The Open Heavens 4 August 2026 devotional for today is HE WHO THINKS HE STANDS II.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 4 AUGUST 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: HE WHO THINKS HE STANDS II
MEMORISE:
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
READ: Matthew 7:21-23
21 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.
22 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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 4 AUGUST 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
It is one thing to stand for Jesus, and it is another to keep standing for Him until the end. To stand in Christ until the end requires God’s help (Jude 1:24), and you must consistently enquire from Him to know how you are standing.
2 Corinthians 10:18 says:
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the lord commendeth.
Many people commend themselves based on their own standards, when, in truth, they have already fallen. God knows those who are still standing in Him; His foundation is sure and He will not allow anyone build falsehood upon it (2 Timothy 2:19).
Today’s Bible reading tells us that on the last day, many people will approach God with confidence, thinking that they ought to be in heaven, but He will send them back and call them workers of iniquity.
They will try to defend themselves using their own standards of judgment, which may include the wonderful works they did in God’s name, but they will still be rejected.
Prophet Isaiah thought he was standing for God until he visited God’s throne room and realised that he was a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5).
Beloved, never assume that you are standing in Christ; consistently examine yourself by His standards to ensure that you are still in the faith. You can do this by constantly weighing your actions and attitudes against God’s word.
For example, how do you react when you are addressed in a manner you consider disrespectful? When people praise you, do you enjoy their praises and bask in pride, or are you quick to redirect them to God, the giver of the gifts you are being praised for? When there is an opportunity to serve, do you avoid it and demand to be served because of your position and achievements, or do you quickly humble yourself, as Jesus did, to serve others? Would you rather have things your way all the time or allow the Holy Spirit to have His way? God’s word is the mirror with which you can always check whether you are standing in Him or not.
James 1:23-25 urges us not to be hearers of God’s word alone, but also doers. Don’t be like a man who sees his blemishes in the mirror and fails to correct them. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the areas you are not walking as uprightly as He desires, so that you can make necessary adjustments immediately.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help me to stand in You until the very end.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 4-5
Open Heavens HYMN 8: I Need Thee Every Hour
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 4 AUGUST 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
This is the prayer of a humble heart that knows it cannot judge itself accurately. Only God can reveal hidden faults and lead you in the right path. Self-examination must be done by His light, not your own.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven—only those who do the will of the Father. On judgment day, many will point to their prophecies, miracles, and mighty works, but He will declare, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” This sobering passage reveals that outward religious activity is no substitute for genuine, obedient relationship with Christ.
Standing vs. Standing Until the End
“It is one thing to stand for Jesus, and it is another to keep standing for Him until the end. To stand in Christ until the end requires God’s help (Jude 1:24), and you must consistently enquire from Him to know how you are standing.”
| Human Commendation | God’s Commendation |
|---|---|
| Based on your own standards | Based on God’s standards |
| You may think you are standing | God knows who is truly standing |
| Your achievements may impress others | Only obedience impresses God |
“2 Corinthians 10:18 says: ‘For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.’”
| Self-Approval | The Lord’s Approval |
|---|---|
| You judge yourself by your works | He judges you by your heart |
| You may think you are safe | He knows if you are in the faith |
| You boast in your achievements | He looks for humility and obedience |
The Shock of Judgment Day (Matthew 7:21-23)
“Today’s Bible reading tells us that on the last day, many people will approach God with confidence, thinking that they ought to be in heaven, but He will send them back and call them workers of iniquity.”
| What They Claim | What God Says |
|---|---|
| “Lord, Lord” | “I never knew you” |
| “We prophesied in Your name” | “Depart from me” |
| “We cast out devils” | “You are workers of iniquity” |
| “We did many wonderful works” | “I do not know you” |
“They will try to defend themselves using their own standards of judgment, which may include the wonderful works they did in God’s name, but they will still be rejected.”
| Their Defense | The Problem |
|---|---|
| “Look at what I did for You” | God is not impressed by works done in your own strength |
| “I was so active in ministry” | Activity is not the same as obedience |
| “I gave my life to You” | He looks for fruit, not just words |
Isaiah’s Revelation: When Self-Assessment Fails
“Prophet Isaiah thought he was standing for God until he visited God’s throne room and realised that he was a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5).”
| Before God’s Presence | After God’s Presence |
|---|---|
| Isaiah thought he was righteous | He cried, “I am undone!” |
| He compared himself to others | He compared himself to God’s holiness |
| He felt he was standing | He realized he was unclean |
Isaiah 6:5 – “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
| Your Own Assessment | God’s Assessment |
|---|---|
| “I am doing well spiritually” | “You need cleansing” |
| “I am better than most” | “You are unclean before Me” |
| “I have not fallen” | “You have not yet seen your heart” |
Examining Yourself by God’s Word
“Beloved, never assume that you are standing in Christ; consistently examine yourself by His standards to ensure that you are still in the faith.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
| How to Examine Yourself | The Mirror Is God’s Word |
|---|---|
| Weigh your actions against Scripture | The Word reveals your true condition |
| Check your attitudes | The Word exposes hidden pride |
| Test your responses | The Word shows if you are walking in love |
“You can do this by constantly weighing your actions and attitudes against God’s word.”
