Category Archives: Godliness

Bible, Desires, Fire, God's Will, Godliness, Scripture, Ungodly

OUT OF CONTROL

ROMANS 1:27

“and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.”

It seems every year we see reports of wildfires that burn out of control. Many of these are started by lightning strikes that ignite dry vegetation. When fueled by strong winds, these fires can burn hundreds, if not thousands of acres of land, including homes and businesses. Uncontrolled fires cause a lot of damage. So do uncontrolled passions, as we will see today.

Paul continues the thought began in verse 26. Both males and females were “burning” in their passions for the same sex. The resulting carnage from these choices, Paul says, is they were “receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” Let me repeat what I said yesterday. This sin confronted by Paul here is no worse than other sins we commit that go against God’s Word. All sin has consequences. Paul is truly addressing the fact that disregard of God’s truth leads to uncontrolled passions and desires that lead us astray.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “burned” is only used here in the New Testament. It means to inflame deeply. The Topical Lexicon says this about ekkaiō. It “depicts a fierce, consuming flame of emotion rather than a literal fire. The picture is of desire ignited from within until it blazes out of control, suggesting both intensity and inevitability once the spark is lit.” Can’t you just see that wildfire?

I am reminded of James 3:6. “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” The idea of the ungodly passions burning is the same. This is indeed a deceit of the evil one. He wants to distort the godly and make it ungodly.

For any fire to end, it must be confronted with a force to extinguish it. For ungodly passions to be extinguished, they must be confronted with truth. The washing with the water of the Word will put out these wrong fires. God’s Word will extinguish any sin in our lives if we will live by it. It has the power. It will purify us and wash away the stain of sin. Are you washing yourself with the Word today?

Father God, wash me today with the water of Your Word so that I can walk with You unashamed and holy.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Godliness, Holding, Holiness, Scripture, Suppress

SUPPRESSION OF THE TRUTH

ROMANS 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

I am a gun owner. I love to hunt and target shoot (neither which I get to do very often). One thing I don’t own is a gun suppressor. That’s a piece that screws on to the end of a gun barrel to reduce the sound of the gun when it fires. You probably have seen these in all those James Bond movies when he is sneaking around. Suppression can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing, depending on what is being suppressed. Look at today’s verse and see how Paul uses this word.

Paul calls out those “who suppress the truth in righteousness.” In fact, he says, “the wrath of God” will come against them. That’s a scary thought. If this is not a verse for our day, I don’t know one that is. All around us people are trying to suppress the truth about God. They are trying to reshape God in their own image. The idea of godliness and righteousness is abhorrent to them. They, according to Paul, are going to face God’s wrath.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the word for “suppress” (katecho). “The verb encompasses two chief actions: positive retention of what is good and active restraint of what is harmful. In the Gospels it may describe a crowd “trying to keep Him from leaving them” (Luke 4:42), while in Romans it depicts the ungodly “suppressing the truth” (Romans 1:18). Context therefore determines whether the holding is commendable or culpable.”

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:2, using this word. “…by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” Here katecho is translated as “hold firmly.” That’s a positive thing. We should hold the Word of God firmly, never letting it slip out of our hands or our minds. This is why Scripture memorization is so important.

Later on in the New Testament, we find Paul using katecho again. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 he writes, “…but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good…,” What good words from the apostle. Hold fast to the good stuff. He says in the next verse, “abstain from every form of evil.” So, by holding fast to the good, you are suppressing the evil. Choose your suppressor well.

Father God, help me suppress the evil and hold fast to the good, thereby pleasing You, my heavenly Father.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Godliness, Imitation, Practice, Scripture, Testimony

ARE YOU PRACTICING THE RIGHT THINGS

PHILIPPIANS 4:9

“As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

The old joke goes, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.” You only get good at things that you practice. Athletes perform the same plays over and over again until they know them by heart. Archers will shoot hundreds of arrows to master their aim. Practicing is a good thing, as long as it is beneficial to you and others. Unfortunately, not everyone practices the good.

