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Know Yourself


"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."  James 1:14 
What is it that motivates you?
What is your deepest desire?
What is your own way?

Tragically, it has been my experience, that many Christians today are more prone to just go their own way, with no thought of what God desires of them.  Those are not the target of my blog today.  More than likely, unless the Holy Spirit is at least beginning to change their heart, they will not have a desire to read on.  And chances are, they are not truly saved anyway.  A real Christian isn't just playing church, but has the Holy Spirit of God living within them, guiding and convicting them to do right.  They are not my target audience.  You, however, that are not being drawn by temptation, but by God's grace, desire to change--YOU are my target audience!

As I said, if you are truly saved, the Holy Spirit of God lives within you, guiding and convicting you to do right.  He will give you the desire to do what's right.  What's more, He will give you the power to do what's right.  (that is God's wondrous grace at work in you!)  The changes that God desires to make in you, however, can only be possible with God.  You (and I) cannot make the changes ourselves--not without the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Notice again my initial three questions.  If you truly have a desire to follow God (and yet, feel overwhelmingly drawn by temptation), then the first thing you must do is answer those three questions--all of which overlap each other.  One problem Christians have is they don't take the time to ask themselves pointed questions such as these.  Hey, be certain, Christian, Satan knows you very well…and he knows your "weakest link."  Don't allow him to get the upper hand!  Know yourself!--and then allow the Holy Spirit to take charge of those weakest areas.

The following are key areas of motivation, desire, and what constitutes our "own way."  Read them, think through them, and then try to identify which area or areas you are most prone to:
  1. Materialism--the desire for more & more money or things
  2. Achievement--the high ranking of name because of who or what you are--based upon ability or looks 
  3. Love & Acceptance--Family & Friends
  4. Good Times--wrapped up in food, alcohol, drugs, or sex 

Okay, that was the first step.  As I said, the next thing you need to do is allow the Holy Spirit to take charge of those areas.  Don't allow pride take the upper hand.  Pride says, "I want it my way."  However, if you really mean business with God, humility says, "I know God's way is best.  Please help me, Lord, to follow you and do what's right."  God promises in James 4:6-8 to give grace to the humble.  He will give you the desire and power to do His will, if you will just endeavor to follow Him one step at a time! 

What's next, you say?  The most important part!-- Get into the Word!  God's Word is power-- power to change, power to encourage, power to direct us in the right way.  Ephesians 4 says we're to "put off…the old man" (again, that was Step One--putting aside the behavior of our old nature).  Step Two: " be renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Eph. 4:23).  God is able to work in you as you read His Word!  So we need to saturate ourselves with the Word of God so that He can not only work in our hearts, but give us the power to continue on for Him.  Step Three: "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Eph. 4:24).  We need to follow hard after God, obey His Word and His Holy Spirit, that we might produce lives that are pleasing to Him.     Why?--that we might glorify God.  That is the reason we are here on this earth… and that is the reason we are saved, that we might glorify God!  God is the reason for it all!

I'll leave you with this thought: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  (Romans 12: 2)

    May we follow hard
    after God for His glory!
       Merle
      
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