Devotional Reading September 15, 2023
If we do not fill our minds with the Scriptures then Satan will fill our minds with worldviews. Without Scriptural knowledge of God’s righteous precepts and commandments, we develop standards to live by that are not in alignment with righteousness. Our knowledge deficit does not remain, we fill the void by embracing worldly concepts that lead to the decline of our relationship with Christ.
The Bible is our Spiritual Guidebook in which God defines the standards for our moral code and value system.
Morals: a person’s standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do.
Values: a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.
“All of a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.” —Proverbs 16:12
Reflect on your decisions, habits, and lifestyle. Our morals and values are demonstrated by the way we think, act, and live. We need spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit to practice the righteous standards of God. Believe it or not, most of us are impacted by the spiritual warfare of worldviews. But know this, every worldview is a contradiction of God’s Biblical view.
We were created with a measure of faith to establish and maintain our belief in God’s love, power, and presence in our lives. When our faith is not in God because He is a stranger [the Scriptures reveal every aspect of God’s Character], from our disinterest in studying the Bible, we misappropriate our faith.
Some believers study the Scriptures and pray, but choose not to obey all of God’s requirements because they have already embraced the pleasures of worldliness. They live a life of self-deception. Their importance is on their works which they use as a substitution for faith in God.
We were created to believe in God. Human beings cannot function without a belief system. We need someone or something to believe in. Some people think they are elevating their status by believing in their human reasoning. Our minds cannot remain void, so we make a substitution for our faith in God by placing our faith in worldviews—worldly beliefs and practices.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9
As our morals and values transition, our thoughts and emotions also change. We begin to incorporate different habits into our lifestyles and practice unrighteous behaviors every day without remorse. We lose all guilty feelings over our new and comfortable lifestyle. Did you know that it is easier to do wrong than to do right? There is nothing more pleasing to Satan than a believer who compromises and thinks they are still in right standing with God. With the decline of our spiritual health, our mental, emotional, and physical health also decline. Sinful choices never lead to a healthy, happy, and harmonious life.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31, ESV
Worldviews that Destroy Our Spiritual Health, Harmony [with Christ], and Happiness
- Pursue your dreams, just do it!
- Look out for yourself first.
- Trust in your judgment.
- Follow your heart.
- Trust no one but yourself.
- Opportunity only comes around once, take immediate action.
- Always speak up for yourself even if it involves conflict.
- Do whatever is necessary to achieve your goals.
- Make yourself happy—Enjoy life to the fullest!
- Relax with a bottle of wine or use marijuana, it’s legal.
Self-centered concepts reveal the effectiveness of Satan’s opposition to God’s promises. Embracing worldviews disrupts our spiritual journey with God and has a parasitic effect on our mental and emotional health. Trending Worldviews: “The truth is what you believe it to be”, and “No one is coming to help you.”
God’s Views: In Psalm 119, verse 105, David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth (John 17:17). “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
We cannot stop the decline of morals, values, and sinful practices, yet, it is a choice to compromise, embrace, and validate worldviews by incorporating them into our lives. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12). Satan is very deceptive! It is not easy to recognize changes in our spiritual condition when we are distracted by our life of ease.
Satan ceases to fight a compromising believer. He has a remarkable talent for using pleasure as lullabies that create a sense of spiritual tranquility and relaxation. We cannot engage in any aspect of worldliness—secular music, movies with sexual content and profanity, consuming alcoholic drinks, using drugs to relax, having relationships with unbelievers, and living a hedonistic [focusing on pleasure and having a good time] lifestyle when serving God.
Ask yourself, “Right now, where do I stand with God?” The apostle Paul tells us to awaken from our spiritual sleep.
Too busy and too tired to perform quiet introspection—soul-searching of our behaviors and habits, we continue our counterproductive lifestyle. No, things are not going the way we planned, but we do not recognize the need for self-examination. Still, we cannot rationalize our decision-making that excludes God or the need to embrace the shortcuts of worldly behaviors.
Because we are making a little effort to keep in touch with our religious beliefs by attending church or praying when we remember, we feel that our status with God is okay. Sadly, it usually takes a major life event for us to wake up out of our spiritual sleep. Then we have no choice but to come to Jesus.
“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
The Holy Spirit gives us warnings through sermons, and our consciences—our thoughts. He allows us to see social media posts on committing our lives to Christ, reminding us to study the Bible, and giving up all secular habits to follow Christ. We can never say that God did not tell us that we have strayed from the Path of Righteousness. Every Christian believer who once had a close relationship with Christ and is now practicing any worldview knows they are not faithfully obeying God’s precepts nor are they in right standing with God.
“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
David knew the condition of the human heart. Every day, in humility, we can speak this prayer for God to search our hearts. God lovingly and patiently waits for our prayers asking for His help. Yes, our Heavenly Father knows our inner struggles and the warfare we face daily in our earthly journey. We have Divine help that is just a prayer away. Redirect your faith and focus on God by studying the Scriptures—begin with Genesis.
Seeking to live a godly lifestyle is the toughest decision we will ever make. Our lifestyle on earth is meant to prepare us for eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. God says, “Be holy, for I am Holy.” He knows that we cannot achieve righteous living without the Holy Spirit. Do your part in the plan of Redemption! To achieve optimal spiritual health includes giving up habits, lifestyles, friends, and family members. Yet, all the sacrifices we make for God will be rewarded!
The condition of these perilous times requires that we renew our covenant vow of discipleship to Christ every day. We need Divine reinforcement from the Holy Spirit to maintain our spiritual strength! Our responsibility is to faithfully obey God and renounce sin. Jesus created us and we belong to Him! Never forget, that only the Three Persons of the Triune Godhead can empower us with optimal spiritual health, and harmony of the mind, body, and soul. Our happiness is consistent because it springs up from Christ’s Spiritual Well of Joy flowing within our souls.
Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your love, grace, and mercies. We ask for forgiveness of our sins and to create in us a clean heart. We need Your help to remain in optimal spiritual health. Thank You for blessing us with a sound mind and our measure of faith. We commit to love and serve You for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
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