Christian Living

Part 4 Overcoming

by james rondinone 
10/10/15
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    Learning How to Live Victoriously

œMeditating on God’s Word

œRejoicing in Persecution

œMaintaining Faithfulness in Marriage

   I’m sure that for many Christians meditating on God’s word is a foreign concept. What would be the advantage of doing so? Let’s find out.

Meditating On God’s Word

Meditate

   to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.

In 1979, after having served as an outreach coordinator for achurch in Worcester, Ma., I decided to attend an affiliated Biblecollege. When I arrived and proceeded to settle in, I found that thepace was quite hectic.

   Over the next two years, my schedule was quite demanding. During my second year, I secured a job teaching mathematics to high school students in the day school, which was located on campus. My days, Monday through Friday, consisted of driving a school bus starting at about 6:00am for a different private school in the area; followed by teaching high school math; going back to driving the school bus in the afternoon; coming home to be with my family and enjoying dinner in the campus cafeteria; taking evening Bible classes; and lastly spending time with my family later in the evening.

   I found that, even though I had worked as an outreach coordinator years earlier and had learned, appropriated, and meditated on scripture throughout my days, I was having difficulty with my mental attitude while in Bible College. Because my day was filled with more of a mental preoccupation with thoughts or ideas other than scripture, my meditation time had lessened, and thus the impact of God’s presence wasn’t as consistent.

   After speaking with various believers about this dilemma, I was directed to speak with a fellow believer who was in a similar situation as myself. He told me that as hectic as my schedule was, I still had to purpose to meditate on scripture sporadically throughout my day. I learned to find small pockets of time throughout my day to meditate on scripture, and thus experienced the impact of God’s presence more consistently in my life.

Jesus Increased in Wisdom and Stature

   From the ages of 12 to 30, before Jesus began his public ministry, he increased in bodily stature and in wisdom which passed into his soul by means of instruction, study, and meditation, and which gave him insight into the will and rule of God as imparted by God. Do you want to increase in wisdom? Then purpose to receive instruction, to study, and to meditate.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:40

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52

   Before we can even begin to meditate, we need to receive instruction. Christ has given office gifts to his church such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the mending, repair, or correcting of all that is deficient of the saints; for the spiritual service or the work of Christian service; and to cause the Body of Christ to grow strong so that every member might become mature or fully grown. This mending, repair, or correcting of all that is deficient takes place as the mind of Christ, which we are to put on, is declared to us by means of the preaching and teaching of the word of God. As we learn about the way Christ thought, and appropriate these thoughts for ourselves, it will change the way we think.

   Sometimes, the viewpoint provided by the mind of Christ that we so desperately need, as it is brought to us by means of preaching and teaching, has as yet to be communicated to us. In those cases, when we are in need of divine viewpoint for a particular troublesome area, then we can choose to study the word for ourselves. A great tool that can aide us in our studying is a Bible software program, which we can purchase and download to a computer. This will allow us quick and easy access to assistance in finding a topic or word.

   As we locate pertinent scriptures for our area of need, we can begin to hide them away in our hearts. This can be done by reading the scripture over and over out loud until it becomes impressed upon our minds. Then, throughout our day, we can begin to meditate on these scriptural thoughts.

   As we begin to keep God’s word or meditate upon it, this will interrupt mental attitude sins, which will cause our speech and behavior to bring favor or delight to God. As each of us reads,

studies, and ponders God’s word on a daily basis, God the Holy Spirit will unveil or illuminate the word to us in a personal way.

   Keeping God’s word provides the right way to think and respond to any kind of trial.

   During his public ministry, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to go into the wilderness and fast for 40 days and 40 nights. Following this, the devil tempted him in three areas: physical sustenance, scriptural integrity, and allegiance to God the Father. Jesus responded to all three temptations by reciting scripture. Reciting scripture means that he appropriated or memorized it, meditated upon it, and applied it (pertinent scripture) to the particular situation at hand. Jesus was not caught off guard, because he knew the right shield — the word of God.

   So let’s begin to let the word of God find its way into our minds and make it our own. If we do, then we will begin to experience a special rest that God has for us, a heavenly rest in our souls.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Phillipians 2:5

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalms 119:9

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:2

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Psalms 119:67

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:1-10

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 6:2

   Should we rejoice if we are persecuted for our faith? Some believers might say that in the times that we live in we should be tolerant of all faiths and therefore persecution should no longer be  an issue.

