Page 18 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009

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MAKES “...BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD,
HIMSELF HE MADE HIMSELF

7. OF NO OF NO REPUTATION,
TAKING THE FORM OF A SERVANT...”
REPUTATION
Phil. 2:5-8

THE MARK OF It is one thing to serve to be seen, but quite another to serve behind the scenes. An
A SERVANT example of what I mean could be seen in the fact that many men would prefer to
preach than to pray. One is visible to men, but the other invisible. Jesus
condemned the Pharisees who “loved to pray standing in the synagogues and on
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men” (Matt. 6:5). However, God
commended those who would ”go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your
father in secret.” (Matt. 6:6).

To pray in public may earn us the reputation before men as a man of prayer. However, when we pray in secret
our reputation will only be known by God. If we will do one in public, but not the other in private, then we must
weigh what our motives are. Are we, like the Pharisees, seeking a reputation before men? That is pride. The
servant is to make himself of no reputation. I believe it would require that we do far more behind the scenes
than we do when we can be seen. Jesus taught this secret principle concerning not only praying, but in giving,
and in fasting (Matt. 6:1-18). It is a difficult and delicate mandate to carry out. Paul said, “...we make it our
aim...to be well-pleasing to Him”(2Cor.5:9). In another place he said, “... circumcision is that of the heart, in the
spirit...whose praise is not from men but from God” (Rom.2:29). John the Baptist summarizes the needed
mentality that we must cultivate, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30).

“WHAT ARE MY
PRIORITIES? ARE THEY
GOD’S PRIORITIES FOR

MY LIFE, OR AM
I DOING MY OWN

THING?”

“EXAMINE AND TEST
AND EVALUATE YOUR

OWN SELVES
TO SEE WHETHER YOU

ARE HOLDING TO
YOUR FAITH AND
SHOWING THE PROPER

FRUITS OF IT.”

2 Cor. 13:5 Amplified