Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Idolatry
As we end our study of 1 John, we read John's words, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." What is an idol? It is anything that draws our attention away from God. What occupies my heart's desires - is it God? Or do I desire something else? So think through this with us for the next few days. What consumes you? What are you willing to sin to get? Hopefully you can use these questions to determine if you desire something other than our loving God.
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3 comments:
Just an FYI--I am reading a book called: The Enemy Within, by Kris Lundgaard. It focuses on the battle between the flesh and the Spirit within us. At the end of each chapter it asks some vital questions. Easy to understand Romans 7 kind of book. Holds hands with the idol study.
Also thank you so much for sharing your struggles. I guess sometimes I buy the lie that fellow Christians have it all together and see me as "needing help". It's good to remember that some struggles God allows for a lifetime process [like John's thorn in the flesh] as well as those that we can see the victory God gives us. This is grace, but I do struggle with fighting more than recognizing them.
Reading about The Enemy Within also teaches why we struggle to fight, in line with Scripture. This season as a believer has been the most difficult with selfishness & God has made this abundantly clear to me. As I am given eyes to see this, I am appalled by my actions and how often I do them. It sure puts one in a state of humility before a Just God. Some days I don't want to go to Him and face asking His forgiveness yet again! But He is good and faithful to forgive and I have resolved that it's better to be on my knees in front of Him than anywhere else.
It is a struggle to realize that I am not the only one that has problems. I often think that others have it all put together too! Yet, we are all sinners and by God's grace we can become like Christ. What an amazing blessing!
God uses many seasons and times in our life to show us where we need to grow. We can be confident that Romans 8:28-29 is true - that God is using these things to conform us to His Son. So yes, be appalled with your sin; but then ask forgiveness and pray that God would help you be more Christlike studying Scripture along the way; then be thankful that God has shown you your sin.
Thank you for the book idea. I will have to check that one out as I had not heard of that one yet.
Stay faithful by God's grace!
Sarah
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