We are in the most critical times of our lives as we experience the uprising of evil all around us. This didn’t just suddenly happen overnight, you know. The door for this era of lawlessness was cracked open in “the fall” and can only be closed through repenting for doing things our own way and to do the will of our Father.
God has made a way for us to close this door and we need to do it. This lawlessness is not going away on its own! The problem is, some people look to our President to just sign more and more executive orders. They offer some immediate relief but they don’t really deal with the root of the matter. Others look to the police or military but the help they provide is temporary, at best. Only God can close this door and He works in and through our obedience to Him.
So, how does closing this door, through obedience to God work? Answer, we have to get our “Big But” out of the way.
In my book, Character Blocks, I talk about our Big But in chapter 6. I explain how we compromise the ways of God and what happens once we do. When we are not faithful to live our Godly convictions (Read chapter 5 to learn more about that) we ultimately destroy our health: mentally, physically, relationally, and spiritually. We are also contributing to the irresponsible, disrespectful, self-centered behavior of another.
OUCH! So how is it that we get our “Big But” in the way?
Try to remember a time when you knew better but instead said, “I know I should, but…” or “I know I shouldn’t, but…” In other words, your Godly convictions told you what was best but you made the decision to go against your better judgement.
Here’s a few examples to see if you can relate:
Maybe your child refuses to abide in the house rules and rather than deal with it…you allow him to rule. You know you should teach little Johnny to respect authority, but you’re tired…but you don’t want him to think you’re mean…but you know if you enforce the rule you’ll have to model it as well.
So, when you don’t live true to your convictions how does that work for you and what does it teach little Johnny?
Maybe your co-worker is slack on the job, which hinders you from doing your work…so you do hers on top of your own, more often than not. You don’t want to take Rosie’s responsibilities but you’re afraid if you say something she may play the race card…but if you don’t do her work it will cause problems on the job…but if you go to your boss Rosie may see you as a tattle tale and tell others.
So, when you don’t follow through with your Godly convictions how does that work for you and what does it teach Rosie?
Think about it, anything compromised is not pure and it always produces something less than quality or even something good.
The Bible says in Proverbs 27: 5-6, ”Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are abundant.”
We have all let our “big but” get in the way and justified it for any number of reasons. Let me ask you to take some time to examine the fruit (C) produced by those situations. You should be able to recognize any damages inflicted upon your mental, physical, relational, and/or spiritual health. These indicate the results of yielding to compromise.
After doing that, consider the other person or persons involved. What kind of effect did your compromise have on them? Did it help them grow into a respectful, responsible person who cares about others as well as himself? Or have they become more disrespectful, irresponsible and self-centered?
Proverbs 13:15 says, “Good understanding gives favor, but the way of a transgressor is hard.” It is time to know that God has good reasons for the way He wants things done. Likewise, Johnny’s parents have rules because it makes things good for everyone in the home when they are followed. Conversely, when the rules are not followed who suffers? The workplace purposely gives job descriptions for each employee. Employees could be more productive, all the way around, if only Rosie was a responsible, respectful employee. When she is not responsible or respectful, who suffers?
When somebody’s “big but” interferes with Johnny and Rosie’s responsibilities the opportunity for them to grow in terms of character is hindered. The Bible says we do not learn by mere words but by that which we suffer. God intended natural consequences to be the teacher that corrects our immature behaviors.
We each have influence with others. Those in our home, in our workplace, in our church, and maybe even on a broader platform. Are we helping them grow or are we letting our “Big But” get in the way?
As a counselor I have spoken with many, many people who do not understand how vital this issue is. Parents tell me how much they love their children and use that as an excuse for not dealing with the child’s self-centered, disrespectful behavior. They have to learn that that is not loving! Loving your kids means to prepare them to live in a world with God and as well as others.
Children who are not influenced by God fearing parents are among those who turn out to be irresponsible and disrespectful. Then these individuals get labeled, “bad blood”. THINK ABOUT THIS! The streets are full of these people. How did they get to be who they are?
As a counselor I speak with married couples who fail to love each other in a Godly way. For example, one couple proposed an idea that she was going to have an abortion because they were just not financially ready to care for a child. They only came to me because he wanted her to agree that it was the only way. She wanted to “submit” to him as the head of the house but she felt bad about doing away with the baby. My platform of influence is much broader than most so I was able to influence their final decision based on the Word of God. The Lord is not only the giver of life but He is also a great provider and a help in time of need. The baby is now 21 years old.
Hopefully you can understand how you may have played a small part in opening the door wide for the lawless state we are in. However, you now have an opportunity to play a huge part in closing that door.
Ephesians 5:15- 17 “Therefore look carefully how you walk, not a unwise but as wise, 16 redeeming your time, because the days are evil. 17 Because of this do not be foolish, but you must understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 4:17-18, 25 “Therefore, I say this, and I bear witness in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the heathens walk in the futility of their minds, 18 since they have been darkened by being in their understanding because they have been alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts…You must each speak the truth with his neighbor…”
Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore, you must continually be imitators of God…”
Ephesians 5:11 “and you must not ever participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even expose them.”
It is time for the church to be the church! We are to reflect our Father, we are to do HIS WILL…no longer room for any compromises. Let the natural consequences fall where they may; in your home, in your church, in your workplace….areas of your influence. Start there!
May I get an Amen?
If this is you and you have compromised in these seemingly innocent ways…repent! Turn the other way. God can close this door but He expects us to do our part!
Blessings,
Dr. Terry