Do Not Be Deceived - Day 5

Day 5: Get Your Own Oil

Devotional

In the parable of the Ten Virgins, all ten were waiting for the bridegroom and all ten had a lamp. Pastor John pointed out that the lamp represents the Word, because the Psalms call God's word a lamp. So all ten had the word. But only five had oil, and oil represents the Holy Spirit.

When the foolish five realized they had no oil, they asked the wise five to give them some. The answer was that they couldn't. You have to go buy it for yourself.

There are too many people trying to get the Spirit from other people. They have the word and they can quote it, but there is no substitute for spending time with God, sitting with the Word open and saying, Lord, speak to me. Not to my neighbor. To me.

That is also how the Word gets from our ears into our lives. James says that hearing without doing is a way of deceiving ourselves. You want a word for your family? Get a word from God for you. You want to be the best employee on your job? Live the word. When you get angry, calm yourself. When you get jealous, back off. Be kind.

It is easy to live on a derivative of the Word of God, where so-and-so said this and so-and-so said that. Go dig in today, and find out what God is saying to you.

Bible Verse

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22 (King James Version (KJV))

Reflection Question

When you open your Bible, are you more often looking for a word for someone else or asking God to speak to you?

Quote

"There are some things in this relationship you've got to pay for. You gotta make your own." - Pastor John Pool

Prayer

Lord, speak to me. Not to the person next to me, but to me. Fill me with Your Spirit, and help me live what I have heard from You today. Amen.