In the Bible there are “little” words that we oftentimes read past. And. But. If. Or. Much more. Wherefore. Therefore. We.
It is often in these seemingly insignificant words, and the context in which they are found, that the nuisances of truth that lead to spiritual maturity are found. We must train ourselves to see these words. This is also true for another “little” word.
Let.
We use this word every day but I’m not sure we understand and appreciate how truly significant it is. “Let” is a transitive verb — a verb that’s relationship oriented — and needs a direct object for its actions. The actions we’re going to focus on are actions that cause our hearts to beat in sync with God’s heart.
You see, God “lets” — He chooses to allow — our “lets” to stand. He will not go against them. God is not going to force us to agree with Him. That’s not His way. We must make a deliberate choice to agree with God and that’s done primarily by agreeing with what the Bible says.
I’m not going to spend a lot of time on this but God’s “letting” — His giving us the freedom to make our own choices — goes back to the relationship He established with us in Genesis 1:26-28.
(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish (fill) the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Now turn with me to Proverbs 3. We’re going to read verse 1. “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments.”
A number of years ago I was reading this verse and it seemed as if the word “let” was illuminated, like a light was shining on it. As I began to pray in tongues and read and re-read the verse the Lord explained to me why He brought “let” to my attention.
“Let” is a little word that carries a lot of weight in the realm of the spirit. It will determine how much of My desires get fulfilled in your life. More important, it will determine where you spend eternity. How much you “let” Me also determines your rewards in heaven. The more you “let” My desires (My heart) become your desires (your heart) the more I will be able to flow through you and accomplish My will in your life.
But when your “let” becomes a “no” to Me, it closes the door to everything I desire for you and everything I have for you. When your “let” becomes a “no” to Me, at that moment, you forfeit your kingdom authority.
“Let” is a simple word, ladies and gentlemen but oh the power it contains! I want you to think about this. When we “let” we are deciding to allow something to happen. When we don’t “let” we are deciding not to allow something to happen. Are you with me?
Today, we’re going to identify scriptures that show us how we can “let” our way into thinking, loving and living like Jesus — “letting” our way into becoming 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [now here is what ‘letting’ accomplishes] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Now I want you to keep this in mind: “Let” is a word that says we, not God, have the final say in determining how much our hearts beat in sync with God’s heart. We have choose God’s heart ladies and gentlemen. Gaining His heart, His perspective, is not automatic when we get born again.
The message today is “scripture heavy”. There are many, many verses in scripture that deal with our “letting” God or “not letting” God when it comes to how we live. After we’re done, I encourage you to go back and read each of these verses in their contexts and let Holy Spirit teach you more about what each “let” means. Shall we begin? ?
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our lives, ladies and gentlemen, will either glory God or bring shame to Him. Think about that for a moment because those are our only choices. Now I don’t want to see a show of hands but based on how you are living right now, would people say you are a Christian?
Luke 9:23 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
John 14:1 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Now turn to John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
When circumstances or situations can cause our hearts to be troubled or fearful, it’s because we have taken our eyes off of Jesus. Let’s be honest: our hearts get troubled and fearful because we really don’t believe that Jesus really left us his peace, a peace that cannot, cannot, cannot be gained in the natural world. It’s a peace that overrides the natural!
The peace Jesus has given to us is part of our born again nature. Jesus didn’t tell us that we had to do something to acquire this peace. He said the only thing we had to do was “let” it happen! Praise God! Some of us need to get out of the way so the peace can come!
Romans 6:12 – Let not sin therefore reign (live and rule as a king) in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Galatians 6:9-10 – And let us not be weary in well doing (give up, lose hope, stop fighting): for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
One of the toughest things in our lives sometimes is waiting for answers to prayer. It seems like the wait is s-o-o-o-o long. But the Bible says that if we preserve, if we don’t give up, if we don’t lose hope, if we continue to speak what the Bible says about our situation, we will receive the answer! That’s a promise ladies and gentlemen. We will receive answer!
