December 14, 2025 -- Genesis 6:5 -- Examining the source of impulses and deeds
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:5 ESV
What is sin? The late Tim Keller (1950 – 2023) continued to refine his definition of sin; noting not only is it disordered worship, but it is the "heart desire of every person to be his or her own Savior and Lord". Why did the LORD send the great flood upon the earth that destroys every person on the earth, except believing Noah and his wife, their three sons and daughters in law? Our text this morning explains it. He sent the flood because every person on the earth constantly rejected God and instead of worshiping the LORD by obedience to His commands, fulfilled his own desires, lusts, intentions and wants.
What does it look like when a man desires to be his own savior and lord?
A man figures he is good, able to save himself when he disregards the word of God.
A man acts according to the tyranny of his faithless desires of his heart when he does not submit heart, mind, intentions and will fully to the direction of God.
A man will gladly sing secular songs but recoils at the suggestion of singing psalms and hymns. They are too foreign, too weird to his rebellious heart.
A man proves he is own savior and lord whenever he knows what is right and do not do it. For example, he will go to secular concerts, enjoy the theatre, but the thought of going to church is mere duty and drudgery.
A man lives as his own savior and lord when he does not consider how near the end of his life really is. When death comes, a man’s utter inability to change the course of his eternal destiny (hell) is confirmed.
When a man is new creation in Jesus Christ, the old desires, lusts, and the tyranny of self-rule is exposed. The Holy Spirit shines the word of truth into the mind and heart of the believer and exposes every instance of celebrating one’s own superiority or ability to save. Seeing the corrupt worship of the heart and the constant inclination to serve its own evil thoughts and intentions is revealed as vile. Therefore, the believer, seeing the true condition of his sin-riddled heart, loves the Word of God as the pathway of salvation. The believer renounces the tyranny of his heart and its godless intentions and prays the prayer of Jesus, “Father, You will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. He desires the heavenly will of the Father to infuse the very impulses of his heart. The believer will begin to see where the wicked intentions of the heart are reawakened and stirred up and will leave off the former activities in which he so readily used to engage. He will gladly go to join with the people of God in worship. He will delight in knowing his life and even his death is in the care of Jesus, His true Lord and Savior so that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (as Paul so eloquently stated it in Philippians 1:21).
Glorious Father, thank You for the grace and peace You have lavished on Your people through our Lord Jesus Christ. By the work of Your Spirit in the depths of the inner person, where will is formed and impulses originate, completely wipe out the root of sin and grant that devotion to Christ will be the highest standard and the greatest good from which will flow every other action of our life. Forgive us for the unregulated thoughts, the unexamined impulses, the reckless selfishness that still seeps from within and through us, instructing us in wickedness and evil. Renew in us the joy of Your salvation so that worshiping You among Your people is a delight. Spirit of God, restore to us the joy of Your salvation so that we willingly submit our impulses and desires and actions wholly to Jesus and this to the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.
https://youtu.be/y3gWwGDGgVA?si=t4jMMtLqFSnnSFeq “Take My Life and Let it Be”
Copyright © 2025 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.
