ORACLES: Lesson 26

Perfume over funk never mix.

Never put perfume over an unwashed body and never layer characteristics of Christ over an unchanged heart. Funk always overpowers the perfume and carnality and Christ-likeness will always be significantly different. There is no camouflage! Whether you’re musty or sinful, both are easily detected. It’s just a matter of time. Obviously or subtly, both seep out without warning and without much effort at all. So, manage your hygiene, but even more, manage your heart. Ask God to create within you a clean heart and to lead you in the way everlasting.

None of us are perfect and because we are evolving and being perfected, there will be a day when the old man, the carnal nature, or the flesh, randomly makes an entrance without warning. Just when you think you’re embodying the Words of Christ, pride, jealousy, contention or some form of lust emerges. It’s a sign that you must still work out your salvation with fear and trembling. It doesn’t mean give up.

Work on your character, integrity, personality or interpersonal skills by submitting yourself to the written Word of God. In other words, do what you read. Work on the person God calls you to be so that you are more and more removed from the unrefined you. In Galatians 5:22 it’s called, the “Fruit of the Spirit”, and it’s opposite to the “works of the flesh”. Everyday you’ve got to make your “flesh” subject to the Spirit, otherwise, you risk being disingenuous and religious. It’s when you draw near with your mouth and honor God with your lips, but your heart is removed. (Isaiah 29:13)

In Christ, you are one or the other you can’t be both. James 3:10 says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” I like to say it this way, “don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth.” If you are a Christian, be one completely, and if you love the Lord, act like it.

Be hot or cold, lukewarm is unacceptable. (Revelations 3:14-16).