First off: this is not a post about feeling inferior. So…relax! I am not going onto that bridge with this post.
I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE ON MY MIND FOR NOW
As a warm-up preliminary to my post, please do me a favor and go read this very short post from a new blog friend. I hope after doing so you will grasp where my title comes from.
In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Some of what Dan writes about can be wrapped up into those words from Jesus. But there is more. I recently began reading Detox by David Putman devotionally. One of the things that David points out almost from the beginning is the cunning of our enemy. I think we all tend to be aware of that aspect of him. He is into counterfeiting what is real. But it goes much deeper than just a smoke screen. We have to come to the realization that His plans are much more involved than merely offering something fake. He is in it for our ultimate and complete destruction. Consider these words David wrote:
Satan doesn’t want us to live like Jesus or love like Jesus, and he certainly doesn’t want us to leave what Jesus left behind. While Jesus came inviting us into His way in order that we might experience a full life, Satan wants to limit and minimize our lives; he often does this by introducing us to cheap substitutes like religion. The substitute is that which ever so subtly nudges Jesus out of our lives.
As you have probably heard it said fairly often, we replace our relationship “with Jesus” with a religion “about Jesus.” In my own life, I notice that it starts so innocently. That little justification of “I don’t have time to journal/study/pray” becomes a disturbingly common habit. Just two days ago, I said, “I will read my devotions, but don’t have the time right now to pray or journal. I’ll get to it later.” I even left my Moleskine journal with my Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch leather cover sit on my desk. Man, I love the smell of that cover! I love that it looks nice. I even carried it on my emergency run to the hospital to visit someone (just in case I had some time). Lo, and behold, I left it in the car. But Tuesday morning, as I opened up my journal, I realized what I had done. I even wrote about it. My busy day had all but wiped out all my good intentions. And every action was paved with good intentions.
The enemy offers us an inferior lifestyle. An inferior outlook. In fact, everything he offers is inferior. Let’s not get caught up in his inferiority. Do you have any thoughts to share? Have you found yourself settling for second best?
P.S. HEY EVERYONE! I AM WRITING THIS P.S. AT 7:30 AM. I HAVE BEEN TO NUMEROUS BLOGS THIS MORNING AND HAVE TRIED TO COMMENT. IT APPEARS FACEBOOK IS HAVING PROBLEMS. IT WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ACTION. SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I AM UNABLE TO COMMENT ON YOUR SITE AT THIS TIME. MAYBE THEY WILL GET IT FIXED.
Bill, I’m glad you found something of value in what I wrote about today. Of course, I could have written about other areas of my life that pull me away from the truth that I know. I am vulnerable on a number of different fronts. However, lust is one area of sin/temptation that I really struggle with on a regular basis. Your observations are spot on and I appreciated reading your take. Blessings.
Daniel: thanks for your honesty. From your site I take it you are a single father. The temptation has to be huge! it is single or married. Glad I got your take right and offered some good thoughts. Thanks.
I’m convinced that Satan’s trap is to “distract” us. It could be something as fierce as lust or something as simple as rest and forget about your time with God. But what I’ve found is that our live with Christ is a constant moment of devotion and joy. In my life, when I’ve been found in a rut, it has always began with small stuff that seems insignificant but that end up piling up into a pile of gunk!
I agree Moe. The Bible says he is a roaring lion seeking to devour. Gives me the impression of stalking. Agree with your words on the “rut.” Thanks.
I am not sure I buy into “The Devil Made Me Do It”. I do agree that following the teachings of Jesus leads to a more abundant life. Jesus said “Follow me” He didn’t say “Study me” I don’t think “following” requires a lot of journaling, studying, or praying. It does require a certain attitude toward others. An interesting article in the religious section of Huffington post today explains how the Amish live their faith everyday. Demonstrating their faith is what they do every day. With a remarkable attitude for forgiveness and a divorce rate near 0% there is probably a lesson to be learned there.
I think more time following and less time studying is time well spent.
I don’t buy into the “devil made me do it” excuse either Jeff. It is too convenient. But i do believe that it takes the studying, etc to “know” Jesus in a more meaningful way. The Amish definitely demonstrate their faith. Thanks.
My post entitled “Serpent” was not a case of blaming the devil for my sin. The serpent that I alluded to was really just a label given to whatever dark forces/thoughts lead me away from the path I know I am supposed to be on. Those forces could be internal or external. I too agree that tossing out excuses or blame is just a way to not take responsibility for our own actions and sin. I like your comment and viewpoint.
