What is your “I will”?
There are five recorded “I wills” of Satan. Satan said in his heart: 1) I will ascend into Heaven, 2) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, 3) I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, 4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, 5) I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-15) It is interesting to note that Satan was punished and thrown out of heaven, not for what he did, but for what was in his heart to do. He said, “I will”. Be warned friend. The words and meditation of your heart is of the utmost concern. God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the elders of His people Israel:
““Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?”
Ezekiel 14:3 NKJV
It does not matter what others see you do on the outside, if your heart doesn’t match up. Listen to how people speak. Listen to what they say. Listen to whom they give honor. One of today’s biggest idols is self, and humanity. Whom do you honor? Is it yourself or the Most High? I pay close attention to how people talk and many in the professing church have their language that of their enemy, “I will ascend”.
This is a sign of the end times that there would be many professing Christians who are lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. Many use terms like, “Look what I have done”, as opposed to “Look what the Lord has done”. To whom do you give honor? To yourself or to the Lord?
Even Jesus, God in the flesh, told others, “Do not call Me good. Give glory to God”. But when you do things to be seen of men and receive honor from men, and brag about what you have done; be warned. God will not share His glory with another. “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)
Jesus says you cannot have true saving faith when you seek honor for yourself. This is a trait of the enemy. I don’t care how many good works you have done, Israel looked good on the outside as well. Many will say, “Lord Lord, we did all these things in Your name!” And He will say, “Depart from me, you who work in lawlessness. I never knew you”. When I get lifted up, I am reminded of the Almighty’s words to Job, “Where were you when I created the foundation of the world?” Answer Him if you can.
James tells us what our “I will” should be.
“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”
James 4:15-16 NKJV
My “I will” should always include an asterisk, “if the Lord wills”. What is in your heart? Is it truly to honor the Lord and Him alone? Or do you seek honor from men? One day our hearts will be laid bare for all to see and your true desires will be exposed. Please don’t lie to yourself and say, “it is in my heart to honor Him alone”, when your mouth speaks otherwise. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. With your lips you honor God, but your heart is to honor yourself. All such boasting is evil. Take a cue from our Lord and only Redeemer, “Let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless; Your will be done”. What is your “I will”?
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