The Castle Vision
Mitt Jeffords
"The Vision of the Castle and the Castle guards"
I was riding down the interstate when the Lord gave me this vision: I saw a castle that was an exact replica of your typical medieval castle, except that this castle was much, much smaller. It's walls were only about 10 feet high, and the length of each wall was also about 10 feet; yet, it still had all of the features you would find on large castles. I then observed that there was door in the middle of each wall, and each door had a guard on both sides of it. l saw that each guard was completely outfitted with a full suit of armor just like you would expect to see on guards from medieval times. Each guard was holding in one hand a sword, and in the other hand a battle ax that was on a shaft that was about 8 feet long. I was able to observe this castle for several minutes, as I drove down the interstate. I stared mainly in awe at this castle, amazed at how a castle so small could have ail of the intricate details of castles that were much larger. Because of the armor that these guards had on, and seeing that there were eight guards, I then wondered why a castle so small needed to be so heavily guarded.
After I considered this for a few more minutes, I then asked, "Lord, what is in this castle that it needs to be so heavily guarded?"
The Lord then said, "Your righteousness; that is, everything that you believe and trust with your heart to be right. For all of the treasures of a man's heart are rooted and grounded in those things which he believes to be right and good: such things as your own name, your opinions, your fears, your abilities, your own will, your doctrines, your own strengths, your self respect, your own reasoning, your own works, your anxieties, your own abilities, your religion, your worries, your loyalties, your feelings and emotions, your own imaginations and dreams, your self-confidence, your secrets, your job, your own understanding, your traditions, your own interpretation of the scriptures, your judgments of other men, as well as all of your own judgments of what you think is good & evil, right & wrong, and truth & lies, and finally, the image that you have of your own self. What do all men guard more heavily than that which is the most precious to him, his life? But did you not know that your righteousness is the standard which you have set for yourself to live your life by?"
"Which one of these treasures would be able to dwell in the thoughts of your heart unless you first agreed that it was right for it dwell in the treasury of your heart? Do not all men treasure these same things? Do not all men treasure those things that he accomplishes for himself? Do not all men treasure the reputation, or rather, the name which he makes for himself? Do not all men believe that those things which he esteems, which he desires, which he respects, and that which he honors to be those things that are right for him to live his life by? Do not all men esteem their own opinions to be that which is of a great value to themselves? Do not all men believe that the way their eyes see those circumstances and situations around them to be the right interpretation of that which is seen? Do you not know that no man makes any decision unless is first believed on to be the right decision? Is it not written, that in this fallen world of darkness, all men are born blind? Do you not know that by reason of this blindness, men are only able to see their own decisions and their own judgments as that which is right? Does not my word testify of this very thing, saying, "Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but I consider the heart"? Does not every man live his life according to the way that he has chosen for himself? Do you now understand that the castle you saw, it is the heart of man; and it is according to the treasures of righteousness that dwell in his heart, that every man lives his life by?"
"Did not my children Israel believe that the righteousness that a man should live his life by was the standard which was set forth by the Law of Moses? Do you now understand why Israel so greatly treasured the righteous works and deeds that they performed according to their own interpretation of that law? If a man chooses a law to be the standard of righteousness that man is to live by, then does not that man use that law to do his thinking for him, to set the standards between that which is right and wrong; good and evil; truth and lies? But when men do not have this law to establish their standard for living, then do they not trust their own conscience and their natural senses to make these determinations for them? Do not these men also believe that they are righteous in all of their own decisions of what is right and wrong; good and evil; and truth and lies? Does not this man choose that his standard for living should be established upon his own judgments, his own feelings and emotions, his own abilities, his own desires, and his own pleasures? Do you now see that when men have no law, then each man will make that which he believes is right to be his standard for life? So do you see, that those who had the law, as well as those who have no law, they both fill the treasuries of their heart with those things which they esteem, they desire, they honor, they respect, and that they believe to be right. These are the treasures of a man's heart, his standard for living his own life".
"Do the words of a man's mouth testify of anything other than that which he believes is right? If a man judges another, does he not do so because he believes that it is right to do so? If a man gives you advice on your health, does he not believe that what he has told you is right? If a man has a fear of heights, does he not believe that it is a righteous thing to fear heights? What opinion does a man form for himself except that opinion which he believes to be right? The man who robs a bank, does he not so because he has determined that this is the right thing for him to do? Does not a man raise his children according to the manner that is right in his own eyes? The man who is anxious about tomorrow, or the man who worries about his future, do they not both do so because they each believe that it is right to do so? The man who is distressed, the man who corrupts, the man who argues and strives, the man who is lazy, the man who intimidates, the man who is insecure, the man who is depressed, the man who boasts of himself, the man who hates, the man who envies and is jealous, and the man who lies, do they not all do these things because they each believe that it is the right thing to do according to the circumstance of situation that they are in? Are you beginning to perceive just how great of a treasure is hidden behind the walls of every man's castle?"
"What does a man treasure more than those things which bring him pleasure and satisfaction? Do not men also treasure all of their hopes and their dreams because they believe that it is these things that will satisfy their desires for pleasure and satisfaction? Do men put their hopes and their dreams in anything other than that which they believe is right for them? Are not men always faithful and loyal to that which they believe is right? Yet, does not a man keep hidden in the depths of his heart; that is, behind the walls of his castle, the truth about his own feelings and emotions, his faults, his weaknesses, his lack, his sins, his mistakes, as well as any other hidden secret that he desire to keep hidden from the eyes of another? Why would a man hide any of these things in his heart for anything other reason than he does not believe that it would be right to expose any of these things?" Thus says the Lord, how hard is it then for a man to hear any instruction or counsel that would contradict that which he has treasured to be right; that standard which he has chose for himself to live by?"
I then acknowledged to the Lord that I understood. Then I asked him, "Lord, what then do these castle guards represent?"
The Lord then answered and said, "Your pride! Pride is your personal bodyguard that is always ready to defend and protect all those things that you treasure to be right and good. These guards of pride will count all to be adversaries and enemies who bring anything that is contrary to that which you have believed and trusted to be right. When any counsel, or instruction, or opinion, or any correction is heard spoken that even seems to attack the credibility and the soundness of that which you believe, then by reason of your pride, you will close your ears, stiffen your neck, harden your heart with unbelief, and doubt all that which was heard, so as to preserve all of that which your heart has treasured. One of these guards may defend your righteousness by making light of or mocking that which you heard; another guard may fight; another guard may get offended and angered; another guard may be afraid of that which was heard; another guard may argue and strive; another guard may blame circumstances or make excuses so that "self" is preserved; another may guard may have pretended to listen, but never heard; and another guard may simply just reject all that which was heard. These are the weapons that your pride will use to keep the treasures of your heart from suffering loss. Do you see how well equipped these guards of pride are for the purpose of saving your life?"
"Pride only has a desire and a love for "self". Pride takes great pleasure in the exaltation and the glorification of "self". Pride hates all things that are opposed to "self", and it works feverishly to keep "self" protected from all things that would bring harm, or injury, or a blemish to it's own "self" image. Pride is only conscious of "self", and is always mindful of those things which it considers to be beneficial to "self". Anything that is seen or heard that is pleasing to "self", or that seems to satisfy any desires of "self", it shall gladly allow to enter into the castle of your heart", says the Lord. "If anything is seen or heard that agrees with any of those things which you have already established to be right and good, then it shall be granted immediate entrance into your heart. If that which is seen or heard brings with it some hope, or promise of gain, or profit to "self", then it also shall be allowed to enter in. If that which is seen and heard agrees with your feelings, or with your emotions, or with any of your "self" desires, then it shall be esteemed as a friend, and shall be allowed co enter into the treasury of your heart. So do you see, that by pride, anything that agrees with "self", it shall be allowed to enter in; while those things which are contrary to self, they shall be refused entrance?"
"Pride only loves for "self' to be in control, and it always resists submitting to any authority, or any power, or spirit, or any flesh that seeks to exercise authority over "self". These guards of pride, they willingly allow for anything to enter in which seems able to provide "sell" with a sense of security, or with power, or with strength. Do you not see that all such things are only an illusion; a momentary illusion that deceives one into believing that he can be in control over the circumstances and situations that arise in his life? These proud guards, they love praise, and honor, and glory, and they love to be esteemed. and respected. Therefore, anyone who brings with them such gifts as these, regardless of his intention, is gladly received into the castle of the heart. Did you not know that there is no way easier for any adversary to enter into the castle of your heart than by the use of flattery; the lies that lift up your heart? Which one of these things does pride not esteem as a precious treasure seeing that all of these things are able to bring increase into the treasury of the heart? Do you now see, now understand why pride defends and protects all of the treasures of "self" righteousness? Is it not also by reason of pride that a man will always be envious when another man's castle appears bigger, or more attractive, or more prosperous than that which he has?
By now, my heart was trembling, seeing that the Lord was laying wide open my heart with all of it's intentions and desires. But then I then asked, "Lord, do these castle walls represent anything that you want me to know about?" The Lord then answered and said, "These are the walls of self-justification; for it is through the work of self-justification that a man will make right all of those things which he desires to have as a part of his life. There is no desire that burns greater in the hearts of men more than the desire to be right in all that you do. Therefore, there is no place in the heart that is busier than the workshop of self-justification. It is here that a man will make right all of his decisions, his opinions, his affections, his religion, his works and efforts, his relationships, his judgments, his desires and affections, his politics, and his traditions. For just as pride loves "self", so also does "self"-righteousness only believe that "self" can be right. Self-righteousness is the natural desire and affection of the carnal mind; and by nature, no man can believe anything to be right unless he first desires for it to be right. What does a man treasure more than that which he has a desire or an affection for?"
"It is through these works of self-justification that a man will bring increase, gain, and wealth into the treasury of his heart; that is, the more that he is able to make right of himself, the more of "self" there will be to be esteemed, honored, respected, praised and glorified. For when anything is seen or heard that is pleasing to his eyes, or if it is that which seems right or appears good, or if it is that which the heart desires, or that which is thought to bring pleasure, or that which may bring glory in any manner to "self", it will then be justified; made right so that "self" can believe on it. Is this not so with every decision a man makes as well as for everything that he does? Do you now see that once a thing has been justified, it then becomes that which is believed on and trusted in for righteousness; and once that thing is believed on and trusted in, it then becomes a part of the law that is written in that man's heart; that righteousness which that man will live his life by; that standard of life which his heart will always delight in doing. Do you now understand how continually the heart is given to the work of self-justification, always ready to give a reason when asked why do you do what you do? Do you now see clearly that there is no law that is any more precious to man than that which he believes is right for him to live his life by? Do you now understand why your standard for living must always be protected by these guards of pride and defended by the walls of self-justification? What could possible have a stronger hold over a man's life than those things which he has justified to be right and believed on in his heart?"
"Are you beginning to understand how precious each man esteems that which he believes to be right? Do you now see that there is no religion, no counsel, no doctrine, no opinion, no philosophy, nor any law that any man allows to rule over his heart other than that which he not only believes to be right but that which he also desires to be right? This is the tradition of this world, the illusion whereby all men believe that the way they see and perceive things is the standard that all should live their life by. Do you not know that your heart is filled with countless precepts that are contained in the law of self-righteousness? Precepts that have been established since your youth, according to all of those things which you have either been taught, or that you esteemed, or that you desired, or in those things which you have experienced right for yourself. Does not one man see that it is right to raise his children this way, while another man sees that it is right to raise his children another way? Do they not each trust and believe that their way is the right way? One man has a fear of heights while another man has no fear of heights, yet each man trusts that he is right in his belief? When men murmur and complain, is it not because things have not gone according to that which they believe is right? Do not men establish many of their treasures upon those things which satisfy their desires and affections? Do you now see how all of these precepts for life, they have all been established according only to those things which you have seen or heard, and then justified for yourself. Do you now see how and why your pride so greatly defends "self", just as any lover would defend his love? When anything or anyone sins against any of the precepts this law, is he not then evil thought of or even hated?” says the Lord.
Now hear and understand", says the Lord. "Know that it is only through the wicked works of self-justification that sin and death are able to enter and dwell in hearts of men? Did you not know that neither Adam nor Eve had any desire to eat of the fruit of that forbidden tree until the day that Satan brought his lies into the garden? Do you see how crafty Satan was with his words, speaking just a few words, but choosing the words that both Adam and Eve would desire to make right? Do you see how the lying words of the Deceiver both enticed and seduced them with lies that would seem to bring great increase to "self"? Do you see that it was not until after they justified Satan's lies that they then saw the fruit of that tree to be pleasing in the sight of their eyes and desirable to make them wise? Did Satan's lies focus on anything other than "self"? Do you now understand that they did not choose to disobey my word to them until; they first justified the lies that they heard? Then, after they disobeyed my word, sin and death entered into their hearts and minds and took dominion over their lives", says, the :Lord.
Is it not written that when a man is tempted, he is enticed by his own desires; and then when desire is conceived, it then brings forth sin; and when sin its finished, it brings forth death? Do you now see how through the work self-justification, Satan finds the entrance into the hearts and the minds of all men that he desires to have? Is not written that the carnal mind is death? Is it nor also written that I am God of the living, and not the dead?' says the Lord. "Do you now see how beguiling Satan is with his words, always speaking those words that the carnal mind desires to hear, and that which the heart desires to make right? From where comes all of your arguing, your divisions, your anger, your offences, your divorces, your hatred and malice, your disagreements, your slander, your unforgiveness, your strivings, your fighting's, and all of your hurt feelings other than from words spoken that offend that which you treasure to be right? Whose law then rules over the hearts and the minds of those who do such things", says the Lord. "Who set these standards to be right for men to live their lives by? I did not create man with any such wisdom that desires to do any of these evil things? Do you now see how “self-justification” is the workbench of the carnal mind and the labor that all men continually indulge in to satisfy their burning desires to be right in all that they think, as well as in all that they do? Are you now beginning to perceive just how greatly every man's righteousness is the standard that he lives his life according to?
Self-justification is not only the work of making that which you desire to be right, but it is also the work of self-preservation; that is, self-justification is that wall that defends all of these things which have been previously justified to be right. It is in defense of ones own righteousness that a man will refuse, or scorn, or reject, or make light of, or mock any and all counsels, instructions, opinions, doctrine, philosophies, wisdom, or knowledge that would bring change or correction to that which is believed and trusted to be to right; otherwise, "self' would suffer loss. Do you now see clearly how these guards of pride and these walls of self-justification work hand in hand to protect the treasures of your castle, the righteousness that you live by?
Now hear and understand", says the Lord. "Do you believe the testimony of my word, or do you believe the sight of your eyes? Does not my word testify that all men see themselves to be right in the decisions they make and the deeds that they do? Yet, I see that no man is righteous; No, not one. Does not man look at his own appearance, while I consider the heart?" says the Lord. "Does not my word testify that I see that the heart of man is deceitful above all things? But are you yet able to understand just how and why I see that the heart of man to be deceitful above all things? The deceitfulness of the heart is found in its ability to justify itself; the power to make all things right by use of reasonings and excuses. Where did man get this wisdom from that gives him the ability and the skill to justify all of his own ways, his own judgments, his own will, his own desires, and as well as the righteousness that he lives his by? Have I not asked my people not to be wise in their own eyes? When my people have justify themselves, doing that which appears right in their own eyes, then why would they find it needful to seek to know my righteousness in the matter?" says the Lord. "Have I not given to you good instruction which warns you to take heed that the light which is in you be not the darkness instead? Have you not wondered why you are not walking in fruits of abundant life? How can I rain the righteousness of life upon those who live life according to their own righteousness?" says the Lord.
"Do you now understand that the work of those who are wise in their own eyes, it is the work of self-justification; the work whereby men make themselves to be righteous according to the image that is pleasing in their own eyes? Do you not know that this image, it is every man's idol, seeing that men honor, and esteem, and glorify that which they believe is right? Did not my people Israel stumble, thinking that the righteousness that men should live their lives by should come by their own efforts and works to keep the law of Moses? In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, did I not speak this parable to give instruction and correction to all those who also think that they are righteous because of the works of their own hands? Did not the Pharisee think that the image that he had himself was an image that I also would find pleasing in my sight? He tithed and fasted, and the image that he thought of himself was an image unlike sinful man; but being blind, he looked on the righteousness of his outward appearance and did not seek to know that which was pleasing in my sight”, says the Lord. “Do you see how this Pharisee used this tax collector to measure and compare himself to? Yet, was it not the tax collector that I justified simply because he did not trust the sight of his eyes, but rather in the testimony of my word? Which of these two men had an appearance that was esteemed, and honored, and exalted in the sight of other men: the Pharisee who exalted himself by his pride or the tax collector who humbled himself in truth?
Do you not know that everyone who is proud in heart will also do as this Pharisee did; that is, he will exalt himself in his righteousness as he points out the faults and weaknesses of others? These are nothing but deceitful workers who profess to know me, but their self images are only abominations in my sight. So do you now see and understand just how deceitful and the beguiling the work of self-justification is, seeing that it is by this work, that a man will transform himself into images that are abominable and disgusting in my sight?", says the Lord. "How long will my blood cover you until your minds until you allow for me to purge from these same dead works; dead works that done to please dead idols which cannot be pleased? O how great are the treasuries of the heart of the blind who fill their castles with the riches of dead and vain works. Is there any shame or repentance in the heart of the man who thinks that his works are righteous? This Pharisee, did he come into my temple in humility, repenting for the abominable image that he had made himself to be? Is there any godly sorrow in the hearts and minds of those who delight in the treasures of their own righteousness?
This is the power of darkness; the power that deceives men into believing that those things which appear right and seem good in the sight of men, that they must also be right and pleasing in the sight of God. Why would my people choose to make themselves into an image that I am going to reject unless they were first deceived into believing that it was that which is right in my sight?", says the Lord. "Do you now see how this Pharisee's castle, it was only a temple that he has built for himself to guard and protect the riches and treasures of his own righteousness; that standard which he chose to live his life after? Do you also see that the tax collector, that humble sinner, was just and pleasing in my sight, even though he was an abomination in the sight of this Pharisee? If you just love those who measure up to the standard that you live your life by, then what love is that", says the Lord. "My love is unconditional, and I love all men regardless of their condition; and when my love dwells in the heart of my people, then their hearts will also love all men unconditionally.
Would this Pharisee have come into my temple boasting of these wicked works if he could see as my eyes see?" says the Lord. "Did I not correct my prophet Samuel when he also erred for being wise in his own eyes? Did I not say to him, "Samuel, do not look on appearances, because no man sees as I see; for man looks on the outward appearances, but God looks on the heart". Do you not yet perceive that you are living in a world of illusions; a world where those things which are highly esteemed and respected in the sight of my people, they are those very things which are an abomination in my sight?" says the Lord. "For in this fallen world of darkness, men are judged, measured, esteemed, and rejected according to the appearances; whether it be beauty, or wealth, or stature, or health, or by image that a man is able to transform himself into. Do you not understand that the work of self-justification, it manifest itself in the fashion of this world, hypocrisy. How great is this illusion that men live their lives by, confident that all things are just and good that are measured according to that which appears righteous in their own eyes? Do you really believe that this Pharisee was aware that what he was treasuring to be right, it was an abomination in my sight?" says the Lord. Are you now able to understand how great the illusions are that are created through the works of self-justification?"
"Is it not written that I see the heart with all of its intents and purposes; I see all of those illusions that disguise themselves behind the appearance of righteousness. I see all of those things which are hidden in dark places of a man's heart and mind. I see the origin of a man's thoughts, that which is birthed when the imaginations of his heart is joined with his wisdom. So then I ask you, "Why have you not proved me at my word? Why have you not asked me to show you why I see your heart to be that which is deceitful above all things? Why have you not asked me to unveil your heart so that you might know that my word is truth? Have you esteemed that which you see with your own eyes to be more righteous than my word?" says the Lord. "Do you not believe that I would have proved to you that my word is truth? Are you afraid that if you accepted my word to be truth, that it would bring a loss to your life; a loss to that image of yourself which is so precious in your own eyes? Do you not know that it is only by the blood of Christ that you are seen in heaven as precious? Are you afraid that my blood, my love, my grace, and my mercy would not be enough to cover you? Are you going to allow all that I suffered on your behalf to be done in vain? Did I not know the truth about the intents of your hearts and the thoughts of your mind when I died for you? How can you possibly believe my word unless you allow for me to open your eyes so that you might see that my word is right?" says the Lord.
"Do you now know that the most deceitful work of self-justification is when you have made your best effort? Does not the man who makes his best effort believe in his heart that he has fulfilled that was required of him? Do you not understand that the treasury of your heart is filled which such like works? Are you not offended and angered when your best effort is not acceptable? Look at the evil that filled Cain's heart when I rejected that sacrifice that he offered to me; that sacrifice that was righteous in his own eyes, but displeasing in my eyes", says the Lord. "Why do you not believe my word that testifies that your ways are not my ways, and neither are your thoughts my thoughts?" says the Lord. "Does not my word testify that I came into this world to give you life, yet are you not seeking for life in those things that you believe will give you life? Did I not come into this world to give you life, and to give it to you abundantly? But how can I do this as long as you continue to live your life according to that which you treasure to be right? Is death more righteous than life, or evil better than that which is good? Have I not asked you to first seek to know my righteousness? Did you not know that it is right in my sight that you should live life abundantly? Am I not as good as my word? Trust me"', says the Lord. "I am not like a man that I should lie to any of you".
