Creeper (Ezekiel 11-13 / James 1-2)

Ezekiel 11-13 is an indictment against false prophets. These so called prophets promised peace when there was none (13:10). These prophets were full of "false visions and lying divinations" 13:7). The mention of "whitewash walls" in verses 10-16 remind me of the hypocrites whom Jesus blasted when he said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleaness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness' (Matthew 23:27-28). Have you ever had someone come up and tell you, "God told me to tell you _________." If what they told you cannot line up with the Scripture's teachings, I can promise you that God told them nothing. I recently heard a joke by seminary professor. He mentioned a story of a young man who told a young lady that he had been praying and that God had told him that she should go out with him. The young lady replied, "I have been praying too and God told me that you are a creeper."

We all need to re-read James 1:2. Does it really say that we should consider multiple trials a joy? Yes, because it is producing in us a Christ-like character that otherwise could not be formed (v. 3-4). And we are having to lean upon God more by asking Him for wisdom (v. 5). The latter part of James speaks of hearing and doing God's Word (v. 22-25). One without the other is incomplete. Proverbs speaks of something similar: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. We should try to understand what we know from God's Word so that with wisdom we can apply it to our lives.