Can you "Activate" the Holy Spirit?

Recently on the game show Family Feud, something interesting and apparently spiritual occured. In the final round of the game a contestant was brought forward to do their best to score more points than their opponent, and they were down by a fair number of points. Before the contestant got ready to answer the final round of questions, she told the game's host, "Hold on," and then began singing an impromptu song. The lyrics; "Holy Spirit, Activate. Holy Spirit, Activate. Holy Spirit, Activate. Activate. Activate." After she sang her song, she went into the final round, and she won. In response to her singing, the game show host said, "In 11 years this has never happened before," and he makes a valid point. On many game shows people have prayed for a win or lifted up their hands and asked God for financial victory, but now someone in a mainstream game show has directly called on the Holy Spirit to "activate" His power for them.

This moment on mainstream TV raises some intriguing questions: Was this a good way to introduce mainstream audiences to the power of the Holy Spirit? Was this image of the Holy Spirit popular and flattering? Should people call on God in this way?

In taking a look at the second question; that little impromptu song was certainly popular. It became a major trend on the social media platform Tik Tok; with hundreds of people making videos featuring that song. The videos all fit a similar frame of someone dancing and singing along to the song, while above them is text describing a situation that can be considered unpleasant, tricky or controversial. Examples include, "All your roommates have guys over, and you just want to be loved, "When your kids are testing your inner gangsta but you swore on gentle parenting," and "When your husband gets mad about the pregnancy test you just bought even though he's half responsible." This popular trend went on for several months, and spawned the creation of several t-shirts, hoodies and stickers featuring those repetitive song lyrics. After a while the contestant who started this trend was so flattered by how her song was being used, that she introduced herself in a Tik Tok video as the "Holy Spirit Activate Girl." Certainly this song and how it was used by the world was seen as popular and flattering. Biblically speaking, though, something being popular has little to do with its alignment with God. Jesus says to His followers that they are in a dangerous situation when many people speak well of them and consider them popular, for that is how previous unbelievers treated the false prophets, (Luke 6:26).

Do not be mistaken. Simply because someone uses the name of the
Lord, does not mean that they are His child (Matthew 7:21-23).

What happened concerning this impromptu song was certainly popular and flattering for the world, but it was definitely not so for God and His children, those who believe in Him and have received Him (John 1:12). The origins of this song were founded on someone desiring the supernatural so they could receive money. Paul writes that those who seek God for money are "robbed of the truth and think that godliness is a means to financial gain," (1 Timothy 6:5). One's connection with God should never be used to gain earthly blessings. More so, one does not need to be a child of God in order to have such possessions. Jesus said that His Father, "causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous," (Matthew 5:45). Receiving a win on a game show is not a sign of Godliness. True Godliness is like that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Before these three men were to be killed by their king for not worshiping him and worshiping God alone, they said, "the God we serve is able to deliver us...But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up," (Daniel 3:17-18). These three brave children of God knew that to truly serve the Lord they would have to reject their king's favor. They rejected the wealth that would come with serving someone who has so much gold, he can make a whole statue of himself. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that a Child of God's true treasures are not anything they can receive from this earth. Jesus says in Matthew chapter 6 from verses 19 to 21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

For perspective on the true worth of treasures in Heaven, remember that they
come from a place where the lowly roads upon where all people walk
are made of the finest gold (Revelation 21:21). 

So, the game show contestant's intent behind calling for the Holy Spirit to "activate" was not founded on true Godliness, but does that mean that people should not call on the Holy Spirit in this way? 

God tells His children, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know," (Jeremiah 33:3). The Biblical context behind calling out to God, though, is not as the Tik Tok trend for the contestant's song implies (calling out for a quick burst of patience or for attention one believes they deserve). In the Bible those who call on the Lord are almost always calling on Him for rescue; from destruction, their enemies or death. Calling on God to rescue one from those situations requires great faith in God (certainly more faith than it takes to ask for power to win a game show). God ensures His people that He is worthy of their faith, when He says, "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me," (Psalm 50:14-15). The God of the Most High is indeed a God who keeps His promises (Lamentations 2:17), rescues His people (Psalm 35:10) and has made a way for all people to be saved through Him (Romans 5:17).

Waymaker, Miracle Worker

Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness

My God, that is who You are

- Michael W. Smith

With all of this in mind, it is now time to answer the first question this internet trend poses: Was this trendy moment a good way to introduce mainstream audiences to the power of the Holy Spirit?

No. 

