Growing in Christ
Just recently I came across this conference series on SermonAudio, and it has been really helpful to me.
Here are some thoughts/ideas that have stuck...
The flesh doesn't get weaker as we mature in Christ.
So, I should not be surprised at sin. Neither should I grow confident in my own ability to resist temptation. However, it is encouraging to see how God is helping me to think more biblically and apply His truth in different areas. It's only by the grace and power of God and His word that we can live in a way pleasing to Him.
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:12-13)
A Christian's sin doesn't look any different from an unbeliever's.
Ouch. I need to remember this any time I'm tempted to speak in a disrespectful or unkind way. How will I shine as a light without a life of pursuing holiness and following Christ?
Desires (for anything, even good things) become lusts when we desire them more than God.
I heard this before, but somehow the way he explained it made me think more deeply about it. In particular a desire for friends and approval (fear of man) has led me to lie, to boast, to be jealous, to sin against my conscience, to develop habits that were harmful to my body, to disobey my parents and resist wisdom from godly people, to show favoritism and not "be" the friend that others needed, and worst of all to displace the worship of God for the worship of myself and others!!
It's still a struggle to remember that God sees all and to seek His pleasure rather than the praise of men. The book People Pleasing by Lou Priolo has been really helpful this year. He basically takes Scripture passages and applies them in a very convicting and encouraging way. My mind can always use a daily dose of spiritual re-wiring!
Here are some thoughts/ideas that have stuck...
The flesh doesn't get weaker as we mature in Christ.
So, I should not be surprised at sin. Neither should I grow confident in my own ability to resist temptation. However, it is encouraging to see how God is helping me to think more biblically and apply His truth in different areas. It's only by the grace and power of God and His word that we can live in a way pleasing to Him.
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:12-13)
A Christian's sin doesn't look any different from an unbeliever's.
Ouch. I need to remember this any time I'm tempted to speak in a disrespectful or unkind way. How will I shine as a light without a life of pursuing holiness and following Christ?
Desires (for anything, even good things) become lusts when we desire them more than God.
I heard this before, but somehow the way he explained it made me think more deeply about it. In particular a desire for friends and approval (fear of man) has led me to lie, to boast, to be jealous, to sin against my conscience, to develop habits that were harmful to my body, to disobey my parents and resist wisdom from godly people, to show favoritism and not "be" the friend that others needed, and worst of all to displace the worship of God for the worship of myself and others!!
It's still a struggle to remember that God sees all and to seek His pleasure rather than the praise of men. The book People Pleasing by Lou Priolo has been really helpful this year. He basically takes Scripture passages and applies them in a very convicting and encouraging way. My mind can always use a daily dose of spiritual re-wiring!
Comments
Post a Comment