EYE-POO PART II

ok, so i've been asked to clarify my Tozer quote from last sunday. so here's my take on things (and i hope it's correct!)...

1. Deal thoroughly with sin.
i think this one's pretty self-explanatory. if we leave any hint of sin lurking around, it'll get in the way between us and God (and probably affect our relationships with others as well) (Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 32).

2. Never own anything - get rid of the sense of possessing.
the idea here, i think, is not about not buying anything or having nothing to your name. i don't think Tozer is telling us to live our lives renting and borrowing from people. the point is more about seeing everything we have as belonging to God. it's about living life with an open hand - His to give, His to take away (Job 1:21).

3. Never defend yourself.
again, this one isn't about literally letting someone hurt you. the motivation here is to allow God to bring about justice rather than take it into our own hands. Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[12:19 Deut. 32:35] says the Lord.'" so it's not so much about physical defense as defending our reputation or pride.

4. Never pass anything on about anybody else that will hurt them.
'cuz that would be gossip. and "gossip separates close friends" (Proverbs 16:28)

5.Never accept any glory.
glory belongs to God alone because without Him we wouldn't be where we are. Revelations 4:11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

i hope that's helpful. there are probably other explanations, but that's how i see it.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
~Colossians 3:16~