Stroked Stroked, what a strange word to wake up to, the kind of word that you think you didn’t catch correctly the first time around, so you ask God to repeat the word. Stroked Rubbed gently with the hand. Sort of the motion one uses to pat a pet, showing them you care about them. This word actually has nothing to do with the rest of this teaching as it stands in meaning, but everything to do with this teaching in whole. Put the word stroked together with the word egotism, and therein lies the message. Egotism Primarily, the practice of too frequently using the word I. Hence, a speaking or writing much of ones self; self-praise; self-commendation; the act or practice of magnifying ones self, or making ones self of importance. A deplorable egotism of character. The body of Christ today, has too many egotists in it; we all know them, people who are so self-oriented and so self-involved that they are clueless to the needs of others. Egotist One who repeats the word I very often in conversation or writing; one who speaks much of himself, or magnifies his own achievements; one who makes himself the hero of every tale. We have seen them, we have heard them, we even see them when they make stupid declarations of their importance to anyone they come in contact with. These same people are in need of a constant ego-stroke, otherwise they become brutal towards others leaving them feel small in their wake. The Word of God tells us; Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. There is nothing in this scripture that tells us to stroke our egos, nor is there anything here to indicate our own self-importance, above another. This scripture tells us we don’t need to have our ego’s stroked, but we are to rather care more about the well-being of others, long before ourselves. 1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And be at peace among yourselves. This goes right along with the scriptures that precede 1Th 5:13; 1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; Esteem 1. To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value. 2. To prize; to set a high value on; to regard with reverence, respect or friendship. When our minds are not biased, we always esteem the industrious, the generous, the brave, the virtuous, and the learned. 3. To hold in opinion; to repute; to think. 4. To compare in value; to estimate by proportion. [Little used.] ESTEEM, n. Estimation; opinion or judgment of merit or demerit. This man is of no worth in my esteem. 1. High value or estimation; great regard; favorable opinion, founded on supposed worth. To esteem has nothing to do with blowing smoke up someone’s over-educated blessed assurance! Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Edify 1. To build, in a literal sense. [Not now used.] 2. To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally,and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness. 3. To teach or persuade. [Not used.] There are far too many out there who think they’re all that and a bag of chips in God’s house and some who think so highly of themselves, they grab up titles as if they were precious jewels. People have taken on titles, yet know little or nothing of God’s Word and were never ordained by God, for any title. God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts, so He alone knows our true value, and whether or not we should have a title. That’s not the end of this though, too many people need to constantly have their egos stroked, but stroking isn’t God’s Word based. When we consider others better than ourselves, we remain humble before God and the same is true about esteeming and edifying. Those who remain humble in God’s eyes, are those who seek God constantly, wanting with everything inside them to have God pleased with them, never worrying about what man thinks. These same people don’t go around verbally or emotionally attempting to beat people up, or demanding some unwarranted respect, from those they consider being lesser in value. Humble people are generally the first to help, the last to seek praise, and have a well rooted and growing understanding of who God is. These same humble people, are the ones who take time to read and study God’s Word, doing all they can to become as intimate with Christ and our heavenly Father as is possible. Though it’s highly unlikely that those who need to be stroked will read this, or even consider the value of this message, if just one does and takes it to heart, they may actually repent and get saved. This is something we who know or desire to know the Lord with all intimate value, should pray for. Some of you may wonder how will they know and hear; the answer is simple, preach the gospel of good news to them. We must have the truth of God’s Word in us in order to do this with an authoritative nature. If these who need to be stroked hear the truth of the gospel enough, they just might repent, and if we are Spirit filled, hearing from God, then the words we speak will be His directly and will address the problem appropriately and righteously. Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; If all these people who need to be stroked don’t understand, then maybe they will understand this; 1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. See, it comes down to something very simple, the fruit of a true Christian is that they love, even if it’s tough love, even if it’s hard love, they love for the sake and salvation of the soul. If they don’t know God, then do you suppose God as the Word doesn’t know them? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. God’s message to all has been a continual repent and be saved, in all His warnings and I’m pretty sure that God is not wasting His breath or time on those He already knows, will never change. There is still hope though for those who take heed and repent of their wicked ways, and finally turn to God, Amen! Now let us all seek all of God with all that we are!!!
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:21:28 +0000
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