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YHWH has given us the very great gift of a New Covenant relationship with Him. Under the New Covenant we are made to be His people. This involves atonement for sin, becoming a new creation, and having our character formed to be like that of Yeshua through life-experience as we seek to keep in step with the Spirit.

Having our character formed to be like that of Yeshua is called “progressive sanctification.” Progressive sanctification is the process of becoming more and more set-apart (separated) from the world as we live life more and more line with the Kingdom of YHWH in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

As we pick up the call of Peter:

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV)

What we do as believers under the New Covenant does matter. The more we identify with the world and live according to its godless and/or idolatrous practices the more we stand in the way of YHWH’s will for us. It is His will that we, as His people, be set apart from the world and conformed to the character of Yeshua.

While the benefit of progressive sanctification is our right as New Covenant children of YHWH, others benefit by it as well. By seeking first the Kingdom of YHWH and His righteousness, we are made participants in the great work He is doing to bring about His will in the world. This is a great blessing and gift. And a very great responsibility.

We are not forced into progressive sanctification any more than we were forced into the New Covenant. We must choose to seek that course in response to His call to do so. It is our responsibility to make the choices that reflect YHWH’s call on our lives.

On His part, He has provided a new heart in us, His Word, and His Spirit to enable us to pursue and successfully realize progressive sanctification. But we must make the choice to avail ourselves of the many great and precious promises He has given us whereby we might lay hold of a life of godliness.

In the course of daily life, some often don’t recognize when they are presented with a choice to be made between the world and YHWH. That is because sin can become so entrenched in our environment that it seems “normal” to us. We don’t recognize that something is amiss.

One such area that is prevalent among believers today, in my experience, is addressed in the book of Proverbs. In it we are presented with a list of seven things the Lord hates. He hates them so badly that they are called an abomination to Him! An abomination is “something that elicits extreme abhorrence, disgust, repugnance and aversion.” In other words, God really, really hates these seven things.

Lest we miss the regularly presented opportunities to make the right choices in these matters, we would do well to review that list briefly here.

Can you imagine what this list must include in order to be so offensive to the Lord? Surely, we would think, it must contain some vile items in order to be so repulsive to YHWH.

But chances are you will be surprised to find you personally know, and perhaps even consider as “godly,” some fellow believers who abide in more than one of the items on the list of things YHWH hates.

Let’s take a look:

These six things doth YHWH hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV (Unmasked))

If we read through the list casually or quickly we risk missing the impact of realizing that YHWH abhors some practices that are actually very common among some circles of “followers.” Let’s slow down and absorb what is listed in order to gain YHWH’s perspective and thus respond accordingly when we see them in our midst.

• Proud Look: If humility is a key to the kingdom of YHWH then pride will barricade the door. Consider that YHWH gives grace to the humble and resists the proud (James 4:6).

  So why do we sometimes extend our own grace to those who are most arrogant and condescending in our congregations? Is there anyone who speaks up for those who are looked down upon (or even just plain looked over) in our congregation? If not, then why is it not us?

  Better to risk offending a proud but prominent congregation member than risk offending YHWH by turning a blind eye to some situations.

• Lying Tongue: Have you ever been lied to by another believer in order for them to gain some advantage over you? Have you ever been mislead into believing something false by the words of a follower of Yeshua?

  I know some people who automatically grant great trust to others who make any kind of claim at all to prayer, Jesus, the Bible, or if they display any sort of religious items in their environment.

  I’ve seen those same people get burned big time by these religious play-actors, too. Lying is not a godly act, nor is it excusable. In fact, YHWH hates it. And don’t forget who Yeshua said is the father of all lies. “Who’s your daddy?” Might be a good question to ask in the congregation sometimes.

• Hands that Shed Innocent Blood: Aha! Here’s a big one: murder, right? But let’s look at this item again in context of the other items listed. John wrote: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15 KJV).

  What about “character assasination?” Isn’t that trying to destroy somebody by impugning their character, often falsely, out a motive of hatred? There are many I know personally who have “blood on their hands” from destroying the reputations of brothers and sisters in Messiah. I suspect many congregations are full of “murderers” of this variety.

• Heart that Deviseth Wicked Imaginations: Can you imagine a believer actually spending time and effort dreaming up, working out, and planning some scheme to hurt or cheat a fellow believer? Many former followers of Yeshua now despise any form of fellowship because they have been victimized by such as these.

• Feet Swift to Mischief: Know anybody who loves to be in the middle of every controversy? You know the type: gleefully stirring the pot, running here and there to act as talebearer, delighting in discord. Causing strife for anyone else is not entertainment. It is not doing the work of the Kingdom or YHWH. It is not a payback. It is sin. Abominable sin according to YHWH’s measure.