Paul is reminding the Philippians that they had “learned and received and heard and seen” him do things that pointed to Christ. He tells them to “practice these things.” The Greek word for “practice” is prasso which means a repeated action, not just a one time deed. It is used in Scripture to describe a practice of good or a practice of evil. You see, what you are practicing has spiritual implications. Paul wanted the Philippians to practice the right things.

APPLICATION

In John 3:20, Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and right after the well known John 3:16 verse, Jesus is further explaining the difference between good and evil people. He says, “‘For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed.” The word “does” is prasso. They are practicing evil. It wasn’t a one-time thing.

Paul tells the Romans in Romans 2:2-3, “2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?” Practicing the wrong things has eternal consequences.

What are you practicing – good or evil? Carl, of course I don’t practice evil. Without coming across legalistic, what are your spiritual practices? Do you have a daily Quiet Time with the Lord? Do you pray daily for others? Do you regularly give to support the Lord’s work. None of these things will get you into heaven. But they are evidence that heaven is already in you. You are practicing what you have learned and received and heard and seen” in Christ. Now, get to practice!

Lord, give me the discipline to practice the things I have been taught and make an impact on others.

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Affection, Bible, Encouragement, Godliness, Scripture

THEREFORE…

PHILIPPIANS 2:1

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,”

I’ve said it and you have heard it said, “Whenever you see a “therefore” look to see what it is there for.” Paul begins chapter two (there were really no chapters in his original letter) by connecting it back to chapter one. He had been instructing the Philippians on how to live in difficult situations (conflicts, suffering, etc.) and now he totally turns the subject to godly living, even in the midst of the hard times.

Look what Paul lists in this first verse – encouragement, love, fellowship, affection and compassion. We could spend the next week on these words, but I will encourage you to do your own deep dive into them. I will look at a couple of them today to spur your interest. Okay? Let’s go!

APPLICATION

First, let’s look at the word “encouragement.” This is the Greek word paraklésis, which is “a calling to one’s aid, i.e. encouragement, comfort.” (NAS Exhaustive Concordance). In 2 Corinthians 7:4, we see Paul use this word to describe how he felt “comfort” towards these believers. “My confidence in you is great; my boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.” It’s the idea of coming up beside someone, putting your arm around them and just encouraging them.

Secondly, let’s see the word “affection.” This word in the Greek is splagchnon, which comes from “the Greek root splagchna, which refers to the inward parts or entrails.” (Strong’s Lexicon). It was used to describe someone’s deep emotions, especially compassion and affection. It’s that deep gut feeling you have for others. I love my family that way. You probably do also. Paul says these Philippians he is writing to should have this kind of affection towards each other in Christ.

Encouragement and affection – two things we all need more of in the church today. Amen? May we all strive to encourage someone today. Tell someone they are loved today. Just go out and make someone’s day. I promise if you show these two things, they and you will be blessed.

Lord, give me the encouragement and affection of Christ to share with others today.

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Affection, Beloved, Bible, Chosen, Compassion, Favor, Godliness, Intimacy, Love, Relationships, Scripture

BELOVED

EPHESIANS 1:6

“to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.”

To call someone “my beloved” implies a deep, personal, intimate relationship. My wife is my beloved. My children and grandchildren are my beloved. The fellow down the street whom I hardly know is not. He cannot be the object of my love since I do not know him. As we go through this verse today, think about your beloved(s).

Paul uses a title which has been given to Jesus by the Father. Elliott’s Commentary explains the word, “Beloved,” this way,
“This special title is given to our Lord to mark a connection with the ‘love’ declared in the last verse (verse 5) to be the source of God’s predestination. It is a love to all mankind, as in God’s foreknowledge already made one with His beloved Son.” Jesus is God’s Beloved. He is the recipient of His love.

APPLICATION

Let me get technical for a second. “Beloved” is the dative passive participle of agapao, which is God’s divine love. The dative case means someone is the recipient of the action of the verb. In this case, Jesus is the recipient of God’s agape love, His divine love.

Have you ever wondered why the apostle John uses that word, “beloved,” so much in his writings. Just to show a few:

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, now we are children of God…”

1 John 3:21 – “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,…”

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper…”

We are told in John 13:23, “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” Look at that. John was the recipient of Jesus’ love. He was Jesus’ beloved friend and confidant. He was the one to whom He entrusted his mother at the cross. You have to be close to do that. So, John knew something about being called “beloved.”