What happened with this trend was nothing short of blasphemy. No one can call on God and make Him "activate" for them. To say that we can "activate" God's power implies that God's power is only active sometimes, but God's power in our lives is active at all times. God, Himself, says that without Him we can do absolutely nothing (John 15:5). We cannot eat, we cannot breathe and we cannot live (Isaiah 42:5). God holds the whole of creation together at all times (Colossians 1:17). He blesses those He wishes, according to His will and His desires alone (Psalm 115:3). He is not moved to bless people, simply by their showing of dance or singing unto His name. In fact, people who do these things showingly to God seeking His blessings aggravate the Lord. He says of these people in the first chapter of Isaiah from verse 12 to 15:

"When you come to appear before Me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of My courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide My eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!"

This is a stark reality indeed for those who are not God's children and yet come before Him, pray to Him and even offer things to Him (such as earthly popularity and a name drop on national television). Such people have not been washed clean by the power of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 1:16). The cleansing of our sins, the revealing of truth, and the bringing of life is truly the power of the Holy Spirit (John 6:63). This power could never be "activated" by anyone on earth, because it comes to us by God's love. No one could ever do anything to earn such a glorious gift (Ephesians 2:8). Those who say they could earn this gift, claim this power on their own accord, or sing such promises into existence by their own words commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

When anyone claims that the Holy Spirit follows their commands, even though we all are such wretched sinners (Romans 7:24), they claim that the Holy Spirit is following the ways and powers of those who are evil. When the Pharisees made such a claim to Jesus (saying that Jesus drove out demons by the power of God but was also in league with the devil), Jesus rebuked them and said what they said was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:24-32). Jesus says, "every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven," (Matthew 12:31). This perfectly aligns with God's holy commands that He gave to His people through Moses, when He says, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name," (Exodus 20:7). Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit and do not repent of this sin, shall never be forgiven. They will never be saved from sin and death.

What must sinful people like us do to be saved? We must be born again (John 3:3), but it is not possible for anyone to make themself a new creation. The answer to how we can be born again is revealed through what Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit," (John 3:5). This rebirth from death as a sinner to life as a child of God is the power of the Holy Spirit that exists in the lives of all who call upon the Lord, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” (Romans 10:13).

"You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God," (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• JustinPetersMinistries: Holy Spirit Activate
• OpenBibleInfo: Call Upon God
• Michael W. Smith: Waymaker
• WWUTT: Modern Worship

Psalm 63:1 (I Thirst for You, my God)

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God,

    earnestly I seek You;

I thirst for You,

    my whole being longs for You,

in a dry and parched land

    where there is no water.

Have you ever felt like the poet who wrote these words? Are you in a dry and weary land calling out to God, praying that He will fill you? What does it mean for someone to thirst for God, and what does it mean for someone to be satisfied in Him?

It is written that all people, whether believers or non-believers, have a longing for God (Ecclesiastes 3:11), but in Scripture it says that only believers earnestly seek God. Anyone who seeks God earnestly will always find Him (Jeremiah 29:13), and yet it is those who earnestly seek God who say they "thirst" for Him. Believers are the ones who cry out, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God," (Psalm 42:1).

This begs a question, though. Why is it that believers say that they are thirsting for the Lord? Did Jesus not say, "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life," (John 4:14)? It is assured that those who have been baptized by the Spirit and are believers (Matthew 3:11) are indeed filled with the living water that wells up to eternal life (1 Corinthians 12:13). This is not something only believers who lived after Christ knew, but a truth believers in the times of the Old Testament knew. The poet wrote of God, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows," (Psalm 23:5). The poet writes that he has been anointed by God (baptized by the Spirit), and says that because of this, his cup is filled and overflowing (like that of the eternally welling up water Jesus promises). 

You fill my cup up 'till it overflows

And it's the sweetest love that I've ever known

So pour it on me, all that I need, deep down in my soul

Fill my cup up 'til it overflows

-TobyMac

How then can the writer's of Scripture say that God has satisfied their thirst, and yet say they thirst for Him?

