From Whence Come Wars and Fightings Among You? — Aaron Hurst

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Jesus, the very thought of Thee. Jesus, the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. Hallelujah. Greetings to all this morning. In Jesus Christ's name. God bless you. Thank you for coming this morning. I trust that you're here not out of obligation or duty, but because you love the fellowship of God and the fellowship of God's people.

Taking the Whole Counsel of God in James

I had begun to preach some messages through the book of James. And then I felt the Lord prompting me to just sort of put that in the bank for a little, as it were. But as I was seeking the Lord about what he would have me to share today, I felt the Lord prompting me to look back into the book of James again.

And where we had left off was at James chapter 3 and verse 18. We had completed James chapter 3, which brings us to James chapter 4. And I believe we'll see how the Lord orders things, but it would be my heart to take James chapter 4, verses 1 through 12.

You know, there's something about taking the word of God as it comes in its entirety. I know that I have subjects I love to preach on, and I may tend to go there out of my immaturity or weakness. And so it does us good to take the scripture and take a portion and just take it as it comes.

That we get a whole, that we get a balance. It also causes us to have to examine our own hearts as we search the scripture. And it causes us to not be able to bypass or neglect a portion because it's difficult, because it's not easy.

And so this morning, it is my heart's prayer and desire that I, along with you, can just open our hearts to the Lord. And hear what God has to say to us in James chapter 4. I know we've been standing, but if you can, you have no little baby on your lap that's sleeping, I would ask you to stand with me please.

And we will read James chapter 4, verses 1 through 12. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence even of your lusts that war in your members? 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. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy, but he giveth more grace? Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

Be afflicted and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren.

He that speaketh evil of his brother and judges his brother speaketh evil of the law and judges the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy.

Who art thou that judgest another? Let's pray together. Father in heaven, we bow our hearts before you, Lord. We come in Jesus Christ's name and through the blood of his cross. We have no other merit whereby we can come, but by the blood of the Lamb of God.

We have no other merit that was slain for the sins of the world. Yea, for my sins, for our sins. Father this morning, I just confess, I wanted to run away from this scripture. I'd much rather preach something else.

So Lord, I do ask in Jesus' name. Please have mercy upon me, Lord. And grant unto me utterance, Lord. Humility and brokenness, Father. Lord, I don't want to get in the way. I don't want to scold or shout or lift up my voice against your people in any way.

Father, please cause me to be out of the way. So that I wouldn't be an offense to anyone. But oh Lord, grant utterance, truth, revelation by the Spirit of God. Humble boldness to say what you want me to say.

Father in mercy, look upon us. Send your Spirit upon us for all is vain unless your Spirit comes, Lord. But oh Father, your Spirit anointing upon the Word. It makes it quick. It makes it sharp. It makes it powerful, Lord.

The discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart. Father this morning, would you visit us in mercy as we look into your Holy Word. Thank you. Thank you, Lord, that we have a Bible in our own language that we can read.

And we live in a nation where we can gather together. And bring our sons and daughters with us. And gather in the house of the Lord. Thank you, Lord. Father, we commit this message to you. And pray, thy will be done.

In Jesus name. Amen. You may be seated. James chapter 4. And the title this morning. Taken from the verses right here in the beginning. From whence come wars and fightings among you. Now remember, the book of James is not written to the heathen, rebel, unbelievers.

But it is written to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. It is written to the church. From whence come wars and fightings among you Christians. This is nothing new. This is an age old problem.

Conflict Among Believers in the New Testament

That goes back to the beginning after the fall. And sin entered into the world. And Cain rose up. And slew his brother Abel. This is seen in the early church. In the writings. Inspired of God. In the Corinthian church.

Bringing correction. Because they are suing each other at the law. The saints at Corinth. There was fightings among them. There was divisions among them. There was cliques among them. In writing to the believers at Galatia.

He warned them, lest their fightings they devour one another. In biting one another. In devouring one another. To the Philippian church. There was two women there that he exhorted. To be of the same mind.

Because there was division. There was a problem. From whence come wars and fightings among you? This word. Fightings. In Strong's concordance. First definition is a battle. Figuratively. A controversy.

