Author: charmikabrown

Blog Post

The Differences Between SIN and INIQUITY

charmikabrown

I’m going to start here:

Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What Jesus means by “knew” here is, He was never in a covenant relationship with whom He’s rejecting. There wasn’t INTIMACY.

📌Knowing God biblically always includes relationship + obedience (ref. John 10:27)

INIQUITY
This is LAW-LESS-NESS. Living as though God’s authority does not apply.

    •Rejecting God’s standards
    •Living according to one’s own will
    •Practicing religious activity while ignoring obedience

    This is why Jesus says these people did miracles but were still rejected. This is why TRADITIONS within the church are rejected as well. Jesus rebuked the religious folks for their traditional behavior while still denying the Spirit of Truth. Today, it’s a Sunday to Sunday [Sabbath to Sabbath] work for many WITHOUT operating in obedience to Yaweh [rather in or out of the temple] & allegiances are divided (idols of self & cultural “norms”).

    2. SIN (which is something we do, sometimes unknowingly due to our human nature, and what we must repent for, daily–making intentional efforts to avoid yielding to our flesh over Holyspirit)
    INIQUITY are different levels of rebellion.


    In short, SIN means:
    •To miss the mark
    •To fall short
    •To make a mistake or error
    Picture an archer missing the target.
    📖Ref. Romans 3:23

    Sin can occur through:
    •weakness
    •ignorance
    •temptation
    •human failure
    Example: Peter denying Jesus (Luke 22:61–62). This was sin, but Peter repented. He made a turn AWAY from the mindset & whatever else that caused him to deny The Truth, The Way & The Life ✝️

    ⚡️INIQUITY on the other hand is
    ☠️Perversity
    ☠️Moral distortion
    ☠️Pre-meditated wickedness
    ☠️Twisting what is right
    ☠️A bent or twisted heart condition.
    ‼️Iniquity is deeper than sin.
    It is sin that has become a pattern or nature‼️

    Another key fact about INIQUITY is that those who are in it, often times don’t see that they’re in error bc PRIDE has them blind & deaf to their “good works” & abuse of God’s grace…

    IF SIN isn’t repented of, then INIQUITY is developed while excuses, lies/deception continues to feed the behavior as it grows & spread 🖤Repeated sin hardens the heart, producing iniquity. Untreated, spiritual cancer looks like what we see cancer do in the natural. Another example Holyspirit gave me was, HIV/AIDS. ☠️☠️☠️

    CONCLUSION:
    Along with divided allegiances, Jesus is addressing THOSE PRACTICING LAW-LESS-NESS‼️‼️Those who are habitually practicing spiritual works but, lives without submission to God’s authority. They have religion without righteousness. A form of godliness and denying His Spirit/power (Ref. 2Tim3:1-5; Titus 1:16)

    THE SOLUTION is a simple challenge: repentance + surrender + true relationship with Christ.

    Blog Post

    The Mercy of God

    charmikabrown

    What does “the mercy of God” really look like?

    THE MERCY OF GOD LOOKS LIKE RELATIONAL LOYALTY—


    God’s mercy is shown through His covenant commitment to us. According to God’s Word, mercy is not just emotional kindness. Its deeper than that–It is faithful covenant love that God continues to show us–even when we fail.

    God’s mercy towards us #reflects His loyalty to His covenant, His undeserved kindness & His faithfulfulness [despite the adulterous behavior of His Bride]. Exodus34:6 Lamentations3:22

    Noted: “His mercy endureth forever”means:
    ✅️God’s covenant love is perpetual, unending, and beyond time.
    ✅️Not temporary mercy.
    ✅️Not conditional kindness.
    ✅️Everlasting covenant loyalty.

    In connection to what I read recently in 1 Corinthians 10, just bc something was done, for years, doesn’t mean God approved it and was pleased with it. God can use ANYTHING & ANYBODY but, He doesn’t approves everything & everybody!! He’s been patient and has been giving us time to MAKE ADJUSTMENTS 🙏🏾✝️ TIME IS MERCY

    God’s patience is expressed through the biblical concept of long-suffering. [Slow to anger; Delayed wrath]

    God does not react quickly with judgment.

    Exodus34:6 #Numbers14:18 #Psalm103:8

    📖“The Lord is not slow concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (Ref. 2 Peter 3:9)

    1. God delays judgment
    2. God gives opportunity for repentance
    3. God remains faithful even when people fail— His patience is not permission to continue sinning‼️

    God gives us all time to repent. That’s His love & patience towards ALL — even towards those who mock Him, curse Him, and disrespects Him to His face!!

