About the Podcast
In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss how to overcome drowning out God's voice with self-righteousness. They use the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9-14 to illustrate the dangers of pride and self-sufficiency. They emphasize the importance of humility, focusing on Christ, and staying grounded in scripture to maintain a right relationship with God.
Key Takeaways
- (00:58) Pride Prevents Hearing God: Pride is identified as the primary obstacle to hearing God's voice, leading to self-righteousness. Even Christians can fall into the trap of taking credit for things that are ultimately God's work. Self-sufficiency, thinking we have everything figured out, causes us to rely on our own efforts instead of God's mercy.
- (06:51) Works Do Not Equal Righteousness: The Pharisee's boasting about fasting and tithing highlights the misconception that works make us righteous. Righteousness comes from Jesus Christ, not from our own efforts. Jesus came to show that while the law reveals God's character, it cannot be perfectly obeyed, and righteousness is a gift from God through faith.
- (13:59) Humility and Focus on God: Overcoming self-righteousness requires humility and shifting the focus from ourselves to God. Like the tax collector, we should acknowledge our sinfulness and rely on God's mercy. Jesus said that apart from Him, we can do nothing, so maintaining humility involves recognizing our dependence on God.
- (16:51) Staying Grounded in Scripture: Studying scripture is essential for hearing God's voice and maintaining humility. While reading the Bible is important, it should be done with spiritual discernment and a focus on retaining and applying the information. Overstudying without retention or failing to implement the teachings in daily life can be counterproductive.
- (22:05) Prayer and Listening: Prayer and listening are crucial for hearing God's voice. While God can speak audibly, He typically speaks through scripture, aligning our thoughts with His word. Seeking accountability from others can also help us stay focused on God and avoid self-righteousness.
- (27:48) Love and Humility: Love for others, exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice, helps us maintain humility. Jesus gave up everything for us, and remembering this should inspire us to be humble and recognize that everything we are able to do is because of Him. We should ask God to be merciful to us, acknowledging that we don't deserve His grace.
- (32:02) Final Thoughts: Dependence on Christ: Final thoughts emphasize that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and should love our neighbors. Remembering that apart from Christ, we can do nothing helps us lean on God for everything and hear His voice more clearly. The Holy Spirit compels us to do things that align with the word of God.
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FTKFWFZEZA0ESE1P
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