This week in through Kelly Minter study I am learning more about deceiving thoughts and lies that worm their way into my everyday life. I can start my day out in God’s word, in prayer, listening to praise music, or singing praise myself but, inevitably somewhere along the line the day gets consumed with daily tasks or mindless entertainment. These are not necessarily bad by themselves, but when I take my focus off of whose I am, they become deceptions. How often do I watch or listen to something that is not filling my mind with the things of God, but really going against the things of God. How many times do I let the routine of the day take precedence over sitting at the feet of God? Then I need to ask, how often I allow the world’s view guide my life instead of a biblical view.
Ephesians 4:17-24 reminds me of how I should go through my days – putting off the way I used to be and allowing myself to be led by the Holy Spirit seeking The Truth. Ephesians 4:17-24 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus. You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires;
you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.(HCSB)
Left to myself I would fall into deception and would probably be teaching some of the deceptive lies. Thank God that He is faithful to lead me, to walk with me, to protect me, and to love me! God is stronger than anyone or thing that I could imagine. We are going to have struggles or challenges in our lives. Some of them will be deception coming out of mouths of those we watch, listen to, or encounter. Knowing God’s word is the only way to get through these times. II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (HCSB).
In order for me to live a new life in Christ, with freedom and security from lies and deception, I need to be trained, taught, and corrected. Only through my relationship with Jesus Christ and studying His word will I be successful. Through God's grace, as I study seek His wisdom I will know the Truth and recognize the deceiving lies.
Thanks, Beth, for being so open about what God is teaching you - I really appreciate it. I have been smacked with the reality of how many things worm their way into my heart daily to steal time from me, time that should be focused on God and my relationship with Him! Sharing with others is such an encouragement!
ReplyDeleteChris
I thought of the words to a (childrens) song that goes right along with the Life-Long Learning, it is called, "He's still working on me". He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving a patient He must be, cause He's still working on me!"
ReplyDeleteThis study has brought so many things to light. This past week, particularly about how Satan uses the truth to deceive us. He doesn't have to out and out lie, he just makes you question, and therefore lose your focus on Christ. If we take our eyes off Him, that is when we get in trouble.
The other thing God is revealing over and over is REALLY being sure I am listening to God. He is at work all around us, we just have to join Him. Sometimes the hardest part for me is listening, quietly, and patiently, not acting of my own accord. I want to be so in tune with Him, feel His presence so strong, yearn to be in His word, that I do not take a step without Him. Part of my lifelong learning continues to be that just because I formulate a plan that seems "good", certainly with "good" intentions, His plans are so much better. I am learning that He does not need me to be His advisor (imagine that), and that more than specific tasks, He wants me to trust Him and hold on for the journey. Sometimes we look around our own lives or others around us and may even covet someone else's life that seems to have it more "together". I am learning that it is the journey with Him, in spite of our circumstances, that is most important.
On the way to work this morning, the sky was busting with beautiful colors and patterns, truely took my breath away. He is so cool to have shared that with me. Miles and miles of colors, shades of pink, red, blue, and purple... Each "scene" more beautiful than the last, a spectacular show - and I didn't even have to buy a ticket. Sometimes the best things in life are free, but in His case, he already bought our ticket for us.
Glad to be on this journey with you, my friend! Happy Monday!