Skulduggery, or trickery, is something that we must all continually be on guard against. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) In Matthew chapter six Jesus exhorted the disciples to pay their vows not to be seen of others but to be seen of the Father. And in II Corinthians 13:5 Paul advises us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. A humble and sincere heart God will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
Thank God for Jesus. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to Godfor a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:2) Through faith in Jesus we have access to the very throne of God. (Hebrews 4:16) And in Revelation chapter eight the prayers of the saints are offered as an important part of bringing the righteous judgement of God into the earth.
It is important for us to ask God to hear and accept our sacrifices. “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2) We must not allow any hindrance such as unforgiveness, or hold on to any iniquity, in order for our prayers to be effective. (Matthew 6:14, Psalm 66:18)
What a blessed behind the scene encounter with the Almighty God in that secret holy place, mentioned in Matthew chapter six. Hebrews chapter eleven says that without faith it is impossible to please God. We could say that without prayer it is impossible to please God. Our whole born-again life is like one never ending prayer, an offering of sweet incense to God. That must be what it means to walk in the Spirit.
