Day Eighteen
More on Habitation
Those Who Seek Honor for Themselves
“He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself. …”
Jn 7:18a (AMP)
On Day Sixteen we first began looking at the habitation of the Lord. Today we continue that topic with a look at something that can block the Lord’s habitation in our lives: having a wrong motivation – which is a motivation not from the Lord.
The Body of Christ has allowed waters of disobedience to muddy and cloud truth in our hearts by retaining motivations from ourselves — yet believing they are from the Lord. This passage in John 7:18 deserves much focus and meditation. Jesus clarifies that if we speak according to our own authority (what I believe I know/understand/trust in my own soul) I speak to win honor for myself.
Have I sent myself to a task? Have I taken up a cause or obligation where the Lord has not sent me? Have I pursued action and busy-ness — racing to do things for the Kingdom that appear good from every logic angle I inspect, but have not been requested or sanctioned by the Lord? If I do not have His yes – His Amen – in me, if I have not made a “practice” of surrendering to Him my life and my works and motivations, then I am quite probably operating on my own authority for my own honor.
Many would quickly say to this, “Well God gave me a brain to use – to decide things. He would not have me be just sitting around not using it!” And indeed God did give us a great brain – a wondrous computer to compute with. But He wants it to be brought under submission to Him in every way. The Lord does not want us to operate as loose canons working independently of Him!
Does a musical conductor allow you to play any note you want at any time you desire? Does your own body allow your hand to go off seeking its own plan and fulfillment? No – of course not! Yet the Body of Christ consistently presses against the constraint of God’s love to do exactly what it believes is the correct thing to do – without waiting for the leading of the Lord. It was this same independence that got us into trouble in the Garden.
Listen to the second part of John 7:18: “…But He Who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent Him, He is true; and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him.” You might see that and say it’s ok because it’s talking about Jesus – He was supposed to do only and all that the Father said to do…, and you would be correct! But you see – Jesus is the Head of His body. And that same body (His Church) should be constrained just “as He is” … by His rule, His authority, His leading, and His instruction. 1Jn 4:17 says that “…as He is so are we in the world.” To be otherwise – is acting independent of His authority, is seeking our own honor, and is in fact rebellious and resistant towards Him. This simple independence will preclude and interfere with the Lord entering habitation with us – everytime.
Be-loved.
Insolomonsporch's Blog 
Leave a Reply