Ephesians 4:25 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Ephesians 4:26 – Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, (Why?) that he may have to give to him that needeth.
What Paul is talking about here is not about a person actually going out and stealing. He’s talking about a person is physically able to go out and get a job but is sitting at home with his wife and kids and receiving assistance from the church. Paul says the man is a lazy bum and he is stealing. Paul doesn’t mince words here folks. The man is stealing and he’s also living in sin. He needs to get a job so he can support his family and help those who truly need financial assistance.
Look at verse 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth (Don’t say or do anything that disagrees with the Bible.), but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Look at verse 29. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice (with all the other acts of wickedness).
The things that Paul says here are not part of your new nature. Your born again spirit cannot produce these behaviors. They are the results of a mind that has not submitted to what the Bible says. The Bible says we have put them away. We have to kick them to the curb.
Ephesians 5:3 – But fornication (all sexual immorality), and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
Philippians 1:27 – Only let your conversation (how you live) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
This is Matthew 5:16 stated in a different way. Our “shining” lights, our lives, should be the gospel of Christ “in action”.
Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in loneliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Each time I read this verse, I think about Cain’s response to God after he kills Abel: “Am I my brother’s keeper”? Sounds like this is exactly what this verse is saying doesn’t it? Remember what we read earlier in Galatians about doing good to everyone but especially to those of the household of faith?
Ladies and gentlemen, this is exactly what Jesus did for us. He esteemed us, those who would accept him as lord and savior, as better than himself. That’s why he willingly went to the cross for us! Praise God!
Philippians 4:6 – Be careful (don’t fret or be anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Doesn’t this sound a little bit like “Let not your heart be troubled” in John 14?
Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of God rule in your hearts (govern how you respond), to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.
Verse 16. Let the word of Christ dwell (makes its home) in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
The only way your speech is going to be with grace is if your speech comes from a place where the word of Christ has made a home in your life. When that happens, your words will be seasoned - appropriate for the situation.
2 Timothy 2:19 – Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (immoral ways of living).
Have you noticed a trend here? Many of the verses we’ve read deals with our no longer letting immoral ways be a part of who we are. Immorality is not part of our new nature. Immortality is a part of our old way of living and it’s a way of living that the world loves and promotes.
There’s a new program that will premier on one of the TV stations called “Temptation Island”. Four un-married couples agree to go to a resort where their relationship will be tested. That is the world ladies and gentlemen. People who are already living in sin and putting themselves in a position to be tempted to sin. I can tell you what’s going to happen but I don’t have to. It’s a no brained. They are going to give in to the temptation. Why? They are already living in sin.
Hebrews 4:14 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For many in the Body of Christ, this is a challenge. First, many are not truly sure what they believe. Second, there is so much pressure to give in to the way the world thinks. If you disagree with the world you’re labeled a hater, someone who discriminates, someone who is intolerant. And so many in Christians are so soft on what they believe that they go with the crowd. Breaks my heart.
I love this next verse. What a promise! Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compasses about with so great a cloud of witnesses (the people in Hebrews 11 whose lives were examples of faith), let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
One way to think about the weight and the sin – they are those things that distract us from “running our race”. For example my “race” is that of a teacher. What can a sin that besets me and distracts me? Pride. When you have a “voice” in the Body of Christ, the enemy of soul will do everything he can to get you into the area of pride.
Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
James 1:5 and 6 are very familiar verses. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with he wind and tossed.
In the context of this verse James is talking about the person who going through a trial, who is being tempted. He says if you need wisdom on how to deal with the situation ask your Heavenly Father. He’s be glad to help. In fact, I’d say He’d be thrilled, ecstatic because you loved Him enough not to try and figure it out on your own.
But there’s a catch ladies and gentlemen. When you ask you must believe – have faith – that what your Father says is what you need to hear. Don’t go to your Father if you are not willing to do what He says. James adds this in verse 7: “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
James 1:13 – Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
What this verse is not saying: “God will never test us.” He does test us. What the verse is saying: “God will not test us through mishaps, or illness.” The verse is clear ladies and gentlemen. I like the way the Amplified Bible renders this verse: “Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.”