We can see this curious question demonstrated in the life of the prophet Elijah. He prophesied against an Israel that hardened its heart to God, and then he called upon God so that Israel would remember the God they serve and His mighty strength, and God answered him (1 Kings 18:37). It is after this triumph that the wicked queen of Israel, Jezebel, orders that Elijah be executed (1 Kings 19:2). We would expect that Elijah would now face Jezebel, and once again show that he serves a God who no one can oppose. Instead (and perhaps more honestly expected), "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life," (1 Kings 19:3). While running, this great prophet of God, who knows God's promises are always true, cries out "I have had enough, Lord,” and, “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors,” (1 Kings 19:4). At reading this we may expect that God would now abandon Elijah and leave him to die. Instead (and perhaps more honestly expected), God sends an angel to Elijah and the angel serves Elijah fresh baked bread and a whole jar of soothing water (1 Kings 19:5-6). After Elijah eats his fill and falls into a quiet rest, again the lord sends an angel to Elijah offering him good food and drink that fully strengthens him (1 Kings 19:7-8). Indeed, God sent this angel to attend to Elijah's physical needs (his thirst for water), but God was also reminding Elijah how He always fulfills Elijah's and our spiritual needs (our thirst for God).

Oftentimes, we as believers can become overwhelmed by our circumstances. We look at what is facing us, "a dry and parched land where there is no water" as the poet wrote, and it causes us to feel that we thirst for God, that our whole being longs for Him (Psalm 63:1). How quickly do we forget that God has given us a peace that surpasses anyone's understanding (Philippians 4:7)? How many times do we in our misperceptions quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)? Perhaps we take our eyes off of God, and begin to fear that we will sink and be consumed by the storms around us (Matthew 14:30). It is assured "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged," (Deuteronomy 31:8). Our sense of spiritual dehydration and fear is only a phantom pain of our past lives, before we were made alive as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yes, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty," (John 6:35). God will always satisfy our spiritual needs. He promises, "I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand," (Isaiah 41:10).

We may sometimes thirst for the Lord, and forget that He has already satisfied our thirst and will always satisfy. In these times we should strive to remember what the poet wrote in the rest of Psalm 63 from verses 2 to 5:

I have seen You in the sanctuary

    and beheld Your power and Your glory.

Because Your love is better than life,

    my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live,

    and in Your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

    with singing lips my mouth will praise You.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• TobyMac: Overflow
• OpenBibleInfo: Thirsting for God
• OpenBibleInfo: Filled with the Holy Spirit

What does Ebenezer Mean?

If you love Christmas stories, then you are likely familiar with Charles Dickens' squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner, Ebenezer Scrooge. This mean old meiser is the main character of the masterpiece known as A Christmas Carol (1843). It's a fictitious novella that on its own reads as a well written ghost story with a happy ending, but in combination with the spirit of Christmas and greater understanding of the book's symbolism and characters,  A Christmas Carol is a story about salvation, new life beyond the grave, good will  and the hope that one life can change for the better. That's a lot of great messages to gather from the story, but there's even more that can be gained from simply examining the main character's name. Though the last name "Scrooge" has little meaning beyond sounding cold and twisted, the first name "Ebenezer" has meaning and roots found in the Bible.

"Ebenezer" was not a name Dickens would have heard on the streets of 19th century London, but it is a title he might have heard in church. The word "Ebenezer" appears in 1 Samuel. In the days before David and even Saul ruled, the Israelites "had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit," (Judges 21:25). During this age, when Israel's own priests had blasphemed the Lord (1 Samuel 3:13), the Isrealites were enemies with the Philistines. One time "the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer," and the Philistines "deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines," (1 Samuel 4:1-2). The Israelites believed they lost that battle at Ebenezer, because God was not with them, so they went out to face the Philistines again at the same place (1 Samuel 4:3). This time they brought the Ark of the Covenant with them. The Ark was a beautiful hand carved golden box placed in the most holy place in the Tabernacle, and once a year the high priest would put the blood of a sacrifice on the lid of the Ark and ask God for forgiveness for all of Israel's sins (Exodus 25:22). The Israelites believed that if they took the Ark of the Covenant, God's physical dwelling place on earth, into battle then the Philistines would be crushed, but instead the Philistines defeated the Israelites, killed thousands of them and stole the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:10-11).

The Ark of the Covenant's lid was known as the Mercy Seat,
and this was where sacrifices to God for the forgiveness of
all of Israel's sins would be made (Exodus 25:17-22).

The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant from Ebenezer to their home in Ashdod, but God's power overwhelmed them, and after seven months the Philistines sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. After this, "all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord," and they assembled at Mizpah to fast before God and confess their sins (1 Samuel 7:2,5-6). The Ark of the Covenant was not with the Israelites at Mizpah. The Philistines, though, discovered the Israelites there, and they mounted up an army to attack them. The Israelites were scared, but instead of mounting up their own army, they went to their high priest Samuel and said to him "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that He may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines," (1 Samuel 7:8). The Isrealites prayed that God would be their salvation; that He would help protect them from their enemies. Then Samuel made a sacrifice to God for all of Israel and God answered Samuel's prayers (1 Samuel 7:9). The astonishing history of what happened next is revealed in the following text of 1 Samuel chapter 7 from verse 10 to 11:

While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

On that day the Isrealites were reminded of a truth David would one day
write down; that God is their salvation; their help in time of need (Psalm 27:1).