"Are you now beginning to comprehend why your castle is so well guarded and defended against any and all things that disagree with that which you have treasured to be right? Only those things which have passed a strict set of standards set forth by your pride and your righteousness will be allowed into enter your heart. Then whosoever comes along that agrees those things which you have believed to be right, he shall then be esteemed as a friend. So also is an enemy and an adversary considered to be anyone who would offend you in any manner. Is it not a bitter thing to entertain one who has offended that which you have treasured in your heart to be right? Is not such a person who then is accounted as an enemy then he who is rejected, or despised, or hated, or scorned, or thought of as evil?" says the Lord. "Was I not rejected, despised, hated, scorned, and thought of as evil by my own people? Do you now understand why I was spit on, mocked, tortured and crucified? Do you now see that I was crucified for sake of their self-preservation?
"Was it not written of me, "And when we shall see him, there shall be nothing seen that is to be desired, for he is despised and rejected by men"? How then shall I be invited to enter into the treasury of a man's heart, seeing that I do not measure up to the criteria that your pride and your self-righteousness have set forth? Are you going to reject me also?" says the Lord. "Are you going to be like the many who I have called with my Spirit who have made light of their calling by reason of the ignorance that is in them? Are you not able to judge between the desires of the flesh and the desires of my Spirit? Is it not written that the fleshy mind, the mind that is ignorant of me, it is death; that is, it is full of fears, worries, pride, anxieties, vain thoughts, hatred, self-condemnation, strife, impatience, envy, doubt, slander, failure, unforgiveness, deceit, evil thoughts, anger, uncertainty, fault finding, unbelief, confusion, arrogance, guilt, disappointment, hypocrisies, and all manner of lies about yourself and about me? Where is life in any of these things?" says the Lord. "Why do you esteem your pride and your righteousness to be so great and so flawless, seeing that they let any and all of these things pass through into your heart? Do you now understand? As long as you desire to fill the treasuries of your heart with these miseries and torments, then you shall not have any desire to let me pass through into the castle of your heart", says the Lord. "The man who says that he has life, yet has any of these evil things dwelling within in, he not only deceives himself, but he defiles life? Is it not written that the spiritual mind is life and peace, and surely you know that none of these miseries or torments dwells anywhere in the thoughts of the Spirit of God? It will not be until you are able to discern the difference between the life of the spiritual mind from the death of the carnal mind, that you shall have any desire at all to allow for me to enter into your heart", says the Lord.
"When the Lord finished speaking these things, both my head and my heart were overwhelmed trying to comprehend these things that the Lord was speaking to me. Then after a time, I asked, "Lord, would you show me the difference between the righteousness of the carnal mind and the righteousness of the spiritual mind so that you may become the treasure of my castle? Would you show anything else that there may be that is hindering you from entering into the gate of my heart, and to fill the treasury of my heart with right things?” Then the Lord answered and said, "Since the day that I called you, I have been standing at the door of your heart, quietly knocking so as not to arouse the guards of your pride. I have been knocking and knocking, waiting for you to ask me in", says the Lord. "But you have not asked me in by reason of the work of self-justification. Do you not yet understand that as long as you justify yourself in your own sight, then you will not see any need to ask for me to enter into your heart. As long as you justify yourself by covering up your weaknesses and your faults with reasonings, unbelief, and excuses, then you never even think to ask for me to cleanse you. As long as you justify yourself as that Pharisee did when he compared and measured himself against the lives of other men, then you also will continue to be as blind as he was, exalting himself through his own work. Do you desire to keep the treasury of your heart filled with the honor and the praise that men give to you? As long as you lean to your understanding of my words, then you shall see no need to ask me for my understanding so that you may know that interpretation that is right in my sight", says the Lord. "As long as you justify yourself being wise in your own eyes, then you will surely believe that your judgments of good and evil, right and wrong, and truth and lies must be that which agrees with the judgment of God; yet, is it not written that all men are liars, that there is not one good nor is there who does that which is right in the sight of God? As long as justify yourself being satisfied with your efforts to make yourself to be the best Christian that you can be, then you will not ask me to make you my workmanship. Do you now understand?" says the Lord. "Do you now see that it is by reason of the work of self-justification that has hindered you from opening the door to your heart for me to enter in? I am the righteousness of life, but as long as you continue to live your life according to those things that seem right, then you will not even perceive that I have been continually at the door to your heart, knocking and waiting for you", says the Lord.
"Is it not written that I am the Lord your God, and that I alone should be exalted and esteemed? Is it not also written that I alone shall be glorified and praised? So how blind are my people who justify themselves in their own works and deeds? Even so, it is though these works of self-justification that the hearts of my people are carried far from me, though they continue to praise me with their lips and honor me with their mouth", says the Lord. "Do you yet understand what righteousness consists of? Did not Daniel declare that righteousness only belongs to God? Is it not written that your heavenly Father made me to be righteousness for you? Do you not believe my word which says, "I am the life of God"? Do you know that as long as you willingly remain ignorant of me, then shall you also remain separated from the life of God; the abundant life that my Father has promised all those who he has called? If you understand that I am the life that is exceedingly better than that which you have, then you would have long ago opened the door of your heart for me. You do not understand that your righteousness and your pride have worked together to do that which you no power, nor principality, nor spirit, nor flesh, nor things present, nor things to come, nor what Satan himself has been able to accomplish, keep you separated from promise of abundant life that comes through knowing me. I am the righteousness of life", says the Lord.
"If you will clothe yourself with humility, seeing that it is only by humility that the guards of pride shall be disarmed without a fight, and then open the door to your castle, then I shall come into your heart and reveal myself to you. Do you not understand that if I tried to enter into the castle of your heart without an invitation from you, then all of the armies of pride, and all of the defenders of self-justification, would both rise up against me, seeing that I am he who is an alien to "self"? I am the love that thinks not of it's "self". If your heart is not willing and proud, then it shall surely be impossible for me to enter in without force; and you know me, that I will not force myself upon anyone. For I am meek and humble", says the Lord. "You will not be willing to open the door to your heart unless you first believe in your heart my promise of abundant life is truth. Once you believe the promise of my word, then shall you gladly open the door of your heart and let me in", says the Lord.
"Then the Lord said, "I am he who has made you to be the object of all of my affection. I am he who only desires to do good things for you. I am he who has no evil thoughts '' towards you. I am he who desires to give you peace and life. I am he who desires to show you great and mighty things which you do not know. I am who is here only to help you. I am who desires to show you that I am willing to do impossible things on your behalf. I am he who died for you and shed my blood for you, knowing that you are powerless to change the intents of your heart and the imaginations of your thoughts. I am he who delights in showing you mercy everyday. I am he who has great delight when my people humble themselves before me, allowing for me to be your Lord and your God; for only then shall you allow for me to perform great things on your behalf. I am he who loves you unconditionally; that is, I love you when even when your heart is still proud; I love you when you have walked in the way that is not good, after your own thoughts and the sight of your eyes; and I love you even when you continually desire to justify yourself. If my love for you had been anything other than unconditional, then I would not have continued knocking on the castle door of your heart. Even though I have made you to be the object of my affection, I am powerless to show you my love as long as you keep the door to your heart closed to me. I am not only abundant life", says the Lord. "But I am that abundant life that my heavenly Father yearns to give to you. I am standing at the door of your heart ready to bring all of my blessings and gifts in with me. But do you desire to know me?"
"Again, you have not let me into your heart because you have not known me; because you have willingly not inquired to know that my divine nature is life. No death, no misery, no pain, no torment, dwells within me. I am the source of life because I am life. You have not let me in because you have not known nor believed that I desire to make you a partaker of my divine nature, to transform your hearts and your minds, to make them according to my image. Do you not believe that which is written, "I am the law of the Spirit of life who is come into this world to set you free from your bondage to the law of sin and death?" Surely you know that sin is the transgression of the law, but did you not know that death transgresses the law of life? Did you not know that anxiety transgresses my law? Do you not know that fear, as well as all doubt and unbelief, transgress my law? Do you not know that confusion transgresses my law? Do you not know that hatred transgresses my law? Do you not know that condemnation and guilt both transgress my law? Do you not know that worry transgresses my law? Do you not know that pride transgresses my law? Do you not know that disappointment and failure transgress my law? If then my divine nature is life, then whose nature dwells in the thoughts of death that continually inhabit the carnal mind? I see that you have made yourself to be that beautiful castle in sight of all of those who are wise in their own eyes, but I see that your castle is only a prison where all of your thoughts have been kept in bondage to death and sin. I see that you are captive in a prison where all of the doors are locked from the inside", says the Lord. "Do you now understand, that as long as a man loves death, being just in his own eyes, then he will in no way open the castle door to his heart to allow for me to enter in?" says the Lord.
"Do you now believe my word which testifies that I alone know the heart with all of its intents and purposes? "Yes, Lord", I answered. Then the Lord said, "Is it not written that when you allow for me to enter into your heart, then I will bring to light those things which are hidden in the darkness of your heart? Again I said, "Yes, Lord, that is written". Then the Lord said, "Do you now understand that everyday, your heart has worked diligently to guard and protect the sin and the death that has hidden itself behind the appearance of righteousness that agrees with wisdom of the carnal mind? Do you now understand why you have not been a partaker of my promise of abundant life, seeing that through deceit and ignorance, you have been justifying, defending, and protecting all of those things which only gave you the illusion of life? Do you now understand that none of these miseries or torments could have ever dwelled in the thoughts of your mind unless they had first disguised themselves with an appearance that your pride and your righteousness would agree with?"
"If a thought entered into your mind that instructed you to justify your faults and errors, would you not do so because you believed that it was the right thing for you to do? If a thought entered your mind that instructed you to condemn yourself for your faults and errors, would you not do so if you believed that it was the right thing for you to do? Yet, is it not written that there is never any condemnation on to those who are in Christ Jesus? Does the carnal mind have the ability to justify or condemn? Can either one of these works change the intents of the heart or imaginations of the thoughts? So then, how can you who are carnally minded bring forth any life out of that which is dead? Is it not also written that I will justify the ungodly? What decision do you make that is not influenced by fear, or by worry, or by your emotions and feelings, or by your pride, or by anxiety, or by your opinions, or by your fleshy desires? Do you now understand that which is written, that those who are fleshy minded, they regard those things which are of the flesh? Why do you not question the righteousness of these counselors that influence all of your decisions?"
