17/12/2011 - WHEN GOD DOES NOT HEAR US

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If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

Psalm 66:18

Let\’s address a subject that will be of great assistance to you. I want you to fully understand what temptation can do in the lives of those who fall into it.

Few people know that we will not be contaminated by any temptation no matter how strong it is and that even if our mind is led to think of terrible things, we will not sin. However, if on the inside we heed what the devil is showing us, then we shall fall into transgression.

The psalmist said that the Lord would not have listened to him if he had cherished iniquity in his heart. While the malicious onslaught targets only man’s mind, he or she will not have any responsibility over evil. As a matter of fact, nobody can be held accountable for what the devil incites them to do. So, my brethren, if you are under a flood of temptations, pray to the Lord and tell Him that you do not want to drown in them.

In the Model Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray asking the Lord not to let us fall into temptation (Matthew 6:13). We must see the events around us in accordance with what the Word reveals to us, not how people say they should be interpreted. The devil uses our ignorance to oppress us. There are many people weeping before the Lord, confessing sins which they have not actually committed – after all; being tempted does not mean sinning. Sin occurs when one accepts deep inside what the enemy is offering.

We cannot let our hearts regard iniquity. So every time the enemy comes up with some proposal, reject it. Saying no to his offers will make you more blessed. Obviously, to those who want to lead a dignified life before God, it is not pleasant to be tempted because at first glance it might seem that the person who is being tempted is weak and planning on behaving improperly. Christ Himself was tempted in all things but He did not sin because He did not cherish any temptation in His heart. This is the way for us to be kept pure too.

Sin is perpetrated when the decision comes from the heart. So be on the alert for that not to happen to you and if you need more grace, ask God for it. Undoubtedly, because the tempter knows the great blessing you have in God and he will do anything for you to fall into sin, and if he is not successful he will make you think you have sinned just because you were tempted. Then, you will be saddened and he will make you feel miserable, unworthy and unable to fulfill the divine call. However, if you did not regard iniquity in your heart and did not do what the devil wanted, then you did not sin. Therefore, rejoice, praise the Almighty and jump with happiness!

Be truthful and transparent with the Lord. To this end, keep your inner self clean, and thus your entire being will be pure. If you have enjoyed the offers of the devil, ask God for forgiveness. If you do so, He will forgive you even if you have accepted the evil suggestion in your heart and sinned. If you pray to the Father, He will give you a clear, pure and holy mind. For the temptation to flee from you, just resist the devil according to what the Word says (James 4:7).

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares