DEVOTION
ROMANS
RESPECT WHO?
Rom 1:14-15
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
NIV
What system do we employ to determine which of us is worth more then another? Is it our level of education, or professional level of achievement? Perhaps it might be our financial success, the size and location of our home, what kind of car we drive and the label on our clothes. Maybe it might even be our position in the body of Christ, having achieved a particular level of recognition. One thing I know for certain, we, the bulk if not all of humankind, use a system based on the outward evidences, as we see in this passage.
1 Sam 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
NIV
And yet we see Paul may well have worked through this valuation process based on the outward appearance and see these people, all people as having the same value to God and thus to himself. Should I not take a lesson from this? Should I not then respect everyone? As I will discuss in further detail latter,
Rom 2:11
1 For God does not show favoritism.
NIV
If all are equal in His eyes, then…….who am I to think differently?
O Lord, help me to see all people through your eyes, and though your heart.
Those who are smarter, those who are not
Those who are richer, those who are not
Those who are thinner, those who are not
Those who are more successful, those who are not
Those who know you, those who do not
Those who are big shots, those who are not
Those who are Americans, those who are not
And whatever else differences there are
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Encourage Who
DEVOTION
ROMANS
ENCOURAGE WHO
Rom 1:11-12
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith
NIV
Is there some secret to this spiritual gift? I think not, it is surely so clear to see the gift which Paul speaks he wishes to impart to those faithful believers in Rome is encouragement and to be encouraged. A mutual encouragement spawned by the faith of another. Words of encouragement might do well to boast a fellow believer’s ego, making him think more highly of himself then he should or spur him onto more deeds, deeds which could be done through the humanist as well, but does it actually bring true encouragement. These words spoken to endeavor to bring encouragement might actually have a negative impact. True encouragement as we see in this passage comes from one believer being in the presence of another believer whose faith in Jesus Christ is so strong and so outwardly expressed it builds the other’s faith. Are you not so encouraged when you stand in the presence of someone who has that unwavering trust in our Lord? When for no apparent humanistic reason, this person is so happy and content, believing beyond the physical evidence in the incomparable love and provision of our Lord that your faith is build. To be encouraged by another’s faith. Here in this passage this faith, the Greek word is defined as one’s persuasion such as moral conviction and when used in the Christian or religious sense, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is also used abstractly in the sense of one’s consistency is such a profession. So in both senses Paul and those in Rome will be encouraged by each other. Will we?
Lord, help me to demonstrate my faith, my complete total trust in you, first of all my salvation, and also for every aspect of my life, in order that others may be encouraged.
ROMANS
ENCOURAGE WHO
Rom 1:11-12
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith
NIV
Is there some secret to this spiritual gift? I think not, it is surely so clear to see the gift which Paul speaks he wishes to impart to those faithful believers in Rome is encouragement and to be encouraged. A mutual encouragement spawned by the faith of another. Words of encouragement might do well to boast a fellow believer’s ego, making him think more highly of himself then he should or spur him onto more deeds, deeds which could be done through the humanist as well, but does it actually bring true encouragement. These words spoken to endeavor to bring encouragement might actually have a negative impact. True encouragement as we see in this passage comes from one believer being in the presence of another believer whose faith in Jesus Christ is so strong and so outwardly expressed it builds the other’s faith. Are you not so encouraged when you stand in the presence of someone who has that unwavering trust in our Lord? When for no apparent humanistic reason, this person is so happy and content, believing beyond the physical evidence in the incomparable love and provision of our Lord that your faith is build. To be encouraged by another’s faith. Here in this passage this faith, the Greek word is defined as one’s persuasion such as moral conviction and when used in the Christian or religious sense, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is also used abstractly in the sense of one’s consistency is such a profession. So in both senses Paul and those in Rome will be encouraged by each other. Will we?
Lord, help me to demonstrate my faith, my complete total trust in you, first of all my salvation, and also for every aspect of my life, in order that others may be encouraged.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
What's My Reputation
DEVOTION
ROMANS
WHAT’S MY REPUTATION?
Rom 1:8-10
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
NIV
It certainly appears those even without the wall street journal, or foxnews.com or, for that matter all the media of today, the news of those believer’s faith was reported all over the world. They had a reputation of being Christ followers and this reputation had spread from town to town, country to country until the whole known world which Paul was speaking of was keenly aware of who they were, their faith and what they believed and of whom they believed in. How did this happen? How did the faith of a small band of believers stuck at almost the bottom of a large peninsula, in the city of Rome, a city of immense population, reach all over the known world? Inherent within mankind it seems is the need to gossip, and gossip people did. Stories of these faithful few spread possibly, because of Roman soldiers who reported for duty in far off lands, or maybe because of traders bringing and taking goods into and out of Rome, to and from parts unknown. However, one thing was for certain, these Christians did not stay secluded from their society. They must have been a force to reckon with. They had to have had a divine influence upon their hearts and it must have been reflected to the world around them. Has this kind of faith dwindled? Have I, we as believers of today either secluded ourselves completely out of view of unbelievers or have I, have we so embraced the lifestyle of the ungodly world around us, no one knows who we are?
What is my reputation? What is our reputation? And I speak not of a reputation of lists of good deeds or works performed in human standards. Many unbelievers do good deeds and have a reputation among other men, unbelievers also claim in working for the benefit of mankind, laboring to achieve a better society such as habitat for humanity and the like. No, I ask; is my reputation of one who demonstrates faith, as it was the faith, not the human efforts of these in Rome which was reported. It was faith, do I, do we have a reputation of having faith which is defined within the Greek word used here as a persuasion or moral conviction especially the reliance upon Christ for salvation. Do people know for what I stand? Do people see me, reflecting Christ? What reputation do I have? Not just with other believers, but with unbelievers.
ROMANS
WHAT’S MY REPUTATION?
Rom 1:8-10
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
NIV
It certainly appears those even without the wall street journal, or foxnews.com or, for that matter all the media of today, the news of those believer’s faith was reported all over the world. They had a reputation of being Christ followers and this reputation had spread from town to town, country to country until the whole known world which Paul was speaking of was keenly aware of who they were, their faith and what they believed and of whom they believed in. How did this happen? How did the faith of a small band of believers stuck at almost the bottom of a large peninsula, in the city of Rome, a city of immense population, reach all over the known world? Inherent within mankind it seems is the need to gossip, and gossip people did. Stories of these faithful few spread possibly, because of Roman soldiers who reported for duty in far off lands, or maybe because of traders bringing and taking goods into and out of Rome, to and from parts unknown. However, one thing was for certain, these Christians did not stay secluded from their society. They must have been a force to reckon with. They had to have had a divine influence upon their hearts and it must have been reflected to the world around them. Has this kind of faith dwindled? Have I, we as believers of today either secluded ourselves completely out of view of unbelievers or have I, have we so embraced the lifestyle of the ungodly world around us, no one knows who we are?
What is my reputation? What is our reputation? And I speak not of a reputation of lists of good deeds or works performed in human standards. Many unbelievers do good deeds and have a reputation among other men, unbelievers also claim in working for the benefit of mankind, laboring to achieve a better society such as habitat for humanity and the like. No, I ask; is my reputation of one who demonstrates faith, as it was the faith, not the human efforts of these in Rome which was reported. It was faith, do I, do we have a reputation of having faith which is defined within the Greek word used here as a persuasion or moral conviction especially the reliance upon Christ for salvation. Do people know for what I stand? Do people see me, reflecting Christ? What reputation do I have? Not just with other believers, but with unbelievers.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Grace and Peace
DEVOTION
ROMANS
GRACE AND PEACE
Rom 1:7
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I must first understand what joy and complete truth is within the greeting of suggesting, no implying, no declaring that grace and peace are for those in Rome and also as I accept this word, for me as well.
Grace, the Greek word “charis” which is defined as the divine influence upon our heart and its reflection in our life.
Peace, I think first is the opposite of war, the freedom from the havoc of war. And of course I must internalize this to within my soul, the freedom of war that wages within me, to have peace. Yet this word even carries a deeper, richer implication. The Greek word “eireenee” is defined as the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ and so fearing nothing from God and content with its Earthly lot, of whatsoever that is.
What more in life, this and my eternal life could I ever ask for? This, of course demands I ask myself; have I allowed myself to become distracted by the things and ways of this world? Have I been dulled by this world so I cannot feel His divine influence? Perhaps I might even have been deceived so subversively, I am being influenced by something else. Am I paying too much attention to the loud calls of this world, I cannot hear the still small voice of the Lord? Has my desire for worldly concepts so dulled or clouded me, I am no longer reflecting God to others, to the world?
In addition, do I truly embrace this peace, this contentment with my earthly lot? The world spends extreme amounts of effort to instill within the human spirit the need for more, better, bigger and lots of it. The world uses all possible power to devour its prey, to entice me into not being content with my lot in life. I must be clear and single minded in order to see those traps and avoid them. I must be influenced by my divine creator and I must be content with His plan for me and be so filled with Him, so I am a clear and shining mirror, reflecting Him to the world and reflecting His image, not mine. Lord Help me, polish my soul, so I shine for you.
ROMANS
GRACE AND PEACE
Rom 1:7
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I must first understand what joy and complete truth is within the greeting of suggesting, no implying, no declaring that grace and peace are for those in Rome and also as I accept this word, for me as well.
Grace, the Greek word “charis” which is defined as the divine influence upon our heart and its reflection in our life.
Peace, I think first is the opposite of war, the freedom from the havoc of war. And of course I must internalize this to within my soul, the freedom of war that wages within me, to have peace. Yet this word even carries a deeper, richer implication. The Greek word “eireenee” is defined as the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ and so fearing nothing from God and content with its Earthly lot, of whatsoever that is.
What more in life, this and my eternal life could I ever ask for? This, of course demands I ask myself; have I allowed myself to become distracted by the things and ways of this world? Have I been dulled by this world so I cannot feel His divine influence? Perhaps I might even have been deceived so subversively, I am being influenced by something else. Am I paying too much attention to the loud calls of this world, I cannot hear the still small voice of the Lord? Has my desire for worldly concepts so dulled or clouded me, I am no longer reflecting God to others, to the world?
In addition, do I truly embrace this peace, this contentment with my earthly lot? The world spends extreme amounts of effort to instill within the human spirit the need for more, better, bigger and lots of it. The world uses all possible power to devour its prey, to entice me into not being content with my lot in life. I must be clear and single minded in order to see those traps and avoid them. I must be influenced by my divine creator and I must be content with His plan for me and be so filled with Him, so I am a clear and shining mirror, reflecting Him to the world and reflecting His image, not mine. Lord Help me, polish my soul, so I shine for you.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Obedience Through Faith
DEVOTION
ROMANS
OBEDIENCE THROUGH FAITH
Rom 1:5-6
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
NIV
It would make sense to most of us in order to obey someone we first must believe this someone has authority to give us a command. Then also if we believe a person has the authority to command us, then we must conclude it is our duty to obey.
However, this issue of recognizing the person who has that authority stands at the core of this statement by Paul. The scripture clearly says I must make this judgment by faith, not by seeing an individual who may, in the case of the military, be wearing a symbol denoting his rank which gives him the right to command those under his particular rank or command. In this issue, in this passage I must recognize Jesus Christ as He who has the authority to command us me by faith. Jesus, himself, declared to me, faith is of great value.
John 20:29
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
NIV
So, now the issue stands, if I truly do believe, if I really do have faith that Jesus is my lord and my savior and he is the one who has the right to command me and in fact has, then what is the reason for my disobedience? If I disobey the authority of this law, surely I could and most likely would be punished. If I disobeyed a military commander, I would be punished for sure. Yet God does not treat me that way because Jesus already paid the price for my disobedience, past, present and future. That still does not make it right, why can’t I obey completely? I am weak, I am not perfect, I am human are all good answers, but seem like more of an excuse rather than an answer. I simply need Jesus.
ROMANS
OBEDIENCE THROUGH FAITH
Rom 1:5-6
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
NIV
It would make sense to most of us in order to obey someone we first must believe this someone has authority to give us a command. Then also if we believe a person has the authority to command us, then we must conclude it is our duty to obey.
However, this issue of recognizing the person who has that authority stands at the core of this statement by Paul. The scripture clearly says I must make this judgment by faith, not by seeing an individual who may, in the case of the military, be wearing a symbol denoting his rank which gives him the right to command those under his particular rank or command. In this issue, in this passage I must recognize Jesus Christ as He who has the authority to command us me by faith. Jesus, himself, declared to me, faith is of great value.
John 20:29
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
NIV
So, now the issue stands, if I truly do believe, if I really do have faith that Jesus is my lord and my savior and he is the one who has the right to command me and in fact has, then what is the reason for my disobedience? If I disobey the authority of this law, surely I could and most likely would be punished. If I disobeyed a military commander, I would be punished for sure. Yet God does not treat me that way because Jesus already paid the price for my disobedience, past, present and future. That still does not make it right, why can’t I obey completely? I am weak, I am not perfect, I am human are all good answers, but seem like more of an excuse rather than an answer. I simply need Jesus.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Is Satan mentioned in the Old Testament?
Is Satan mentioned in the Old Testament?
It would appear Satan is mentioned in the Old Testament more than one time, which would indicate he is a real being, the fallen Lucifer, which is documented in
1 Chron 21:1-2
21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, "Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are."
NIV
Job 1:6-7
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan , "Where have you come from?"
NIV
This whole story of Job has Satan all over the complete book, mentioned way too many times to include.
Zech 3:1-2
3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan , "The LORD rebuke you, Satan ! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"
NIV
Indeed, Satan is referred to as the morning star in:
Isa 14:12-15
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star , son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
15 But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit.
NIV
In the Hebrew text the word translated morning star is really two words which would be directly translated son of the dawn.
In Peter, the text reads:
2 Peter 1:19
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
NIV
Note morning star in not capitalized and the Greek text reads:
The light bearer…..rises in your hearts.
But in Rev 22:16 Jesus does refer to himself as the Morning Star
Rev 22:16
16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star ."
NIV
And note Morning Star is capitalized. The Greek text reads I am the star, bright, morning
The one over the skies, brilliant, radiant, dawn. He is the one who is radiant and will bring about the dawn, the beginning of the new age, the age of eternity.
This has, in no way anything to do with the Hebrew term used to describe Lucifer.
In fact Lucifer is a son in the respect of being created by God, the true dawn, the true bearer of light.
I hope this helps some, again those who oppose the truth of God, will find any reason to attempt to confuse and diminish the truth of scriptures. They oppose because they know it is true and it is light and therefore would expose their sin, if they were to admit its truth.
Man love the darkness and Hide from the light for fear of being exposed. If they can try to prove it to not be the truth, then they believe they do not have to be held accountable to it.
It would appear Satan is mentioned in the Old Testament more than one time, which would indicate he is a real being, the fallen Lucifer, which is documented in
1 Chron 21:1-2
21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, "Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are."
NIV
Job 1:6-7
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan , "Where have you come from?"
NIV
This whole story of Job has Satan all over the complete book, mentioned way too many times to include.
Zech 3:1-2
3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan , "The LORD rebuke you, Satan ! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"
NIV
Indeed, Satan is referred to as the morning star in:
Isa 14:12-15
12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star , son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
15 But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit.
NIV
In the Hebrew text the word translated morning star is really two words which would be directly translated son of the dawn.
In Peter, the text reads:
2 Peter 1:19
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
NIV
Note morning star in not capitalized and the Greek text reads:
The light bearer…..rises in your hearts.
But in Rev 22:16 Jesus does refer to himself as the Morning Star
Rev 22:16
16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star ."
NIV
And note Morning Star is capitalized. The Greek text reads I am the star, bright, morning
The one over the skies, brilliant, radiant, dawn. He is the one who is radiant and will bring about the dawn, the beginning of the new age, the age of eternity.
This has, in no way anything to do with the Hebrew term used to describe Lucifer.
In fact Lucifer is a son in the respect of being created by God, the true dawn, the true bearer of light.
I hope this helps some, again those who oppose the truth of God, will find any reason to attempt to confuse and diminish the truth of scriptures. They oppose because they know it is true and it is light and therefore would expose their sin, if they were to admit its truth.
Man love the darkness and Hide from the light for fear of being exposed. If they can try to prove it to not be the truth, then they believe they do not have to be held accountable to it.
In answer to comment by Joann
Harden Hearts
The question at hand is: Does God harden hearts or do we harden them?
There has been much discussion about this topic some people, some believers have used one or maybe two verses of scripture to defend one position or another. I think we have to be careful and discover the whole of the truth.
The first instance which is used is the story about the Pharaoh, which we see in Exodus 4:21. God says He will harden his heart. The scripture does not tell us that Pharaoh’s heart was already hard, which I believe is the case. So it was a case of God allowing pharaoh to harden his heart even more.
The whole issue about who does the hardening has some controversy, but I think it is clearer when we look into:
1 Sam 6:6
6 Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?
NIV
It is apparent from this verse, that both the Egyptians and Pharaoh did the hardening of their hearts based on the actions of God, the harsh treatment He was giving them in order to bring about Glory for Himself.
We know it was to bring glory to Him because of:
Ex 14:16-18
17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The
NIV
We can also see in the following verses that it is man who hardens his own heart. It is man who has the choice to respond to situations either it be from life itself, the actions of other men, or the actions of God.
Gen 1:1 - Ps 95:8 Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, NIV
Heb 3:7-8
Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
NIV
Heb 3:15
15 As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
NIV
Heb 4:7
7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
NIV
Now to deal with the idea that an evil spirit came from God to Saul is a little different than a hardening of a heart.
But I think we can have some clarity if we examine the Hebrew text.
I think this is the verse you are referring to:
1 Sam 16:14
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
NIV
In the Hebrew the word translated into from actually does not really have an English word for the Hebrew.
OT:853
sign (marker) of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative case
So in other words it indicates that God was responsible for an evil spirit to torment Saul.
This would indicate to me, God allowing the evil spirit access to Saul much in the same way He allowed Satan access to Lot. It does not specifically imply God directed the evil spirit or created the evil spirit or the evil spirit was a part of God’s army or arsenal to inflict torment on His people.
There is, in most cases, actions by God to bring us to repentance. Correction, discipline, teaching, rebuking or in this case a situation which should bring about the desired result of Saul harkening to the voice of God. We do not want to put God in a box, nor diminish His authority over His creation. In actuality, He can do whatever He desires to do, at any time to anyone, in any way He wants to. He is the creator, we are the created. If he desires to destroy us, that is His call, not ours. But I do believe He has given us the ability to disobey His commands, harden our hearts, to His voice, and in doing so, better acknowledge the fact there could be consequences.
I hope this helps, not sure I dealt with everything, but rather a brief explanation of my short look into it.
The question at hand is: Does God harden hearts or do we harden them?
There has been much discussion about this topic some people, some believers have used one or maybe two verses of scripture to defend one position or another. I think we have to be careful and discover the whole of the truth.
The first instance which is used is the story about the Pharaoh, which we see in Exodus 4:21. God says He will harden his heart. The scripture does not tell us that Pharaoh’s heart was already hard, which I believe is the case. So it was a case of God allowing pharaoh to harden his heart even more.
The whole issue about who does the hardening has some controversy, but I think it is clearer when we look into:
1 Sam 6:6
6 Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?
NIV
It is apparent from this verse, that both the Egyptians and Pharaoh did the hardening of their hearts based on the actions of God, the harsh treatment He was giving them in order to bring about Glory for Himself.
We know it was to bring glory to Him because of:
Ex 14:16-18
17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The
NIV
We can also see in the following verses that it is man who hardens his own heart. It is man who has the choice to respond to situations either it be from life itself, the actions of other men, or the actions of God.
Gen 1:1 - Ps 95:8 Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, NIV
Heb 3:7-8
Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
NIV
Heb 3:15
15 As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
NIV
Heb 4:7
7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
NIV
Now to deal with the idea that an evil spirit came from God to Saul is a little different than a hardening of a heart.
But I think we can have some clarity if we examine the Hebrew text.
I think this is the verse you are referring to:
1 Sam 16:14
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
NIV
In the Hebrew the word translated into from actually does not really have an English word for the Hebrew.
OT:853
sign (marker) of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative case
So in other words it indicates that God was responsible for an evil spirit to torment Saul.
This would indicate to me, God allowing the evil spirit access to Saul much in the same way He allowed Satan access to Lot. It does not specifically imply God directed the evil spirit or created the evil spirit or the evil spirit was a part of God’s army or arsenal to inflict torment on His people.
There is, in most cases, actions by God to bring us to repentance. Correction, discipline, teaching, rebuking or in this case a situation which should bring about the desired result of Saul harkening to the voice of God. We do not want to put God in a box, nor diminish His authority over His creation. In actuality, He can do whatever He desires to do, at any time to anyone, in any way He wants to. He is the creator, we are the created. If he desires to destroy us, that is His call, not ours. But I do believe He has given us the ability to disobey His commands, harden our hearts, to His voice, and in doing so, better acknowledge the fact there could be consequences.
I hope this helps, not sure I dealt with everything, but rather a brief explanation of my short look into it.
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