Being Circle

Being: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify[g] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

“Being” refers to the whole person—everything that makes you you: spirit, soul, and body. Paul is praying that God will sanctify and preserve every part of a believer. The spirit is the part that connects with God, the soul includes the mind, will, and emotions, and the body is our physical life. Together, they form one complete being. Paul’s message is that God is not interested in transforming just one area of our lives—He works to make our entire being holy, whole, and ready for Christ’s return.

Regenerated Innermost Being: John 7:37-39

37 Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! 38 He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” 39 But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Savior] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor). 

The “innermost being” in John 7:37–39 refers to the deepest part of a person—their heart, soul, and spiritual core where desires, motives, and true life flow from. Jesus teaches that when someone believes in Him, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in that inner core, transforming them from the inside out. Instead of being spiritually dry or empty, the believer becomes a source of “living water”—God’s life, joy, peace, and love—flowing continually from within. It means the Holy Spirit doesn’t just touch the surface of our lives but fills the deepest part of who we are, producing a new character, new desires, and an outward overflow that blesses others.

The Attitude God Hates: Proverbs 6:16–19

16There are six things the Lord hates—

    no, seven things he detests:

17 haughty eyes,

    a lying tongue,

    hands that kill the innocent,

18 a heart that plots evil,

    feet that race to do wrong,

19 a false witness who pours out lies,

    a person who sows discord in a family. 

Focusing on the Four Non-Speech Behaviors

Proverbs 6 shows that God not only cares about our words but also about the actions and attitudes flowing from the heart. Four of the seven items describe behaviors that destroy lives, relationships, and righteousness.

1. Haughty Eyes – The Action of Pride

This is the posture of a heart that looks down on others.
Pride becomes an action when we treat people as inferior, refuse correction, and exalt ourselves. It creates distance, breeds conflict, and blocks humility before God. Pride was the root sin behind Lucifer’s fall and remains the foundation of many relational wounds.

2. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood – The Action of Harm

This represents every action that intentionally injures others—physically, emotionally, socially, or spiritually. It’s not only murder; it includes any act that destroys another person’s dignity, safety, or well-being. God hates when we use our strength, influence, or position to harm the weak or vulnerable.

3. A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans – The Action of Secret Evil

This is the internal factory of evil ideas that eventually become outward behaviors.
Before sin becomes visible, it is planned in the heart: scheming, manipulating, plotting, and intentionally designing harm or deceit. God hates this because it reveals a deliberate, intentional desire to do wrong.

4. Feet That Run Quickly to Evil – The Action of Rushing Into Sin

This describes eagerness—being quick, excited, or willing to engage in wrongdoing.
Instead of resisting temptation, the feet move toward it. It shows a heart that finds pleasure in sinful opportunities instead of pursuing righteousness. God hates not only wicked actions but the readiness to do them.

Summary: Why God Hates These Actions

Each of these behaviors harms people made in God’s image and reflects a heart that is misaligned with His character.

• Pride opposes humility.

• Shedding innocent blood opposes love.

• Wicked planning opposes purity.

• Rushing to evil opposes self-control and holiness.

Together, these four actions reveal a life moving away from God, in contrast to the life of righteousness, integrity, and love He calls His people to walk in.

Do Not Love This World: I John 2:15-17

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Before we consider how we influence others, Scripture calls us to examine our own responses to the three attitudes that shape our Sharing Circle: pride of life, lust of the flesh, and lust of the eyes. These attitudes often surface subtly in daily interactions, and the way we handle them reveals the condition of our heart.

1. Pride of Life — Do I Respond With Humility or Self-Exaltation?

Pride shows up when we want to be seen, recognized, or considered better than others.
Self-examination asks:

• Do I become defensive, competitive, or easily offended?

• Do I look down on others or seek to control conversations?

• Do I choose humility, or do I let pride shape my attitude?
  
  

2. Lust of the Flesh — Do I Practice Self-Control or Give in to Desires?

This attitude pulls us toward comfort, pleasure, and impulsive decisions.
Self-examination asks:

• Do I indulge in what feels good without considering what is right?

• Do I let emotions drive my decisions?

• Am I disciplined, or do I yield to unhealthy cravings and habits?

3. Lust of the Eyes — Do I Walk in Contentment or Covet What Others Have?

The eyes create desire through comparison, envy, and chasing what looks impressive.
Self-examination asks:

• Do I feel dissatisfied because of what others own or achieve?

• Do I measure my worth by appearances or possessions?

• Am I grateful, or do I constantly want more?

