~ David Wilkerson
**Moses truly was a man touched by God, supernaturally called and full of revelation about who God was. He was humble, pious, and burdened for the honor of God. He was permitted to know guidance as few other men have known as he loved God and grieved over the sins of the people.
In spite of all this, Moses did not know of the leprosy in his own bosom: “And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow” (Exodus 4:6).
What terror—to reach into your own bosom and touch leprosy! What an object lesson on the utter depravity of the flesh. Was God indulging in a little magic with Moses? No, this was a powerful lesson the man of God must learn. It was God’s way of saying to his man, “When self is in control, you end up hurting people and bringing reproach on my work. When you attempt to do my work in spectacular, fleshly ways, you minister death, not life.”
God was declaring, “I cannot use that old nature from Egypt—it cannot be transformed, it will always be leprous. There must be a new man, one caught up in the glory and power of the I AM!”
Moses was commanded to put his leprous hand back into his bosom. “And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh” (Exodus 4:7).
Stretching forth the hand represents ministry. What is leprosy, but sin? Hidden, unexposed, unforsaken sin! What happens when a man of God gets on holy ground? His inner soul is exposed. His deepest, hidden sins are brought to light before his eyes and he is driven to the tender mercies of Christ for healing and restoration.
Thank God for that second, sanctifying touch! That cleansing moment, when by faith the old flesh is crucified and the hand of ministry is purified—when we are once again clothed in the proper flesh—his flesh.
Thank God we can rejoice in the cleansing by the precious blood of Christ.**
It is encouraging to hear a man of God that is still operating within the religious system state the above. In light of the deluge of messages we have recently been so graciously given, instructing us in HOW to die to our flesh, I feel led to add the following...
When the Father begins to draw us to crucify (dethrone) self, we are faced with a conflict of interests. All that we have learned has been the traditional teachings and interpretations of men. And all along the way, from our initial salvation to our baptism with the Holy Spirit, we have been assured that we are in the way, and have all that God intends for us to have. When it comes to sin, the word itself conjures up those 'outward acts' that the Church and the world in general have labeled as such… i.e., murder, stealing, etc.
Some years ago I was led to do a study in the scriptures ...
What is Sin?
Proverbs.21:4 An high look (haughtiness, conceit), and a proud (roomy, broad, wide open) heart (widely used for the feelings, will, intellect), and the plowing (fallow ground, tillage) of the wicked (wrong, ungodly), is sin (an offense).
Proverbs 24:9 The thought (plan, purpose, device) of foolishness (silliness, folly) is sin (an offense): and the scorner (to scoff, mock) is an abomination (disgusting, idolatry) to men (mankind).
Romans 14:23 and he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith (conviction of religious truth) is sin (offense).
James 1:15 Then when lust (longing, desire) hath conceived (to seize, arrest, capture), it bringeth forth (produce, bear) sin (offense): and sin, when it is finished (to complete entirely, consummate), bringeth forth (to generate, beget) death.
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons (favor an individual, show partiality), ye commit (be engaged in or with) sin (offense), and are convinced (admonish, convict, rebuke, reprove) of the law as transgressors (a violator).
James 4:17 Therefore (accordingly) to him that knoweth (be aware, have knowledge) to do good (beautiful, valuable, virtuous), and doeth it not, to him it is sin (offense).
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth (to make or do) sin (offense) transgresseth (does illegality, unrighteousness) also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (violation, wickedness, unrighteousness).
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness (injustice, wrongfulness) is sin (offense): and there is a sin not unto (toward) death.
You may well do your own study, and draw your own conclusions. I find it seems to be pretty common however, that we attribute outward acts as being sinful. In fact, we seem to project everything, including God, as being outside of ourselves. When in reality, all sin first begins inside, in the heart. The mind entertains the thoughts, and then the body acts on them. Jesus clarified this matter when He stated that if a man so much as looketh upon a woman lustfully, he has in effect already committed adultery with her... because he as much as committed the act in his heart.
This is so significant, because as much as we might like to think its not sin if I don't act upon it, we are wrong. God sees our every thought, and knows what’s in our hearts far better than we know ourselves.
Personally, I think James summed up what sin is the best, "if we know to do good, and do it not, it is sin." Doing what our flesh wants, rather than what God wants, is sinning against God. Its disobedience. Its rebellion.
I believe (from personal experience) that one of the greatest deceptions we as believers are guilty of is that of thinking things outside of ourselves is where the dreaded 'sin' lurks.
Paul nails it in Rom 6:17 "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. " FROM THE HEART, is the key.
Without Christ RESIDING IN our hearts, we are in the same condition as those around us, only difference being that we don't know it.
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
This may sound harsh, but we are in the final countdown. 'Either make the tree good or make the tree evil." We need to stop looking 'out there' for things we can slap a 'sin' label on, and ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from within, that we may truly be filled with the glory of God; that the light within us be nothing less than the shekinah glory of the Risen Christ, dispelling this gross darkness in which we live.
This is God's desire for us, that we become HIS DWELLING PLACE!!!
God bless,
Cathy
11/24/2010
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