This week there’s been a lot of controversy over VP Harris allegedly denying Jesus during one of her recent rallies. I have listened to the clip online numerous times and don’t hear anyone mentioning Jesus or God.
I only hear somebody mumbling or yelling in the background and their words are inaudible. I hear VP Harris saying people at the wrong event, but that is a political statement, not a spiritual one. However, there is a spiritual lesson to be practiced here for God’s people.
- Don’t lie
- Love others
- Forgive others
- Be humble
When God’s people disobey God and do the opposite of what we are commanded to do, we aren’t just being anti-Christian, we are being selfish. Too many people are believing God for everything they want in this life.
We are called to be different from this corrupt and selfish world we live in (Deuteronomy 7:6, Romans 12:2.) When we live a life that contradicts the teachings of Jesus, we deny Jesus by our lifestyles (Matthew 10:32-33, Titus 1: number 16.) Many Christians who claim to follow Jesus, deny Him by following and practicing the ways of the world.
What Is Denying?
Deny is defined as, “To declare to be untrue, refuse to admit; restrain.” Denying is an important part of the Christian life and a command of God. Denying is a process of separating us from what we oppose.
As God’s people, we oppose the evil ways of this world and the fallen nature of man (Ephesians 2:2, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17.) This world lives for temporary pleasures and treasures that will not last.
God’s people are commanded to practice self-control and not feed their flesh like the rest of the world (Matthew 6:33, Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:21-23, Philippians 4:8, Titus 2:6.)
The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about learning how to practice self-control and deny ourselves. It is the Spirit of God who gives us our self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.)
Mānaʿ
The ancient world was out of control physically, morally, and spiritually. The pursuit of pleasure was the goal of most nations and religions. The world lived by the lust of its flesh (2 Kings 19:18, Psalm 97:7.)
God called his People out of the chaos to be different and to deny themselves (Deuteronomy 8:3.) We don’t get to pursue the temporary pleasures of this life like the world around us. To belong to God is to deny the flesh.
Self-denial is a very important part of Judaism, earlier this month the Jewish community celebrated Yom Kippur as atonement for their sins. The wisdom of King Solomon was tested and God offered him whatever he wanted; Solomon chose wisdom over temporary pleasures (1 Kings 3:5-10.)
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for deny is mānaʿ and it can also mean, “Restrained, withhold, hinder, or keep,” depending on the context it was used in. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the word for deny in Hebrew is similar to the word the Israelites named God bread from heaven, manna.
In Hebrew manna means “what is it,” because God’s people had no idea what this bread from heaven was, but God gave His people specific instructions on how to collect and store manna. God’s people couldn’t live by the flesh but by God’s instructions for consuming manna.
- Only gather enough for each day.
- Don’t serve leftovers.
- Gather on the sixth day for two days
- Don’t gather on the Sabbath
God’s people had to practice self-control and trust God to provide their daily needs. This test of obedience is continued in the New Testament by the “Other Son of David,” Jesus taught His followers that if they wanted to follow Him they had to deny themselves daily and take up their crosses (Luke 9:28.)
Jesus knew how tempted His followers would be by the pleasures of this life and warned them that gaining this whole world meant nothing if they lost their souls (Matthew 16:26.) Because we live in a fallen and materialistic world God’s people must learn to deny themselves daily if we are to follow Jesus.
Unfortunately many in the church have turned to the gods of this world, material things, and temporary happiness. The Apostle Paul warned us that in the last days, God’s people would turn to feel good and unbiblical teachings that make them happy (2 Timothy 4:3-4.) Their god is their stomach or whatever satisfies them at the moment (Philippians 3:19.)
Donald Trump
Today, the Department of Justice warned Elon Musk and Donald Trump that it was illegal to buy votes. These men serve their gods of silver and gold (Psalm 135:15-17.) Sadly, the conservative candidate for president constantly boasts about his money and earthly greatness.
True followers of Jesus know that all boasting is evil and it comes from the devil (James 4:16-17.) Trump’s wealth doesn’t compare to the wisest and richest man to ever live, King Solomon. Solomon denied himself nothing and concluded that wealth and things are meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11.)
Even with all of this wisdom and warnings in the Bible, many believers still idolize Trump and turn to other gods that make them happy (2 Timothy 3:1-5.)
- Fame
- Wealth
- Earthly success
The goal of God’s people isn’t to become like this world, it is to point others to Jesus and the world to come (Matthew 28:16-20.) Too many in ministry live for happiness and forget the call to forsake all for God (Galatians 2: 20.)
Bob Briner wrote 25 years ago, “Christian parents want foremost for the children to be, ‘happy.’ The emphasis on campus is the good job, successful career, and living the good life.”
Like Trump many conservatives refuse to deny themselves and one day will be denied by God (Matthew 7:21; 10:33,) because to their lives they mānaʿ Him!
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