YARDSTICKS, Part 3
(False Declaration of Obedience)
Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
INTRODUCTION
One of the worst aspects of being "mistaken" about the Lord is when someone thinks they're pleasing to God or doing His will, but they're not. This is one of the worst manifestations of deception. It's almost hopeless. Such a person won't hear correction. They're not examining themselves, so they really don't know where they stand. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons they're in such a situation is because their heart is not pure.
Think about it. When a person seeks the Lord, the word of God promises that He will be found of them. When the Holy Ghost is in a person's life, He will lead that person into ALL truth -- truth about God's word, truth about God's plan, truth about God's way, truth about themselves, comfortable truth, uncomfortable truth, etc. -- you get the picture. John 14:21 says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Additionally, John 8:31-32 says, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; {32} And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
With all this truth at a person's disposal, how could you possibly lead a clueless life and, yet, claim association and servitude to the Lord Jesus!!!??? You can't. While such a person might indeed be redeemed, if there is no disclosure, something is wrong. Eventually, such a person will be declared guilty of "mocking the Lord" and will reap accordingly.
People being in God's proximity and vicinity, but not being subject to His authority is nothing new. Take king Saul -- the first king of Israel. The most familiar account of his recorded history is probably the statement made by the prophet Samuel, to Saul, because of his disobedience -- "obedience is better than sacrifice". While most people in Christendom are familiar with this statement, very few are familiar with other issues in Saul's life, especially the attitude displayed in conjunction with Samuel's statement. This attitude will serve as the basis for this segment of "Yardsticks".
SAUL SYNDROME (Condensed Version)
Ever read the account of Saul's miscue regarding the Amalekites? We'll paste it here for your convenience, just in case you're not familiar with it or haven't read it in a while:
(1 Samuel 15:1-9) Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. {2} Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. {3} Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. {4} And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. {5} And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. {6} And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. {7} And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. {8} And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. {9} But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Saul was commanded to basically destroy Amalek and everything in it. He received explicit instructions, as you see here. It goes without saying that God is a God of explicitness. When He gives directions, it behooves us to obey Him. Can you imagine what would have happened if Noah had varied on the designs of the ark -- used another type of wood or leaned to his own understanding and changed the dimensions? The results would have been catastrophic. We saw what happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree. God gives instructions, directions and commandments -- from His wisdom and for our good. Disobeying His commandments endangers and affects us and even many who are around us.Saul was supposed to kill king Agag. He didn't. He was supposed to destroy all of their possessions. He didn't. He kept the best of the sheep, oxen, lambs and anything that was desirable. The "red flag" should have gone off in Saul's heart right away and maybe it did. But, whether it did or not, he chose to be disobedient. He only destroyed that which was worthless. We have a serious problem brewing here.
As Saul proceeded to disobey, an "alarm" went off in Samuel's life. First Samuel 15:10-11 says, "Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, {11} It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." We say that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. We testify that God is the same. Do you believe it today? God is SURELY the same in His character. He had issue with people who did not keep His commandments in yesteryear and He still has issue today with same like people. When someone leaves off to keep the commandments of the Lord, they are considered to have "turned back from following Him" -- EVEN IF THEY'RE STILL IN THE CHURCH. Saul didn't stop being king. He just stopped pleasing God -- by choice. Just some tidbits. This is all just laying a foundation for where we're really going today. Let's continue.
The next day, Samuel went to meet with Saul. It is the proclamation of Saul where we'll stop and focus. First Samuel 15:13 says, "And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. " Now, wait just a minute!!! I HAVE PERFORMED THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD!!?? Are you kidding, Saul???!!! We have the benefit of "instant replay". Let's freeze frame at Saul's statement and take a close, examining look.
Saul was commanded to ":utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey". Did he? No. He spared anything that was goodly. He also spared the Amalekite king. Not only did Saul spare many of the animals. He spared the best of the sheep, oxen and lambs -- all sacrifice-related animals. This indicated that there was a method to the madness of His sin. In other words, Saul's sin was calculated and methodical.
Now, Saul didn't "keep the commandment of the Lord". Yet, he boldly makes this proclamation of deceit -- without any restraint, any conviction and any knowledge of the fact that God will expose such an act and attitude to those responsible for spiritual leadership in his life. As mentioned, Saul had already been exposed.
This brings us to today's exhortation, in light of what we've reviewed. Remember, the subject is "Yardsticks -- They Were Mistaken". There are many people today that suffer from "Saul Syndrome". What is "Saul Syndrome"? It's a spiritual disease. The symptoms? A look at the life of Saul reveals them. We won't cover them all today, but the one, in particular, that is most important for now revolves around someone declaring themselves to be something that they are not. It even delves into the reasons why a person would dare to disobey the Lord.
Consider a few key attitudes of Saul and, hence, aspects of Saul Syndrome:
- Saul was anointed to be king. Likewise, those who are truly saved are kings
and priests. With this comes responsibility. When that responsibility is
disregarded, one is suffering from Saul Syndrome.
- Saul's personal agenda took precedence over the plan of God. Please note
that 1 Samuel 15 wasn't the first time that Saul had leaned to his own understanding
in his leadership. First Samuel 13 tells of one of Saul's first mishaps.
The conclusion of that matter is recorded in 1 Samuel 13:13-14 which says, "And
Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment
of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have
established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. {14} But now thy kingdom shall
not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the
LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast
not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." Saul committed the acts in
1 Samuel 15 with a knowledge of what was to come. Therefore, his "playing
to the people" (a political act) is exposed.
- Galatians 1:10 says, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Saul
received commandments -- a charge, if you will. He abandoned the charge out
of fear for the people and because he wanted to win their affection -- obeying
them instead of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:24). He, therefore, had violated the
call to serve the Lord. He was willingly disobedient.
