "n your l"fe to usur* the *os"t"on that only the 2oly
S*"r"t should have-
)! Why not tae "nventory of your ,love l"fe. today, as"ng the 2oly S*"r"t to show
you areas "n your l"fe where you have allowed your affect"on to be d"verted fro#
2"# to other th"ngs-
@arch E
K 4ela+ 7ro# the Stresses of 5"fe!
And to you who are troubled rest w"th us!
$ ( 0hessalon"ans 9':
f you have been under a lot of stress, *ressure, and an+"ety lately, I th"n Pauls words
"n Second 0hessalon"ans 9': are #eant Dust for you! 4ead carefully, because youre
go"ng to f"nd real encourage#ent and "nstruct"on today that w"ll hel* you f"nd *eace "n the #"dst
of trouble!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
9&9
@y Prayer for 0oday
@y Confess"on for 0oday
Juest"ons for you to cons"der
Are You 4es"st"ng the Gev"l-
4es"st the dev"l, and he w"ll flee fro# you!
$ %a#es &':
hen the dev"l tr"es to assault your #"nd, tell"ng you that your 1od>g"ven drea# w"ll
never co#e to *ass, how do you res"st those assaults- Go you stand f"r# aga"nst
those l"es and co##and the# to leave- 3r do you allow the dev"l to #entally assa"l your #"nd
w"th
untrue allegat"ons-
In %a#es &':, the B"ble tell us, ,4es"st the dev"l, and he w"ll flee fro# you!. 0he word ,res"st.
"s fro# the 1ree word anth"ste#", wh"ch "s a co#*ound of the words ant" and "st"#"! 0he word
ant"
#eans aga"nst, as to o**ose so#eth"ng! 0he word "st"#" #eans to stand! When *laced "nto one
word,
thus for#"ng the word anth"ste#", "t #eans to stand aga"nst or to stand "n o**os"t"on! It "s a word
that
de#onstrates the att"tude of one who "s f"ercely o**osed to so#eth"ng and therefore deter#"nes
that he w"ll
do everyth"ng w"th"n h"s *ower to res"st "t, to stand aga"nst "t, and to defy "ts o*erat"on!
By us"ng th"s word, %a#es *la"nly lets us now that we #ust be aggress"vely deter#"ned to
stand aga"nst the wor of the dev"l! %ust shutt"ng our eyes and ho*"ng the ene#y w"ll w"thdraw
wont
wor! We #ust d"g "n our heels, brace ourselves for a f"ght, and *ut our full force forward to
dr"ve
h"# bac and out of our l"ves! 3ur stand aga"nst Satan #ust be f"r#, uny"eld"ng, and steadfast "f
we
want to successfully res"st h"s bo#bard#ent of l"es aga"nst our #"nds and e#ot"ons!
Bot"ce that %a#es says we are to res"st the ,dev"l!. As noted "n #any other S*arl"ng 1e#s, the
word ,dev"l. "s the translat"on of the word d"abalos, wh"ch "s #ore of a Dob descr"*t"on than "t "s
a na#e!
You see, "f you understand the word ,dev"l,. you also now e+actly how th"s s"n"ster ene#y
wors!
0he word ,dev"l. "s a co#*ound of the words d"a and balos! 0he word d"a has #any #ean"ngs,
de*end"ng on how "t "s used! 2owever, "n th"s *art"cular case, "t #eans through, as to *"erce
so#eth"ng
fro# one s"de all the way through to the other s"de! 0he word balos #eans to throw, as when a
*erson
throws a ball, a roc, or so#e other obDect! When these two words are Do"ned, "t #eans to
re*et"t"ously
throw so#eth"ng $ str""ng aga"n and aga"n and aga"n unt"l the obDect be"ng struc has f"nally
been co#*letely
*enetrated!
Bow do you see why th"s word "s a v"v"d Dob descr"*t"on for the dev"l- It tells us e+actly how
he o*erates! 2e co#es to assault the #"nd $ not once but #any t"#es! 2e str"es the #"nd and
e#ot"ons aga"n and aga"n and aga"n! 2e Dust ee*s on str""ng unt"l he wears down the res"stance
of
the one be"ng assaulted! 0hen as soon as the v"ct"# lets down h"s #ental res"stance, the dev"l
g"ves
one last f"r# *unch that f"nally succeeds "n *enetrat"ng h"s #"nd! 3nce the dev"l has ga"ned
access
"nto that *ersons #"nd, he beg"ns to deluge h"# w"th l"es on to* of l"es! If the *erson l"stens to
those
l"es and bel"eves the#, the dev"l can then successfully bu"ld a stronghold "n h"s l"fe fro# wh"ch
he
can beg"n to control and #an"*ulate h"#!
