2 Chronicles 19:5-7

He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and he said to the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord who is with you in the matter of judgment. So now let the fear (reverent awe) of the Lord be on you (to keep from making unjust decisions); be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality, or acceptance of bribe.

Not all judges are the same or have reverent fear for right and wrong before the Lord. We need to pray that God appoints righteous judges to judge this country and its people fairly. When we do our part and keep the Lord at the center of our lives, communities, and families, He will act on our behalf. We have the power through prayer and intercession to change any influence of evil. 

1 Peter 2:15-16

For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the (culpable) ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but (use it and live) as bondservants of God.

It makes a difference when we do right when others choose to do wrong. We set a standard and a line of character shining light amid darkness. Otherwise, darkness will prevail without a representative of God displaying what is good. Our choices and behaviors matter because God is counting on His people to overcome evil with good. 

James 5:17-18

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (with the same physical, mental and spiritual limitations and short comings), and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops.

One man, just like us, caused it to stop raining for three years. The devil does his best to try to convince the church that they are powerless and have no voice in making changes for the good in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and towns. Jesus died so we could break through barriers and destroy strongholds. When we believe and pray, the devil shakes and runs. 

James 4:8

Come close to God (with a contrite heart) and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your (unfaithful) hearts, you double-minded (people).

Being double-minded is a heart and a head issue. Somehow, we are not entirely convinced that God has our best interest at heart, and we see sin has something better to offer (fame, money, control, revenge). Sin tries to convince us that compromising the word of God will bring us more significant gain. We really need to ask ourselves. “What in Hell do we want.” Quote from Pastor Monte Knudsen

James 4:6

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 gives (the gift of) grace to the humble (who turn away from self-righteousness).”

Jesus understands that we live in a fallen world with temptations. No one is immune, which is where grace comes to help the humble redeem themselves from the sin trap. We must fall back on Jesus in every situation where we have missed the mark. The faster we repent when we error, the quicker we heal, and the protection from sin is restored. We cannot live this life without loving Grace!

James 1:25

But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a (careless) listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does (in his life of obedience).

It is a daily struggle to move from being a careless listener and not forgetting the morning’s Bible study to being an active doer. Our thoughts and focus start in the morning and drive our day forward. If we don’t deliberately focus on God’s law of liberty, we will get diverted, and not in a good way. It is easier to live an obedient life when we don’t dwell on ungodly thoughts. 

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, “Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,” you shall not listen to the words of the prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all year heart and all your soul. 

Our knowledge of the word will keep us safe from deception. God warns us on what to look for and how the devil will try to deceive people away from God. It’s about love, loyalty to God (not man), and commitment to God in the heart. We will not be deceived if we keep our faith even under pressure from the world. Our goal is to keep the faith and pass the test. 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore know (without any doubt) and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His (steadfast) lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

God keeps His promises to those who love Him and keep His commandments. His faithfulness cannot be compared to anything we have in human knowledge. Our minds cannot understand how great God’s love is for His people. God’s love is the kind of love that will never leave or forsake those who believe and trust in Him. 

Jude 20-21

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on (the foundation of) your most holy faith (continually progress, rise like and edifice higher and higher), pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (which will bring you) to eternal life. 

We can grow in faith and persevere. It takes some commitment and time, but the more we read, listen, and study the faith, the more we will see and hear from God. The closer we draw toward Him, the closer He will come to us. Eternal life isn’t a fairy tale but brought to us through salvation.  

Jude 17-19

But as for you, beloved, remember the (prophetic) words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” These are the ones who are (agitators) causing divisions-worldly minded (secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual-unsaved) devoid of the Spirit.

Sin will blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the scoffers of Christianity. They do not discern the flesh from the spirit and control the carnal nature of the flesh. They see no division or future of the spirit and live a life minimalized to what the earth has to offer. Sin blinds them to salvation and any release from perpetual unsatisfaction.