From whence come controversies among you? Thayer says it this way. It is used of those in arms. We take up our position. And we take up our arms. Used of persons at variance. One with another. Those that have dispute.

One with another. Strife and contention. A quarrel. Says Thayer's Greek lexicon dictionary. Of fightings. From whence come wars and fightings among you? This is a blot. On Christianity. This is a blot.

On the name of Christ whom we confess. To be born of and love. If there is fightings. And wars. From whence come wars and fightings among you? James points out several different kinds. Of disagreements or controversies among the saints.

If we remember James chapter 2. He says there is a controversy. There is a controversy. There is a difficulty in the body. Because there is respect of persons in James chapter 2. The rich versus the poor.

The well dressed versus the shabby dressed one. And he says you are partial in yourselves. By giving respect and honor to the one who meets the qualifications. And who passes your judgment with your eye as you look upon them.

As they come into your midst. Into your worship service. In James 4. We read the verses. He says in verse 12. Verse 11. He says there is evil speaking. And he says he that speaketh evil of his brother and judges his brother.

Speaketh evil of the law and judges the law. But if thou judge the law thou art not a doer of the law. But a judge. There is one law giver who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judges another?

If the truth about a brother is harmful. We should cover him in love. But if he has sinned. We should go to him. Personally and try to restore such a brother. You know Jesus prayed in John 17. Verse 21.

That they all may be one. What a tragedy it is. That the wars and the fighting among Christians. Are on display before an unbelieving and a lost world. Isn't that tragic? As in the Corinthian church. Brother against brother going to law.

And it's a sad thing to have to say this. But you know sometimes. Leader against leader. An elder against an elder. In a church. And then sometimes. A denomination against another denomination. And there is strong contention.

And fighting. And all this before an unbelieving and lost world. Oh Lord. Deliver us from these things. From whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence? Even of your lusts that war in your members?

The Heart as the Source of Strife

Why? Why James? Is there this controversy? This tension? Why these taking up in arms and setting the battle in array? Brother against brother. Elder against elder. Congregation against congregation. Why Lord?

I believe he gives us the answer. He says come they not hence? Even of your lusts that war in your members? Even of your lusts that war in your members? From within. Out of the heart. If we back up just a little bit.

To James 3. And verse 14 he says. If ye have bitter envying. And strife in your hearts. Glory not and lie not against the truth. You see this is. An attitude of the heart. A heart that is not at rest.

And at peace within themselves. And there is a strife. And a fighting going on in the heart. Verse 16 of James 3 he says. For where envying and strife is there is confusion. And every evil work. The essence of sin is self.

It's the big I. Me. Selfishness. My will. My desires. Wasn't that the essence of the sin of Eve? I want my way. Yes I know Lord you said. But. I believe I'm wiser. And smarter. And believes the lie of the devil.

And takes what God has forbidden. My way. The sin of Achan. Taking that Babylonish garment. That wedge of gold. Wasn't it uncrucified carnal lust. That led him to do that? Self. Selfish desires. Often we try to veil.

Our quarrels. Under the guise of spirituality. Think of. Miriam. And Aaron as they complained about Moses wife. Was that really the issue? No. No. There was another issue. And it came out. And that was.

They were really envious. Of Moses and his. Relationship with God. And his God given authority. And leadership. And they said. I mean who does Moses think he is? Doesn't God speak to us too? And they.

They were envious and jealous. About James and John. Asking for special thrones. In heaven. Was it selfishness? Was it wanting. Recognition? Oh. We're going to have a special place in heaven. The Lord Jesus granted it to us.

And that would have puffed them up. And elevated them before the other brothers. Both of these actions. Like Miriam and Aaron. James and John. It resulted in a division. And a contention. In the brotherhood.

In the church. May I say it that clearly? It caused. Controversy. And it brought God's chastening. Upon them. People at war. With themselves. They tend to be at war with the people around them. Did you get that?

When I am not secure. In Christ. And He is my all in all. And I have nothing. To defend or protect. But the Lord Jesus Christ. In His glory. In His testimony. And it's not I. But Christ be honored. Loved.