So the next time someone says that God uses a sickness to teach me to trust Him, that is simply not true and it’s a lie from the pit of hell.
Look at verse 19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
I smile each time I read this verse. Obviously there were people who were slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to wrath! So James has to let them know that spiritually, you are way off base because this is not who you are.
James 5:12 – But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Ladies and gentlemen, as the old folks used to say, our word should be just as good as a hand shake. If you say you’re going to do something, the Bible says you are committing yourself to do it. Too many of us agree to do something then try to find a way to wiggle out of it. Remember the verses we’ve read before about our lives should be a shining example of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
We must keep our words. We must be honest. And parents, when you tell your child “no” don’t go back and change it to a “yes”. You are teaching your child that you don’t mean what you say. You are teaching them to be just like you. You need to be a reflection of Jesus and teach them to be like Him!
I Peter 3:10, 11 – For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensure it.
The primary focus of this verse is speaking the truth of scripture. Whenever we speak anything other than truth, the Bible says it is evil and it does not reflect the gospel of Jesus Christ. See how we keep coming back to that?
But this same truth, ladies and gentlemen, is applicable in what we’re seeing today in our country. Among those who profess to be Christians, there seems to be less and less civility, especially when it comes to our speech, our conversations, about things related to politics, social issues, etc.
We are not seeing Galatians 6:10 operating as it should in the Body of Christ today. “As we have therefore opportunity (and we always have opportunity!), let us do good unto all men (whether they are believers or non-believers), especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
I John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
It’s not enough to tell someone you love them. The Bible says we are “let” our love be demonstrated by our actions. And the love John is talking about his not an emotional type of love. He’s talking about letting the love that God has placed in your new nature come out and touch the lives of people. After all, isn’t that why we’re here? Aren’t we here to be a shining light that reflects the gospel of Christ?
I John 4:7 – Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Sadly, these two verses show just how far we’ve strayed away from the Bible. Much of our focus to day is on us.
Psalm 71:8 – Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.
Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits our praises. So don’t you think it would be good idea to let praise and worship flow freely from your lips? Think about it. Every time you praise God, He pulls up a chair and is in your midst! Every time! Oh, I feel some praise coming on people!
Speaking of shouting out praise, look at Psalm 95:1 and 2. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
Psalm 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
This is such a powerful verse that’s dripping with love. When Jesus redeemed us, He had to buy us and the only price that would make the purchase final was his life. He loved us so much that He willingly redeemed us with His life. I am redeemed!
Proverbs 3:3 - Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Where is mercy and truth found? It’s found in God’s Word. And we are supposed to bind them around our necks to remind us of them and, even more, we are to write them on our hearts. If mercy and truth are not always before us, we will never live like they are. Do you follow me? Mercy and truth must be our standard. In other words, the Bible must be our standard.
Proverbs 4:4 – He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words, keep my commandments, and live.
This is Proverbs 3:3 said in a different way.
Go down to verse 13. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Jump down to verses 20 and 21. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Proverbs 23:26 – My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Based on these four verses in Proverbs, how important would say the Word of God is to the blood bought believer?
Proverbs 24:17 – Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.
“What goes around comes around?” Have you ever have heard someone say this after something bad happens to mean, in that person’s mind, that the other person received what he deserved? Now, I ask you, is that person’s heart beating in sync with God’s heart? The same thing goes when we say “That’s karma.” What devilish doctrine – both of them.
Now I’m going to give you several verses for this next one but we’re not going to read them today. But I highly encourage you to take the time to read them in context when you get home. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23, 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22, 13:9)
Ladies and gentlemen, in 2019 we have an opportunity to love our Father when we “let” – when we allow His will to become our will. I encourage you to become these verses. I also encourage you to always, always, always give our Heavenly Father free reign in your life by letting Him have His way. He wants to bless you. But most important, He wants to bless others through you!
Happy New Year dearly beloved of God!
