Repentance does not come naturally to man. It must be learned because the heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately sick. Jeremiah 17:9
David was well aware of this when he wrote. Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long? You who are a disgrace in the eyes of God.
You who practice deceit. Your tongue plots destruction. It is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word. You deceitful tongue!
Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin. He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent. He will uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see and fear. They will laugh at you.
Saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what You have done I will always praise You in the presence of Your faithful people, and I will hope in Your name. Psalm 53
If you want to become the person the Lord envisioned when He created you. You must align your thinking and behavior with the Lord’s righteousness. Repentance is non-negotiable. Although initially difficult, the benefits of repentance far outweigh any inconvenience or temporary discomfort.
Repentance requires spending extensive time in the Lord’s presence. Allowing Him to reveal any darkness residing in you so that you can repent. Demolishing arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God. Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Arguments and every high-minded thing— idols are paradigms that must be destroyed. They are deceptive because they can be potentially beneficial and desirable.
Who can argue against?
Keeping a clean house, giving 110% on your job and paying your bills on time is a standard of excellence.
Exercise and a healthy diet will add years to your life.
Serving others and giving to the poor is a biblical mandate.
Happy children and caring friends suggest a loving heart.
The pursuit of the American dream is the personification of adulthood.
So what is wrong with any of these? Nothing until it…
Becomes the driving force in your life.
Forms the core of your identity.
Provides a sense of control and security.
Dictates how you spend your time and resources.
How can you know what is and is not an idol in your life? Ask the Lord. He alone is able to search your heart and examine your motives. Uncovering who or what…
Holds the key to your heart.
Has supreme authority in your life.
Commands your allegiance.
Satisfies your desires and needs.
Demolishing strongholds— idols is a process. Requiring your patience and total reliance upon the Lord’s guidance and grace. Do not be deceived. It is difficult and at times a painful process.
Since idols are a visual representation to the world and to you of your identity and worth. Your flesh will not whisper but scream its objections at being deprived of them!
It will not be easy for you, or those you love. Everyone will have to learn to adapt to lifestyle changes. But ultimately it will lead to a simplified life because the Lord is now your Watchman.
Watchmen in biblical times were the first weapons of defense against enemy invasion. Stationed on the city walls, a watchtower or a hilltop. It was their responsibility to report suspicious persons and/or activity and engage the enemy if needed. Watchmen were alert, focused and genuinely concerned for the people they protected.
How comforting to know that Papa is your watchman. Shouting from heaven, “I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like Me.
Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times. Things which have not been done. My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.
Truly I have spoken. Truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it. Surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11
Sounding the alarm when the enemy of your soul devises an attack against you. But you will not hear the alarm if your heart is sick— if sin is alive in your life.
No one enjoys talking about sin because it declares that you have…
Been defeated by a conquered enemy.
Betrayed Jesus and minimized the torture He endured.
Turned your back on God.
Although the God exhorts us to avoid sin, many have a cavalier attitude about sin. Failing to understand. Sin may bring pleasure for a season, but one day the devil will demand his payment.
GO DEEPER
There are times when repentance will not make sense to your rational mind. Especially when all is well in your life, and repentance will create uncertainty and discomfort.
Even so, you must trust the Lord to be your Watchman. Warning you of the danger that lies ahead if you do not change direction.
Since the Lord knows the end from the beginning. There is not a single scenario of circumstances that have not been foreseen by Him. It is impossible for God to devise a plan that will fail and cause your spiritual harm. So whatever you do.
LISTEN AND OBEY HIM!
In your life is repentance ongoing or an act of desperation?
(Excerpt from I AM The Change Maker)
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