GONE WITH THE WIND
(From the "A Closer Look at Psalm 1"
Series)
(Psalm 1:4)
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
In laying the foundation for this final message, I'm reminded of a conversation I had with an associate. We discussed the prefix "un" (as in ungodly) and examined what it means to be ungodly. Someone had stated that "to be ungodly means that you were once godly and forsake the way." To make sure that I communicated the truth of the Lord (and just in case someone else had heard this teaching), I did a little digging. After all, Proverbs 15:28 says, The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Folks, be careful what you say. The word of the Lord is pure and tried seven times. It will not pass away. Make sure that the things you say WILL NOT pass away.
This will serve as another example to those who don't believe that our knowledge of the rules of grammar becomes a tool to minister the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ (if explained in simple terms). I discovered that the prefix "un" only refers to "undoing a process" when the word that follows is a verb (e.g., "un"ravel, "un"dress or "un"assemble). When the prefix "un" is coupled with a noun, (e.g., "un"godly), it is referring to an opposite state. Therefore, to be ungodly is simply the opposite of godly.
Why was this foundation important? As stated, I had to be sure about what was being communicated. Secondly, David's message about the ungodly implies/reinforces that it's important to be able to identify what state people are in, as well as what the expected end will be. Thirdly, this point has to be driven home before the essence of the message is delivered. Without it, it will fall by the wayside. I know this will shock many people reading this, but the element of "identification" is echoed throughout the entire Bible -- the Old and the New Testaments. Those who do not know themselves will never know what they should be doing. Those who don't know the other person won't know what their responsibility is in the other person's life. Those who don't know the end of a matter can never provide proper/godly counsel. If one of these states describes you, please begin seeking the Lord for wisdom.
David has just explained to us what the mark of a blessed man is -- doesn't embrace ungodly counsel, doesn't embrace a sinner's lifestyle and doesn't embrace scorning. The blessed man delights in God's word -- whether it's consoling him or correcting him. As a result of these attitudes and actions, the blessed man will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. He has access to AND IS BENEFITTING FROM the resources that God has blessed him with.
He also takes the time, through the unction of the Holy Ghost, to explain the other side of the matter (1 Peter 1:21). THE UNGODLY ARE NOT SO.... Therefore, the ungodly receive and embrace ungodly counsel (capable of believing anything and scrutinizing nothing -- except for the things that are pleasurable to the righteous). They find pleasure in the way of sinners (dwelling in broad and crooked paths). They occupy the seat of the scornful (despisers of all that is godly).
Because of these things, the ungodly are like the chaff which the wind driveth away -- "GONE WITH THE WIND", if you will. There are two elements we need to discuss briefly -- CHAFF and WIND.
- According to Smith's Bible Dictionary, chaff is a husk of corn or wheat
that is separated from the good part by being thrown into the air. The wind
blows the chaff away, while the corn or wheat is "purged" and made
ready for consumption. The ungodly are the same -- no substance, weight or
stability.
- Wind is referred to repeatedly in the scriptures as a symbol of testing, trial, temptation and tribulation. While the wind comes to "make" the godly person and mold him/her into the image of Jesus Christ, the wind has an opposite effect on the ungodly.
Interestingly, the Lord has given a prescription in the New Testament to help the believer to stand when the wind blows. It's directly related to the description of the blessed man given by David. The prescription is referred to as "the work of the ministry". Ephesians 4:11-16 says:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {16} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
How are you responding to ministry? God has given it for our benefit (e.g., remember the rivers of water). Another aspect of dealing with the wind is found in James 1:12:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Godly people deal with the wind by enduring temptation -- be it ungodly counsel, being seduced by the way of sinners (Proverbs 12:26) or becoming scornful.
Many who name the name of Christ are afraid to acknowledge such a stern, identifying truth. Be warned, however, that not doing this (or doing it incorrectly) can cost you your life -- literally and eternally. God didn't provide this information for us so that we can reject it and its principles.
In conclusion, let's review the principles of the message:
- Be aware of who you are. Are you striving to enter the strait gate (Matthew
7:13)? Do you endure temptation or do you cop out (James 1:12)? Do you
keep God's word or are you spoiled by philosophy (Colossians 2:8)? Do you
love the brethren fervently and with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22)? Have you
been examining yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)?
- Be aware of the person's status next to you. Do they know God? Do they
love Him (1 Corinthians 8:3)? Are their sins forgiven (1 John 1:7)? NOTE:
If so, a person can have full, true fellowship with other believers. Are
they on a collision course with hell (1 John 3:6-10)?
- Be aware of the conclusion of the matter. Where are you headed? What will
your actions and activities result in? What about the other person?
- Endure ungodly counsel. It will result in pain, frustration and disappointment.
Don't believe everything you hear? Remember Proverbs 14:15: The simple believeth
every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
- Don't stand in the
way of sinners. Endure righteousness. Romans 12:9 says, Let love be without
dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
- Overcome the seat of the scornful. It took two weeks to deal with this one. Make sure to review the information about scorning and scorners in Proverbs. One major tell-tale sign of scorners is that they won't receive correction and get an attitude with the person who gives it. They can't challenge the correction with a true testimony, but just don't like being corrected. One of the best ways to avoid becoming a scorner is to embrace 1 Peter 2:20: For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. If you're wrong, you're just wrong. Deal with it!!!!!!!
Ungodly people CANNOT keep these charges. Knowing the answers to these questions, identifying the pertinent issues and having a pure and honest heart will cause you to do the right things in the sight of God. Not knowing the answers or answering/responding incorrectly will result in the opposite and you'll be GONE WITH THE WIND. In a day where New Age Theology is permeating Christendom like never before, more and more Christians are afraid and/or unwilling to take this type of stand.
Tough message. Look at it appropriately, however, and you'll find life. Until next week, keep the word and you will indeed be blessed!
A Closer Look at Psalm 1:1-3 (Part 12) -- Gone With the Wind
Copyright © 1999, Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc.
Feel free to reprint for non-commercial purposes
All rights reserved.