Goes th"s "nd of #ental attac sound fa#"l"ar- Well, let #e as you a /uest"on' Instead of
g"v"ng
the dev"l the *leasure of f"ll"ng your head w"th a barrage of l"es, why dont you start to res"st
h"#-
0hats r"ght $ Dust tell the dev"l to shut u* and to sto* dro**"ng those d"#>w"tted rel"g"ous
thoughts
of nonsense "nto your head! 0ell h"# to h"t the road!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
I&(
W
Its t"#e for you to res"st the ene#y of your soul! 5et h"# now that youre not go"ng to b"te that
ba"t any#ore, so he #ay as well go f"sh"ng so#ewhere else! Youre no longer go"ng to be a
sucer!
You have Dust been "nfor#ed that there "s a deadly hoo "ns"de that ba"t that "s des"gned to hoo
you,
*ull you "nto the dev"ls net, and turn you "nto dead #eat for the dev"l to cho#* on for a long
t"#e!
But he has hooed you w"th that ba"t for the last t"#e!
%a#es &': has good news for you! It says that "f you w"ll res"st the dev"l, he w"ll ,flee. fro# you!
0he word ,flee. "n 1ree "s so e+c"t"ng! It "s fro# the word *heugo, wh"ch fro# the earl"est
t"#es of
1ree l"terature #eant to flee or to tae fl"ght! It was used to de*"ct a lawbreaer who flees "n
terror
fro# a nat"on where he broe the law! 0he reason he flees so /u"cly "s that he wants to esca*e
the
*rosecut"on *rocess! 4e#a"n"ng "n the nat"on would #ost assuredly #ean Dudg#ent; so rather
than
stay and face the conse/uences, the lawbreaer flees for h"s l"fe!
0h"s #eans the dev"l nows that he "s a lawbreaer! 2e also nows that "f a bel"ever stands
aga"nst h"# $ "n other words, "f the bel"ever res"sts the ene#y by us"ng h"s 1od>g"ven author"ty
"n
the na#e of %esus and w"th the Word of 1od $ "t wont be long unt"l that bel"ever beg"ns to rule
and do#"nate the dev"l! 4ather than allow th"s to ha**en, the dev"l beg"ns to w"thdraw and loo
for
a way to esca*e the *rosecut"on *rocess! Instead of st"c"ng around and try"ng ho*elessly to
defend
h"#self aga"nst the na#e of %esus and the Word of 1od, the dev"l tucs h"s ta"l and runs! 0hat "s
*rec"sely
what %a#es #eans when he says that the dev"l w"ll ,flee!.
An expanded and more contemporary interpretation
of James 4: could read:
,Stand f"r#ly aga"nst the dev"l! 0hats r"ght $ be unbend"ng and uny"eld"ng "n the way
you res"st h"# so that he nows he "s u* aga"nst a ser"ous contender! If youll tae th"s "nd
of stand aga"nst h"#, he w"ll tuc h"s ta"l and run l"e a cr"#"nal who nows the day of
*rosecut"on "s u*on h"#! 3nce you start res"st"ng h"#, hell flee fro# you "n terror!.
7r"end, the dev"l wants to #ae your l"fe less>than>grat"fy"ng, unha**y, and uneventful! 0hats
why he attacs your #"nd and tr"es to conv"nce you that 1ods drea# for your l"fe w"ll never
co#e
to *ass! 2e des*erately wants to conv"nce you to settle for less than 1ods best "n l"fe! 0hats
e+actly
why you shouldnt settle for anyth"ng less than 1ods best!
1od has g"ven you the na#e of %esus and the *ro#"ses of 2"s Word, so "ts t"#e for you to
close your ears to the dev"ls l"es and start /uot"ng the Word and co##and"ng the dev"l to leave
"n
%esus na#e! If youll tae th"s a**roach, the dev"l w"ll not only shut u* and sto* tell"ng you h"s
l"es,
but hell run fro# you "n terror! Gont you th"n "t would be a good "dea for you to get started
/uot"ng
the Word of 1od and us"ng the na#e of %esus today-
5ord, because You have g"ven #e the *ro#"ses of Your Word and the r"ght to use Your na#e,
I refuse to let the dev"l bo#bard #y #"nd any longer! 4"ght now I stand u* to res"st h"#,
o**ose h"#, and *ut h"# on the run! Gev"l, you w"ll no longer have free access to #y #"nd
and e#ot"ons, for I a# stand"ng u* to res"st you! You better *ut on your runn"ng shoes,
because "f you st"c around #e, I "ntend to *rosecute you w"th the full author"ty of 1ods
Word! I tell you to 13 "n %esus na#e! And, 2eavenly 7ather, I than You so #uch for g"v"ng
#e the great *r"v"lege of us"ng Your Word and the author"ty of %esus na#e!
I *ray th"s "n %esus na#e!
S*arl"ng 1e#s 7ro# the 1ree
I&)