• False Witness Speaking Lies: This would include lying about others or spreading rumors. When a person repeats a rumor, especially when done in a way that suggests they are expressing fact, they act as a witness.

  Even if they are mistaken, they are still a false witness because they are acting like they know something when they haven’t even verified it for themselves. Scripture has much to say about being a gossip. And about being a false witness. Much that is too often ignored among the brethren.

• Sower of Discord Among Brethren: Yeshua said that peacemakers are blessed because they shall be called the children of YHWH. That’s because they are like their Father, who is a peacemaker. Why do some followers of Messiah get so much satisfaction out of fanning the flames of controversy between parties?

  Let’s not be fooled. This behavior is downright ungodly and is contrary to the purposes of YHWH among His people. No wonder it is abominable to Him!

Notice that the whole body (eyes, hand, heart, tongue, feet) is involved. These verses are directed to those who make it a very part of their physical being to do these things. They “abide” in their sin.

These are not sins that are repented of and forgiven (1 John 1:8-9). They are sins that are welcome and comfortable friends in some people’s lives. And they attack the body of Messiah while working contrary to the purposes and will of YHWH. They are an abomination to Him. As His people, with His Spirit in us, they should be an abomination to us as well.

So let’s take every opportunity in daily life to set ourselves apart from these seven things. That alone will take us a long way in our journey of progressive sanctification.

Father in Heaven, thank you for your New Covenant and for providing the way for us to enter into it with you. Grant us the grace and mercy to set ourselves apart from the world, being holy as you are holy. Help us especially to avoid the terrible sins in society, even among your people who remain immersed in society, by making us aware of how much you hate them. We are willing to be set apart from the world, Father. Please make it so in our daily lives. We ask this in the name of Yeshua our Messiah. Amen.

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Copyright 2010 Jim Zboran. All rights reserved.
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(Note: This post is “Part 2″ of yesterday’s post: Has an Unholy Trinity Turned an Evil Eye Your Way?)

When I fire up my computer and connect to the internet everyday, I always check to see that my computer firewall has loaded and that it is working. That firewall guards what comes into, and what goes out of, my computer. That’s a vital protection as I travel through the internet environment which is sometimes very hostile to the life and health of my computer. As followers of Messiah Yeshua, we also have a faith “firewall” to allow us to survive in the sometimes hostile environment of the world.

Our firewall is God’s Spirit-inspired Word. It works effectively when loaded and running. We load it into our lives through regular Bible reading, study and reflection. To be effective it must also be running. We must be doing the Word of God, not just hearing it. Of course, God wrote the program to be run under His “operating system,” the Holy Spirit.

Is your faith “firewall” up and running every time you connect with the world? I hope so. That is what will bring you through the daily challenges, tribulations, and persecutions that Yeshua promised all true believers. These come in many forms, one of which is the “Unholy Trinity.”

Yesterday I described an Unholy Trinity as being comprised of The Destructive Tongue, The Liars, and The Wicked Doers. Where ever such a trio forms into a symbiotic relationship, trouble entrenches itself. Woe to the person that is the focus of their “evil eye”…if they are not a follower of Messiah!

But since we are followers of Messiah, our “firewall,” our faith and practice, quite effectively protects us from being destroyed by this evil. No special strategies are needed. All we need to do is just keep on doing what we should be doing everyday already: living up to our high calling in Messiah Yeshua!

It should be noted, as it was yesterday, that we are protected from destruction, not the pain and negative effects caused by an Unholy Trinity. But those things prove to make us stronger in the faith and so they actually work to our benefit.

I “cherry-picked” some Scriptures from the forefront of my mind that will demonstrate how our regular faith and practice is the appropriate strategy to facing an Unholy Trinity. There are far more than I have listed below. The relevant Scriptures, and their application, to your situation will be most valuable to you when you discover them by experience and by the Spirit. But the following can get you started:

Repay evil with good.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Mat 5:44)

And, of course:

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:17-18)

Repay evil with good. This most basic instruction to God’s people is most basic to confronting an Unholy Trinity. If the evil around you is able to drag you down to its level it has already ultimately succeeded in its goals. All the pain and suffering is just added fun. When you repay with good, you are being like your Father in heaven who does the same. You have already won when you do this. Everything else is just the details getting worked out.

Be persecuted for doing good, not bad.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1Pe 4:15-16)

If you are to be persecuted, be persecuted for doing good and not because you’ve done bad. If you’re a troublemaker you have to expect to end up with the fruit of your labors: trouble. It is to God’s glory, however, when we suffer as a follower of Messiah. In so doing, we follow in the footsteps of Yeshua.

Don’t add fuel to the fire.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. (Pro 26:20)

Don’t add fuel to the fire and thus make yourself part of the problem. If there’s strife, you will only increase it by telling stories to try to discredit those trying to discredit you. Even if true, it is better to not say critical things about your antagonizers. Let others draw their own conclusions. Stay away from gossip, even if you think it will gain sympathy for you and discredit the troublemakers.

