These days in which we live, one of the greatest imperatives we must face is the task of seeking spiritual scrutiny.
We all must search through the volumes of misinformation, recognize the agenda of those spewing it and seek whatever truth can be found in their claims.
Here’s a working definition of the word scrutiny: to search through piles of rubbish in the hope of finding something of value.
Yes, we must search through piles of rubbish to find value in what we read and hear. There’s a cacophony that rings all around us and distracts us from finding simple truths for the good of humankind.
That’s why I turn to God’s Word for answers and guidance. Psalm 1:1-3 seems worth presenting at this juncture.
King David starts this first psalm with these poignant words of wisdom:
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
If we are to prosper, God needs to be in the center of our discussion. Let’s turn to Paul’s letter to the Church in Galatia to reflect upon the role of the Holy Spirit in our individual and corporate lives.
In Galatians 5:22-23, he explains, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Paul concludes this thought in verses 25 and 26: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Such actions are reserved for those who sadly follow the ways of this world rather than the ways of Christ!
Listen to the prophetic words of Paul found in Romans 1:2: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts became darkened.”
Here’s what I believe we must do immediately. Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to come into the lives of many and fill those concerned citizens with His Holy Spirit! That needs to be our individual and corporate prayer.
We must also boldly and intentionally invest in the lives of those on the fence that God places in our paths. There are many who presently seek answers to the meaning of life and who are dissatisfied with the current conditions of this present world in which we live.
And, all who follow Christ must become more deliberate in our effort to draw close to God. We must seek spiritual scrutiny, draw nearer to our Lord each remaining day of our lives and trust that He will surely lead us out of this valley in which we have been placed for but a season.
Let me end with this closing prayer in the Apostle Peter’s second letter.
In 2 Peter 3:18 we read, “But grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Passages to Ponder
» Psalm 23