Decisions....Decisions.....Decisions...
I wonder if any of you have the same problem I have. The more I read the Bible, participate in a study on the Word, or even listen to someone on the radio, I come up with the same problem. God's Word kicks me in the tail (to coin a phrase from Beth Moore) all the time. It has happened again.
Still in the book of James, I now come across James 4:4 which reads (in the NIV)
"You adulterers! Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."
WHOA!!!! That's pretty harsh! An enemy of God? Me? NO WAY! Beth Moore, in her study on James titled "Mercy Triumphs," points out that the word 'chooses' or 'choice' denotes a conscious decision. So, I decided to look up a few scriptures containing the word choice. I found quite a few scriptures that I will list for you at the end of this blog, but I want to list a specific one here. Psalms 119:30 says "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws." We all know what many of God's laws are. Many of us have heard them since we were young children. But have we set our hearts on them? I wonder.
So what is this friendship with the world thing? Have I made a choice to be a friend of the world? Have I DECIDED to choose the way of truth in my life? I wonder.
Some of you that know me quite well know that I can be somewhat of an addict to certain things. Oh let's get real....I have been a COMPLETE addict many times. At one time in my life it was alchohol, another time was just general bad behavior, for a long time it was cigarettes, now it is sugar. Yes sugar. Picture this. An almost 59 year old woman standing at the kitchen counter shoveling sugar into a bowl with some milk in it. After eating about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sugar this way, I remembered the promise " No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. See, all those calories could have been avoided if I had just CHOSEN to listen to Him.
He provides a way. He gives us an out. IF we can make the DECISION to believe His word and take Him up on His promises, we have a free ride out of worldliness and into His Presence.
Sometimes I just like to read the words of "The Message" which states for James 4:4:
"You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way." Says it pretty clearly, huh?
There are many, many examples of worldliness we have all slipped into. I have realized that two of my favorite programs are CHOICES of worldliness I have made that I have to give up. I REALLY like these shows. I can give you all kinds of reasons why I like them. But I can also give you a few reasons why I should not be watching them, including the picturing of sexual immorality, adultery, and greed as normals in every day life. So, I will be giving them up. I don't tell you this for any reason other than a thought provoker. What smacks as worldliness in your life? What could be taken as 'hatred' toward God or being his enemy? What do you need to eliminate? Share your thoughts and even let us know about something you are changing....something you are DECIDING and CHOOSING to do differently. We all gain strength from each other.
Scriptures mentioned above include Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 8:10 and 16:16. If you find scripture on choices, share them!
Still in the book of James, I now come across James 4:4 which reads (in the NIV)
"You adulterers! Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."
WHOA!!!! That's pretty harsh! An enemy of God? Me? NO WAY! Beth Moore, in her study on James titled "Mercy Triumphs," points out that the word 'chooses' or 'choice' denotes a conscious decision. So, I decided to look up a few scriptures containing the word choice. I found quite a few scriptures that I will list for you at the end of this blog, but I want to list a specific one here. Psalms 119:30 says "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws." We all know what many of God's laws are. Many of us have heard them since we were young children. But have we set our hearts on them? I wonder.
So what is this friendship with the world thing? Have I made a choice to be a friend of the world? Have I DECIDED to choose the way of truth in my life? I wonder.
Some of you that know me quite well know that I can be somewhat of an addict to certain things. Oh let's get real....I have been a COMPLETE addict many times. At one time in my life it was alchohol, another time was just general bad behavior, for a long time it was cigarettes, now it is sugar. Yes sugar. Picture this. An almost 59 year old woman standing at the kitchen counter shoveling sugar into a bowl with some milk in it. After eating about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sugar this way, I remembered the promise " No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. See, all those calories could have been avoided if I had just CHOSEN to listen to Him.
He provides a way. He gives us an out. IF we can make the DECISION to believe His word and take Him up on His promises, we have a free ride out of worldliness and into His Presence.
Sometimes I just like to read the words of "The Message" which states for James 4:4:
"You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way." Says it pretty clearly, huh?
There are many, many examples of worldliness we have all slipped into. I have realized that two of my favorite programs are CHOICES of worldliness I have made that I have to give up. I REALLY like these shows. I can give you all kinds of reasons why I like them. But I can also give you a few reasons why I should not be watching them, including the picturing of sexual immorality, adultery, and greed as normals in every day life. So, I will be giving them up. I don't tell you this for any reason other than a thought provoker. What smacks as worldliness in your life? What could be taken as 'hatred' toward God or being his enemy? What do you need to eliminate? Share your thoughts and even let us know about something you are changing....something you are DECIDING and CHOOSING to do differently. We all gain strength from each other.
Scriptures mentioned above include Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 8:10 and 16:16. If you find scripture on choices, share them!
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