OUTLINE:
The Stress Experiment – blog 4/5/20
We humans have a primitive fault. We often prefer routine over health. We fear things that alter our lifestyle. We suffer daily as a result. We stress out because, deep down, when faced with the opportunity to change, we somehow find a reason to reject the idea. So, we wallow in what can only be called self-induced misery.
“do not be anxious”
from merimnao – is “an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted”; to be over-anxious; distracted. This is a command. It’s a sin to disobey a command.
Obedience Is a Grace Gift
Our ability to obey the commands in the Bible is given to us by the grace of God. For example, “do not be anxious”, is a command that we can obey by grace. We cannot defeat fear by force of will. We must depend wholly on the Word and the Spirit for deliverance.
“do not be anxious”
from merimnao – is “an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted”; to be over-anxious; distracted. This is a command. It’s a sin to disobey a command.
Pr 4:7 [Amplified]
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
Pr 9:10 [Amplified]
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.
Obedience Is a Grace Gift
Our ability to obey the commands in the Bible is given to us by the grace of God. For example, “do not be anxious”, is a command that we can obey by grace. We cannot defeat fear by force of will. We must depend wholly on the Word and the Spirit for deliverance.
“keep oneself unstained from the world” – Jas 1:27
This essentially means to be clean from the filth of it (Jn 13:5-8; Eph 5:26), to have a clean conscience (Heb 10:22), to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1:9-12).
Lk 11:9-10 [Amplified]
“So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.”
Heb. 12:2 [Amplified]
[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [a]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
Jas 4:6 [Amplified]
But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
Jas 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.