“All that glitters is not gold” is a message of awareness to the hidden deceptions that exist behind the beautiful and the glamorous. We receive the warning to be cautious of the people, places, and things that appeal to and delight our five senses. The Apostle Paul tells us, You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23
Remember to pray and ask for help from the Holy Spirit. We will always have conflict between the desire for carnal–worldly pleasures and the things of God, which are spiritual. Even so, God has a Spiritual Team to provide immediate help and assist us to be Overcomers!
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT
Today’s Devotional–Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day–by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby
Blinded by the God of This Age
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:4
When you are blinded, you cannot see things as they really are, even though others around you see them clearly. You cannot experience the full reality of all that is around you. You may feel you are experiencing all that there is to life, yet you may be unaware that you are missing what God desires for you. You may even be in danger because of your blindness and not know it.
Paul warned that the “god of this age” can blind you to the reality of Jesus Christ. Christ’s presence can make a significant difference in your life. However, if Satan convinces you to doubt that Christ can do what He promised, he will have blinded you to the reality of what your life is really like and to what it could become. Others may see what your unbelief causes you to miss, but you will be unaware of it. Your life may be steadily moving toward disaster, but you will be oblivious to it.
Christ comes to you as light (John 1:4, 5, 9). He illuminates your sin so that you see its ugliness and destructiveness. He reveals Himself so that you can appreciate the glory of His person and the marvelous riches He brings. His presence lights your path so that you can see impending danger. Don’t let the god of this age distort your spiritual vision. Don’t be fooled into thinking that everything is as it should be when, in fact, you are missing out on so much that God wants to do in your life. Ask Christ to illuminate your life and let you clearly see your spiritual condition.
Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for thinking, acting, and living as if you are not the Creator of all humanity. We have put many things above you. Thank you for the gifts of grace and mercy. Give us the strength we need to always praise you and have a spirit of gratitude. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen. 2021 Copyright Sonya Johnson
I had to share this phenomenal testimony of a believer explaining the answer. The visual isn’t great. Pray you will commit to memory the perfect analogy that she used. Have a blessed day.
Many years ago, I was the Nurse Administrator in a minimal correctional facility operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Random searches for illegal paraphernalia were conducted on a routine basis. Thankfully, the facility director was very protective of the female staff and would inform me of the scheduled search the day before.
The protocol involved total lockdown, which required that our entry-proof door of the clinic be double-bolted from the inside. Except for the Director, all staff was sequestered in their offices for an unlimited time until “All-clear” was announced. Although, in-house searches were part of the environment, this one was different. The Dept. of Corrections had escalated the search by bringing in an outside task force.
On this particular day, my coworker and I decided to peek at the officers and dogs entering the corridor. We were younger, and our curiosity had gotten the best of us. The ferocious barking that we heard from the team of dogs made our hearts race and accelerated our breathing. But in our desire to see, we were not prepared to witness armed officers with massive-sized German Shepherd dogs. Nor did we realize how a man would appear shackled with chains around his chest, back, wrists, and ankles to our curious eyes. When his eyes met with our eyes, he dropped his head in shame.
After witnessing the dogs, armed officers, and the shackled offender, my coworker began to cry uncontrollably. Since the sick call was canceled for the day [exceptions for emergencies], we stayed in our clinic with the door closed to process what we had witnessed. It was overwhelming, to say the least, sixteen years have passed, and I still remember every detail.
Sin shackles our minds and bodies. If only we would reflect on the devastation that we suffer when we choose to live outside 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
King David realized the devastating impact that sin has on our hearts: Sin shackles us in the chains of wickedness and separates us from God. Yes, we can always pray for forgiveness. But, sin leaves residual effects by desensitizing our desire to live holy and acceptable lives before God. The pleasures of this world are deadly. We can never pay the price that sin requires of us. Our morals and values deteriorate along with our desire to live faithful and obedient lives to God, our Creator.
Jesus went above and beyond, giving His life so we can have salvation, a permanent solution to our inherent sinful desires. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Matthew 6:24. We must make the decision to either serve God and live according to His plans, or we must continue to enjoy the people, places, and things that make us feel good. Serving God means total surrender to His will and His way. If God required Jesus, His only Son, to suffer, bleed and die for us, then He requires us to choose this day who we will serve. Free yourself from the shackles of your desires.
Bible Study: Psalm 139
God, we pray for forgiveness of our sins. We need your strength to release us from the habits, and people that are feeding our desire to sin. Thank you, Jesus for your great sacrifice. We pray this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
You must be logged in to post a comment.