Following Christ in Challenging Times Devotional Reading June 25, 2023
The Battle Within Can Be Won!
“…but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, I do.” —Romans 7:14-15
The Apostle Paul tells us that we were born with a carnal heart desiring the things that bring pleasure to our sinful hearts. Sin always appeals to our five “classical” senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch! In verse 15, Paul stated that he does what he hates. A major contrast between modern Christianity and the Apostle Paul is that we enjoy the sins we engage in.
Spiritual warfare had its beginning in heaven. Pagan concepts and idol worship have always threatened to sway Christians who are striving to live holy. Technological advances have bombarded us with pagan themes and concepts through advertising, online games, and social media. Unless one is viewing a Church’s Live Stream, the recording contains many ads which distract you from remaining focused on the worship service.
Reflection: Have I embraced pagan concepts and incorporated them into my lifestyle?
We cannot fight the battle of good versus evil and overcome our natural cravings for sinful pleasure because we have adopted gateway habits. Listening to secular music and watching programs with profanity and sexual overtures result in the inability to control one’s physical passions. Worldly activities change our thought processes and eliminate our desire to live righteously.
Even online games can pose an issue—demonic images, fantasy themes, and violence influence our minds and propel our senses into driving us to think and do unimaginable things–that believers should never engage in.
Why are Christian gambling in casinos or dancing in clubs? Why are Christians on the Internet Chats and Online Dating Sites? Why are we mean-spirited and readily use profanity when angry? Why are we drinking alcoholic beverages or using the gateway drug—marijuana? Why are we hanging out with unbelieving family members and friends?
When our hearts are not fully dedicated to God, we embrace and practice worldliness. Yes, we seek the people, places, and activities things that give us pleasurable entertainment.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12
Satan uses two false concepts to make us doubt God. First, that his power is equal to or greater than God’s Omnipotence. Secondly, God created human beings as a race of weaklings who cannot resist his ongoing temptations of spiritual warfare. Yet, we have Divine Intervention on our side! We can pray for Spiritual help 24/7.
“The LORD saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. He helps them and rescues them; he saves them from the wicked, because they go to him for protection.” —Psalm 37:39-40
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” —2 Thessalonians 3:3
Read Job Chapter 1—God placed limitations on Satan that he could cause devastation in Job’s life, but he could not cause Job’s death. God reveals His Love and Omnipotence throughout the Bible, most notably, in parting the Red Sea to save the Nation of Israel and Jesus demonstrating His Divinity [while on this earth] by raising Lazarus four days post-mortem.
God’s Gifts to Humanity: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7
God’s Promise to Help Us Against Satan: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” —1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
God’s Grace: “Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost.” We are saved from sin by the Grace of Jesus Christ. Trusting in Christ as our personal Savior, we may be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Every prayer of repentance is received by Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor who readily forgives us without limitations. Still, our part is to exhibit gratitude for Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross by putting forth the effort to shun sin.
Victory Over Temptation and Sin Requires Human Effort and Divine Intervention: The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Put on The Whole Armor of God!”
Human Effort: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-11, 13
Perspectives that keep us bound by Sin
- We do not understand Grace and Mercy, Holiness, Righteousness, or Sanctification.
- We do not understand the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
- We view ourselves as helpless and do not exercise our God-given gifts of the power to say No or we fail to utilize self-control.
- We love our habits, family, and friends more than we love Jesus!
- We do not desire the reward of Eternal Life.
Because we exclude the Holy Spirit from our lives and attempt to define God’s precepts and standards with our perception of righteousness, we do not see our sinful condition as God does. ” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).
The Primary Obstacle Preventing Our Spiritual Transformation and Loyalty to God—” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.’ ” —Mark 12:30
We cannot surrender our will to God if we do not love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Covered by the Umbrella of Surrender to God are the human characteristics of steadfast faith, trust, obedience, much prayer, and diligent study of the Scriptures.
God’s Call to Righteousness: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” —1 Peter 1:15-16
God’s Answer to Keeping Him First: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” —1 John 2:15-17
Although the innate desire to sin produces a continuous internal battle, through unceasing prayer to overcome temptation and a deliberate change of worldly habits, and changing the status of our relationships with unbelieving family and friends, God will not fail us!
Family and friends can be a challenge when your relationships are close and socialize with each other frequently. Pray for strength!
There is a strategy that always works when separating yourself and severing close ties with unbelieving family members and friends, inviting them to church and Bible study. Either they will separate themselves from you or they have recognized a change in your behavior and will accept your invitation.
From our prayers for Divine Help, the Holy Spirit responds immediately and gives us the spiritual strength to say, “No” to our feelings” or “No thank you” to the people whom Satan is using to trap us. An interesting concept is that unbelievers are unaware that Satan is using them to tempt you to sin. Do not become upset or annoyed when your family and friends know that you are a Christian, but they ask you to go to worldly social activities.
To be tempted is not a sin! Even Jesus was tempted. Our response to the temptations reveals whether or not we will sin. Jesus died for us to have another option to the wages of sin. It takes courage along with the desire to live holy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to live as an Overcomer.
Throughout the ages, we have men and women who have walked closely with God. Even the Scriptures reveal biblical characters who remained faithful and never sinned against God: Joseph, Enoch, Elijah, and Job lived sinless lives.
If they lived holy by exercising courage and making the decision to renounce sin along with continuous prayers for Divine strength then we can live holy in these challenging times. Use your God-given gift of a sound mind to make the decisions necessary to receive Eternal Life.
God is aware of the plight of humanity! His love and compassion are evident in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible and most importantly, He demonstrated His Perfect Love by giving Jesus to die for us. Embrace and express thankfulness for God’s never-ending grace and mercy every day.
When Elijah ran from a death threat, thinking he was the only one left serving God, our loving Father reminded him that He had many faithful worshipers. “So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” God’s Reply: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him’ ” (1 Kings 19:10, 14, and 18).
For Elijah’s faithfulness, He was translated—God sent a heavenly chariot for His weary prophet that took Elijah to heaven without seeing death! [2 Kings Chapter 2].
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Brothers and Sisters, we need to view our lives from a spiritual perspective. If we die in Christ, we will be raised first! Many will be alive when Jesus comes again! But only those who have renounced sin in their earthly lives will be translated and receive eternal life.
Following Christ in these perilous times (2 Timothy 3) requires that we give up every sinful habit and distraction. We must continue to love everyone, yet, any person who prevents us from receiving our golden crowns, linen robes, and immortality in a perfect world has to be distanced.
God is calling us to be holy. Will you answer His call?
Scripture: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” —1 Corinthians 6:20
Prayer: Lord God, we come as we are before You asking for forgiveness of our hidden sins and overt habits. We desire to follow Jesus in these challenging times. Lord, we need the strength, wisdom, and discernment from the Holy Spirit to renounce sin. Hear our prayer, Lord, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and we will give You the honor and the glory that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Matchless name, we pray. Amen.
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