Key Questions for Self-Examination
Daddy Adeboye gives several diagnostic questions to help you check your standing:
1. How Do You React When Disrespected?
| Response of Pride | Response of Humility |
|---|---|
| You become angry and offended | You remain calm and forgiving |
| You demand respect | You give grace |
| You retaliate | You turn the other cheek |
2. How Do You Respond to Praise?
| Response of Pride | Response of Humility |
|---|---|
| You enjoy the praise | You redirect it to God |
| You bask in pride | You recognize God as the giver |
| You think you deserve it | You know it is by His grace |
3. Do You Serve or Demand to Be Served?
| Response of Pride | Response of Humility |
|---|---|
| “I have earned the right to be served” | “Jesus came to serve, and so do I” |
| You avoid humble tasks | You take the lowest place |
| You remind people of your position | You lay down your position |
“When there is an opportunity to serve, do you avoid it and demand to be served because of your position and achievements, or do you quickly humble yourself, as Jesus did, to serve others?”
John 13:14-15 – “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
4. Do You Want Your Way or the Holy Spirit’s Way?
| Self-Willed | Spirit-Led |
|---|---|
| You insist on your preferences | You surrender to His leading |
| You resist correction | You welcome it |
| You want control | You yield control |
“Would you rather have things your way all the time or allow the Holy Spirit to have His way?”
The Mirror of God’s Word (James 1:23-25)
“James 1:23-25 urges us not to be hearers of God’s word alone, but also doers. Don’t be like a man who sees his blemishes in the mirror and fails to correct them.”
James 1:23-25 – “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
| The Mirror Shows You | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| Your blemishes | Correct them |
| Your weaknesses | Strengthen them through God’s grace |
| Your pride | Humble yourself |
| Your sin | Repent and turn |
“Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the areas you are not walking as uprightly as He desires, so that you can make necessary adjustments immediately.”
How to Keep Standing Until the End (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to examine yourself and stay standing in Christ:
1. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 Daily
Make this your regular prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart. See if there is any wicked way in me.” Invite God to expose what you cannot see.
2. Measure Yourself by the Word, Not by Others
Do not compare yourself to other believers. Compare yourself to the standard of Scripture. If you fall short, repent and adjust.
3. Welcome Correction and Examination
Do not avoid hard questions. Do not defend yourself when the Word exposes sin. Welcome the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
4. Be a Doer, Not Just a Hearer
Do not just read the Bible and feel good about it. Apply it. When you see a blemish in the mirror of God’s word, correct it immediately.
5. Stay Humble and Teachable
Never assume you have arrived. Never assume you cannot fall. Keep your heart soft. Keep your ears open. Keep your life aligned with God’s will.
Warning: You Can Be Active in Ministry and Still Rejected
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: prophecy, miracles, and mighty works are not proof of your standing with God. Only obedience and intimate relationship with Christ matter.
| Religious Activity | Relationship with Christ |
|---|---|
| Preaching | Knowing Him |
| Casting out demons | Doing His will |
| Performing miracles | Walking in humility |
| Church leadership | Heart obedience |
“God’s word is the mirror with which you can always check whether you are standing in Him or not.”
Conclusion: Your Prayer for Self-Examination
Daddy Adeboye closes with the call to ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you are not walking uprightly. Do not wait until judgment day to find out.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a humble heart. I do not trust my own assessment of my spiritual condition. I have seen those who thought they were standing and fell. I have seen those who prophesied and cast out demons, only to be rejected by You. Search me, O God. Know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me. Show me the blemishes I cannot see. Show me the pride I have hidden. Show me the areas where I have been a hearer and not a doer. I do not want to be rejected on that day. I want to stand. I want to hear You say, ‘Well done.’ Lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Self-Examination Audit: Answer the four questions Daddy Adeboye posed this week:
- How do I react when disrespected?
- How do I respond to praise?
- Do I serve or demand to be served?
- Do I want my way or the Holy Spirit’s way?
Write down your honest answers. Make adjustments where needed.
- The Mirror Check: Pick one area of your life this week where you have been a hearer but not a doer. Apply God’s word to that area immediately.
- The Daily Search: For the next 30 days, pray Psalm 139:23-24 every morning. Invite God to show you what you cannot see. Let Him search you.
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