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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Lesson of the Fig Tree

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Charles Stanley

Luke 13:6-9

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the hosannas and citywide profession of His messiahship were loud and enthusiastic. It must have seemed a stunning triumph.

But Jesus realized that outward appearances don’t necessarily indicate universal or even authentic agreement. At the time of the cheering, in fact, He was en route to the temple, where money changers were evidence of that very truth. And so our Savior had wept as He neared the city, because the people “did not recognize the time of [their] visitation” (Luke 19:44) or the way to avoid what was now inescapable judgment.

The gospel writers then inserted a rather curious anecdote about Jesus approaching a distant fig tree in leaf, since He was hungry. Mark 11:13-14 tells us, “He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again!'”

Why would Jesus, the Creator of fig trees, curse one for not bearing fruit out of season? The question seems baffling—that is, except to those familiar with Middle East fruit crops. They would realize small edible knobs, or taqsh in Arabic, appear with the leaves and fall off before the actual fruit develops. Scholar F. F. Bruce (Are The New Testament Documents Reliable?) explains, “If the leaves appear unaccompanied by taqsh, there will be no figs that year. So it was evident to our Lord . . . [that] for all its fair foliage, it was a fruitless and a hopeless tree.”

Then Mark added a significant detail: “And His disciples were listening” (v. 14). Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree wasn’t some whimsical or annoyed outburst, as some suppose. It was an object lesson on the fruit born of genuine faith, in contrast to the worthlessness of empty religion, which they’d just witnessed in the temple.

This was a crucial teaching for the first-century disciples, whose Teacher would be present just a short while longer. It’s also crucial for 21st-century disciples. Our fruitfulness matters greatly to God, but only when it’s the genuine article—the fruit of His Spirit, produced as we abide in the vine, Jesus Christ (John 15:5; Gal. 5:22-23). No matter how impressive, works achieved solely through human effort have zero value in our Father’s eyes.

What if the Lord checked you and me for spiritual fruit? Would He discover something nourishing, even though we might consider it inconsequential? Or would He find a breathtaking display of leaves that proves to be but a glorious façade?

–Sandy Feit

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Story of the 10 Lepers

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Charles Stanley

Bible Study: Luke 17:11-19

 

Ten leprous men stood at a distance (which the law required them to do), begging Jesus to have mercy on them. The Lord instructed them to show themselves to the priests—the health inspectors of sorts, who could pronounce the disease healed or not (Lev. 14:7). Ironically—even surprisingly—Jesus didn’t heal them on the spot.

They were being invited to exercise faith, as none were yet “clean.” Picture these lepers, hobbling, limping, some with decaying limbs and rotting skin, going to show the priests that their leprous bodies had been healed—when they weren’t yet. That’s why it’s called faith. But as they obeyed, the hobbling and limping became less noticeable, and their skin started to renew itself, as the power of the living God marvelously regenerated their bodies.

Jesus wanted them to personally experience faith, which is an invitation to join God in a miracle. We step out in faith, and He meets us. Yet only one leper, when he realized he had been entirely healed, was so overcome with joy that he rushed back to thank Jesus. Only one. And it was a Samaritan. Jesus tells the man, “Your faith has made you well.”

An invitation.

An acceptance.

Salvation of body and soul.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Most of Jesus’ healings were instantaneous, but that wasn’t the case with the 10 lepers. How did the delayed cure build their faith in Him? How might your faith be stretched or strengthened if you aren’t healed right away?

2. Though 10 men were healed, only one returned to give thanks. How many times over the last year has God answered a prayer of yours or given you some good thing? How have you returned to Him in gratitude?

3. Jesus sent still-leprous men to report to priests that they’d been healed. Scripture

tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Can you remember a time when you had to step out in faith and God met you there? In which areas is He currently asking you to walk by faith?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Passionate and Protective

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Charles Stanley

Mark 11:15-17

This wasn’t Jesus’ first time at the temple. His parents accidentally left Him there once when He was a boy, and He had often taught there at times during His ministry (Matt.26:55). But this visit was different. This time He surprised a temple audience with more than His words. This time He grew fiercely angry at the activities in the courtyard.