Rejoicing in Persecution

Murmuring: a mumbled or private expression of discontent.

Rejoicing: the feeling or the expression of joy.

I can honestly say that in all of my years in Christian service, I have never been apprehended by others, put in jail, or been physically abused for my faith. However, I have had fellow believers disagree with me concerning a doctrinal view, and thus no longer want to associate with me.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

Rejoicing That They Were Counted Worthy to Suffer Shame for His Name.

Suggested Reading: Acts 5:12-42

   At Jerusalem, a multitude of sick people and those who were demon possessed were brought to the apostles, and they were all healed. The high priest and those of the Sadducees, being aware of

these healings, cast the apostles into prison. They were beaten and told not to speak again the words relating to Christ, and then were released.

   The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. After this, they taught and preached Jesus Christ daily in the temple and in every house.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:41

   Tribulations (troubles or pressures) present us with an opportunity to think with or be occupied with God’s mind (word) while we are in the midst of them. This occupation with God’s word activates the spiritual qualities of the Holy Spirit, one of which is patience (to remain under trials in a God-honoring way so as to learn the lesson they are sent to teach). Patience produces experience, a state of mind which has stood the test, and experience produces hope, which means that we are not disappointed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit.

   There is no enticement to sin or temptation that occurs from the carnal desires or outward circumstances that can bereave us of God’s strength.

   When the Jews were in the wilderness wandering under Moses, they continually complained or voiced their extreme displeasure with their outward circumstances, because they had not let the

spoken word find its way into their minds or made it their own.

   God has provided an appropriate way for us to endure a test or an adjustment of deliverance in each particular case. The deliverance is abiding in a mindset that looks at our situations from a heavenly viewpoint. When we see things from God’s perspective, God will provide us with his strength to be able to bear the temptation patiently.

   Though our outward man (our body) is gradually dying, our inward man (spiritual nature) receives fresh strength each and every day. We can tap into this new strength when we are not looking or focusing on our sufferings and afflictions, but rather looking upon those things which are not seen (things that are permanent; spiritual; things eternal).

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3-5

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:1-2

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor 10:1-13

… but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

   We live at a time when temptations to engage in sexual relations while married with someone who is not our husband or wife is considered socially acceptable.

   Is this the case for a born again Christian?

   How can we maintain faithfulness in marriage?

   The next section will provide us with some answers.

Maintaining Faithfulness in Marriage

Infidelity

marital disloyalty

Adultery

voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse.

In the late 1970’s, being in my mid 20s and single, I was working as an outreach coordinator for a church. I would visit many people, both believers and unbelievers, on a daily basis in hospitals, in their homes, or wherever.

   To my surprise, some of the single or married women that I visited approached me at various times, and wanted to have a sexual relationship. Some of these women were unbelievers, whose husbands were actively involved in the church; or were believers, who were active in the church, but whose husbands were not; or were single Christian women, who were attending church on a regular basis.

   I learned a couple of things from this experience.

1. Be careful not to visit someone of the opposite sex when they are alone at home. Bring another person with you or meet them in a public place.


2. Learn pertinent scripture so that you are not tempted to engage in illicit sex.

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 2 Corinthians 5:16

… see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1 Peter 1:22)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthias 2:2

David and Bathsheba

Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

   This chapter begins with a military campaign of the Jews against the Ammonites.

   Many of the Ammonites had been killed and their capital city, Rabbah, was surrounded.

   In the meantime, King David had decided to stay in Jerusalem. While he was on the rooftop of his house, he saw (gazed at) a beautiful woman washing herself and inquired of her.

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw (gazed) a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 2 Samuel 11:2

   He found out that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was one of the 30 commanders of the 30 bands of David’s army. He sent messengers to take her to himself. He proceeded to have a sexual relationship with her. She later conceived and told him.

   At this point of time, David was trying to figure out how to cover up this pregnancy. He sent a message to Joab, who was the chief commander of the Jewish army, to send Uriah back to him, so that he might receive a report on the status of the war with the Ammonites. David hoped that after he received word from Uriah, he could persuade him to go home to his wife, Bathsheba. He hoped that they would have sexual relations, and thus the pregnancy could be attributed to him. But Uriah chose not to go home, because his fellow soldiers were unable to come home and enjoy their families. Later, David got Uriah drunk, with the hope that he could persuade him to go home and have sexual relations with his wife, but again he chose not to.

