BEHOLDING HIS HOLINESS

MEMORISE: 'In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.' (Prov 10:19)
READ: Isaiah 6:1-8

When you enter God's presence, you are most likely to see and experience certain things. The first thing you see God clothed in his glory. As you become adjusted to his tremendous glory, you will see God's holiness. God is a holy God. In most people, in spite of their devotion, there will still be some meansure of imperfection. James 1:17 says with God there is no shadow of turning.

Isaiah saw the Lord: immediately his view changed. He cried out: 'woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.' He said he had unclean lips, not hands or heart. What does this show? This simply reveals that our lips are at the centre of most evil things we do. For instance, there is hardly anyone who has never lied. Numbers 23:19 says: 'God is not a man, that he should lie…' This implies that men are liars. Even Isaiah admitted being guilty of lying. If a prophet lies, who then is without guilt?

When your lies are detected, you feel terribly embarrassed and ashamed. When a liar enters God's presence and God shows him his lies, he will feel terrible. 'woe' means trouble. Thank God he is very patient, or else most church pews today would be totally empty. This is exemplified in the of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:5-1-11. God will not tolerate lies or exaggerations. In 1 Samuel 15:1-23, God did not toterate the excuse king Saul gave for disobedience. This has to do with his holiness.

As long as your lips are unclean, your prayers will most likely not be answered. Prayers cannot go through filthy lips to a holy God. The moments you get to a point where you cannot tell a lie, you will suddenly discover that you have stopped sinning. Proverbs 10:19 says: 'In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.' In the same vein, Janmes 3:2 says a man who does not offend I words is a perfect man and he will also be able to control his whole body. Where do you stand? Do you still engage in lies? Do you still let your mouth sin? Ask God to give you grace to permanently overcome the sins of the tongue.

ACTION POINT
Allow God to bring you into his holy presence and to reveal any sin
In your life, helping you to see yourself the way he sees you.