Exalted. And there's a peace. And a rest. In the soul. Oh. That makes for peace. And rest. With my fellow men. But you know. People at war with themselves. And having controversies in their heart. And issues in their heart.

They will tend to have issues. And controversies with the people around them. Selfish. Carnal. Desires. Are dangerous. Uncrucified. Unsurrendered lives. Before the Lord. Are dangerous. They lead to wrong actions.

Verse 2. Ye lust and ye have not. Ye kill and desire to have. And cannot obtain. Ye fight and war. And yet. Ye have not. In fact. He says. Because ye ask not. But let's tie that right in. Verse 3. He says.

Ye ask and receive not. Because ye ask amiss. That ye may consume it upon your lusts. You know. An unyielded. Surrendered heart. Where self. Is uncrucified. It even leads to wrong praying. And we can even say.

But I prayed about it. But let's examine our prayer. Was it a selfish prayer? To consume it upon my own lusts. Or was it a prayer? That was prayed. Out of a sincere heart. Saying Lord. Not my will. I surrender all.

But thy will. Be done Lord. Not my reputation. Not my testimony. But thy reputation Lord. Thy glory. Many problems. Would be solved. If I. And you my dear brothers and sisters. Would look into our own hearts.

And see. Is a battle raging there. From whence come wars. Verse 4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses. Know ye not. That the friendship of the world. Is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore. Will be a friend of the world.

Is the enemy. Of God. Looking now deeply. At the root. Heart issue. Of fighting. And wars. Isn't the root cause. Rebellion. Against God. Stubbornness. And iniquity. In the heart against God. How is it.

That a Christian. A believer. Becomes a friend of the world. How does this happen? And when we say the world. We are speaking of. Society. That is. Against God. The worldly. Society that is. Antichrist.

And you might say well that doesn't apply to us. We live in a Christian nation. Oh really. Is that true? I am very grateful. For the respect. Of the word of God in our nation. But brothers and sisters.

Not all who say Lord Lord. Not all who profess. Christianity. Are Christ in fact. Paul says I tell you weeping. Some of those that say those things. Are actually enemies of the cross of Christ. How does a believer.

Become a friend of the world. You know I believe it's a gradual. Process really many times. It begins with a friendship. Of the world. And then that results. In being spotted by the world. Because now we're.

We're a friend of the world. And so now we become spotted by the world. In areas of our life. So that we can meet. And have the approval of the world. And then the friendship. Of this world. It leads to loving the world.

It's progressive. It doesn't just stay there at one spot. And it leads to loving the world. Which we know what John 2. Tells us about that 1st John chapter 2. And then if we're. Loving the world. It makes it easy.

To conform to the world. You see the world rubs off on us. It's. Priorities. It's loves. It's lifestyles. It's. Value system. And all of these things. Rub off on us. And it makes it easier for us. To conform.

And be pressed into. The image and mold of the world. Brothers and sisters. This is very serious with God. The sad end result is. To be condemned. With the world. Do we believe that? God calls us. To a holy life.

And to come out. And to be separate from the world. And not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you. But if we become. Conformed to the world. Loving the world. Being a friend of the world. Can we expect to not be condemned.

With the world. Friendship to the world. Here in James 4 verse 4. Is compared to adultery. He says. The adulterers and adulteresses. Know ye not. That the friendship of the world. Is enmity with God. You know Israel.

And Judah. Were judged. And condemned. As unfaithful. To God. Because of their mingling. With the practices. Of their. Worldly. Neighbors. And mixing together. With those around them. Rather than keeping themselves.

Holy. Set apart unto God. Spiritual adultery. We are a spouse to Christ. We are His. Paul said. I have espoused you. As a chaste virgin to Christ. Therefore. Cleanse yourselves. Keep yourselves. From the sins of the spirit.

And of the flesh. Both of them. These are serious words to our hearts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses. Know ye not that the friendship of the world. Is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore. Will be a friend of the world.

Is the enemy of God. You know the lines get pretty. Confusing these days. A little bit like our brother Jeff. Was sharing this morning. Is there somehow. Some. Neutral ground. Between these two. Is there somehow.