- Saul was full of jealousy. He was judged for disregarding the Lord and
from that time forward, he took issue with David -- knowing full well that
David was anointed and that David would be his replacement. He couldn't stand
it and sought for years to destroy him. Someone suffering from Saul Syndrome
is jealous. Philippians 2:3 says, "Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." A
person suffering with Saul Syndrome cannot keep this commandment. Such a
person is like Diotrephes. Know about him??? Third John 1:9-11 says, "I wrote
unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among
them, receiveth us not. {10} Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds
which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content
therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them
that would, and casteth them out of the church. {11} Beloved, follow not
that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God:
but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."
- Saul was doubletongued and dishonest. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul changes his
story several times before finally admitting his guilt. First, he claims
he was obedient.
- "First Samuel 15:19 says, "Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice
of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of
the LORD? Here's Samuel is sharing what the Lord told him and rebuking/confronting
him. Saul takes this opportunity to, once again, declare his obedience saying
-- "I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the
LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly
destroyed the Amalekites." The Lord didn't tell him to bring king Agag, but
Saul can't seem to get it through his head that he was wrong. While committing
acts against the Lord, some people don't consider what they're doing to be
evil. Poor discernment of ones acts and behavior and laboring feverishly
to justify oneself during obvious guilt is another symptom of Saul Syndrome.
NOTE: He knew he was guilty. In verse 20, he blamed the people for sparing
the animals. In verse 24, he admits his guilt. In verse 25, he asks for pardon.
In verse 30, his heart is manifest -- requesting to be honored before the
people. Again, Saul's true colors show through. Saul was a manpleaser. A
leader (or other person for that matter) that is concerned about acceptance
and how they look and are perceived by others is suffering from Saul Syndrome.
Such a person is living a life of politics and is walking in unbelief. John
5:44 says, "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and
seek not the honour that cometh from God only? WHAT HONOR DO YOU SEEK? WHERE
DOES YOUR HONOR COME FROM?
- Saul blamed the people for sparing the animals as if he didn't have the
power to deal with the matter. This aspect of Saul Syndrome deals with avoidance
of exercising authority and is, first and foremost, directed at leaders.
Pastors and leaders who fail to exercise proper influence and authority over
the people under their care are out of order. Saul could have made the situation
right, but remember, he was already playing to the people, so his statement
just serves as further evidence of condemnation.
- First Samuel 15:23 says, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." Rejection of God's word is considered an act of rebellion -- no matter what a person's so-called explanation is!!! Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Churches today are FILLED WITH WITCHES, who don't lift a finger to give God's word the time of day. Such people dare to have the audacity to declare themselves a child of God and blessed. Just in case you didn't get it earlier, let's look at John 14:21 again -- "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." If you don't respond to God's word properly, YOU DON'T LOVE HIM AND YOU'RE NOT BLESSED!!!
As stated, the most important aspect of Saul Syndrome, today, is the willingness of a person to declare themselves to be obedient when they are fully aware that they are out of order. In order to do this, a person must IGNORE the commandment and word of God and "live in a fantasy". Such a person chooses not to retain God in their knowledge. Such a person must reject the love of the truth. Such a person is not responding to God Almighty as Lord. To declare oneself obedient in such a state is extreme mockery of the Lord.
Unfortunately, just as the Pharisees and Sadducees did in the days of Jesus' ministry, many leaders today suffer from such a disease. Leaders who suffer from this disease "produce seed after their kind" -- having congregations replete with other "sick" Christians and mockers (some are saved and some aren't -- selah). All the while, such people (leaders or not) present themselves as righteous, but are actually disobedient . . . and know it. They have personal agendas and could care less whether or not you please God. One can only live in such a state if they live by a false YARDSTICK. They are mistaken.
CONCLUSION
Saul declares his obedience, but (as is always the case) a witness against the testimony exists. The witness is the fruit of the disobedience. In Saul's case, it was the animals -- they provided witness of his disobedience. First Samuel 15:14 says (in response to Saul's declaration of obedience), "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" Samuel knew that Saul wasn't obedient because the animals were sounding off. They were supposed to be dead. NOTE: They were, most likely, making noise before Saul made his declaration.
In like manner, those who are disobedient are surrounded by witnesses. The Bible calls them "fruit". We are all known by our fruit. Just as a tree is restricted, there isn't anything one can do to hide his/her fruit. It "sounds off" when you want it do and when you don't -- whether the fruit is good or bad. The operative question is . . . WHAT DOES YOUR FRUIT SAY? The second operative question is . . . WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??? The third operative question is DO THE TWO AGREE??? If you declare yourself blessed, but there is a "bleating of the sheep", you're suffering from Saul Syndrome and the Lord is calling you to repent!!! Why not repent? You have nothing to lose in doing so!
ANOTHER NOTE: Many people try to hide behind the scripture that says we'll "overcome by the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:11). Please know that if one's testimony is not true and sanctioned by God, it can't be used to overcome anything. It's nothing but another means by which a person is deceived.
The Lord Jesus is soon to come. We are called to self-examination. We have been given a means by which we can examine ourselves -- the word of God. We have been given people (leaders) to help us go on to perfection and maturity. Those who are truly saved have received the Spirit of God to lead and guide them into all truth. There is no reason (or excuse) to be mistaken. There is no reason (or excuse) to use false yardsticks. There is no reason to be lost. Selah.
More Yardsticks next week (unless the Lord says differently). Until next time, examine yourselves . . . accurately, keep the word and be blessed.
Cry Aloud : Volume 6, Issue 7
-- Yardsticks, Part 3 (S.T. False Declaration of Obedience)
Copyright © 2002, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
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