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?