I am with Moe here – I too believe that Satan’s trap is to distract us. It is sometimes good things that distract us from God and sometimes it is the things we expect from the enemy. Anyway we cut it – Satan is out to keep us from doing what we need to do and he is going to use every thing he can to do it. Thanks Bill!
If he is out to trap us, then I am caught far too often. For the record: I agree.
And he is relentless in it. Thanks Jim for the comment.
This is something that I’ve been chewing on as well. Any distraction that the devil can use to keep us focused on ourselves and not God. And it doesn’t have to be a “bad” thing either. But I know that there is a battle for our heart.
The tactics of the devil are subtle. And we have a way of being lured away without knowing we are walking off the path.
thanks Bill! The link was a good one too
Distraction is a good word Craig. Glad you liked the link. Daniel writes some good stuff. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Bill,
I think that Daniel’s post about the serpent shows us that God’s grace is not meant to allow us to sin without consequences. Churches have been teaching a cheap grace for many years. God’s grace allows us to be able to DO what he wants us to do, and not for the purpose of covering up our failings in the face of the Father.
We need to take sin seriously and keep away from it. It’s much, much easier to stay away from sin than it is to get loose of sin once it has its grip on us. To me this is not just in the area of sexual lust, but all kinds of lust. We’re fighting a selfish, lustful old man in our old selves. Matthew 26:41 ‘watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak’.
Those of us who have a full grown nasty dragon living in our midst have a huge fight on our hands to slay that dragon. Those of us who have a little baby dragon in our midst need to slay it as soon as possible. Show no mercy to the cute little thing. Those of us who have a tiny little dragon seed of sin that is starting to sprout in our midst need to deprive this seed of its sustanance. Crush it and destroy it.
1 John 1:10 ‘If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives’.
We know when we are stepping into areas of gray in our lives. We need to move our feet out of those gray paths and place our feet in paths of pure white. Our eternal lives depend on this.
What we can do otherwise for our brothers is pray for one another. Strengthen one another and encourage one another.
I can take away three important things from what you wrote Linda. One, we need to take sin seriously. We also need to pray for one another, strengthen one another and encourage one another. Hmmm that’s 4. Thanks.
I love that point about the difference between the relationship with Jesus and a religion about Jesus. That’s a very poignant way of saying it.
I just finished wrapping up a lesson series on Spiritual Warfare. It was pretty amazing seeing how much the Bible really does say about Satan being a liar that is out to get us. He’ll use every weapon at his disposal. He’ll tempt us in such subtle ways that we don’t even know it’s from him.
That stood out to me also Loren. Learning about spiritual warfare is an eye-opener for sure. Thanks for the input.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
My Fathers’s thoughts are way higher that anybody’s…that is who I CHOOSE to believe. Not the enemy of my soul, not the world…NOBODY, gets the access that my Father gets. I need to think like Him!
Good post and thoughts!
This comment is more than its wroth more than its weight in gold! Thanks Jay!
Bill… I am often satisfied with second best. I can give all kinds of excuses, but I’m just lazy.
It comes from years of overacheiving and now I’m just … tired.
But that excuse pales when I dont step up for the important things in life.
Good to hear from you David! Stepping up is sometimes harder. Seems backing off is the easier road to take. Been there done that. Thanks for your honesty.
Great message Bill. I did go to your friends blog and tried to comment there but tried @ 10 attempts and the word thingy would never let me leave it…you can pass along it was a powerful and timely message from me. I soooo can relate that inferior is a great word for what I have settled for, especially in where I spend my time and energy outside of the Almighty…thanks!
That Blogger word thingy is a pain sometimes. i went through a period where I couldn’t comment on anyone’s blog that used Blogger. hopefully Daniel will see your comment. You and i can say the same thing on inferior Tom. Thanks.
I wish more pastor’s were as “real” as you. That has helped me more than you will ever know:-) Thanks.
I am humbled and honored that you would say such a fine thing Ike. Truly. Thanks.
Well said Bill. We’re all guilty of letting Satan worm his way in and subtly ruin our lives. Our flesh truly is our thorn. It is a constant strain against the flesh to not let us be ripped apart by the roaring lion who seeks to destroy our soul for eternity.
If the lost world and even all of us could constantly be aware of the fact that Satan hates eternally the souls he’s trying to rob.
Our flesh is a thorn. Well put Floyd. Here’s to more people finding out about the true mission of our enemy. Thanks for the comment.