What can I do to avoid Compromising?

The story of Asa is a great reminder to us that we need to focus on remaining close to the Lord when decisions need to be made…especially important ones! The reality is we are sinners and failures will continue as long as we live in this flesh. However, because we possess the Holy Spirit in us, we can access the power we need to consistently follow and obey the Lord. There are some practical things to practice as spiritual disciplines that I have found can help:

 {a} Make no provision for sin.

                 

This is one of the most efficient ways to discover if we are serious about repenting over an issue. If we remove easy access to what we are struggling with, it is easier to resist and shows we are serious about repenting. Our sinful heart craves sin; if we make it easy to reach we have a very high chance of falling. Craving only lasts in the brain for about 30 seconds, the longer we delay satisfying that impulse, the greater the opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit!

Romans 13:14  Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.

Prov. 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

{b} Control curiosity

Our sin nature has a life of it’s own! It has the drive to challenge God in every aspect of your life. One of its greatest methods is through curiosity. God created us to be curious creatures, which is good, unless we allow curiosity to lead us, instead of us leading our curiosity. Eve had not sinned, but was curious. The sad fact is she knew what she was curious about was off limits.

Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye… she                                                                               took some and ate it.

Since we have an old nature that desires to disobey, how much more do we need to yield to the Holy Spirit’s power to stay away from things we have never experienced, yet know will harm us? “Just one time” has led to the destruction of many! All you really miss by not experiencing everything is the damage the wrong things bring!

{c} Reject influential evil

We need to live among all; yet, we need to realize there is a difference when we impact those around us and when they impact us! It is essential that when someone leads you into evil and you cannot resist, you must separate from them until you are strong enough to impact them!

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.”

Prov. 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

The So What: How aware are you of your surroundings? Who do you impact? Who impacts you? The last time you failed a test, what did you do? Is there anything you believe God could not use you for? Why?