2 Corinthians 10:5-6, “…Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Disobedience is collateral proof that hearing is complete upon obedience.
Here’s the proof: the word “obedience” in this scripture means, “attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission.” The word “disobedience” means, “inattention, that is, (by implication) disobedience; a hearing amiss.” (Strong’s and Strong’s Enhanced Lexicon).
The word “inattention” refers to “distractions” which prevents someone from giving full attention to what they heard; and the phrase “hearing amiss” refers to something heard in a mistaken way.
According to Zodhiates in 2 Corinthians 10:6, “disobedience” in its strictest sense means, “a failing to hear or hearing amiss, with the notion of active disobedience which follows this inattentive or careless hearing.”
Romans 5:19 says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Disobedience can and will result in one going astray … by words and actions in a faulty way — constant hearing amiss is characteristic of those prone to error.
We all know the catchy phrases, “I thought you said” … “I didn’t hear you say that” … “I wasn’t paying attention” … so on and so forth. It’s really simple. For instance, if we had not paid attention to our teacher on the subject of arithmetic in grade school — in adulthood we’d have a difficult time handling and counting money, dialing someone’s phone number, reading a street address, etc.. Why? Because we did not complete the process of hearing what we were taught, obediently.
This has a strong effect on how many in Christendom and in the Church handle the order God established from the foundation of the world — obedience.
When we are obedient, we can bring every thought into captivity to (the unquestioning obedience that is demanded by Christ); we can bear much fruit to glorify Him, and be His disciples (John 15:8); we can prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2); we can fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12).
Being obedient equips and authorizes us to revenge all disobedience.
The word “revenge” means, “to vindicate” that is, “to defend, confirm, support, atone….” You see, the word of God we hear is precious to us because we obey it (i.e., we have and keepeth it, (John 14:21) …and… it is our life (Proverbs 4:13). We refuse to allow any thoughts and imaginations to cause us to err from the truth (James 5:19) … the word of God is truth (John 17:17).
This effects us in business as well — Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” The word “commit” refers to being eager to submit our works unto the Lord (per: Bishop Hood).
How much do you desire and insist that God be in every part of your business? We know that if He is involved we have the multitude of counsel and safety needed to make our way prosperous and have good success (Joshua 1:8) — the Lord filling us with His Spirit “…in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…” (Exodus 35:31) as He did in the days of Moses….
Consider these multitude of safety references:
- (Proverbs 11:14) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
- (Proverbs 15:22) Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
- (Proverbs 24:6) For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
The last scripture refers to battles we fight — the war against our thoughts and imaginations in our members, i.e., the war against our desires and passions (Romans 7:23); and against the enemy and people who stand in opposition of the work we commit unto the Lord.
God and His anointed are our multitude of counsel and safety. The anointed of the Lord are the pastor and leadership He gave us, primarily.
If you want your business to prosper and have good success, then strive to submit yourself to the Lord each step of the way — diligently seek Him, His kingdom, His righteousness, His strength, His face, and His wisdom, first…. (Hebrews 11:6; Proverbs 28:5; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 105:4; 1 Corinthians 2:7). Why? He really wants to be involved, especially, if we commit our works to Him.
He also exhorts us to cast our burden upon Him (Psalm 55:22) — burden meaning, “what is given, i.e., a lot.” In other words, the work we received to eagerly submit to the Lord so that He will establish our thoughts every step of the way. Remember Abraham and Moses….
See where we’re going?! If our thoughts are established by the Lord in our business endeavor(s), we will be able to fulfill the command to bring every thought into captivity to obey Him; and the safety will be in doing business according to His will, so that each step in our journey of business may be in the direction He knows is best to attain optimal success — and where He will be glorified the entire time. Amen?!
If the business is good, the Lord will bless it and confirm it through the pastor He gave us. If it is not good, the Lord and the pastor (He gave us) will confirm that it is … not … blessed — be advised.
We need to know the safety of God’s multitude of counsel because we do not know what is good business except we know His mind and will concerning our proposed endeavor(s), first. We are commanded to understand what His will is — it is the wise and obedient thing to do… (Ephesians 5:17).
This is another reason why — WE NEED A PASTOR ACCORDING TO GOD’S OWN HEART TO FEED US WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING — ACROSS THE BOARD!!!
We bless God for counting us worthy to have such a pastor. Please know and understand that we do not blow smoke, nor kiss up to the pastor. But, we give honor where it is due (Roman 13:7), and he receives double honor according to the scripture (1 Timothy 5:17).
In 1 Timothy 5:17, double honor is extended only to God’s chosen and appointed leaders in His Church because they labor in the word and doctrine. Our pastor is such a leader — and it is confirmed across the pulpit …and… in his manner of life. That’s right! And, he works in corporate America — he is not taken care of by the congregation. Oops, some folks might think otherwise. So sad.
We follow the pastor God gave us as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1); we follow his faith, considering the end of his conversation (Hebrews 13:7) … all in all, we are as Paul wrote to Timothy, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11).
We have been under both types of leaderships from childhood to present. In the early days, we suffered under false pastors and leaders. But today, we are under a God-sent pastor, and leadership.
- The former group of pastors and leaders were blind … actually leading us to eternal judgment.
- The latter, i.e., the pastor God gave us is: preaching, warning every one of us under his care, and teaching every one of us under his care in all wisdom; that he may present every one of us under his care perfect in Christ Jesus… (Colossians 1:28).
Now, “every one of us under his care” refers to all obedient ears (Proverbs 25:12), i.e., all hearers and doers of the word of God. But, the sinners who may be in our congregation (if they do not repent) will not stand in the judgment (Psalm 1:5); they are NOT included with those who will be presented perfect in Christ Jesus.
With all these things being said, let us strive to be obedient hearers and doers of God’s word (Proverbs 25:12; James 1:23-25), as those born of God no longer practice sin and error (1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 4:1-2), and as delivered to us by the pastor and leadership He gave us — so that we may escape the judgment of unbelievers (the disobedient); escape all these things that shall come to pass; and become eligible to stand before God in peace … and with confidence (Luke 21:36; Revelation 21:8). Got it?! Hope so.
This is a big lesson for me, folks. Hope you are edified and comforted as well. 🙂
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