TOOLS GOD USES – POINT 4

Point 4: Finally, I mention the eye and the bit and the bridle method that God uses to teach us His ways. 
Psalms 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shall go: I will guide thee with mine eye…”

Let me explain what is meant by instruction or guidance by the eye. When I was young, my Mother used this method of instruction and it usually worked for her. If we went visiting at someone’s house, for example, and I began to act up in front of others in a rambunctious way, my Mother would give me one of those looks that only Mothers have been able to master. It was one of those silent looks that spoke without words. When this happened, I knew I’d better straighten up or I wouldn’t be able to after we got home. She was instructing me with the eye.

I believe this is what God desires for you and I. He wants to bring us to the place where he can guide us just like that. Just a gentle nudge to our conscience. “Get out of there–trouble-trouble– get away from that crowd–don’t get involved in that- -no good, no good.” God wants to guide us and instruct us gently and smoothly with his eye. Just a gentle nudge by his Spirit. It’s between us and God. It’s direct to us and no one else. It’s private.

Now watch out though. If we can’t receive guidance and instruction by the eye method, God does have another method.

Psalms 32:9, “But be ye not as the horse or as the mule which hath no understanding, whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle lest they come near thee.” The Living Bible says it like this, “Don’t be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line.”

The bit and bridle method works like this. We’re walking along the road and God says with a whisper (eye method) “watch it, watch it, mud hole, mud hole.” We keep on and God sees us ignoring his warnings. So now he pulls on the reins and shouts, “mud hole.” Proverbs 15:10, “Stern discipline is for him that forsakes the way.” The bit and bridle method is used only if the eye method fails. It is humbling because it is never private, but public. If conscience speaks and the word just rolls off. If the pastor exhorts and we could care less, if the Holy Spirit nudges and we ignore his warnings; God then says “alright-it’s okay with me if it’s okay with you, we’ll use the bit and the bridle method.”

Folks, let me tell you, you don’t want him to correct you with the bit and bridle method. It can hurt. It can humiliate and embarrass us. It can be revealing. It can severely damage ones influence and affect our lives. It can hurt others that are close to us. The bit and the bridle is not the best way to be corrected. 

Think about the casualty list of those in the ministry, pastors and tel-evangelists, that you know of that forced God to use the bit and bridle method on them to bring them to correction. Let us never at anytime be guilty of saying what is written in Proverbs 5:12, “How have I hated instruction and my heart despised reproof.” That’s a foolish person talking. Let us rather say what Samuel said in Samuel 3:9,”Speak Lord, for they servant heareth.”

Let me leave you with this reminder of the tools God uses to teach us his ways. 
     1. God’s grace
     2. God’s Word
     3. God’s ministers
     4. God’s eye and the bit and bridle method.

And remember, you may be pleased with what you are now in your spiritual walk, but you are not yet what you could be if you allow God to use these tools in your life to teach you his ways. Always keep your life measured by the standards of Jesus. He is at work in us to enable us to do what is right.
                     
                                                 
Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

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