Conclusion

Examining these three attitudes helps us see whether our life is shaped more by the world or by Christ.
Each attitude exposes a different area of the heart:

• Pride tests our humility.

• Fleshly desires test our self-control.

• Covetous eyes test our contentment.

A spiritually mature believer regularly asks:
“Are my responses reflecting God’s character — or drifting toward the world’s patterns?”

This self-examination keeps us grounded, purified, and aligned with God’s calling in every area of life.

The Bible’s warnings against worldliness and the love of money are not just rules—they are heart-tests. God uses these areas to reveal what we truly treasure, trust, and desire.

1. Test - What We Treasure

Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Money and worldly desires expose what we value most.

• Do we treasure God?

• Or do we treasure things, status, comfort, and possessions?

Our spending, desires, and ambitions reveal our true treasure.

2. Test - What We Trust

Money often masquerades as safety, security, and control.
Warnings like “keep your life free from the love of money” (Hebrews 13:5) test whether we rely on:

• God’s provision, or

• our savings, income, and possessions.

Where we run for peace shows where our trust lies.

3. Test - Our Contentment

Paul warns that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation” (1 Timothy 6:9).
Wanting more, chasing more, needing more—these feelings reveal whether we are satisfied in God or restless for the world.

Contentment is a spiritual thermometer of the heart.

4. Test - Our Loyalty

Jesus said we “cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
Money competes for worship.
Worldliness competes for affection.
Every financial decision becomes a moment of allegiance.

Who is our Master—God or material desires?

5. Test - Our Love

The love of the world and the love of God cannot coexist (1 John 2:15–17).
Worldliness pulls our heart outward.
God calls our heart upward.

What we love shapes who we become.

6. Test - Our Identity

Some people measure themselves by success, possessions, and worldly achievement.
But Scripture calls believers to root identity in being God’s children, not in wealth or worldliness.

Do we define ourselves by what we have—or Whom we belong to?

7. Test - Our Obedience

God calls us to generosity, simplicity, and stewardship.
Resisting greed and worldliness requires choices that cost us.
Those choices reveal whether Christ rules our decisions or culture rules them.

Obedience exposes the heart more than knowledge does.

Summary: Why This Is a Heart Test

• Money tests trust.

• Worldliness tests love.

• Possessions test contentment.

• Ambition tests loyalty.

• Choices test obedience.

God is not looking at the amount we have—but the affection we have for it.

Pleasing Flesh vs Pleasing the Spirit: Galatians 6:7-8

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

Glorify God in Body and Spirit: I Corinthians: 6:12-20

12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not [e]helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [f]any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Works of the Flesh: Galatians 5:19-21

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1. Adultery: Engaging in sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse.

2. Fornication: Sexual immorality, including premarital and extramarital sexual activities.

3. Uncleanness: Moral or sexual impurity; engaging in thoughts, words, or actions that defile.

4. Lasciviousness: Overindulgence in sensual pleasures; shameless behavior or lustful acts.

5. Idolatry: Worshipping false gods or placing anything (wealth, power, etc.) above God.

6. Witchcraft: Sorcery or the use of magic, often associated with manipulating or rebelling against God.

7. Hatred: Hostility or deep-seated animosity toward others.

8. Variance: Contentiousness or promoting discord; being argumentative or divisive.

9. Emulations: Jealous rivalry or envy; striving to surpass others out of resentment.

10. Wrath: Intense, uncontrolled anger leading to harm or conflict.

11. Strife: Quarrels and bitter disagreements; selfish ambition that divides people.

12. Seductions: Acts of rebellion or causing divisions within communities or groups.

13. Heresies: False teachings or beliefs that contradict foundational truths of the faith.

14. Envyings: Resentment or discontent toward others due to their possessions or success.

15. Murders: Taking someone's life unlawfully or harboring a murderous spirit (hatred).

16. Drunkenness: Excessive indulgence in alcohol leading to impaired judgment or behavior.

17. Revellings: Wild partying or indulgent, excessive celebrations that lead to immoral behavior.

Fruit of the Spirit:  Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1. Love (Agape)

   • Selfless, unconditional care and compassion for others, reflecting God's love for humanity.

   • It goes beyond feelings to intentional acts of kindness and self-sacrifice.

2. Joy

   • A deep sense of gladness and contentment that comes from God, independent of circumstances.

   • This joy stems from knowing God's presence and promises.

3. Peace

   • Inner tranquility and harmony, even in the midst of challenges.

   • It involves reconciliation with God and others, leading to a calm and steady spirit.

4. Longsuffering

   • Patience and endurance, especially in the face of difficulty, hardship, or provocation.

   • It reflects the ability to persevere without resentment or frustration.