"Thus says the Lord, "What wisdom is it that yields to these types of influences, seeing that none of these things are able to bring forth life? Do you not know that it is because of your belief that these influences are righteous that have kept you from opening the door of your heart to me? Do you not see that though your fears come in under the disguise that they are there to assist you in your decision making, deceiving you into believing that they are present to protect you from harm, in truth, they are only unclean spirits that are there to torment you in your thoughts? Do you not see that it is the same with confusion, with worry, with anxiety, with envy, with anger, that they all come in under the disguise of being righteous counselors, but they are there to daily bring misery to your life; to make your existence in this world to be as miserable as you allow them to. Do you not know that when you yield yourself to such counselors, you are only bowing your knee to worship and serve those demons who desire to rule over your thoughts with death and misery? Though the letter was addressed to the church at Laodicea, was it not written for who have ears to hear; for those who say in their heart that their treasuries are so rich in self-righteousness that they are blind. to see any need for me? I am still standing at the door of their hearts, knocking and waiting, because I see that which they cannot see, that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked", says the Lord. "I see that they are poor in spirit, far from being partakers of my promise of abundant life".
"Thus says the Lord, "I see that the carnal mind is as a haunted castle that is frequently visited by various types of unclean spirits whose only purpose is to haunt you with misery in the imaginations of your thoughts. Do you not yet understand that those who are carnally minded, they are always captive to obey these unclean spirits because of their appearance of righteousness? Is it not written that all men are unclean because of their own righteousness? Is it not also written that Satan is able to change himself into an angel of light, and his demons into ministers of righteousness? Do you now understand, that these demons, they are those unclean spirits who minister "self-righteousness" to all who are carnally minded? Is it not written that there is nothing unclean of itself? So then, who is it that is ministering fear to your thoughts? Who ministers impatience to your thoughts? Who ministers to you that you do not have any need for me today? Who ministers bitterness and anger to your thoughts when you do not get your way? Who ministers to you that it is right for you to find fault with your brethren? Who ministers to you to obey your lusts and desires? Who ministers anxiety to your thoughts? Who ministers depression and disappointment to your thoughts? Who ministers hypocrisy to you, instructing for you to pretend that you are righteous when only death is working inwardly? Who ministers bad memories and unforgiveness to you? Who ministers to you that you should protect and defend at all cost those things which you believe to be right as though it was not possible for you to err? Who is it that ministers division, strife, and arguments among my people? Do you really believe that the Holy Spirit would minister any of these things to your thoughts? Do you now understand why I see the carnal mind as a haunted castle where these unclean spirits continually visit to minister sin and death to the carnally minded?" says the Lord. Are you beginning to perceive that I truly to do see that which is hidden in the treasury of your heart?" says the Lord. "Do you now believe my word which testifies, "The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are all vanity"? Whose name are you going to call on?"
"Do you now understand that nothing is able to dwell in your heart except that you first believe that it is right? Now do you understand why all of these unclean spirits have disguised themselves to be as ministers of righteousness to your thoughts, seeing that nothing is able to have power over you except those things which you believe are right?, How hard was it for Satan himself to enter into the thoughts of Peter's mind when he tempted me? Who did I rebuke to get behind me, Peter or Satan? Once Ananias and Sapphira justified themselves by holding back a part of the price, how long did it take for Satan to then instruct them to lie to the Holy Spirit? Do you see how easy these unclean spirits move into your thoughts, yet I who loves you am left knocking and knocking at the door of your heart?" says the Lord. Do you not desire to be delivered from these unclean spirits who visit you with misery and trouble? Do you not desire the peace and the life that dwells in the spiritual mind? Does not my word testify that by reason of the great love that I have for you, I will gladly cast out all of your fears, all of your distresses, all of your own judgments, as well as all of your troubles? But my heart is grieved for you; for your prayers are before me, and though you have asked many things that are according to my will, you have not yet asked to know me; to know the divine nature of life. How long will you continue to deny me and grieve my Spirit?" says the Lord. "Is there any other name that you can call on who is able to deliver you and free your mind and your heart from these torments and miseries of death? What God are you worshipping and serving?"
"Now do you understand that which my word testifies of saying, "My people are foolish; they have not known me because they have no understanding? They are drunk in their own self-righteous judgments, having no vision to see where they are going. They are only wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge"? Do you not know that it is this wisdom alone that has a burning desire for you to yield to your fears, your hypocrisies, your hatreds, your envies, your pride, your impatience, your unbelief, your anxieties, your worries, and any other unclean spirit that ministers sin and death to your thoughts? How is it possible for any of my people to allow for me to enter into the treasury of their heart as long as this wisdom dwells within them, seeing that this wisdom blinds their eyes to all things spiritual? Is it not written that my own people crucified me because the wisdom of this world had blinded them and they did not know who I was? If a man's vision, that is, the way that sees, understands, and judges all things, is dictated to him by this wisdom, then how shall he escape from his bondage to sin and the miseries of death that are of the carnal mind? Have I not promised you a way to escape? Have I not promised freedom to all of those who would follow after me?"
Thus says the Lord, "Have I not instructed my people saying, "If any man will follow after me, then let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow after me. If any man seeks to save his life, he will surely lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, they shall receive life"? Are you willing to deny me so that you can save your fears, or your impatience, or your unbelief and doubts, or your bitterness, or your anxieties, or your pride, or your unforgiveness, or your envy, or your arguments and strife, or your judgments, or your fault finding, or any other unclean thing that you have believed that it was right for you to live your life by? Who else but a fool would deny me choosing rather to live his life in a haunted castle? Do you now understand that the man who takes up his cross, he is the man who does not deny me, but offers unto me the treasures of his carnal mind, the righteousness that he has lived his life by? Do you not understand that those who take up their cross, they do so that I might redeem the death that is of the carnal mind with the life that is of the spiritual mind? Do you not know that I am that spirit of life that sets you free from the law of sin and death? Do you now understand that the cross that Paul daily took up, it was so that he could be a partaker of abundant life? Is it not written that you cannot bear the fruits of life until you first take up your cross, willing to die to the miseries of this world?"
"Did not my servant Paul take up his cross and suffer the loss of his own righteousness; that is, the loss of that righteousness which was of the law that he believed and trusted that was right for him to live his life by? What law has any power to deliver you from anything that ministers misery, unbelief, trouble, or torment to your thoughts? Do you not know that by your faith in me, I am there daily for you as you offer these things before me? I love you", says the Lord, "And it pleases me greatly when you draw near to me, asking for me to help you. I have called many, but only a few are willing to take up their cross to die to the righteousness that they daily live their lives by; that which is dictated to them by the unclean spirits of this world. Is it not written that the message of the cross is foolishness to them who are perishing, but unto those who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will proceed to do a marvelous work and wonder; I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of those who believe that they are able to judge righteously". Do you not understand the message of the cross? Do you not understand the mystery of the gospel ?"
"Do you not know that those who take up their crosses, these were they who I called, and indeed, they praised me with their lips, and they honored me with their mouths, but their hearts were far from me by reason of the love that they had for their own righteousness But that love and affection only exists in the carnal realm. Is it not written that those who I call my own, these are they who have taken up their crosses and have crucified the desires and affections that are of the carnal mind? Where will sin and death dwell when there is no wisdom that desires or has affection for sin and death? Where will the desire to do what is right in your own eyes dwell after this wisdom has been crucified? Where will the desire to do evil dwell when the wisdom that yielded to such counsels has been crucified? What power will the unclean spirits have over you when their counsels are no longer believed to be right? When that wisdom has been crucified that yielded to them who ministered fear, hatred, anxiety, unbelief, pride, strife, uncertainty, stress, confusion, unforgiveness, envy, worry, and all manner of false hopes that never come to pass, then who shall they minister to? Do you now understand the way of escape for you?", says the Lord. "Do you not desire to be set free from your captivity and bondage to the carnal mind?" says the Lord.
"Has not my word spoken to you saying, "You have eyes, but you do not see"? Thus says the Lord, "I see! I see that which those who are wise in their own eyes cannot see. I see all of your treasuries of unrighteousness. I see all of the miseries that have haunted the castle of your heart under the disguise of righteousness. If you could see, then I would not be standing at the door of your heart, for you would have already gladly let me into your heart. If you could see, then you would know that I am he who ministers the righteousness of God to you; the righteousness which only brings peace and life into your thoughts. I am the righteousness of life, and my Spirit only ministers to all things that have the nature of life: love, gentleness, joy, kindness, contentment, peace of mind, belief, goodness, strength, forgiveness truth, power and might, happiness, and faith. I am a sound mind and perfect faith. I am he who gives increase. I am he who prospers you in the treasures of life. I am the gift that my heavenly Father has prepared for you. I am the hope of the righteous; those who know that abundant life is the hope of the gospel. I am standing at the door of your heart ready to fill your heart with the treasures of life. But I am grieved with my people; for my people have desired of me blessings, and power, and gifts, and ministries, but for the sake of self-perseveration, they have not desired to know me; for they do not know that I am life. Why would my people desire not to know me except that their hearts have been deceived into believing that they can find life through doing that which is right in their own eyes?"
"Until this time, you have only been able to interpret life according to those natural senses that are of the carnal mind; but is it not written that spiritual things cannot be discerned with anything that is natural? Do you not know that the carnally minded are always hoping to find life out of circumstances and situations, and not out of my spirit?", says the Lord. "Is it not written, "My Spirit gives life"? Have you not interpreted life as that which comes forth when you do those things which feel good, or that bring you pleasure? When things go according to your own will, or according to the way you planned for, then are you not satisfied, even though it is just for a moment, believing that what you experienced was life? When you think to yourself that you are in control over the circumstances and situations of your life, then are you not pleased with your life? When you feel secure in your own strength, in your finances, in your health, or in your own abilities, then do you not also feel like You are experiencing life? When you feel that you have made a right decision or done the best that you could, then again, are you not content in calling this brief moment as being life?"
