A Person of Perception and a Pricked Heart, Part 2
A Person of Perception and a Pricked Heart, Part 2
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
From my last blog offering, we observed that our souls need Spiritual perception to understand its spiritual condition. In addition, Peter’s Spirit-lead preaching positioned the people that listened and experienced the pricking of the heart.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
The verb “pricked” in Acts 2:37 means “to strike or prick violently, to stun.” It’s the kind of preaching that cuts your heart in two as opposed to coochie coo! I submit to you that congregations today need to subject themselves to some spiritual tasing versus tickling.
From the word of God, Paul wrote a warning for the church: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:2-3
The Greek word translated “itching” literally means “to itch, rub, scratch, or tickle.”
In other words, it denotes desiring sermons that appeal to the flesh rather than attack the flesh, cuddle verses convict, encourage and embrace egregious indulgences, rather than opposing and obliterating them.
Furthermore, “itching ears” (tickling) comes from a metaphorical mouth that speaks of people’s longings, felt needs, or passions. Consequently, it is the calls of carnality that compel a person to believe whatever he wants to believe rather than the truth itself. When an individual has “itching ears,” they determine for themself what is right or wrong, and oftentimes he or she will pursue others for confirmation of their carnal concepts.
However, Peter preached a pricking message that produced a profound and life-altering work in the hearts of those who had hearts to hear. The convicting and conquering work of the Spirit in their hearts was wonderful.
Come back next time as we consider the rich reward and results of a pricked heart. And remember, Courtship-Conviction-Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Not a sermon, just some thoughts.
FtGG