Some neutral ground. Somewhere in the middle here. Between love and hate. Some neutral ground in there. We don't really love. With all our heart. But we don't hate. So we're somewhere here in the middle.

Is that possible? Oh I like the testimony of Abraham. He was a friend of God. He loved God. Can God say that. Of you and I this morning. You know Jesus had a lot to say about this subject. This could be a whole sermon right here in itself.

He said if the world hates you. Know that it hated me first. But he said if the world speak well of you. Then beware. Because so did they also of the false prophets. You see the world. And. The kingdom of Christ.

And our God. Is at odds with each other. There is a war going on. Reminds me again of the Russian Christians. Coming out of persecution. I had the privilege of visiting in Romania. And the church was strong.

And pure. And I mean they saw the world for what it was. And they wouldn't give their hand to the world. And try to become like the world to win them. It was clear battle lines. There was no question.

Because the world. Persecuted the church. Does the world persecute the church today. In United States. Yes. But the tools have changed. And the methods have changed. The world persecutes the church. In the wearing down of the saints.

With words like. Legalism. Oh you think you're so holier than thou. Now those things can be true in our hearts. And God convict us if that's the case. But the Christianity of the New Testament today. Is derided.

And put in a box as. Something strange and. Weird. And cultish. Don't be surprised my brothers and sisters. If the day when they will also. Persecute us physically. Is not far around the corner. And they'll put us away.

As weird and strange. And off the wall. From whence come wars and fightings. Verse 5. Do you think that the scripture sayeth in vain. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. You know the flesh.

This lust that is within. The old carnal nature that we inherited from Adam. That is prone to sin. That's where these wars. And these fightings come. That old carnal nature. The lust that war in your members.

Ye ask and receive not because ye ask you to miss it. You may consume it upon your own lusts. And there's a war going on. The carnal mind is enmity against God. To be carnally minded is death. There's no neutral ground.

There's no peace treaty. You know. You can't make a treaty with the flesh. And try to bring it subject. And bring it along. No the flesh must die. God told Israel. Don't make any agreements with the heathen.

Rid them out of the land. Or they will be thorns and pricks in your side. And they will bring you back into bondage. We cannot make a treaty with the old man. And try to appease him. And bring him along.

No the old nature must die. The carnal mind is enmity against God. And to be carnally minded is death. Romans 8 .6. Oh but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is how we win the war. So we war against the flesh.

And the flesh is the cause of this lusts and warring that comes out of our members. But it doesn't stop there. Verse 7. We also war against the devil. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The devil has been at war with God.

Ever since he lifted up himself in pride. And he said, I will. Does that sound familiar in your heart? Have you ever said, I will. Or I will not. That is unreasonable. I don't have to do that. I don't have to do what they say.

I'll do it my way. Pride is his chief weapon, that old serpent, the devil. It was pride that caused his fall. His rebellion against God. He still is at work today. Inflating the ego of unyielded, unbroken vessels.

You can do it. My, the church needs you. They need your gifts and talents. They just don't recognize how gifted you are. Push yourself forward. Confidence in self. Confidence in my abilities. Pride is the devil's chief weapon, if I may say so.

Submission to God and Resistance to the Devil

How many wars and fightings could be resolved if men would humble themselves. From whence come wars and fightings? Yes, they come of the flesh. Of our carnal nature that is rebellious against God. They come from wrong affections, affections toward the world.

They come from cuddling and giving room to the flesh. The old carnal nature. And yes, these wars come from listening to that old deceiver, the devil. Like Eve listened to him and chose her own way. From whence come wars and fightings among you?

Come they not hence even of your lusts that war in your members. How can we overcome our enemy? How shall we have unity, love, peace, joy? I believe he gives us the answers right here in chapter 4 of James.

You see he saith in verse 6, he giveth more grace. However, God resisteth the proud. You see that pride. Me and I, my way. What an awful thing to have the God of heaven resist. That should arrest our attention.