"Have not some of my people even tried to find life out of the spiritual gifts that have given to them? But the gifts of the Spirit are not the fruits of the Spirit; for the gifts have only been given to you for the edification of my body, the church, says the Lord. "Have you also felt at times that you experienced life when you have praised me with your lips and honored me with your mouth? Yes, I love for you to worship me, and I adore your praises, but none of these things are able to give "life", says the Lord. "Life only comes to you after you have taken up your cross, offering your life to me in exchange for my Spirit; for when you receive the fullness of my Spirit, then shall you know what life is. Do you now understand that which I said, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead"? Do you not know that that it is impossible for life to dwell in the carnal mind. Do you not understand that in all of these things, you did not experience life, but rather you experienced that illusion of life that comes when your desires are satisfied. "Satisfied desires" is not life, but rather my divine nature is life, says the Lord. “He who seeks life from any of these things denies me because he does not seek life from me.”
"Do you now understand why the love of money is the root of all evil? Do you not understand that in this fallen world of darkness where life is unknown, the more money that you have, the more desires you are able to fulfill? Do you now understand that these "satisfied desires" they are the illusions of life that leave men just as empty of life as they were before they satisfied their desires. Do you now see that this illusion of life, it only exists as long as the circumstances and situations occur that allow for one to please and satisfy himself. Those who try to find life from their desires and affections, they shall always find themselves captive to the same affections and desires tomorrow. Do you now know why the hope of the carnally minded is that tomorrow is going to be a better day than today? Is it not because the circumstances that occur in today rarely satisfy the desires that one had for that day?"
"Do you now understand why you have not opened the door for me? You have asked of me, but have you not asked in error? Have you not asked, and hoped, that I would put forth my hand and work in the situations and the circumstances of your life? Have you not hoped that I would do these things so that might find life out of your desire to have all things done according to your will and that are pleasing in the sight of your own eyes? I did not call you to work in the circumstances and situations of` your life, but rather in the intents of your heart and in the thoughts of your mind; to give to you the spirit of life that would rule over your thoughts and hearts to give you life, regardless of the circumstances and situations? I did not come into this world to satisfy your fleshy desires, but rather, I came into this world to give you abundant life that is of my divine nature", says the Lord. "But how can this be when you are blind to see that there is anything in me to be desired? Do you not know that this blindness only exists as long as the wisdom of the carnal mind exists"?
"Am I not always faithful to my word?" says the Lord. "Do you not know that the rock that I am going to build my church on, it is those who hold to my word? For seeing that I am always faithful to my word, I will then always be faithful to those who hold to the promises of my word. If you do not have abundant life, is it because you have not taken up your cross to offer unto me the treasures of your heart, that righteousness that is your standard for day to day living? Would a wise man protect and defend that which brings stress, or fear, or doubts and unbelief, or hatred, or anxiety, or worry, or any other thing that brings misery and torment into his life? Would a wise man justify that which brings depression, or self-condemnation, or bitterness, or hypocrisy, or strife, or any other thing that would work death? Do you not understand what the cross is that I have asked you to take up? Do you not know that life awaits those who take up their cross, who are willing to die to those things which only give an illusion of life? When my apostle Paul testified of the cross that he had taken up, did he not declare that he had suffered the loss of his own righteousness; that treasure of the carnal mind which he had lived his life by? So, if he dies to his own righteousness, then whose righteousness did he live by; that which is of the carnal mind or that which is of the spiritual mind? Do you not understand that when you take your cross, it is only then that I will be able to redeem your life with my life?" says the Lord. "The cross is where I will redeem the death of the carnal mind for the life that is of the spiritual mind? But do you desire life?"
"yes, I delight in giving blessings, and power, and gifts, and ministries to you when you ask for them, but these things are only for your edification; that is, the building of your faith But that which my heart truly desires is to give you the .divine nature of life that dwells in my heart: I desire to give you that spiritual mind where only life and peace are able to dwell", says the Lord. "The spiritual mind is like a flowing river of life that never ends; a river where no fears, no confusion, no envy, no frustration, no disappointments, no depression, no desires for vainglory, no hatred, no anxieties, no evil thoughts, no doubts, no loneliness, no impatience, no pride, no bitterness, no worries, nor any other evil desire are able to enter in because there is no death in the spiritual mind; for out of my heart flows all of the issues of life. The congregation of the dead, those who refuse to open the door of their hearts to me, they only do so because they do not know how to interpret life. Is it not written that I came unto my own, and my own did not receive me because they did not know how to comprehend life?
"The consciousness of the spiritual mind is belief and faith; that belief and faith that stands only in the power of God. It is this belief and faith that is right in the sight of my heavenly Father. It is also by this belief and faith that peace and joy will be multiplied in your hearts and minds by the power of my Spirit. The spiritual mind is like a clear crystal river of flowing water that continually brings forth life out of it's wisdom and understanding. The realm of those who are spiritually minded is the realm where all things are possible because I am the one who is believed upon to perform all things In the spiritual realm my word is believed upon to perform all things. There are no circumstances, nor situations, nor spirits, nor flesh, nor illnesses, nor sicknesses that I cannot speak the word of life to. I spoke the heavens and the earth into creations; so what is too hard for me to speak?" says the Lord. "My word will always perform that which I send it to perform. The spiritually minded believe on me, and these are they who will witness me perform mighty works on their behalf".
"The carnal mind is very limited because it is only able to believe that which the natural senses are able to comprehend. What man is able to trust and believe that which he cannot understand? The carnal mind is full of walls, boundaries, and limitations that have all been established upon those things which you believe to be right. There is a righteousness in the natural realm that is not the righteousness of the spiritual realm", says the Lord. "For that which is possible for me perform to perform by my word is not only impossible for man to perform, but it is also impossible for man to even understand. Do you now see why the righteousness of the carnal mind is established upon those things which flesh is able to think or perform for itself?" Thus says the Lord, "I inhabit eternity, so what castle will you give to me to inhabit? I say to you, give me the castle of your heart, and watch me tear down the walls, the boundaries, and the limitations that you own righteousness has me placed on me', says the Lord. By reason, of your righteousness, you have only limited my power, my mercies, my works, my forgiveness, and my love from coming to you. You have bound me up with the laws of your expectations and imaginations, If you were backed up to the Red Sea, and the Egyptian Army was racing towards you, you would limit my power from helping you because you would be expecting me to part the sea for you; but I might be telling you to just walk across the water. The spiritual mind has no laws to direct me with, neither are there any walls that built to keep my power and my love from working in you", says the Lord. "All power is in that which you believe; let me be that which you believe upon.
"In the spiritual realm my power is natural", says the Lord. "But in the carnal realm, my power is supernatural. In the spiritual realm, abundant life is the natural, but in the carnal realm, abundant life is that which is alien. Just as the waves of the oceans cannot go beyond the boundaries that have been set, so also cannot the righteousness that you live your life by go beyond that which you believe is right. This boundary divides that which you believe from that which you do not believe. Only I, the Lord your God, am able to tear down these boundaries. Only I can give the increase the boundaries of life in your minds; but are you willing to decrease so that I may increase?" says the Lord. "The realm of the carnal mind is the realm of unbelief. In the carnal realm, men are only able to believe the illusions of life, that life consist of satisfying it's own desires and affections. In the carnal realm, death continually visits man in his thoughts. In the realm of the spiritual mind, freedom rules and life works. In the spiritual realm, snake bites are powerless, in the spiritual realm, it is possible to walk across water; in the spiritual realm, one morsel of food is able to feed thousands; in the spiritual realm the dead are raised; in the spiritual realm, iron is able to swim; in the spiritual realm, the sick are healed; in the spiritual realm, the winds and the oceans obey my voice; in the spiritual realm, the sun can move backward; in the spiritual realm, there is no beginning, and neither is there an end; in the spiritual realm, I will always make a way for you, even though there may not appear to be any way, in the spiritual realm there are no worries, no fears, no disappointments, no doubts, no sorrow, no anxiety, no hatred, no pain, no bitterness, no ignorance, no failure of any kind, nor is there any of the miseries or torments that visits the thoughts of the carnal mind. There is no murmuring or complaining in the spiritual realm. In the spiritual realm wretched sinners, lost sheep, miserable men, and the broken and contrite are able to find love, forgiveness, mercy, and life. In the spiritual realm, there is no condemnation, no guilt, no shame, no fault finding, nor any judging of another; only love. In the spiritual realm, the impossible is the possible because it is that which is natural in the spiritual realm. Yet, for all of this, I am not able to help those who choose to protect and defend the treasures of their own righteousness, that illusion which is believed upon to bring life".
"Thus says the Lord, "When I came into this fallen world, I came just as you are now, in the likeness of sinful flesh. All that I had was belief in my Father's word, and faith in his power; but it was through that belief and that faith that I overcame all of the. powers of sin and death, the will of the carnal mind. This faith and belief is not that which can be birthed by any of man's wisdom or desires, but rather, it is the gift of, God. I am the One. I am that gift of God. I am that belief, and I am that spirit of faith that overcomes the world. I am that belief that makes all things possible. Those who walk in belief, they walk in power because they walk with me", says the Lord. "Those who walk in me, they walk in the power of life because my nature is life. Ask for me, and I will be that belief and faith in you that my heavenly Father will be well pleased with. Ask for me to be your belief and your faith, and watch the impossible come to pass", says the Lord of Glory. "If you can believe, then you shall see me come in all of my glory, and I will take your heart and your mind, and I will make it to be beautiful and glorious in my sight", says the Lord. "And you shall walk in the newness of life".
"The spiritual mind is joined to me in life; and it is continually regenerated and renewed through the Spirit of life. The spiritual mind is always conscious that I alone am the Lord your God, knowing that I am always there for you to help you according to that which you have need of. The consciousness of the spiritual mind knows that I am the only sources of 1ife. The spiritual mind knows that it is the delight of my heart to supply all of your lack and provide for all of your needs. The spiritual mind knows that it is my delight to freely give you my kingdom. It is not so in the consciousness of the carnal mind; for the carnal mind cannot believe that you are truly the object of all of my affection. The carnal mind is so miserable, that it counts all that it does not believe to be right and true. This is the righteousness of the blind; those who are only, mindful of their own treasures; the treasures of false hopes and the illusions of life that never come true. Do you now see how great the boundary is that divides life from death; the spiritual mind from the carnal mind?" says the Lord. "Only I can tear down these boundaries, but unless you begin to open the door to the castle of your heart, nothing shall be possible. The spiritual mind is always conscious that there is no problem, no circumstance, no trouble, no fear, no situation no spirit, no weakness nor, any evil work of the flesh that I not able to overcome for you. The spiritual mind is always at rest and peace, knowing that I am your security, your provider, your Lord and your God. The spiritual mind knows that I do not condemn nor accuse, but rather I save, I deliver, I give peace, I forgive, and I will always do you good. The spiritual mind knows no death, no darkness, no evil, no lies, nor any self-righteousness, for I am that Spirit, and I know no such wickedness. I am life", says the Prince of Peace".