You are God’s beloved child. He cares for you. He knows you better than anyone. He longs to hear from you. He cherishes each moment you spend with Him. You are His beloved! So, live like it. Love others. Make them your beloved. Treat them like your beloved. You can through His love.

I am so blessed to know that I am Your beloved, my God and my Redeemer.

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Abiding, Bible, Circumcision, Commands, Godliness, Heart, Scripture

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE OUTWARD

GALATIANS 2:3

“But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.”

Okay, I am not going to make this blog all about circumcision. First of all, it’s kind of an uncomfortable topic. Am I right? I didn’t have a voice in that personally. It happened when I was a baby. It is done outside of Judaism simply as a health and hygiene choice. It meant a lot more in the Jewish faith.

Why does Paul even bring this up? Because it was important for the Gentile churches he was writing to understand that this rite of circumcision was not required of them. Titus, being a Greek, was not forced to get circumcised when he accompanied Paul back to Jerusalem. The leaders of the church, all Jews at the time, did not believe that was necessary for salvation.

APPLICATION

What are you being coerced to do to be a “better” Christian? Is that why you attend church every time the doors are open? Do you feel compelled to go to that ladies’ luncheon or to the men’s breakfast to appear engaged in the church? There is nothing you can do on the outside to improve your life spiritually. You don’t earn brownie points by doing certain things or not doing others.

Romans 2:28-29 say it well, “28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.” It is totally an inward thing. Paul knew Titus loved the Lord his God. He didn’t need to prove that by getting circumcised.

So many religions are based on works and earning your way into a higher plain or nirvana or whatever they call it. You can rest in the fact that as a believer you are saved through the precious blood of the Lamb and nothing else. Yes, we need to obey His commands. Yes, we should strive to live holy. Just don’t fall into that trap of having to do. Just be!

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart, for sealing me with Your Spirit.

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Arrogance, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Emotions, Godliness, Scripture, Self-righteousness

ARROGANT WORDS

MALACHI 3:13

“‘Your words have been arrogant against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?”’”

When I first met my wife, we were both working at a children’s home in Georgia. She was the Recreation Director, and I was a Houseparent for teenage boys. I’ll never forget that she thought I was arrogant and full of myself. I don’t know – maybe I was. I have learned since then not to question her judgment. Anyway, I guess I won her over since we have been married over 38 years now.

Arrogance is what the Lord accuses the people of. They had criticized the Lord and were not even aware. We have to look back at Malachi 2:17 where this was addressed the first time. “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Conceit and self-righteousness are both forms of arrogance they practiced.

APPLICATION

Before you start pointing fingers at them, check out your own heart. Do you have any arrogance in there, any conceit or self-righteousness? We all have that from time to time. We can get cocky and snobbish toward other people, even our family members. God does not look kindly on this behavior.

Paul shared with Timothy some traits that will exhibited in the last days. Man, we are seeing these today, aren’t we? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, “1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.” 

I underlined several traits that are linked directly to arrogance. Let me ask you to check out yourself against this list. How many are you portraying daily? How many do you need to confess as sin right now? Take the time to do a self-check. Make sure you are following the Lord and not self. Then get back to loving Him and loving others. After all, isn’t that what Jesus said to do?

Father, forgive my arrogant heart and cleanse me from all self-righteousness.

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Bible, Choices, Distractions, God's Will, Godliness, Obedience, Protection, Salvation, Scripture

DON’T EVEN SAY THEIR NAME

ZECHARIAH 13:2

“‘And it will come about on that day,’ declares the LORD of armies, ‘that I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.’” 

If I told you right now to not think about ice cream, what are you thinking about? Ice cream! You can’t help yourself. When a thought is planted in your mind, your mind just goes there. I have a friend who is an Illusionist. He is good at this. He will have you thinking he can read your mind, but all he is doing is planting thoughts in your head which lead right to what he wants you think. Pretty smooth.