5. Gentleness

   • Kindness and a tenderhearted attitude toward others.

   • It manifests in acts of compassion, humility, and thoughtfulness.

6. Goodness

   • Moral integrity and the active pursuit of what is right and beneficial for others.

   • It involves doing good without expecting anything in return.

7. Faith

   • Trust, faithfulness, and loyalty to God and His promises.

   • It also reflects reliability and dependability in one's character.

8. Meekness

   • Humility and gentleness of spirit, not seeking power or control.

   • It involves submitting to God's will and treating others with respect, even when wronged.

9. Temperance

   • Self-control and discipline in managing one's desires, emotions, and actions.

   • It signifies mastery over one's impulses, rooted in reliance on the Spirit.

Crucified Life & New Creation: Galatians 6:14-16 

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God. 

The New Man: Ephesians 5:17-24

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as [f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Life by the Spirit: Galatian's 5:13-26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Battle between Flesh and Spirit:

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

James 1:26 highlights the integral connection between the heart and the tongue, emphasizing that true faith must be reflected in controlled speech. Let’s break it down:

1. The Tongue as a Reflection of the Heart

• Speech Reveals the Heart:
  Jesus taught that what comes out of the mouth reflects what is in the heart:
  "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
  If the heart is filled with anger, bitterness, or pride, it will be evident in one’s words.

• Unbridled Tongue Indicates Deception:
  James warns that a person who does not control their tongue is self-deceived. They may believe they are religious, but their speech betrays the true state of their heart. This could include gossip, slander, harsh criticism, or lies.

2. Controlling the Tongue as Evidence of Genuine Faith

• The Role of Self-Control:
  To "bridle the tongue" means to exercise self-control, much like a bridle is used to direct a horse. This requires reliance on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

• Religion That Pleases God:
  Uncontrolled speech makes one’s religion "worthless," implying that true worship of God must be accompanied by transformed behavior, including speech. Actions and words must align with faith.

3. The Heart-Tongue Connection in Spiritual Growth

• Guard the Heart:
  Proverbs 4:23 reminds us: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." If the heart is guarded and nurtured by God’s Word, the tongue will naturally reflect this.

• Renew the Heart:
  True transformation begins in the heart (Romans 12:2). A renewed heart leads to speech that builds up, encourages, and glorifies God (Ephesians 4:29).

In summary, James 1:26 teaches that the tongue serves as a mirror to the heart. A genuine faith controls the tongue, reflecting a heart transformed by God. Speech that is unrestrained signals a lack of true spiritual growth, rendering one’s outward religion hollow.

Jesus' Solitary Prayer:

1. Matthew 14:23

"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone."

• Context: After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sought solitude to commune with the Father, demonstrating the importance of personal prayer even amidst ministry.

2. Mark 1:35

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

• Context: Jesus prioritized early morning prayer, showing His dependence on God before engaging in His ministry.

3. Luke 5:16

"But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray."

• Context: This verse highlights a regular pattern in Jesus' life of retreating to quiet places for prayer, especially during busy periods.

4. Luke 6:12

"In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."

• Context: Before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer, demonstrating the significance of seeking God's guidance in critical decisions.

5. Matthew 26:36-39 (Gethsemane)

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’"

• Context: On the night of His arrest, Jesus prayed fervently in solitude, expressing His anguish yet submitting to the Father’s will.

6. John 6:15

"Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

• Context: After feeding the 5,000, Jesus withdrew to avoid earthly distractions and align Himself with the Father's mission.

Key Lessons:

1. Prioritizing Time with God: Jesus made prayer a priority, even amidst a demanding schedule.

2. Seeking Guidance: In critical moments, Jesus sought the Father’s will.

3. Modeling Solitude: Solitude in prayer strengthens intimacy with God.

4. Overcoming Challenges: Prayer equipped Jesus to face trials, including the cross.

These examples remind us of the importance of setting aside time for personal prayer and communion with God, following Jesus' example.

Psalms 43:5

Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why are you restless and disturbed within me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The [a]help of my [sad] countenance and my God. 

Psalms 42:5,11

5. Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become restless and disturbed within me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. 

11. Why are you in despair, O my soul?

Why have you become restless and disquieted within me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The [b]help of my countenance and my God. 

• Knowing the Difference between Soul & Spirit - Zac Poonen

• Soulish vs Spiritual - Zac Poonen

• Going Beyond Soul to Spirit - Zac Poonen

• Religiosity vs Spirituality - Zac Poonen

• Living from Spirit & not from Soul - Zac Poonen

• Sanctification - Renewed Soul - Zac Poonen