"Those who are spiritually minded, they love me with all of their heart, their soul, and their minds because this is the heart of my Spirit", says the Lord. "The heart of my Spirit is the love that never thinks of "self", nor does it ever seek to satisfy any desires and affections of 'self', because such thoughts do not exist in the mind of my Spirit. Those who are spiritually minded, these are they who asked me for the gift of my Spirit. These are they who trust for me to perform all of those things which are required of them, because these are the thoughts of my Spirit. Those who are spiritually minded understand all secrets and mysteries, because it is the mind of my Spirit", says the Lord. "Those who are spiritually minded love my words and delight to doing my will because this is the mind of my Spirit. Those who are spiritually minded, they love to receive my gifts, my power, as well as all of my blessings, because this is the mind of my Spirit. The thoughts of those who are spiritually minded are filled with joy and peace, because this is the mind of my Spirit. Those who are spiritually minded are filled with love, and forgiveness, and compassion, and mercy, because this is the mind of my Spirit. For only by my Spirit shall you find escape out of your captivity to the death that dwells in the carnal mind. My Spirit will set you at liberty from all of the desires of the carnal mind to accuse, to slander, to judge, to compare, to find fault with, to condemn, or to speak evil of any man. Those who are spiritually minded, they not only love their brethren, but they also love their enemies and do good to those who hate them, because this is the mind of my Spirit You know that my word declares that you will know that you have passed from the death of the carnal mind to the life that is of my Spirit when you love your brethren. How then shall you pass from death to life unless you ask for my Spirit? When your mind has been freed, then love shall fill your heart; the love that is fulfilling of the law that is of the Spirit of life", says the Lord.
"Thus says the Lord, "The end of all things is at hand. You think that you have been waiting for me, but it is I who has been waiting on you. I have been standing at the door to your heart, waiting for you to invite me in. I have many, many blessings and gifts that have your name on them, but until now you have not asked for them by reason of your self-righteousness". Thus says the Lord, "Do not be afraid to open the door of your heart to me. Do not be afraid to let me show you the secrets of your heart. I love you", says the Lord. "I went to the cross for your sins, and by reason of the blood which I shed for you, you have been under the power of my grace and mercy. So why are you so afraid to allow for me to enter into the treasury of your heart? Are you afraid that I might find out that which I already know, that you are nothing more than a man? You have been afraid to let me come into your heart because you do not know me, nor have you known the manner of the Spirit of life. I am not like a man who would accuse you, or judge you, or condemn you, or lie to you, or mock you, or belittle you in any way", says the Lord. "I am he who only knows love for you. Do not be afraid, for I will not deal with your weaknesses and your faults in the same manner that a man would treat you? Did not my servant Paul say that he delighted in seeing these things because he knew that he was about to witness my great power working on his behalf? Do you truly desire to let your pride and your righteousness keep you in bondage to the illusions of this life?'
"I am asking you to consider the woman who was brought before me who was caught in the act of adultery. Did I respond to her according to the desires of the flesh like the rest of Israel did? Did I point out her faults or judge her? Did I accuse or condemn her? Did I act like I was disappointed with her? Did I speak harshly to her? Did I even loose respect for her? Do you not perceive that I responded to her according to the desires of the of Spirit of Life? Did I not deal delicately with her? Was not love, and compassion and forgiveness and mercy shown to her? Did she not depart from my presence with joy and much hope in her heart? So why would you believe that I would respond to you, or to any man, any differently than I responded to her", says the Lord. "Do you not know that this is my heart, and that I change not? Be not afraid to let me unveil your heart, to reveal these lies of Satan that have hidden themselves behind the appearance of righteousness. I have no desire but to do you good, to exchange your righteousness of life for my righteousness of life", says the Lord. "But are you willing to let me into the kingdom of "self", the castle of your heart?"
Thus says the Lord, "If you perceive that life is lacking in your heart, is it not because you have not asked for my Spirit? Does not my Spirit give life? Why will you not prove me at my word", says the Lord, "Do you not know that all these blessings of abundant life are of the spiritual mind, and they will only be able to manifest themselves to you when the fullness of my Spirit enters into you. Prove me, seek for my life, and life will be given to you. Ask of me, and I will freely give you that part of my Spirit which you lack. You have no need of anything other to believe my words, and have the faith that I will perform these blessings for you. Only take up your cross and deny the life of your own righteousness; your fears, your boastings, your unbelief, your good intentions your worries, your pride, your cares, your confusion, your control, your doubts, your works, as well as the sight of our eyes. Do you not know that if the seed sown in you is to live then you must ask for my life, and see if I will open up heavens for you. Do you now understand that it has only been by reason of these guards of pride and these defenders of self-righteousness, that abundant life has been withheld from you. The windows of heaven have been knocking quietly at your door, but out of ignorance you have refused to open", says the Lord. "I have knocked, and I have knocked, and even though you have tasted of my Spirit, and you know that it has always been nothing but life and goodness, still you have chosen to submit yourselves before the unclean spirits who haunt the castle of your thoughts.
"Why have you esteemed your pride so much, seeing that it is your pride that has allowed all of these miseries free passage into the treasury of your heart? When I preached freedom to my people Israel, were they not also blind to see the truth concerning their hearts, proudly boasting that they had never been in bondage to anyone? I see what you do not see", says the Lord. "On the outside, you see yourself as that beautiful castle in all of it's glory and goodness, but that is not what I see", says the Lord. "I see that your castle is nothing but a prison, keeping you in bondage to the commands of unclean spirits who continually visit your imaginations with all manner of fears, anxieties, pretenses, heavy burdens, worries, perverted judgments, unrest, hopelessness, insecurity, bitterness, disappointments, vain opinions, grievous works, depression, envy, impatience, distress, vain glory, hate, uncertainty, doubts, and unbelief". I ask you again, "Where is the life in any of these things?" says the Lord. "If these things are not life, then what would name these things that are contrary to life?"
"If then the law of my Spirit is life, then do you not see that all things which are not of life, they are those things which transgress the law of life? Do you now understand why all have sinned, seeing that all are born carnally minded, and death transgresses the law of life? Do you now understand that the death that came upon all men through Adam and Eve, it is the death that dwells in the thoughts of the carnal mind? Do you understand that which is written, that the carnal mind is enmity against God and it is not subject to the law of God, and it is impossible for it to be? Death will be always be contrary to life, and no matter how much a man gains in this fallen world, it will always be impossible for him to experience anything other than death, though it may give that momentary illusion of life", says the Lord. "I am now, and will always be the source for life. There is a strait and narrow path that leads to life, and just as it is written, only a few will find it; because only a few will seek for life through me rather than through the illusion of life that comes through satisfied desires.
"It is the last time. It is time for you to take up your cross and put off the garment of your righteousness, and put on the cloak of humility. Offer yourselves unto me and allow for me to make you my workmanship", says the Lord. "Have I not promised-To be your God and to make you to be my people after my own likeness? Give yourself to me, for I will not disappoint you; for I love life, and I love to give life to those who desire to be a partaker of my divine nature. You must be willing to give yourself completely to me so that I can give myself completely to you. Have I not promised you a new heart and new mind where death would no longer be your desire, or your affection, or your bondage? Those who turn to me, these will be those who desire life; and life is that which I desire to open the windows of heaven to freely give to you".
"Does not my word testify that I am only looking for those who are willing to worship me in Spirit and in truth? How can death worship life? Do you understand that it is impossible for you to worship me in any other way than by my Spirit? How shall you worship me in the way that is pleasing to me unless you first receive the fullness of the Spirit of Life? Does not my word also say, "Walk in my Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the desires of your flesh"? Do you now see that it is only by my Spirit that you will escape your captivity to this haunted castle that is filled with unclean spirits who appear as righteousness you? I am grieved because many have chosen to worship me in the manner that only pleases "self"; in the manner that is right in their own eyes, according to the traditions and commandments of men. Why would any man choose to worship me in a such me in such a vain manner that would allow such things as anxiety, envy, bitterness, worry, loneliness, jealousy, fear, hopelessness, anger, evil imaginations, hypocrisy, unforgiveness, depression, hatred, or doubts to continue to haunt the castle of his thoughts?"
"Those who love their own castles have lost the love and affection that they have for me", says the Lord. These are they who have not taken up their crosses but have chosen rather to save the righteousness they desire to live their lives by. Do you now understand why the windows of heaven have been shut up, seeing that as long as my people love themselves, then none will call out for me to open the doors of heaven to rain upon them the righteousness of life? Do you now understand that it was for the sake of self-preservation that my own people spit on me, mocked me, whipped me, and had me crucified? Will you also do the same to me, choosing rather to be lord over your own castle?" says the Lord. "Do you not know that the man's castle that is filled with fear, anxiety, worry, pride, bitterness, is not a lord but a servant to the spirits that haunt the castle? There is no greater love in my sight", says the Lord, "than that which those have who are willing to take up their crosses and die to their own righteousness so that they may be made partakers of my divine nature", says the Lord. "Turn your heart, for I am not asking you to do anything other than to trust me and come to me. Is it not written that the redeemed shall return to me with everlasting joy; a joy that that no circumstance, or situation, or power, or spirit has any power to take from you? I inhabit eternity, but I cannot inhabit your heart while it is bound up behind these walls that you have built for yourself. I cannot be bound up", says the Lord."
"Thus says the Lord, "It is the last time. I am now putting before you a choice this day; you can either make your religion church, and remain among the congregation of the dead or else you can choose to make your religion life, and become a part of my family. But remember that which my word testifies of, says the Lord, "Not all they which say that they are of Israel are of my family; for I am a God of the living, not the dead. Remember that which is written, you must take up your cross and die so that you can live. I am only going to build my church from the living; all else is vain", says the Lord. "Those who take up their crosses, they seek and they ask, and they wait for me. My eyes go to and fro through the earth, and I see all things; but I am only looking for the asking. Where is the pride in the heart of those who ask of me, who have a need for me? Do not be afraid my people, for I am still at the door, knocking and waiting. Awake, my people; arise from the dead, and I shall give you the light of life", says Lord.
The Change
The Lord has blessed me with many visions, revelations, and dreams all for the purpose of revealing even the thoughts of my heart or the thoughts of his heart. I used to believe that the instruction of that which is written in I Thessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good", meant for me to prove that all things that I heard was written in the scriptures. But then one day the Lord quickened unto me how much that he said was written in the 4 gospels, but that he also said John 8:43 "Why can you not understand speech? Is it not because you cannot hear my word?” The Lord then opened my eyes to see that just I hear someone speak a verse of scripture, the very words that Jesus spoke, it is not proved just because it was written, for my interpretation of that which I heard may be of my own understanding, and not the truth of the Lord. The truth can only be revealed by his Spirit. So I began to ask the Lord to prove to me that what I was hearing was his truth. The following is a testimony of how the Lord led me.