The Lord, through Zechariah, is telling the people He does not even want the names of the false gods mentioned in the land. He is going to remove all mention of them to prevent the people from going towards them. Along with that, He is also going to remove all the false prophets who played into the craving of the people to “know their future.” The Lord is going to clean house.

APPLICATION

We have a practice in my ministry which we teach men who have an addiction to pornography or another unhealthy practice. We teach them to amputate this source. Just like a diseased or damaged arm or leg that has to be removed to protect the rest of the body, we have to amputate those things in our life that lead us astray. We can’t even give them a thought.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. That’s the idea here. We must destroy any concept of this wrong thinking. That may mean some radical changes in your life. It may mean giving up certain types of movies or television programs. It may mean eliminating some friends you hang out with. Remember – amputation is about saving yourself.

When I think back on my decisions after coming to Christ, I had to stop hanging with some of the crowd I had been running with. I knew where that would lead if I did not make some changes. Is there something in your life that you need to amputate? Don’t wait. It will not bring your closer to Christ. Just the opposite! Cut it away now!

Father, help me rid myself of any “idols” or “false prophets” who only want to drag me down.

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Bible, Commands, Evil, Godliness, Goodness, Hate, Rebuke, Scripture, Truth

THINGS I HATE

ZECHARIAH 8:17

“‘“Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these things are what I hate,” declares the LORD.’”

Hate is a strong word. I know, I know. But there a few things in this world that I hate. I hate searing, hot days when you can’t get any relief. I hate it when my truck breaks down, and I can’t fix it. I hate brussel sprouts and spinach. Yep, I said it. Sorry, moms out there. Most of all, I hate sin.

The Lord listed a couple of things He hates in today’s verse. He says He hates hearts that have devised evil against another, and He hates perjury (telling lies). Of course, the God of truth is going to hate those things. We should hate the same things God hates. If He hates them, they are worthy of hate. The Hebrew word here for “hate” can also mean something that is odious, that stinks.

APPLICATION

In the first part of Amos 5:15 the prophet says, “Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate!” That’s good. Then Paul says this in Romans 12:9. “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.” I think you get the picture. There are some things that it okay to hate. In fact, we are commanded to hate evil.

The problem today is that the world has totally changed the definition of what is evil. That can be confusing if you are not in the Word and spending time with the Lord every day. If you listen to the Social Media influencers, you will definitely be led astray. Most of them applaud the things the Word says is evil.

Let me encourage you today to be a hater. Yep, a hater. Hate those things that pull people away from God. Notice I said things, not people. We need to love everyone because God does. But He hates the sin. So should we. We need to be bold and point out those sins without demeaning the person. You’ve heard it said, “Hate the sin but love the sinner.” Practice that today.

Father, I do hate those things You hate. Help me be bold to point out those things to others.

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Abiding, Accountability, Battles, Bible, Choices, Discipline, Godliness, Integrity, Purity, Scripture

SOUND THE TRUMPETS

ZEPHANIAH 1:16

“A day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and the high corner towers.”

I have never played a trumpet but have the utmost respect for those who do. One of my favorite trumpeters is Phil Driscoll. He is amazing. He’s been playing the trumpet for decades and using it to praise the Lord. If you haven’t heard him, you need to check out some of his music.

Unfortunately, Zephaniah isn’t referring to Phil Driscoll in today’s verse. Instead, he is reminding the people of the trumpets that were played in times of war. There were different trumpets and different sounds played to give signals and warnings. Now, they are going to hear God’s trumpet as He brings judgment on the land.

APPLICATION

God may not sound a trumpet to give us warnings, but we have every warning sign we need in His Word. All throughout its pages God tells us how to live and the consequences if we don’t. It would be nice if we had red lights that flashed and got buzzed with an electric current every time we came close to straying, but God gives us that infamous free will, doesn’t He?

The only way we can stay holy is to follow His Word. I love 2 Peter 1:3-4. “3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.”

So, what is our excuse? It says very clearly that He has given us everything we need to live godly lives. We want trumpets to blare and sound the warning. We want God to reach down and jerk us away from sin. We have to make the choice – the choice to live holy, to live in purity. Will you today?

Take my life, lead me Lord, take my life, lead me Lord!

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