    He’s giving The Church time to change her adulterous [Babylonian] behavior–COME OUT!! The Lord loves ❤️ us soooo much and so unconditionally & it grieves Him to pass judgment but, He wouldn’t be God if He was a liar & didn’t honor His Word. Therefore, many are translating His grief through lament, warnings, intercession 🙏🏾 travailing for His impending judgment…

    Perfect example:

    “The Book of Jeremiah announces impending, inevitable judgment on Judah and Jerusalem—primarily through the Babylonian invasion—due to deep-seated idolatry, covenant infidelity, and social injustice. Jeremiah describes this judgment as a devastating “boiling pot” from the north, a “roaring blast” or “destroying wind”, and a, destruction akin to shattered pottery.”

    ✝️Judah — Symbol of God’s Covenant People
    In Jeremiah, Judah [name meaning “God be praised”] represents:

    • God’s covenant community (those who claim relationship with Him).
    • A people entrusted with truth but falling into idolatry.
    • Religious culture that outwardly worships but inwardly rebels.

    Judah becomes a warning about covenant unfaithfulness:

    1. Idolatry
    2. Political alliances instead of trusting God
    3. Religious hypocrisy

    ✝️Jerusalem — Symbol of the Spiritual Heart or Center of Worship ; Often interpreted as “foundation of peace” or “city of peace.”

    Jerusalem represents:

    • The spiritual condition of the people
    • The heart of worship
    • The seat of leadership (kings, priests, prophets)

    📌Jeremiah’s prophecy shows:
    You can have the Temple, the city of God, and religious identity — yet still be spiritually corrupt. The people believed religious association guaranteed safety, but God exposed their idolatry and injustice.

    Blog Post

    THE ALTAR OF THE HEART ❤️‍🔥

    charmikabrown

    An altar is a place of sacrifice, covenant, and spiritual allegiance. Its where something dies so covenant relationship may live.

    It symbolizes a place of worship

    If you’re going to create an altar, prepare for the fire!
    ➡️An altar without fire is incomplete.
    ➡ Fire validates the offering

    An altar always answers two questions:

    1. Who is being honored?
    2. What is being surrendered?

    With that said, what happens when The Refiner’s Fire 🔥 comes in??

    1. The sacrifice is consumed and
    2. Separates pure from impure

    Bc the altar is where immpurity is exposed, mixture is removed, authenticity is tested and motives are purified;

    If an altar of Baal (false god) is created vs a holy altar sacrificed to God [one that produces a “sweet aroma”/worship to Him], IT WILL NOT ENDURE THE TESTING OF THE REFINER’S FIRE (Holyspirit/Yaweh)

    “These men have set up their idols in their heart…” -Ezekiel 14:3

    The physical structure of an altar & what’s placed on it and offered as a sacrifice, symbolizes our heart–the inner place of surrender, covenant, and worship. The Greek meaning for “heart” is inner self; conscience. It is the control center of allegiance and worship.

    🔥The altar determined the spiritual condition of Israel.
    🔥The heart determines the spiritual condition of a person.

    Idolatry begins internally before it manifests externally. This is why The Fire of God is necessary & so powerful! Fire in the heart:
    🔥Tests faith
    🔥Burns away impurities and motives &
    🔥Strengthens what is genuine

    The altar of the heart must endure refining. What remains and endures the power of God, reveals purity. (1 Peter 1:7)

    Leviticus 6:12-13 is a symbolism of how the continuous fire signifies constant, unceasing worship, atonement, and the perpetual presence of God, ALONE among His people–

    When one set up an altar, it’s not just a structure, yall! It’s a prophetic picture of THE HEART!
    The bow/kneeling to that physical altar mirrors the inner altar bc
    ➡️The altar of the heart determines the authenticity of worship.
    ➡️Whatever sits on the altar (table) of your heart, is what you truly worship‼️

    📖“The true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…”-John 4:23-24

    Blog Post

    Everything That Seems Good Isn’t God

    charmikabrown

    Quoted from a sister/friend while we were in conversation this AM:
    “The enemy doesn’t mind if we’re doing good things, as long as we’re not obeying God” #ironsharpensiron ✝️❤️

    Bc disobedience to God is an open door/gateway for Satan. He loves when we do & say ANYTHING God didn’t say do–regardless of how innocent it seems.

    “OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” – GOD

    So while we do things & it seems good, get applauded and it gets much recognition from ppl, God will not accept it‼️ (Ex. He rejected Cain’s offering)

    Them: “They have a good heart” or “They had good intentions”

    God: “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things, who can know it? , I the Lord, search the heart,
    I test the mind,
    Even to give every man according to his ways,
    According to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

    (Amplified version) “The heart is deceitful above all things
    And it is extremely sick;
    Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives“I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart,
    To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds”

    So everytime we claim “their heart or our heart was in the right place” in doing something, God’s saying, “I’m the judge of that!” (This really checked me this morning 😮‍💨☺️) Bc our heart is deceitful! We do things w/ the belief “it’s good so God will honor it” but, if it’s not in obedience to God, wholly & with the heart towards Him with faith IN HIM (meaning, it’s gotta be in His Will), HE WILL REJECT IT!!