First of all, it is written in Galatians 3:26 “For you are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ”; and it is also written in I Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God”. I following testimony is how the Lord changed my faith from that powerless faith that stands in the wisdom of men to that faith which stands in the power of God.
The carnal mind only has the ability its own understanding to those words spoken by Jesus; and carnal understanding has no ability to bring forth truth, only an opinion of what seemed right. Therefore, it was not the word of the Lord that was heard, but rather word of the man who formed the opinion of that which was heard. There is nothing carnal that is able to understand anything that is spiritual. God himself even testifying of this when he said, "Your thoughts are not my thoughts". Yet, which one of these Jews would not have been confident that he understood the truth of that which Jesus spoke of? If fact, he was speaking of their bondage to sin and death, and they answered by saying that they had never been in bondage. It was here that the Lord opened the eyes of understanding to see that what I had need of, it was to prove for my own self that the words that I heard, that it was truth according to God, and not that which was interpreted by my own understanding; otherwise, everything spoken would have been spoken in vain.
The Lord confirmed this for me with that which is written in Job 33:14 (KJ) "For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man does not perceive it". It was with this word that I realized what that strong delusion was that Paul spoke of in II Thes. 2:11; for what could give a word more appearance of the truth that the word of God spoken according to man's understanding? Yet, who would not defend with all of his heart that interpretation of the scriptures which he has believed to be right? Jeremiah also warned the people of God of this error when he told the people to not to take heed to the words of the false prophets; but in Jeremiah 23:18 he said, "For who has stood in the secret counsel of the Lord, and has heard his word? Who has marked his word and heard it?" I myself know well the shaking that takes place in the heart when something is heard that suddenly contradicts that which is believed on and trusted to be right. For many times I have seen the proud guards rise up to defend my own self-righteous opinions, scoffing at and refusing to hear that which was spoken to me. I even had had a prophet speak to me concerning hatred that was in my heart towards one of my own daughters. In my heart I said, "Surely this man is not a prophet of God because I know that I do not have any hatred towards my daughter". A few days later, the Spirit of the Lord moved on me saying, "Ask God to prove this word to you". I then realized that there was no way possible to know if this word was true unless I asked the Lord to prove this for me. So I asked him, and lo and behold, the Lord showed me that I had been harboring this hatred towards my daughter because she had refused some instruction that I had given to her several months before. I then took up my cross, and offered that hatred to the Lord. He then healed my heart to where I could not even remember what my daughter had done. Thanks be to God. Hatred for love; death for life, what a deal, Lord! Show me more that you desire to change.
Many times the Lord has proved the truth of his word to me, and that which I have experienced has been incredible. The scriptures truly came alive to me; it became like nothing that I had experienced when I had applied my own understanding to the scriptures for my own personal and private interpretation. The Lord has amazed and awed me by his faithfulness; for it has surely been nothing which I have done of myself. How much more simpler can it be than that? If man does not desire to know, then he will not ask but to the man who truly desires to now the Lord, all he has to do is ask. The thing that I have marveled at the most is the simplicity of the life that comes when the Lord has increased his Spirit in me. It is amazing what your eyes see when they are no longer blinded with impatience, or fears or by pride, or by anxiety, or the lust to be right in your own opinion especially that fear of what you think other men are thinking of you.
It was a fearful thing for me to take before the Lord my interpretations of his words; to open the door to my heart and let him expose the truth about those things which I had believed and trusted in to be truth. But I reasoned that if what I was believing was the truth, then the Lord would only confirm it for me; and if what I was believing was not, the truth then the Lord would correct me by showing me the truth. I remember the first thing that I took before the Lord concerned some of the works that I thought were righteous, and I asked, "Lord, is my understanding of these scriptures the truth?" The Lord then said to me, "Have you asked me to teach you the truth concerning these words?" I then answered, "No, Lord, I have not?" Then the Lord said, "Then it is not the truth. I have given you the Holy Spirit to teach you "all" truth, but if you do not ask for the truth, then your ears will hear and you will not understand; and your eyes will see, but they will not be able to perceive. Do not be afraid; ask, and it shall freely be given to you". So I asked the Lord if he would show me the truth concerning those scriptures that I had asked him about, and he did. After the Lord had corrected me, he spoke to me one morning while I was praying and he said, "Mitt, where is your pride in this matter?" After I thought for a moment about what the Lord had asked me, I then answered, "It is gone, Lord!" Then the Lord said, "Where is that which you believed and trusted to be right in this matter?" Again I answered, "It is also gone Lord". Then the Lord said, "But you not still Mitt?" "Wow! Yes Lord, I am!" That short conversation with the Lord has never departed from my heart. Until that day, I thought that a man's life really did consisted mostly of his pride and those things which he believed to be right. I then realized that if I was still Mitt, then what, or rather, whose righteousness and pride was that which had departed from me, seeing that it did have such a stronghold over my life?
I was in place in my walk where I was very self-righteous; and I was doing all of the things which I felt the scriptures instructed us to do. I fed the poor, I had a prison ministry, I visited those who were sick, and so forth; and I did not tell anyone what I was doing, just as Jesus said. I was doing all of the things which I felt would allow for my heart to grow closer to Gods, but the more I did those things, the farther I felt like I was going into some kind of spiritual wilderness where there was no life or presence of God. Now I know that when you walk by faith that many times you do not feel the presence of God, but I also knew that the Lord called us to establish a relationship with us; and it was that relationship that I felt was being strained. My heart was still filled with a zeal for God, and I was doing more "righteous" works than I had ever done before, but I felt like something was missing; things like joy, peace, and love.
I seemed to be fine as long as I was around my brethren, or as long as I was involved in some "righteous" activity, but when I was alone, I felt so empty, and lost, and completely out of fellowship with the Lord. Joy and peace had really become more like words of some alien language, because all of these things seemed to be far from my heart. The thought even came into my mind to try to pretend like I had these things, but it did not take long before that thought was completely disgusting for me to even think about. Those lying pretentious thoughts had become to me like as a man who was in the desert; one of a man who had run out of water, and then he saw a mirage where someone was trying to deceive him into believing that the lies of hypocrisy (play-acting) would be able to quench his thirst. Yea, right. In fact, I was in a place that felt so empty and void of life that I knew that if something did not happen soon, then it was going to be very difficult for me to walk in my faith much longer. I also knew that something was wrong with my walk, but what? How can a man understand what is error is if all that he is doing he believes to be right and true? It was then that I felt the Spirit quickening to me to pray that which is written in psalm 67:1 "God be merciful to me, and bless me; and cause your face to shine upon me so that your way may be made known to me". So I did.
Then, for the next several weeks, every time I read the scriptures, it seemed as though the Holy Spirit was somehow daily leading me to James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God, you do well. But the demons also believe and tremble! But do you not know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead". "Vain man?" "Is my faith dead?" "Lord, what are you trying to tell me? I was in a place where it would be a perfect time for those proud guards to come to defend me, to guard for me that which I believed to be right; but I was so weak, there was not much in me to try and defend myself against what the Lord was trying to show me. Feeling like I was in this spiritual desert, this word that the Lord was leading me to in James 2:19 did little to refresh me, but on the contrary, they angered me and frustrated me. I had just come to find out that I was still carnally minded, which is death, and now was the Lord also trying to show me that my faith was dead also? Without realizing that it was the Lord, I began to question those things which I had believed; thinking within myself, “Is my faith established on the word; but the interpretation of those words comes from my own understanding?” If that was the case, then truly, my faith may be dead. It was at this time that I do not believe that I had ever been so happy to know and have the belief that my errors and faults, no matter how great or small they may be, were all covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. I was so desolate of life, that I was really quite willing to hear anything which the Lord had to say, as long as it might quench my thirst and fill my emptiness.
It seemed like the Lord was using a tactic similar to a tactic that my dad used to use on us when he fixed supper. My dad was an excellent cook, but still, he would always wait until it was late before he served us supper, making sure that the food was the only thing on everyone's mind. He knew that even though his food that he had prepared for us was really good, it would always taste even better when it was served when we were hungry. Now here I was, all hungry and thirsty for life, and I knew that this was a meal that only the Lord could prepare and serve.
It was uncanny; for at least three weeks, every time I read the scriptures, even if I went to read somewhere like Exodus, somehow, without me ever being conscious as to how, I would always end back up at James 2:19; I found myself daily getting more frustrated and agitated with the Lord, feeling as though the Lord was somehow bringing me back to this scripture to make me miserable; but I knew not why. Here I was asking the Lord to show me the truth concerning the scriptures, desiring to know if I was understanding them correctly, and here was the Lord speaking to me daily, saying over and over to me, "Faith without works is death...Faith without works is dead...Faith without works is dead".
I was at my wits end when one morning, at the height of my frustration and confusion, I prayed saying, "Lord, I have done all of the works that I know how to do; the works that I feel should be accompanying my faith, and I still feel desolate of life. And besides that Lord, I now realize that I am not a smart man, for I cannot even discern between the works of the law, which puts a man under the curse, from those works which should accompany my faith. Lord, how will I know the difference between these two works if you do not show me?" No answer. Nothing. Nada. My frustration continued. I then prayed, "Lord, if you are willing, would you show me why you keep leading me to this same passage of scripture in James? For I perceive that there is something in this passage of scripture that you want me to see, but I am totally blind to see it; otherwise, why would you not keep leading me back to this same passage? It was just as Jesus said, "The light was shinning in the darkness, but the darkness could not comprehend it"; and my understanding of the darkness.
Later that same day, without realizing just how broken and contrite my heart had become, I went to pray, and before I even had a chance to say a word, the Lord spoke to me and said, "If I am not working in your faith then your faith is dead". My first response to this word was, "Did I really hear what I just thought I heard the Lord say?" During the previous weeks' I must have entertained several thousand different imaginations that were trying to correctly interpret what works should accompany my faith, but not one time had it even entered into my thoughts that it was the Lord’s works which should accompany my faith. This revelation concerning James 2:19 was so powerful to me that it completely stopped me dead cold in my tracks.
I then found that I was actually having a hard time even believing that what I had just heard was from the Lord because it was so contrary to everything that I had believed to that point; yet, I knew that it was surely the truth. The more I sat there considering James 2:20 and the word spoken to me by the Lord, the more I became astounded and amazed at what I had just heard. I then realized why I was feeling so empty and dead in my walk, because everything that I had been doing was only works be done by me, and that nothing I was doing was being done by the hand of the Lord. I then realized that my entire walk had been in error because of my misinterpretation of this “one” verse. Thanks be to God for his persistence in bringing this verse before me daily.