Fierce anger isn’t what we expect from Jesus. But God is passionate about His people, and His people were at the mercy of mercenaries at the temple. That had to stop. So Jesus turned tables, drove out the profiteers, and quoted phrases from the prophets to prove His point. God’s temple is a place of prayer for the nations, not a business venture.

This event clearly teaches us that God opposes deception and greed, but there’s a much deeper message in it. The intensity of Jesus’ reaction reflects the heart of the Father for His people. The passion He demonstrated at the temple wasn’t about the building; it was about the worshipers who have gathered and, on a larger scale, the nations they represented. Apparently, God isn’t just mildly interested in the hearts of human beings. He’s fiercely protective of them. He’s zealous for our worship and jealous for our love.

When Solomon dedicated the first temple in Jerusalem, priests fell on their faces as God powerfully filled the building with His presence. The building was holy ground, a place of purity and prayer. Centuries later when Jesus overthrew the money changers’ tables, He demonstrated God’s intense passion for this same holy ground. But what about now? Worshipers no longer gather at a temple in Jerusalem. Where does God direct His passion?

To us. In the New Testament, God’s people become the temple of His presence. The building gives way to the body. If Jesus could be so profoundly provoked over a stone temple, how much more fervent is He about His body of believers? The purity and prayerfulness of His dwelling place deeply matter to Him. He enters our hearts with zeal to drive out unholy influences and make us His own.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Believer’s Journey to the Cross

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Charles Stanley

John 12:23-27

We all know that Jesus walked the road to Calvary, but did you know that believers also journey to the cross? We’ve all been positionally crucified with Christ, but those who hunger for Him participate in a deeper experience of this reality. Jesus lovingly takes their hand and leads them to the cross. Even though this is the last place anyone wants to go, it’s the only way to partake of God’s best for our lives.

The trip to the cross is not one you take with family and friends. It’s a lonely journey with just you and Jesus. He strips away everyone and everything you’ve depended on so that you’ll learn to rely only on Him. While we’re at the cross, He uncovers layer after layer of self-deception until we begin to see ourselves as He does. Soon our self-centeredness, inadequacy, and failures are laid bare.

The cross is a place of brokenness, but it’s necessary because there’s no other way we’ll ever bear fruit. If we hang onto our lives and refuse to take this journey, we’ll be like a grain of wheat that is never planted and never grows. But those who willingly die to themselves will produce an abundance of spiritual fruit. The only way Christ can live His life through us is if we’ve allowed ourselves to be crucified.

God doesn’t want you to be content with just your salvation. There’s so much more He desires to give you and achieve through you. Are you willing to take the road to the cross with Him? Yes, it’s painful, but the rewards in this life and in eternity far outweigh any suffering you will experience.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Looking Beyond Disappointment

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Charles Stanley

John 11:3-6

When disappointments come your way in life, it is easy to blame both yourself and others. Frequently it’s difficult to know what to say or do, because you cannot quite identify the real cause or purpose of the letdown.

Disappointment is often an emotional response to our own failure—or someone else’s—to achieve a desire, hope, dream, or goal. This can lead to losing faith in a person on whom we were depending, possibly even a loved one.

The gospel of John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus. Because of this, the two women didn’t sense the need to tell the Lord anything more than “He whom You love is sick” (John 11:3). Their expectation was that as soon as Jesus heard these words, He would come and heal their brother. But the Lord didn’t set out for two more days.

When Martha met Jesus, she was disappointed because He hadn’t come right away, and His delay allowed Lazarus to die. She didn’t see His purpose.

But truly, God does have a reason for the disappointments He allows in our life. He could prevent them, but He wants us to discover His purpose. His desire is that we will operate out of trust and let our circumstance bring glory to Him (John 11:4, 25).

When disappointments come, will you be stalled and derailed from the Lord’s will for your life? Or will you find yourself beginning to understand His purpose so you can learn from those situations? The right response is simply to trust Him.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Experiencing Inner Peace

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Charles Stanley

Luke 8:22-25

Jesus promised to give us His peace (John 14:27)—the kind that enabled Him to sleep through a fierce storm. Without it, we’d be like the disciples, who felt helpless and afraid. With it, we will experience inner calmness in the midst of life’s turmoil.