    And it’s why many are more tired, more worn & depleted than they should be; yoked and entangled in things they shouldn’t be in; lacking more than God promised us to have–bc some of us are using God-given time & energy to do everything else EXCEPT what He said to do! [Then looking for Him to bless & multiply it] smh–NO HE WON’T!

    I heard someone say on the radio yesterday, The Promise Land is ours–but, there was a fight against giants in order to claim [take territory] and possess it! This fight we’re in is against our flesh–bc The Adversary knows how to suggest things, present them as good, to get us to agree to do what he’s saying & AGAINST what God says. (No new tricks). We must know how to model Christ, crucify this flesh & resist the enemy.

    “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” -James 4:7

    “Submit” in this verse means to place oneself under God’s authority, aligning one’s life with His will as a conscious, decisive act

    However we don’t always do that & be right there, calling evil “good” & good “evil”–bc of our heart conditions. [There are grave consequences for that too, if we don’t repent]
    Jesus says, “IF you love me, you’ll keep MY Commandments.” (John 14:15) It’s not about doing “GOOD THINGS” it’s about doing GOD’S THINGS🎯💯

    🙏🏾May the fire on the altar of our heart be ignited & burn 🔥 passionately [even more] as our fuel & driving force for doing all that He called & assigned us to do–NOTHING MORE. NOTHING LESS 🙏🏾❤️✝️AMEN

    Blog Post

    LOVE IS LOVE?

    charmikabrown

    “Love is love” is a pop-culture phrase. Most of the time when ppl say this, they’re referring to sexual attributes and other factors that lacks the characteristics of God/Jesus Christ. But I wanted to search a little deeper on the meaning—specifically in Greek/Hebrew

    “You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” —James 4:4 (Amp)

    I took some time, not long ago, to ask God to help me to love the way He wants me to love bc I didn’t feel as if I actually “love” His way.

    Too often we use the world’s definition, which isn’t real simply bc—the world doesn’t govern itself by God’s standards. They don’t always agree with showing love to or prayi g for strangers/enemies. Therefore it lacks authenticity, purity, righteousness, endurance, humility, security, prayer, trust, faith, honesty,TRUTH…

    So we have a world full of lovers of self, pleasure of unrighteousness, perversion, boasters—their “love” rejoices in evil, it’s full of pride & distrust; insecurity and oppression

    1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
    Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

    May we take a moment to reflect on how we “love”. How we use this word and how we express it. LOVE ISNT boasting about unrighteous behavior; it’s not proud nor self-exalting…

    Blog Post

    Go Back to the Beginning: Reevaluate Your “Why”

    charmikabrown

    2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first![b] 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. -Revelation 2:2-7 (NLT)

    Within the church culture, we often hear this passage interpreted as “return back to your first love; do your first work back over”. Here’s the revelation the Lord gave to me from this particular scripture and quote:

    Imagine being in a relationship (marriage) for several years – life happens and now the two of you are drifting from each other. The communication has grown poor, there’s a lack of intimacy and now you’ve allowed yourself to become open & exposed to more “exciting” people and things. You’ve even found someone who sparks your interest – someone more entertaining who seems to be fulfilling what you feel like you’re missing (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Some people call this the 80/20 rule. You stopped working on your current relationship/marriage; you stopped watering and cultivating the grass in your yard and began admiring the [artificial] greenery in someone else’s yard. You’re enjoying this high you’re on because you’re now “living your best life”. Things were too dull and became too much to deal with in your marriage. You fail to realize that your relationship is salvageable & grow further and further away, less and less interested in making it work because pride says “I’ve done too much to go back; I’ve been gone too long” and lust says “it’s too fun out here. I deserve to be happy” [What’s good to the eyes isn’t always what’s best for the heart]. The Lord said to me that this is an example of a relationship between Him and a backslider.

    Jeremiah 17: 9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

    Jeremiah 3:14 “Turne, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” (KJV)

    Return back to the beginning when you first received salvation and revaluate “why” you made the choice to. We don’t always take into account how much the things here on earth is parallel to the things in the sprit realm. Just as we can gradually lose interest or fall out of love with a human being, regardless of how many years you’ve been a couple, the same thing can happen with our relationship with God if we don’t stay in constant communication with him and if we start to having wondering eyes and itchy ears for the things of outside influences.

    Life gets hard and sometimes painful, unexpected events takes place but, we should NEVER forget who God is and has always been to us. And for any reason we do, we should NEVER turn our back on him. Sometimes it’s not a matter of leaving God physically by committing obvious sins but, we can gradually leave Him by entertaining things that he despises, more regularly. For example, a person can still be married to you, still in the home with you but, gradually leave you mentally and emotionally. Before you know it, they’re totally gone while still lying next to you. You notice their disconnect and bring attention to it but, they say to you, “I never left you or filed for a divorce”. Meanwhile, they’ve checked out or began entertaining impure and unhealthy things outside of your marriage/relationship.