Pride, God hates it and he resist the proud. But he giveth grace to the humble. How shall we overcome our enemy? The world, the flesh and the devil that would turn us away from God. And would war inside of our hearts.

How shall we do so? Well the answer is clear. Submit yourself to God. And this submission, as I studied this, this is a military term. It means get in your proper rank. Get in your proper rank and place.

Looking at a military, when a private acts like a general, there's going to be trouble. Right? And there's going to be discipline. The private doesn't order the general. Right? Submit yourself to God.

He is the captain. He is the master. He is the lord. He is the king. And I am an unworthy servant. Lord, what will thou have me to do? Yes, unconditional surrender is the only way to complete victory.

But I don't feel like it. You don't have to feel like it. You need to agree with God. And humble and break your stubborn will. And as an act of the will, surrender to God. And give yourself to Him. I believe it's in Ephesians it tells us.

Neither give place to the devil. I believe that Satan needs a foothold. If he's going to fight against God in and through us. And we give him that foothold through our selfish, unsurrendered pride. Is that right?

When we respond in defensive pride and upholding ourselves. We give room to the devil. We give him place. The way to resist the devil is clear. It's to submit yourselves therefore to God. Let's not get this order wrong.

First we submit ourselves to God. And then we have the blessed promise. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. That's God's word. But how sad today. Have you ever heard people ordering the devil around?

But their lives were so full of self and pride. Did the devil obey them? No, you can examine the evidence for yourself. But I am concerned. That we don't just pick up some cliche. Of binding the devil and rebuking the devil.

And everything is the devil here and that. And now we've found him here and we've rebuked him there. And we resisted him there. And now the job is done. Has it worked? Has he obeyed you? The power with God is a humble submitted life to God.

And yes, then you resist the devil. And he flees from you. And I am not talking this morning about some unattainable perfection. All I am talking about is being real. You know what I mean? Being real, not fake.

Having a heart that is real before the Lord and genuine. Then. As we draw an eye to God. In verse 8. He'll draw an eye to you and then he says. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners. And purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted and mourn and weep. Ah. Now. That's some serious resisting of the devil. When we get earnest before God and transparent and open. And we start to humble ourselves. And confess our sins. Ah, the devil is not going to hang around real long in that kind of a confession meeting, will he?

You know, how do we overcome? We draw an eye to God. We cleanse our hands. And purify our hearts. We afflict ourselves and we mourn and we weep over our sins. We humble ourselves. We give up ourselves.

We confess that pride. We confess that wrong attitude. And we humble ourselves. Under the hand of the Lord. Confession of sin brings cleansing. Is there a problem drawing near to God? Does God seem far away?

Examine your heart. My brother, my sister. Sin in our lives separates us from God. It cuts off the intimate fellowship and communion. You know, it's humble. I mean, it's possible. I'm sorry. It's possible to submit outwardly.

And yet be chafing and striving inwardly. Let me say that again. It's possible to have an appearance of humbleness and brokenness and submission. And yet be chafing and striving and silently rebelling inwardly.

You know, it's the fight over. Are you still standing entrenched with the battling array? Remember, that's the definition of fighting amongst the Christians. Very practical areas. Yeah, I'll do what he says.

But I really don't agree with it. You know, this can happen in husband and wife relationships. I'll submit. But yet the heart is still chafing. It can happen in family relationships, with children, with young people.

Yes, I'll submit outwardly. But inwardly, I'm still standing. It can happen with brothers and sisters in the congregation. Yes, I heard what they shared. I heard the admonition they gave. And yes, I'll submit.

But I don't agree. Inwardly, I'm still holding on to my position. From whence come fighting? You know, in just about every human relationship. When there is a controversy. And there is a division. How many times, just think in your own heart.

How many times is it rooted in James chapter 4 verse 1? That fighting comes from hence, even of your own lusts. How many problems could be solved? If I get honest before God. If I will search my own heart.

Draw nigh to God. And ask Him to search me, to try me. And see whether there be any wicked way in me. And turn that search light on. And then respond with a humble broken heart. A season of repentance.

A time of purifying the heart. Stop being double-minded. A time of affliction and mourning and weeping. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. And He shall lift you up. Are you caught today in any of these things?