To access the peace of the Lord, we must meet certain conditions. The first requirement is to receive Jesus as our personal Savior. Before salvation, we were by nature opposed to God. But our redemption changed that. The Bible says we now have peace with Him (Rom. 5:10) and are members of His family, instead of His enemies. Fear of death—a major reason that we lack peace—evaporates as we comprehend the glorious truth that we will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Believing in God’s sovereignty is a second condition for having a tranquil heart. In this troubled world, personal safety is a major concern. To combat fear, we must trust that God controls all things. Knowing that He is in charge will protect us from anxiety and give us peace.

The third thing we must do is understand that God knows our needs and has promised to meet each one (Phil. 4:19). He is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. We may not receive all we want, but He’ll give us whatever is necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.

Once we have received Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit will remind us that our future is secure, and our loving, sovereign God will see to it that we have everything we need.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Path of Spiritual Independence

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Charles Stanley

Luke 15:11-24

Spiritual independence means living outside the restrictions of God’s will and choosing instead to please ourselves. As believers, we frequently take matters into our own hands, despite God’s promise for perfect provision.

Desires can blind us. We either want what we don’t have or aren’t satisfied with what we do have. We chafe at the constraints of our faith that call us to deny ourselves and obey God (Luke 9:23). Personal satisfaction becomes a priority, opening us to deception. The Enemy paints a beautiful, albeit untrue, picture of how things will be if we just change our circumstances. We start believing the lie that gratification can be found elsewhere and forget the truth that our life is complete in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

When this lie exerts influence over us, our ability to make Christ-centered decisions is crucial. Unless we sift our desires through the will of God and hold onto the truth that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), we will choose to act independently of Him. Though we’ll make a decision that sounds right, looks good, and seems harmless, in actuality we are departing from God’s good and perfect will. For a period of time, we may find delight in walking outside of His plan. Sin—doing what we want instead of what God wants—brings temporary pleasure but is followed by despair and, many times, disaster.

No matter how far you have wandered spiritually, turn back to the Lord. Like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son, God waits to welcome you home. In Him, you will find all you need (Eph. 3:18-19).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Life in Our Heavenly Home

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 3:20-21

As believers, we are guaranteed a place in heaven, and we long for an idea of what that will be like. While all our questions will not be answered before we arrive, Scripture does give information about the Christian’s future life.

Who will be there? The most wonderful truth we know is that we will be in the presence of our triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition to thousands upon thousands of angels (Rev. 5:11), there will be the Old Testament saints and all believers from this church age. Also, everyone who comes to faith during the great tribulation will have a heavenly home.

How will we be different physically? We’ll have glorified bodies, and Scripture offers clues about what this will mean. After the resurrection, Jesus had a visible material form, so we know we, too, will have a physical body to dwell in a physical place called heaven. Our form will be imperishable and will bear a heavenly image (1 Cor. 15:42, 49). While the Bible doesn’t describe the glorification process, we know our transformed bodies will be perfectly suited for our new environment.

Will we recognize each other? Though different, our bodies will be identifiable. Mary, though confused at first, recognized the resurrected Jesus (John 20:14-16). Because we will be like Him, we will be recognized in our resurrected form, and we will recognize others.

Try to picture being in your glorified body with believers from every tribe, language, nation, and people group (Rev. 7:9). Life in heaven will exceed your greatest hopes and imaginings.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Story of Nicodemus

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Charles Stanley

Bible Study: John 3:1-21

He was uber religious, a teacher of the law. And he was convinced that Jesus was sent from God. But Nicodemus was having trouble separating what he’d believed all his life from what Jesus was teaching. Frankly, it’s the trouble we all have with Jesus: separating what we’ve always believed from what He says.

Jesus doesn’t mince words. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (v. 3). It was startling. Nicodemus had always believed that you got into the kingdom by being Jewish and keeping the law. Jesus says, “No, the only way you can get into My kingdom is by getting ‘birthed’ in.” No one enters the kingdom of God by being born into a certain group, being religious, or performing morally for the Lord. We enter physical life through human birth, and the kingdom through spiritual rebirth. Period.

