How can one keep from evil and maintain righteousness with God? Obedience…. This has been something that has been particularly hard for me to do. I have repeatedly been given bad advice by my earthly father and others, so when my heavenly Father gives me advice, I second guess it and think my way is better. My own advice is what has helped me survive, but God’s advice is meant to help me thrive. It’s like He is just trying to beckon me to come, but I am just so apprehensive to believe that what He is telling me to do, I don’t believe it, so I don’t do it, and there are consequences to disobedience and not trusting God.
The devil has been betting on me doing things my way, but I tell you this one thing, that “He who started a good work in me will see it through to completion” (Philippians 1:6)… WHEN I DILLIGENTLY OBEY HIS VOICE. You must do it God’s way if you want everlasting life.
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days.” Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
He knows us better than we know ourselves and He knows what builds us up and what breaks us down. For me personally, I have had a lot of vices that have kept me from being the person He created me to be. I must surrender those things so that I can do all God created me to do and help those who He predestined me to help.
I am no stranger to the discipline, correction, and the rebuke of God. Unfortunately for me, I am very stubborn. Fortunately for me, once my submission is complete, there is nothing that can stop me. My stubbornness has actually kept me from turning away from God completely even in my rebellion. So many people turn away from God and I just couldn’t do it. With my disobedience, I had to learn the hard way. I’ve been very gullible and naïve and for most of my life, which is why I have had such a struggle with learning to discern God’s voice from that of the enemy. I had demonic spirits using my mind and infusing my thoughts with ideas that seemed sweet and innocent but in hindsight, were actually meant for my destruction. The voices sounded so sweet and loving but they were actually demons trying to get me to “jump off of a cliff” by holding onto an idol and telling me that God would still welcome me into His kingdom even if I struggled with addiction. That IS NOT what the Bible says.
The Bible says:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24 (NLT)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (ESV)
“You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.” Exodus 20:3-5 (NLT)
When you decide to do things your own way and don’t listen to God, you are rejecting Him. When you decide to “live your truth” and not “HIS TRUTH,” you are rejecting God. Surrender is not easy and God doesn’t demand perfection but progress. He just wants what is best for us to live the life He planned for us before the beginning of time. He is looking for complete surrender of our lives over to Him.
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25
It doesn’t mean we won’t stumble and fall at times. That’s where God’s grace comes in, but as long as we don’t give up and keep turning to Him, we will walk in victory despite our mistakes. If we don’t lose heart and stick close to Him when we feel faint, He will bring forth our righteousness so we can experience eternal life.
“He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:6
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3
Rise Of The Pheonix 