Oh, the Lord Jesus is standing. Saying, whosoever will. Let him come unto me. Whosoever that is weary and burdened and heavy laden. You know that war within. Oh, it's heavy. Isn't it? You know that holding on to self.

Against what God is calling us to. Surrender. Yieldedness. Confession. Release. Love. Forbearing. You know all those things that our brother Jeff shared this morning. I was so blessed how the Lord prepared the way for these two messages to just flow together.

My brothers and sisters. Is the fight over? Have you given it all to Jesus? I'd like to read one more scripture. In Isaiah, I believe it is. Isaiah 32. Isaiah 32. And verse 17. Oh, it's such a beautiful verse.

Peace Through Righteousness and Repentance

And the work of righteousness shall be peace. And the effect of righteousness. Quietness. And assurance. Forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation. And sure dwellings. And in quiet.

Resting places. Oh, hallelujah. That speaks of a blessed. Peace. And. Oh, I hardly want to say the word tranquility. And yet, that's what comes to my mind. It's a place of where there is love. And peace.

And righteousness. And surety. It's confidence. It's quietness. And freedom from all the strivings and the wrestlings. Against the boss. Against the elder. Against my brother. Against my husband. Against that decision.

I don't agree with it. Oh, but when the war ceases. Hallelujah. What peace. And what rest. Let's kneel together in prayer. Oh, Lord. Thou who knowest all things. Thou who knowest the thoughts and the intents of our hearts.

Oh, Father in heaven. Please have mercy upon us. Lord, I confess my need of you, Lord. I haven't arrived. But, Lord, I want to go there. Of that place of sweet fellowship. And rest of the soul. Oh, Father, bless this congregation.

With the peace and the joy. And the rest. That only Christ can bring. As we surrender all to Him. And the strifing ceases. Hallelujah, Lord. Father, thank you that you invite us to come to you. And to humble ourselves.

And to repent. And then you give grace. Thank you, Lord. Father, this morning. Have your way with each and every one of us, Lord. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

You know, the pride of life. Is that where the striving is? Is that where there may be strivings in your heart? And fightings, like it says there in James. I think of chapter 3 and 4. Chapter 3 is on the tongue.

Chapter 4 is on friendship with the world. And how that if there is friendship in our hearts with the world. We are at enmity with God. And then it says in verse, like Brother Aaron shared. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy.

It just seems like James is saying. That that is where a lot of our fightings from within come from. Is when we begin to lust. After the things or the positions of another. And we begin then to use our tongue.

In ways that hurt and devour one another. The spirit in us lusts. It says here that the scripture saith not in vain. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. So let's remember to guard our hearts in this matter of friendship.

With the world of lusting after another's position. Or coveting another's possessions. All that is in the world, the lust of the eyes. The lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Is not of the Father but is of the world.

Congregational Testimonies on Resisting the World

Okay, is there anyone that cares to share this morning? Can we get the mics, ushers? Put up your hand. Maybe there's a confession that you may have this morning after a message like this. That God has worked in your heart and you want to confess a need in your life.

Or a testimony that you may have to share also. So get your hands up and the ushers will get the mic to you at this time. Are there any up front here? I have to confess this morning that I have need in those areas of my life.

Just resisting the devil. It's so easy to get lured away and to get trapped in the cares of life. Even the deceitfulness of riches and things. I don't want that in my life. I know that when I engage my heart in those things that are against God.

When I listen to the voice of the accuser. When I give my heart to those things. I'm an open door to the devil. To be used of the devil. And it is not my heart to be used of the devil to destroy the work of God.

My prayer this morning is that my heart would be true to God. That I am not that vessel for the devil to use. I want to appreciate the things that God appreciates. I want to love the things that God loves.

I want the heart of Christ Jesus beating in my breast. That is my plea. That is my longing. I want to say that I want the things that God wants. Amen. God bless you. I appreciate the message this morning.

Amen. I thank God for your message this morning, Brother Aaron. I just really felt need in my heart. It hurt really good to feel that relief of seeing whose pleasure am I here for. Such a good reminder.