It’s no easier for us than it was for Nicodemus. Grace is counterintuitive, thus confusing. The only answer to spiritual death is spiritual life—not performance. Dead people can neither improve nor perform. That was Jesus’ point.

God’s grace is undeserved, unexpected, and illogical. No one has ever earned it. Not once. Yet, it’s offered freely by God. That’s why it’s so amazing.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. If your tradition, history, or religion tells you one thing but Jesus tells you something else, you have found yourself in Nicodemus’s predicament. Which will you choose to believe, and why?

2. Jesus told Nicodemus that simply being religious wasn’t enough for eternal life. How does spiritual rebirth differ from being religious? Why do you think Jesus said being born into a brand-new life was a requirement for entering His new kingdom?

3. Logic and religion seem to insist that we do something to earn eternal life with God. Why do you think we so strongly resist the idea of grace? And why do you think God insists upon grace rather than our performance as the way for us to gain heaven?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Guide to a Victorious Life

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Charles Stanley

Proverbs 3:5-6

If you were lost in the woods, you’d be very thankful to find a compass in your pocket. Chances are you would not ignore its guidance by following your own hunch about which direction was north.

Like a compass, Scripture provides sure guidance for the Christian life. One particularly helpful passage is Proverbs 3:5-6, because it summarizes four key truths that will keep you heading the right way.

1. Trust God. The Lord deserves your complete confidence because He never changes (Heb. 13:8; James 1:17).

2. Do not rely on your own understanding. Since human minds are finite, comprehension is limited. Only God is omniscient. He sees everything, including thoughts and motives (Heb. 4:13).

3. Acknowledge Him in all your ways. As the Creator of all and the designer of salvation, God has the right to plan every life. He knits each person together in the womb, provides redemption through Jesus Christ, and gives spiritual gifts to be used on His behalf. Just as a child will look to his father for help, believers are to depend upon their heavenly Father. And when successful, they are to acknowledge how the Lord enabled. Otherwise, pride can lead in a harmful direction.

4. God promises to make your paths straight. Spiritually, the direct route is faster and easier to travel. But it is not obstacle-free. As you follow the first three points, the Father will work to overcome barriers along the way. Will you follow God’s compass and trust Him? By rejecting self-reliance and acknowledging dependence on Him, you will stay on the straight path of godliness.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When We Suffer

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Charles Stanley

John 16:33

Scripture teaches a number of practical lessons about suffering. First, it’s okay to ask for a different road, as Jesus did, but we should choose God’s will above all. Our best response to adversity is, “God, what do You want me to learn?”

Second, on the night He was betrayed, Jesus asked close friends to stay awake and pray. We need support and godly relationships, especially during trials. Genuine friends will speak truth kindly and encourage us in Christ. They will also faithfully lift us up in prayer.

Third, it’s natural to struggle with prayer when pain is intense. During those times, a simple “Help me,” is sufficient. God wants us to acknowledge His Lordship, but He does not expect us to have perfect words. He knows what we need before we ask, and He is able to give us far more than that.

Fourth, we should resist the temptation to blame. Jesus was betrayed and rejected, yet He asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. Likewise, we shouldn’t blame others for our hurt. By turning to God during tough times, we’re choosing to trust His ultimate authority. Our Father may not have caused the hardship, but He allowed it. And He will use it for His glory and our good.

The key to suffering is remembering that God is in control and always with His children. In love, He allows pain, but He also places a limit on its length and intensity. You do not hurt apart from the presence of Him who will sustain, help, and eventually bring you through your distress.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Power of Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 7:7-11

Jesus knew the importance of prayer and practiced it regularly. He often slipped away from the crowds to commune with God. Then He would receive the guidance and strength necessary to carry on His Father’s work.

In teaching about the power of prayer, Jesus promised us that God will always answer. He used three words to help us pray effectively:

Ask—We are to come to God with our requests. In doing so, we are acknowledging both our need and God’s ability to meet it. Jesus assures us that every request will be granted in accordance with our Father’s best for us and others.