The Israelites were amazed at the supernatural victory the Lord had given them, and they did not lose a single man in battle. It was then that the high priest Samuel "took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us,'" (1 Samuel 7:12). The title "Ebenezer" literally translates to "stone of help." During this time period when a stone was placed somewhere specific, it was meant to serve as a reminder of something important. When the Isrealites saw Ebenezer they would be reminded of how God had helped them when they called on Him. Of course, the name "Ebenzer" would also remind them about their earlier battle against the Philistines, back when they had turned away from God, lost many lives and even their closest connection to the one true God. The stone of help would remind them how much they needed God's help.

The story of "Ebenezer" in 1 Samuel reminds readers of two moments in Israel's history, a time when Israel turned away from God and a time when they sought God above all things. One word, "Ebenezer", illustrates the wickedness of Israel and their salvation as well. This is the same with Charles Dickens' character Ebenezer Scrooge, whose name first evokes thoughts of a cold hearted man and then turns to thoughts of one described as the most kind hearted man to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. So, how does a whole nation of wicked misguided souls become a people crying out to God alone, and how does a greedy wretch become a merry old man? Neither can do it on their own. They need help.

Ebenezer Scrooge commits his life to honoring Christmas all year with all his heart,
and we can commit our lives to honor Christ's life, by crying out to God,
believing in Him and receiving His help; His salvation (John 1:12).

We all are like the nation of Israel or Scrooge, that we were once self obsessed sinners wandering in the dark to our certain demise. Yet, we have hope and a chance of leaving this darkness, for "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned," (Isaiah 9:2). Even though we cannot help ourselves, God has come to help all those in need (Romans 5:8). We were in need of help and rescue from our evil hearts, and for those who believe, God has heard their cries and has given them new hearts so that they may be free from their darkness (Ezekiel 36:26). God freely gives salvation for all those who believe in Him, so that may have a new life beyond the grave (John 3:16). For a world of sinners, Christ came to shed His blood as a sacrifice for forgiveness, and this sacrifice has ended the need for any more (Hebrews 10:15-18). God came down to earth to help those in need; to bring peace on earth and good will to all who seek Him (Luke 2:14). This is something we should always remember, and we do remember through the celebration of Christmas.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by thy help I’ve come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He to rescue me from danger,

Interposed his precious blood.

- Robert Robinson

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol (1843)
• London Guidedwalks: Why Choose the Name Ebenezer Scrooge
• Bible Gateway Dictionaries: Ebenezer
• Knowing Jesus: Verses about Ark of the Covenant
• Chris Tomlin: Come Thou Fount

Matthew 2:1-2 (Magi from the East followed a Star)

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”

Nativity displays primarily feature four main characters, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. Past these characters are three others who can be in the Nativity, near it or sometimes even far away to make a journey towards it. These characters are the three wisemen, or, as they are known in the Bible, the Magi. Not much is known about these Magi, but quite a great deal has been sung about them. So, what does the Bible say about the Magi?

First off, the Magi were not present at Jesus' birth on that first Christmas night. While the shepherds were hearing the voice of angels (Luke 2:8-14), and Mary and Joseph were laying the savior of the world in a bed of hay (Luke 2:7), the Magi were more than 800 miles away living comfortably in the kingdom of Persia. They lived in the kingdom that was once Babylon, which is where Daniel and his friends had all been sent into exile. While in exile, Daniel had risen through the ranks in king Nebuchadnezzar's court and he became one of the king's trusted seers and advisors. Daniel's job in Babylon was the same job that the Magi had in Persia. They were tasked with examining and interpreting dreams, along with various signs and wonders observed in the sky. One day the Magi discovered a wonderous star that demanded interpretation. This star was not like others, as it did not appear to move, and it seemed to rest over a specific spot on earth.

There have been many scientific theories as to what the star over Bethlehem
might have been, however none of them have yet to perfectly explain the Biblical celestial
sign that remained in the sky for a long time at a perfectly fixed point, despite the earth's rotation. 

