“Words are very powerful. Use them wisely for the Lord.”
Surrender is hard.
Waiting on God can be hard because surrender is hard.
The flesh is ugly and goes against everything the spirit says to do.
Christianity looks insane.
The world says to follow your heart.
The Word says, “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY SICK; WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT?” – JEREMIAH 17:9
Every time I followed my heart and did what I “felt” was right I ended up in a bucket of tears and finding out I didn’t actually want what I thought I wanted. I wanted what my “heart” or flesh wanted and got it. The world isn’t as fun as it says it is. They just say “You live and learn.” or “There’s a pill for that.” or “Nobody’s perfect.”
The Word says…
(I typically use King James, but I do like this NIV version…)
“ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART,
FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT.”
-PROVERBS 4:23
The christian life means cutting things from your life because the new man cannot do what the old man did.
The new man is righteous and wants the things of God.
The old man is dead.
The new man is alive and springing forth of life because Jesus is alive in you.
The old man is still dead.
The only bad news is that we are stuck in this carnal body until the day we take our last breath or Jesus comes back and we get our new heavenly body.
With all of that said we still struggle, but because of the new man and continuously (and sometimes painfully) overcoming the flesh we gain wisdom.
I think the only way I can explain this isn’t to speak in metaphors, but to be frank:
Social media is the devil.
Why?
I will admit I struggle with it. I always think it can be fun. It can be. It also can be a grounds for coveting because that’s what it is. People post the highlights from their life while you are living a less than desirable life. At least in your mind. You haven’t gotten the desires of your heart and all you see are post after post of people living the life you are dreaming of.
That’s a lie because we don’t know their struggles. We just see the happy faces.
It’s not always intentional to covet.
It’s subtle.
You see one post. And then another. You’re not even thinking about it when suddenly you realize you aren’t on this grand adventure or planning a wedding or maybe not even hanging out with anyone this weekend. You are either working or taking care of your home (dealing with snakes) or just living your life. You are living the season God has you in. You are usually fine with that. Or, maybe you’re not and are struggling with surrender when social media comes along and reminds you of the things you don’t have or the fun you’re not having. You realize you aren’t staying in your own lane anymore, but have drifted into someone else’s fantasy.
I’m going to say a funny story about this and how God works:
I have been wanting to delete my Facebook. Last week I did. But, I went back on it.
A few days after peeking again (after saying I would delete it) someone contacted me that one of their Facebook friends saw my Facebook and wanted to set me up with their son.
“They don’t even know me….?”
I know…that’s why it’s a blind date.
One perk of social media. Happenstance posts.
If you know me you know I have anxiety and am one of the most socially awkward human beings on the planet.
Like. I pass out if I see a crush and never speak to them. I AM 30 YEARS OLD and yet still 12 and in middle school.
I have a blog. It’s hiding behind a computer screen. haha
I have a customer service job. The irony.
Anyway, out of desperation for my life staying the same and letting my guard down and what I can only describe as a tiny stroke I agreed to go on this date.
Ok. I agreed. As the week went on I started having massive anxiety. It consumed me. I texted a friend about it. And i mean it’s just one day out of my whole life. It’s not a big deal. She texted me, “Where do you want to meet them? I don’t want to give out your number.”
That’s so nice.
After fighting this back and forth because I don’t like saying I will do something and then backing out. I HATE IT. I want to be a person of my word.
But, I couldn’t do it. My life was literally spiraling out of control. I told them I was sorry, but was backing out of it and I would take the blame and all the awkwardness.
I felt so bad and they responded the next day with “It’s ok. No problem.”
I also deleted my Facebook. Hilarious.
I told a friend about this and they couldn’t understand the anxiety. I know. It doesn’t really make sense, but I just didn’t feel comfortable and sometimes you have to just go with that.
However, that did lead into a discussion about relationships. They can only see through the eyes of the world. I finally just said I don’t want what I want, but want what God wants for me. That is the only true way to know a relationship will work. Your common bond is God. God isn’t just part of your life, but He is your life.
“A Christian is simply a sinner who needs a savior needing forgiveness and grace. Marriage is knowing it’s two sinner in need of lots of forgiveness and grace.”
Look. We have to do what we have to do to avoid falling into traps. We have to cut off the strong holds of our lives.
Another thing is we hang on to the silliest stuff. I’ve deleted numbers out of my phone so I wouldn’t be tempted to text the person.
We are meant to live an overcoming life set apart from the world.
I’ve had people ask me why I try to live set apart.
THEY HAVE USED BIBLE SCRIPTURE TO DESCRIBE ME WITHOUT EVER HAVING READ IT.
That is powerful.
My response? I don’t try. I just clearly am because of what I stand for.
Let your light shine. God is using you even in the littlest ways that you don’t even think about.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. You are the salt of the earth.
Jesus. The living water. The bread of life. My savior who fights for me.
God is using you where you are. While you may only see what you don’t have and may not see the fruits of your prayers it doesn’t mean you’re not dropping seeds.
Who You say I am – Hillsong – Youtube link
Who am I that the highest King Would welcome me?
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh, His love for me!
Who the Son sets free oh is free indeed.
I’m a child of God. Yes, I am
Free at last He has ransomed me .
His grace runs deep.
While I was a slave to sin Jesus died for me.
Yes He died for me.
Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed.
I’m a child of God. Yes, I am
In my Father’s house there’s a place for me.
I’m a child of God. Yes, I am.
“I am chosen. Not forsaken. I am who You say I am.
You are for me. Not against me. I am who You say I am.”
“AND IF THY RIGHT EYE OFFEND THEE, PLUCK IT OUT, AND CAST IT FROM THEE: FOR IT IS PROFITABLE FOR THEE THAT ONE OF THY MEMBERS SHOULD PERISH, AND NOT THAT THY WHOLE BODY SHOULD BE CAST INTO HELL. AND IF THY RIGHT HAND OFFEND THEE, CUT IT OFF, AND CAST IT FROM THEE: FOR IT IS PROFITABLE FOR THEE THAT ONE OF THY MEMBERS SHOULD PERISH, AND NOT THAT THY WHOLE BODY SHOULD BE CAST INTO HELL.” – MATTHEW 5:29-30
“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE: BUT FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION.”
– PROVERBS 1:7
Proverbs 4 (NIV)
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Beloved Oath of God 