Seek—Sometimes the Lord asks us to get involved in the situation about which we are praying. For example, we may be petitioning for Him to help us find a new job. He wants us not only to seek His wisdom and guidance but also to take practical steps to discover what’s available. When we obey His directions, God promises to provide the answer.

Knock—In carrying out the Father’s plan, we’ll encounter obstacles along the way. For us to overcome them, sustained and persistent praying may be required. Knocking implies a level of force being applied so that a door will open. Once God presents the solution, we need no longer ask. When He opens up a path, we should walk on it.

Prayer accomplishes much (James 5:16). It engages the Lord in people’s personal lives as well as in the affairs of government. It is the way we experience oneness with our Father and receive the essentials needed to carry out His work.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Working Out Your Salvation

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 2:12-13

What does it mean to “work out your salvation”? Many people mistakenly think Paul was telling us to work for our salvation. But the apostle was saying something completely different: Your salvation experience isn’t the end of your spiritual journey—it’s the catalyst that turns on your “operation mode.”

So having trusted Jesus as Savior, you can begin living out what He has given you, which is His abundant life. If you’ve given your heart to Him, the Holy Spirit now indwells you—He is with you forever. It is God’s Spirit working in and through you, empowering you to live out your salvation. The degree to which you yield to Him impacts the work He will accomplish through you and the changes He’ll effect in your life.

Let’s say you start reading the Bible and learning about the Lord. As your faith and relationship with God develop, you will begin to notice Him moving in your life. When you share your faith and your blessings with others, you’ll realize He’s working through even more avenues. Keep following Him, and the seeds He’s planted within you will flourish (Isa. 55:10-11). So when Scripture speaks about working out our salvation, it means we’re to reverently live out what we’ve already been given and allow Christ’s life in us to come fully to fruition.

Your salvation should be a reflection of Jesus everywhere you go. As you work it out among your friends and family, on the job or in school, and even with strangers, God’s Spirit will energize you to make a difference and impact others—that is, to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Importance of Baptism

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 3:13-17

When we admire someone, it is natural to try and identify with that person. We see this in children, who enjoy imitating their superheroes’ speech, mannerisms, and dress. Older people, too, like to take on characteristics of their chosen role models. And as believers, we are called to emulate the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Savior commanded us to follow His example in all things, including baptism (Matt. 28:19). At the start of His public ministry, Jesus Himself chose to be baptized. John the Baptist was calling the Jewish people to confess their sins and demonstrate repentance by immersion in the Jordan River. Jesus, the One who had no sin, joined the crowd at the river and asked John to baptize Him. The Lord was affiliating Himself with a sinful man. By following His example in the waters of baptism, we are publicly confessing our faith in the Savior and identifying ourselves with Him.

By means of baptism, we proclaim our connection with Jesus and also with other believers—we are all members of one body under the authority of the same Lord. But remember, neither baptism nor any other work is required for salvation; we are saved by God’s grace strictly through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). However, God has commanded us to be baptized following our redemption, so this step is an issue of obedience.

Belief in Jesus is not supposed to be hidden away like a light placed under a basket (Luke 11:33). Instead, it should be expressed in words and actions. Have you demonstrated your faith through the act of baptism?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Strange Time for Fear

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Charles Stanley

1 Kings 19:1-4

Normally, we think of fear in terms of failure. We tend to become afraid when we experience a major setback and feel inadequate. Or we may be shaken when we’ve made a big mistake and believe that our judgment is flawed. At such times, we would almost expect fear to strike, right?

We find a radically different situation in 1 Kings 18, where Elijah experienced one of the most dramatic triumphs in all of Scripture. Armed with only his unflinching faith in the Lord, he faced down 850 priests of the local false deities. God moved mightily, destroying the idolaters and bringing glory to Himself throughout Israel. It was a fantastic win.

But right after this confrontation, when the exuberance of his faith should have been at its height, Elijah became scared. In 1 Kings 19, the prophet learned that the evil queen Jezebel had called for his death. Apparently forgetting God’s mighty victory just moments before, Elijah ran away. How could this be?