Suddenly, a flood of anxiety and fear swept over me as I considered the reality of this truth. Is this so? How could I be so blind? I then realized that I had just experienced for myself that which Jesus had spoken of, "Why do you not understand my speech? Is it not because you cannot hear my word?" Then the Sprit quickened to me that which was written in Isaiah 29:11 (NKJ) "The whole vision has become to you like a book that has been sealed, which one delivers to one who is literate saying, "Read this for me, please". And he says, "I cannot, for it is sealed" ...13 "Therefore the Lord said, "Inasmuch as these people draw near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but they have removed their hearts far from me; and their fear towards me is taught by the commandment of men. Therefore, behold, I will do a marvelous work among this people; a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of the wise shall perish and the understanding of the prudent shall be hidden. Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark! They say, "Who sees us?" and "Who knows us?" Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay?" "Turned around"? Upside down and inside out? This was exactly how I was feeling at this moment. Could this be? Could it be that the truth of all the scriptures are just as hidden from my eyes as James 2:19 was? At that moment in time, nothing could have turned stopped me so dead cold in my tracks as this word did. At that moment, I also knew one thing was for sure; and that was this understanding that had come to me concerning James 2:19, it did not come from any of the imaginations of my thoughts; for none of my imaginations had even come close to interpreting this word in this manner.
Then the Lord opened my eyes to see how this interpretation of James 2:20 could no nothing but allow for my heart draw closer to God. The more I sat there meditating on this word, the more I realized just how much my walk had been filled with vain and dead works because of my misunderstanding. I became fearful as I realized that the entire time that I had misunderstood, I felt so positive that I was doing that which is right in the sight of God. I was so confident that the Lord was pleased with those things which I was doing, thinking that I was really “in tight” with the Lord through my works. I then felt so ashamed before the Lord, like I had suddenly been stripped of all my righteous works, of my righteous name, of my righteous wisdom, and the pride of what I had done of myself; as well as all of my own understanding that I had been leaning on to be truth. But then the compassionate Lord, knowing that I was greatly troubled in my heart, spoke to me and said, "Mitt, do not be afraid of that which your eyes have seen, but remember this one thing, I am real good at raising the dead". Immediately, all of my anxieties and fears just melted away, and a peace and a calm that I had not experienced in a long time came upon me. I was out of that desolate and dry wasteland; and the presence of the Lord had returned to me.
Even though my fears and anxieties were gone, I still sat there stunned at the magnitude of my error, but thankful that the Lord had persisted on correcting me of my error. I felt so stupid for not being able to discern what the Lord was trying to show me. Surely it is true just as it is written in Job 33:14, "God speaks once, yea twice, (and in my case 20 times), but I did not perceive". This was all so new to me that the only thing that I knew to do was to pray and ask the Lord to prove for me that it was truly him that had just spoken to me. I asked, "Lord, this understanding of this word is so contrary to all that I have believed that I know that I am going to need your help in believing that this word was truly spoken to me from you. Would you prove to me that this is really you? Would you prove to me that it is your works that are to accompany my faith?"
Then the Lord said to me and said, "The books of the gospels, of whose works do they testify of? Was it not I that healed the sick? Was it not I that forgave sins? Was it not I that gave sight to the blind? Was it not I that raised the dead? Was it not I that cast out demons? Was it not also written of me that I opened the ears of my disciples so that they could understand the truth of the scriptures?" With much excitement, I then answered, "Yes, Lord, you did perform all of these works!" Then the Lord said, "After I performed anyone of these works, what would I always say to those who had come to me asking for help?" I then considered for only a moment before it suddenly came to me, and I answered saying, "Lord, I see, for after you performed anyone of these works, you would always say either, "Your faith has saved you"; or, "Your faith has made you whole"; or "Your faith has healed you". Now I see Lord. Now I believe this truth, that if my faith is not accompanied by your works, then my faith is dead. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer; thank you for making your words plain and clear for me to understand.
Then the Holy Spirit gave me another word to confirm this truth, with that which is written in I Corinthians 2:3 where Paul said, "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God". The Lord really opened my eyes to see that the faith that I had, that faith that stands in the wisdom of the carnal mind, it is that faith where man demonstrated his power, his works, his zeal, and his determination; it is this faith that produces nothing but self-righteousness, that way which seems right in his own eyes. How could the Lord demonstrate his power and his might any clearer than in the works that he performs for himself? I then understood that this faith was only new to me, for it has always been the faith that exists in the spiritual realm; the realm where the Lord, he is God, and he does all of the works, All of a sudden, I found myself becoming totally revived, excited and refreshed with the belief that the Lord was going to take over and do that which was impossible for me into do; change me into his divine nature of life. I could not believe how clear I could see, nor how foolish I was, having that faith which is of the carnal mind; for that faith totally denies Jesus Christ seeing that it only worked to produce my own works, my own righteousness, my own power and strength, and my own self-confidence; the same things that are produced by all of the false religions of the world vanity. I also saw that when this man stood in this faith, I saw no need to draw near to God, seeing that my faith called for me to do everything. What greater evidence could a man have that he was walking in the strait and narrow path with God than for him to have God doing for him things that were impossible for him to do? I then saw that the Lord destroyed my wisdom and brought my understanding to nothing by opening my eyes to see the foolishness of the faith I had that stood in my own wisdom.
I could not believe how much this new understanding immediately affected my entire walk, seeing scriptures that I had read for years in an entirely different light. For ignorance appeared as the darkness, and the darkness appeared as the light when I applied my own understanding to the scriptures, confirming that which is written, "Take heed that the light that is in you is not darkness for if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing as he ought to know". But now that the light had come, the scriptures then returned to being that fountain of life again. Many times I was scared to read the scriptures, being afraid that my carnal mind might find something to condemn me for or that I may interpret a word to be that God was in me to perform something that was impossible for me to perform, or that he might instruct me to that which I had no heart to perform. All of these things were suddenly gone. Instead, I now found myself with an entirely different focus, seeking to find what the scriptures might reveal as those works which the Lord desired to perform for me. Immediately I began to see verses that I had read, or had seen, or that I had heard preached many times, but I had never had ears to hear that these were truly works that the Lord desired to do for me. How can a man that is blind, having only eyes that are only able to see what is right according to his own wisdom, understand the truth of that which has been spoken?
Even though the Lord had said to be, "Do not be afraid" I was still afraid; How could I not be seeing that all of those things which I had put all of my confidence, my faith, my trust, and my belief in, suddenly perished before my eyes? But the Lord, knowing the trouble in my heart, again comforted me when he led me to read that which is written of apostles concerning the time they all got caught in that storm with Jesus. Each one of these men was afraid, thinking that he was surely soon to surely perish. But when they woke Jesus up, he said to them in Mark 4:40 "Why are you so fearful? Why is it that you have "no" faith?" Wow, I thought. Here were these chosen apostles, those who had heard all of the sermons that Jesus had preached, as well as having witnessed just about every miracle that Jesus had performed; and still, they had no faith, just like I was at that, moment. I then knew that having "no faith" was not going to stop Jesus from working in, my faith, seeing that these same disciples would have their faith greatly increased in due time.
Still, I continued asking the Lord to prove this truth of James 2:19 to me, until I had no doubts or unbelief in my heart. The more I as the Lord to prove this thing for me, the more he taught me, leading me to such verses as psalm 57:2 (NKJ) "I will cry out to God Most High who performs all things for me", and Job 23: "For he performs the thing that is appointed for me; and many such things are with him.". f God is going to perform "all things" for me, then that does not leave much work for me to do. Then the Lord opened my understanding to comprehend more clearly that which Paul spoke of in Romans 4:4 'Now to him that works is the reward reckoned of debt, and not grace. But to him who works not, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" “20 "Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that what God had promised, he was also able to perform". It was then that the Holy Spirit quickened to me that the promises that the Lord has given to his church; they are all those works which the Lord has promised to perform for us
It was then that I really began to perceive what John the Baptist meant when he said, "I must decrease so that he might increase". How could the Lord do any work in me if I was the one doing all of the work? How could one increase in spiritual understanding and spiritual wisdom unless he asked the Lord to first destroy his own wisdom and bring his own understanding to nothing? How could Jesus become the righteousness of life in those who lived their lives doing that which was right in their own eyes? I suppose I was like other men that I liked the idea of "increasing", but it was the "decreasing" that I was fearful of. But then the Lord opened my heart to see that no man has power to decrease himself, but that this was a work that the Lord would do if that man would just humble his heart and ask the Lord to perform that which his word testified that which he said that he would do; "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will bring the understanding of the prudent to nothing"; "I will destroy the house of the proud"; I will open the eyes of the blind"; "I will change your garments". Is it possible for a man to be carnally minded and to be spiritually minded; for how could a man be fearful, anxious, and worry and have peace of mind at the same time? I then understood that if I desired to have all of those spiritual blessings and gifts that the Lord has promised to his people, then it was going to first be necessary to prepare pare a place for those things; that is, take up my cross and die to those treasures that my carnal mind had esteemed; "self". But when I thought about what I was going to receive in exchange, it was a no brainer: "I must decrease in sin and death so that he might increase abundant life in me".
I then said, "Pinch me Lord, so I will know this is truth; for it seems so easy". Immediately the Lord quickened to me that which is written in Philippians 1:6, that which I had heard so many times before but was now seeing in that new light, the belief that the Lord was going to actually do it for me; "Be confident of this very thing, for he who has started a good work in you, he will finish it until the day of Jesus Christ". I then remembered that which the Lord had previously spoken to me, "I am meek and humble, and I will do nothing for you unless you ask; for I see your asking the evidence of the belief that you have in my word; and I see your faith as the evidence at you believe that it is I who will perform the promises of my words for you", say the Lord. "If you lack, it is only because you did not ask; for my eyes go to and fro through the earth, but I only stop for those who are asking for , says the Lord. "For those who need me. Then the Lord said, "Before I can work in your heart, I must first work in your belief and faith", says the Lord. "You must first believe my words, and you must also trust me that I will perform my words for you them in due time".
Then the Lord reminded again of that which was written in Romans 4:19 "Abraham was not weak in his faith, considering not his own body which was "dead", nor the "deadness" of Sarah's womb, for he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and was fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able also to perform" How ironic the Lord had just proved to me that I was dead because I was still carnally minded, and because I did not hav