We have renounced the hidden things of shame… —2 Corinthians 4:2

Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life— the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into the light? You can easily hide them. Is there a thought in your heart about anyone that you would not like to be brought into the light? Then renounce it as soon as it comes to mind— renounce everything in its entirety until there is no hidden dishonesty or craftiness about you at all. Envy, jealousy, and strife don’t necessarily arise from your old nature of sin, but from the flesh which was used for these kinds of things in the past (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-3). You must maintain continual watchfulness so that nothing arises in your life that would cause you shame.

“…not walking in craftiness…” (2 Corinthians 4:2). This means not resorting to something simply to make your own point. This is a terrible trap. You know that God will allow you to work in only one way— the way of truth. Then be careful never to catch people through the other way— the way of deceit. If you act deceitfully, God’s blight and ruin will be upon you. What may be craftiness for you, may not be for others— God has called you to a higher standard. Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest— your best for His glory. For you, doing certain things would mean craftiness coming into your life for a purpose other than what is the highest and best, and it would dull the motivation that God has given you. Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God’s perspective. The greatest spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
That part about your “blight and ruin” didn’t fit the God I am learning to love. Probably sowing and reaping would be a better description.
The last sentence spoke loudest to me today… which is often the case. “…spiritual crisis comes when a person has to move a little farther on in his faith than the beliefs he has already accepted.” Things have been stirring in me for a few months but I’ve only been able to generally say that I was restless and sensing that there must be more. Couldn’t really articulate it and when I tried, the words just weren’t right. I still don’t have all the words but I have a few. I’m seeing that my God has been too small. You’re bigger than I imagined. And you’re all about love and I get to learn how big you are and how big you love and to find my place in you and you that big God in me. It’s kind of mind blowing. Especially since there are 3 of you and you’re all in on this…and inviting me in too. No more ATM in the sky or vending machine that works if I get may prayers just right. Or angry Judge, or Santa Claus checking his list to see who’s been naughty or nice.
So, I’m going to have to (get to) move on in my faith journey. Where I have been just won’t do anymore. I have seen too much, even though thru a glass darkly. I have no clue where this journey will lead. and am a little apprehensive, as I’m sure Abraham was when you called him to move on.

Gen 12:1 “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

So I’ll stay curious on the balcony as you’ve taught us. and Habakuk.

Habakuk 2:1 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint

And like you told him, I’ll do my best to write it down

Habakuk 2:2 The LORD answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.

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