The Magi, unlike Daniel and his friends, were not Jewish, and so they did not always interpret the stars according to what the Bible says. This wonderous star's mysterious sudden origins were so perplexing, though, that the Magi consulted the Jewish Scriptures; likely copies of the holy scrolls brought into their kingdom during Israel's exile. In those Scriptures the Magi found this written in what we now call the book of Micah chapter 5 verses 2 and 4:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for Me

    one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

    from ancient times.

He will stand and shepherd His flock

    in the strength of the Lord,

    in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.

And they will live securely, for then His greatness

    will reach to the ends of the earth.

From this verse, the Magi interpreted that in the far off nation of Israel in the lowly town of Bethlehem a great King who was equal to the God of the Jewish people would be born (This is what is meant by the words, "out of you will come for Me"). Though the Magi found no writings in the Jewish Scriptures saying this great King's birth would be marked by a star (because there are no verses in the Bible giving such specific prophecy), the Magi knew that the star had to relate to this great King's birth. Now, the Magi were not twisting Scripture to confirm their own findings; something we should avoid doing. What they were doing was interpreting their observable reality based on the reality written in Scripture; that this great King who is to come will be announced through signs and wonders (Isaiah 7:14). Certainly, the star they saw would apply as a sign and wonder. The Magi may have also been aware of a verse in Numbers that says, "A star will come out of Jacob," (24:17). Though this verse does not say the star is a visible sign in the sky, it does give the prophecy that a king will come from Israel, and so the Magi saw the star over Judea as a sign of this coming king.  In this way the Magi were practicing a Biblical principle of interpretation known as hermeneutics. Simply put, using hermeneutics is interpreting reality based on Scripture, and then interpreting Scripture that is unclear based on other Scripture that is very clear. This practice of the Magi is one we should all adopt.

Knowing the star they saw would show them the way to the newborn King, the Magi set off on a long journey across two vast deserts, two large rivers and a series of roads that measured out to be a little bit over 1,000 miles. (For perspective, a road trip across the continental United States is about 3,000 miles long.) They likely traveled on camelback in a caravan and had to stop and rest in many towns on their way to Bethlehem. Their whole trip may have taken four to six weeks, and that's only if their caravan didn't stop at many towns, which it likely did for supplies and picking up and dropping off travelers.

The Kingdom of Persia was located in modern day Iran,
and the town of Bethlehem was and still is in Israel. 

When the Magi finally made it to Bethlehem they were overjoyed, when they saw the star they were following resting directly above one house (Matthew 2:9-10). In Mary and Joseph's house at this time was not a newborn baby, but a young toddler between one and two years old (Matthew 2:16). When the Magi saw the child with His mother, they worshiped Him immediately. There is no other greater response to finding the King of all creation, than falling down and honoring Him for all He has done (Psalm 96:4-5). The Magi presented Jesus with three gifts: Gold appropriate for the King of King's glory (Isaiah 42:8), frankincense as an offering of priestly incense (Isaiah 9:6) and myrrh which is a resin used for preparing the dead for burial (Isaiah 53:10).

One king held the frankincense

One king held the myrrh

One king held the purest gold

And one king held the hope of the world

- Point of Grace

The Magi were the first Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to worship Jesus as their King, Lord and Savior. Jesus would say when He was older that He was sent in His life only to those in Israel (Matthew 15:24), and Paul would later write that the life of Christ "brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile," (Romans 1:16). We see this truth demonstrated clearly among the characters in the Nativity story. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds were Jewish and all of them were verbally told that Mary's child was their long awaited Savior and King. The Gentile Magi, though, were not told directly, but had to interpret the Scriptures and signs in their observable reality. While this may seem like God is being favortistic to the Jews over the Gentiles, it should be noted that God is not favortistic (Romans 2:11). There is a reason behind Jesus' choice to make Himself known to some people over others. Even if Jesus' actions were favortistic, then they could only be considered favoritism towards the Gentiles, especially the ones He never met. Jesus Himself says those who believe in Him and have never met Him in the flesh are considered far more blessed than those who did (John 20:29).

Only in God's Kingdom could people of differing upbringings,
homelands and understanding of God's Word be considered
all equals in the eyes of their King (Galatians 3:28).

We are like the Magi. We were not there when Jesus was born. We were not told of His birth in a vision or by angels. Instead, God has made Himself known to us through many signs of Christ's power and saving work. Because of this, we have all been tasked with choosing to believe and follow where these signs lead or to reject them and stay where we feel comfortable (Romans 1:20). Christ promises to make Himself known to anyone who seeks Him, for He says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart," (Jeremiah 29:13). Have you found the King of Kings, are you traveling the long road towards Him, or have you yet to look up and see the clear stars shining in the sky proclaiming His glory (Psalm 19:1)?