Remember the big picture promise.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Rom 8:28-29)

God is still in control no matter what the situation. He has promised you that He is controlling circumstances in such a way as to make you more like the Son.

Remember the short-term promise.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…(Psa 23:5)

God clearly does not remove us from the midst of our enemies. In fact, He has us sit down and stay for dinner right in front of them! So, as much as you are tempted to, don’t worry. He’s got you covered. Psalm 23 also reminds us of God’s staff and rod which are wielded in our behalf. He’s got His eye on the ball and He’s waiting for the right moment to swing.

Take it to the Lord, not other people.

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psa 37:39-40)

Good advice is helpful, and mediators may be effective. But proceed with caution. And above all, don’t put your trust in them for the final solution. Remember, God saves the righteous because they trust in Him.

Well, that should do for now. So many more Scriptures could be searched out and applied, but that is the work of a lifetime in Messiah. The bottom line is to not focus on the potential threats in the world but to focus on being faithful to your call in Messiah. Everything, even an Unholy Trinity, is under God’s control and you will ultimately grow from the experience. Just make sure you don’t get out into the world without your faith firewall up and running!

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Is trouble suddenly finding you even though you haven’t been looking for it? Does it seem to be coming all at once from a number of places? An Unholy Trinity may have turned its evil eye your way.

What is an Unholy Trinity? It is an interrelationship of three types of people with evil intention. Those intentions are to cause harm, even destruction, to some others in the group in which they lurk.

It’s possible this evil partnership is at work in the midst of groups to which you belong. You might even be an intended victim or an unwitting participant in its evil doing. For these reasons, it would be wise to recognize this group and avoid being pulled into its destructive agenda. The biblical book of Proverbs clues us in to the Unholy Trinity:

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. (Pro 17:4)

Folded compactly into this unassuming little proverb is a group I have come to know as the Unholy Trinity. Let’s give the players names to more easily distinguish them: Wicked Doers, Liars, and the Destructive Tongue.

Experience shows there is usually only one Destructive Tongue at the hub of a network of Liars, who are further surrounded by a network of Wicked Doers. A large group where evil is especially entrenched will likely have a number of Unholy Trinities, usually coexisting with tension between them. Fun, fun, fun…for them.

The glue that holds an Unholy Trinity together is the love of creating trouble for others. They like nothing else better than to complicate the lives of the innocent just for the fun and power of it. Why would anybody love participating in such evil? As one of these players told me a few year back: “because life is boring.” They are truly of a different spirit than the Spirit of Messiah and His people. Let’s consider each individually, in reverse order, from the proverb:

The Destructive Tongue is the “instigator.” This person enjoys the power of being able to “pull strings” within their group to make things happen. Good things when it consolidates their power. Bad things for those they don’t like. They also enjoy their cleverness at the game.

To increase the fun and further entrench their power, this person often seeks to act formally or informally as a mediator in the situation. Beware. This player is further crafting the web they weave to entangle you while at the same time acting as your friend. Their cleverness knows no bounds, they think.

The Liar is the middleman here. He acts as flame-fanner to the Wicked Doers and as insulation for the Destructive Tongue. The Liar gives ear to the destructive words of the Destructive Tongue. They then use those lies to “stir the pot” with those they know will act on any lie they are fed. In so doing, they encourage a “web” of Wicked Doers to form a network of trouble-making that surrounds the victim.

The Wicked Doer is the “bad actor” who enjoys creating chaos and harm to others. This is the person who brings the hurtful lies to their hurtful consequence. The range of meanness can run from insulting words, to destructive actions like “keying” the paint on your vehicle, to getting you fired from your job or ostracized in your church.

All the Wicked Doer needs is an excuse to act. That excuse is the lie to which they have given heed. Once the Liar feeds it to them, the Wicked Doer gets to work with all resources at hand to bring about bad to the intended victim. It doesn’t matter whether they really think the lie is true or not. They believe it because they want to believe it for no other reason than to justify their wicked doing.

Unholy Trinities cause pain and division in countless groups. If you have never experienced what I’ve described here I am very glad for you. If you have experienced these things, you know whereof I write. Either way, to be forewarned is to be able to be prepared for the future.

So what are the children of God to do in the face of all this evil? We don’t need to make up a strategy to counteract an Unholy Trinity. That is already built into the lifestyle of followers of Messiah. We just have to live the lifestyle. That doesn’t mean we won’t feel the pain, but we have the assurance that the pain is working toward the purifying of our faith and practice.

Still, you might feel better knowing specifically some of the ways that our lifestyle as followers of Messiah will protect us. I’ll save that for “Part Two.” Check back tomorrow.

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