Elijah’s story reminds us that our failures may not pose the greatest danger to spiritual growth after all; potential for destruction may actually lie hidden within our successes. That’s when our confidence is at its peak, which often leads us to turn our eyes away from the Giver of strength and toward our self.

Your victory is always in God’s hand. Don’t be fooled: He may work in, around, or through you to achieve His purpose, but it is always His victory. Have you been distracted by success? Turn your eyes back to the Lord. All praise and glory are His. And fear need not be yours.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Winning Your Battles through Prayer

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Charles Stanley

What would you do if someone began to push against you, attempting to throw you off a position that is rightfully yours? How would you respond? Most people would lean into the weight and push back. That’s a posture of resistance. And as believers, we must know when it’s time to lean with all our might against evil. But how?

Prayer is the believer’s  great privilege and powerful weapon against Satan and his plans. The apostle Peter wrote, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). James echoed this teaching:

“Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).

Both of these godly men admonished believers to oppose evil. And we do that by persevering in prayer. On the surface, this form of resistance may appear to be passive. But in practice, it is always active, intentional, and powerful.

Resistance begins with a decision to join the struggle against evil through prayer, rather than retreat. Such godly opposition takes strength and courage. It also requires patience and perseverance.

Peter and James point to two key words at the heart of our ability to resist the devil through our prayers: faith in God and submission to His will.

Submission

Submission to God means acknowledging that we can’t but He can. In our prayers, we might tell the Lord, “I can’t defeat the Enemy on my own. But with You, I can.” By taking this position, we join the apostle Paul in saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

James taught that submission occurs when we seek a closer relationship with God. As we spend time in His Word and His presence, we get to know the Lord better. We also discover how He wants us to overcome evil and experience blessing in our lives. By setting aside time solely to listen and wait upon the Lord for direction and guidance, we grow closer to Him. Periodically hiding ourselves away from all other influences and distractions is vital if we want to grow in knowledge of our God. The better we know Him, the more we see His power, experience His love, and grow in faith and wisdom.

Faith

Faith can be summed up in the statement “God, I believe You will.” In our efforts to overcome the Evil One, we might pray this way: “I believe You will defeat the Enemy and cause him to flee from me as I resist him and put my trust in You.” Again and again, David made this declaration of faith to the Lord: “O my God, I trust in You” (See Ps. 25:2, 31:6, 55:23, 56:3, 143:8).

We grow in faith by exercising it—trusting God in every circumstance and relationship. Over time, we develop a personal history with God as He demonstrates His faithfulness and loving care for us. The result is an ever-deepening relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, it’s impossible to resist the Devil for long if you don’t believe that Jesus Christ can and will thwart Satan’s attempts to harm you. Remaining strong in faith requires total submission to God in all areas of your life—no exceptions. When you decide that you don’t need God’s help in one area, that’s precisely where the Enemy will strike.

The good news is that God has given each of us a measure of faith to nurture within our hearts. And by His grace, we are capable of submitting to His will. In whatever you do, remember the words of James: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

 

Related Resources

Related Video

Fight Your Battles On Your Knees

Some struggles are external, but others take place within you. How can you find victory? Fight your battles on your knees, and you will win every time. (Watch Fight Your Battles On Your Knees.)

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How to Conquer Your Fears

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 27:1-3

I’ve walked with the Lord for nearly seven decades. I have read the Bible cover to cover many times, preached thousands of sermons, and written pages upon pages of study material. But let me tell you something that may surprise you: In spite of all that, sometimes I’m afraid. And I imagine you are, on occasion, as well. After all, we live in a scary world!

Any of us can feel frightened by failure, ridicule, loneliness, or something else entirely. For me, one area of vulnerability relates to preaching. Sometimes, early in the week, I get a nagging feeling that I won’t have everything I need to deliver Sunday’s message, and the uneasiness persists throughout the week.

In response to that, I pray harder, study longer, and read my Bible more closely. I am driven to do absolutely everything I can to succeed whenever I stand to proclaim God’s Word. I decided long ago that I wouldn’t let apprehension stop me from doing what God calls me to do. However, before I take my stand against fear, I must first admit it is there. That’s the key to conquering feelings of trepidation.