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Got Questions: Three Wisemen
• Got Questions: Hermeneutics
• Bible Ask: Magi
• Point of Grace: One King
• Desiring God: To the Jew First

Why do Commercials Market Self-Centeredness?

I'm a unique individual, and one of the ways God made me unique is that I like watching commercials. I've noticed a bit of a trend lately in commercials and how they appear to be marketing self-centeredness. I recently saw an ad for google shopping where a woman buys a nice sweater for her friend, but then keeps it for herself and instead buys last minute scented candles for her friend. I saw another google ad for a camera that can erase people from photos, which was shown by removing a couple's marriage proposal from a photo for the sake of making someone's trick on a skateboard look better (I'm certain, though, that an engagement is more important than a kick-flip). I've also seen Dell put out a whole advertising campaign for the year and the tagline is, "Expand your Youniverse," (as in a whole reality made up entirely of you). I'd like to say I'm surprised by all this self-centeredness I'm seeing, but I can't say that. I know the culture in which I live is obsessed with self-centeredness in much the same way I too am obsessed with myself.

Self-centeredness makes us block out seeing anyone else, but God's word
says Christians should honor one another above ourselves (Romans 12:10).

Self-centeredness is most likely the one sin everyone commits everyday on a regular basis. There are no definitive Bible verses to prove this, but there has been much scholarly study that confirms this. Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century theologian who identified the seven deadly vices (anti-virtues), is most attributed to saying, "Pride (self-centeredness) is the root of all other sins." When we want to put ourselves first, we will do anything it takes to keep ourselves above others; we'll lie, steal, dishonor our parents and even break all of the other ten commandments (Exodus 20). Adam and Eve were self-centered, when they committed the first sin by disobeying God's command just for what they believed was personal gain (Genesis 3). This destructive self-centeredness didn't fizzle out after Adam and Eve. It spread throughout history all the way to the New Testament and beyond into our present. James wrote "where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice," (James 3:16). Well, here in the world we have loads of self-centered people, and if we look hard enough in our history we could certainly find instances of every possible evil practice.

Sometimes we, as human beings, can be so self-centered we don't even notice it. Consider this: I started every sentence in the first paragraph with "I". It's possible you didn't even notice, but it's also possible that you did notice but it didn't seem like a big deal. Some of you might have even thought, "What's so bad about someone talking about themselves over and over again? I do it all the time." If that's the case, then we've got to look at how bad self-centeredness is and what God thinks of it.

In present day America many groups embrace "pride", but
Christians should see that any movement with pride as its main
motivator is going to lead to only destruction (Galatians 6:14). 

Jesus says that the greatest commandment is that we should love Him with all of our being (Mark 12:30), but we can't do that, if we are being self-centered. When we, as human beings, act self-centered we cause fights and quarrels among ourselves, and we covet and even kill for our own selfish gain (James 4:1-2). It is written, "Pride goes before destruction," (Proverbs 16:18), so every instance of man-made destruction of which we can think was caused by someone's self-centeredness. Being self-centered is so dangerous that Paul writes in no vague terms, "Do nothing [absolutely nothing] out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," (Philippians 2:3). We need to run away from our natural self-centeredness and fully embrace humility, for God opposes the self-centered, "but shows favor to the humble," (Proverbs 3:34). If we truly want what is best for ourselves, then we will lay down our pride to follow God above our own desires, for it is written, "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life," (Proverbs 22:4).

Yes, commercials play to our natural self-centeredness, but Christians shouldn't find anything appealing about these advertisements. It's not good for someone to keep a gift intended for someone else for themselves, it's not attractive to think doing something to impress your friends is more important than someone loving another, and it would be the worst thing ever to truly live in a "Youniverse". The next time you see self-centeredness being applauded in an advertisement or maybe even being exhibited by you, it would be wise to think of that self-centeredness as nothing but destructive. Being proud is nothing to celebrate, and the Bible shows that anyone who is self-centered will not be honored by God (Matthew 23:12). If we truly saw how despicable our pride and selfishness really is, then I'm sure we'd have no problem obeying Jesus when He says, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me," (Matthew 16:24).

So long, self

Don't take this wrong 

but you are wrong for me, farewell

Oh well, goodbye, don't cry

So long, self

- MercyMe

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• OpenBibleInfo: Self-Centeredness
• OpenBibleInfo: Humility
• Britannica: Seven Deadly Vices
• MercyMe: So Long Self