"LOOKING TO JESUS!"

Hebrews 12:1-6                  (ESV)
"1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 "LOOKING TO JESUS", the FOUNDER and PERFECTER of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."



This morning I was exposed to a video of a man giving a testimony about the book of Proverbs and how there are seven sins GOD considers an abomination (Proverbs 6).  Then he spoke of another verse later in Proverbs (Proverbs 26) where it says that ALL SEVEN sins are in the heart of a GOSSIP!  ALL SEVEN sins are counted against the person who spreads GOSSIP!

So how do we assure that GOSSIP doesn't enter into our conversation?  Sharing your opinion on a subject is a way you can show how much GOD has blessed you with wisdom and intellect!   But the enemy is "more crafty than any other" (Genesis 3:1)!  The trickery and deceit the enemy uses to turn our words into things they were never intended for is uncanny.  One of the best ways of avoiding the pitfalls of the devil is by "LOOKING TO JESUS"!

The writer of Hebrews says in verse 6 "My son, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, nor be weary when reproved by HIM".  I am CONVICTED this morning to keep my conversation focused on the things of The LORD.  HE has already defeated death, hell, and the grave and HE has not lost any power!  All of the evil in this world today is brought about because believers do not understand who we are and what has been done for us!  The enemy tries to keep our focus on ANYTHING other than JESUS and the victory we have in HIM!

Philippians 4:8 says "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  If I have my mind focused on "LOOKING TO JESUS" and the characteristics of Philippians 4:8, the enemy will not have a place to exist in my thoughts for GOSSIP to sprout!  My prayer is I keep my life "LOOKING TO JESUS"!!