There’s no shame in admitting you are fearful. In the Psalms, King David confesses several times that he is afraid (Ps. 34:4; 55:4-5). However, his confession is wrapped in prayer, acknowledging the Lord’s power over both his apprehension and his enemies.

That same power is available to you today. God wants to cast out the fear and doubt in your life. Go before Him right now and say, “Lord, this is what I am afraid of . . .”

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Maintaining a Quiet Spirit

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Charles Stanley

Proverbs 26:4

When conflict arises, we frequently want to rush in and defend our position. Perhaps we even feel justified in blaming others. However, James 1:19 gives different advice for dealing with tension and disputes: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” In other words, more can be accomplished through a calm approach to the situation. Scripture also suggests that we . . .

• Pray. First, we should ask the Lord to guard our mouth and give us the right words to say (Luke 12:12). Also, we ought to request discernment concerning the root issue, including insight as to whether we might be at fault.

• Aim to see with divine perspective. Our sovereign God works all situations for the believer’s benefit (Rom. 8:28). He not only uses difficulties to teach us but also allows us to demonstrate the life of Christ by the way we respond.

• Forgive. Even if someone has hurt us by causing the conflict, we should forgive. Jesus died to pardon all of our sin, and we, in turn, should forgive others. In fact, if we don’t, our lives will become burdened by resentment and broken relationships.

• Respond. If we’ve done something wrong, we should apologize and ask forgiveness. But if we’re not in the wrong, we can still express appreciation that the other person took time to share his concern. Also, we should affirm that we will carefully consider his comments.

How do you respond to conflict? Pray for the strength to stay calm and do what is right, even during difficult, emotional situations.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Responding to Conflict

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 18:21-35

Conflict is part of life. It may originate from misunderstandings, a difference of opinion, or deep convictions. But oftentimes, discord stems from envy, pride, or hunger for power.

No one can control another person’s response to conflict; we’re accountable only for how we handle it. Sadly, many people have unhealthy reactions to disagreement. Some ignore the issue or pretend it doesn’t exist. Others place blame while defending themselves.

These negative responses often indicate one of three underlying scenarios. First, past hurts can leave a person emotionally insecure and unable to handle criticism. Second, a perfectionist sets such high benchmarks that he can never live up to his own standards—then it’s hard to acknowledge mistakes. Finally, pride makes it hard for some to admit when they’re wrong or to ask forgiveness.

Unless we respond correctly to conflict, we limit our potential to grow, because we aren’t learning what the Lord is teaching. Also, we can develop an unforgiving spirit, which leads to bitterness and resentment. Eventually, such an attitude can destroy relationships.

There is also a positive way to handle conflict. Luke 23:34 reveals how our Savior responded when He was wrongly accused, unfairly judged, and killed for something He didn’t do. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

How do you deal with accusations and criticism? Forgiveness is the only response that will keep you from becoming a victim of bitterness.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Dealing with Feelings of Guilt

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 2:1-10

Guilt can be like a poison working insidiously on the inside to create havoc in our thoughts and emotions. The antidote is to understand why we feel guilty and to know how to apply scriptural teachings on the subject.

Misunderstanding grace results in guilty feelings, which make us think that in order to be a “good” Christian, we must clean up our act ourselves. In contrast, the message of grace is this: At the cross, Jesus paid our sin debt in full and declared us righteous in His sight. We do not have to measure up; through Christ, we have been made acceptable exactly as we are.

Another thing that can make us feel guilty is confusion about confession and forgiveness. Some believers are concerned about hidden sins that they haven’t yet identified; others worry about whether they’ve confessed enough to be forgiven. It is true that 1 John 1:9 tells us to confess our wrongdoing, but doing so is not what makes us forgiven. It is what Jesus did at Calvary that provides forgiveness of all our sins.

Refusing to let go of the past can also produce guilty emotions, because some of us feel undeserving of forgiveness—knowing what sins we have committed can lead to an ongoing sense of shame. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that all our sins—past, present, and future—could be forgiven. This is part of the miracle of grace.

The truth of God’s Word frees us from the prison of false guilt and allows us to live life His way. Are you walking in freedom?