   So David realized that unless something was done, Uriah would eventually find out that his wife was pregnant by another man (him). He sent a letter to Joab telling him that when Uriah returned to the battlefield, he should put him in the forefront of it. Joab was then instructed to withdraw his forces at some point in the battle so that Uriah would be killed. And so it was that Uriah was killed in battle.

A King Writes Out a Copy of the Law (The Book of Deuteronomy)

Suggested Reading: Deuteronomy 5:17-18; 17:14-20

   The Levites were to give every king of Israel the scroll of Deuteronomy. David was not only supposed to have copied the entire scroll, but he was to read it daily, appropriate it for himself, reflect upon it, and apply it. As David read this scroll, I’m sure that there were divine directives that were contrary to his personal inclinations. We all have these personal tendencies that are a part of our old sin nature. However, these inclinations need to be replaced with divine viewpoint thinking. Being physically idle is one thing, but being mentally idle will result in these personal inclinations resurfacing, thus taking us over in our minds and consequently subjecting us to them mentally, verbally, and overtly.

   In having sexual relations with Bathsheba, and then having her husband Uriah killed, King David violated two of the Mosaic Laws (murder and adultery). Either of these sins was punishable by death. God spared David from the death penalty; however, lesser consequences were imposed, which impacted many other people’s lives as well as David’s own life.

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 2 Samuel 12:13

   Some might argue that King David’s troubles began when he stayed in Jerusalem, instead of accompanying his army. The question is, did David prepare himself on a daily basis, by beginning his day in reading, appropriating, memorizing, and meditating upon the word of God? As he saw (gazed on) Bathsheba’s beauty, did he interrupt his thought processes, admit to God that he was sinning mentally, and reflect on the scripture in Deuteronomy 5:18, which says, Neither shalt thou commit adultery? The meaning of the Hebrew word “saw” (gaze) has a similar meaning to the Greek word “looketh” (gaze) that occurs in Matthew 5:28, which means to actually contemplate having sex with, thus committing adultery with another woman already.

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

   As soon as we awake, we should discipline ourselves to think upon those things that are: worthy of reverence; true in character; in which there is nothing to be blamed; fit or pleasant to be heard; of mental excellence; of moral quality.

   In some marriages, the wife or husband, though a believer in Christ, chooses not to continue to walk with the Lord. In this case, the husband or wife is walking like an unbeliever. In this instance, don’t preach the word to him/her. Reveal good, sincere, honest, and acceptable behavior, which is free from impurity. You should be a Christian, and not have your adornment or testimony be like a person of the world. Your adornment or beauty should be based on who you are in your heart, the beauty of a humble and calm temperament (frame of mind).

   If both the husband and wife are actively walking with the Lord, then the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. This love is a self-sacrificial love that gives of oneself for the well-being of the other, a love produced by the Holy Spirit in the heart of the yielded saint. As Christ makes his church holy by the removal of sin by the word (the word in all its searching, humbling, rebuking, correcting, informing, stimulating, refreshing, consoling power), so should the husbands love their wives. He is to nourish her with internal sustenance to maturity and foster her with tender care.

   If you (a believer) are having difficulty in your marriage for whatever reason (e.g. lack of intimacy; financial difficulty; communication breakdown; etc.), and you have tried to work things out in a respectful and honorable way, and it’s still not working, then you only have one choice. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

   What does that mean? Continue to attend to the assembly of believers for worship, teaching, and spiritual growth. Ask God the Father to show you if you are behaving toward your spouse in a ungodly manner in any of those problem areas where you are struggling. Ask God as David did in the psalms.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

   If you are behaving in a Godly manner toward your husband or wife, then continue to do so. If you are not experiencing sexual intimacy, then don’t look for someone else to satisfy these passions. Seek intimacy with God, so that your behavior will be beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life and hence, praiseworthy; morally good and noble, especially before unbelievers. That way, when they speak against you as doing evil, your good deeds might cause them to respond to God when they are offered his salvation.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalms 17:15

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:1-4

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:25-33

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12

   The next overcoming section will address the weaknesses of slander, maligning, and gossip.