Sidetracked

I John 1:7 (NKJV)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

sidetrack – to move or distract from the main subject or course; turn aside; draw away.

Light – truth; holy character.

It is not wise to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, without a list.  Upon entering the parking lot, the seduction begins.  Items seemingly cry out “buy me.”  When we get home and make an accounting of our purchases, we’ll find that we bought many items that weren’t needed or on our list.  Since our wallets are much lighter, we commit to being more disciplined on the next shopping trip.  If we don’t use wise planning, we’ll get caught in the same trap again.

In not taking the Scriptures seriously, we go out into the marketplace of life on an empty stomach, (spiritually), with no directions (Proverbs 16:3).  This provides our enemy the opportunity of an “Easy Win”.  In starving our spiritual man, we allow ourselves to get overly hungry, spiritually.  Satan, being an opportunist,  presents us with “bargains” (temptations).  We devour them, thinking they would satisfy our appetite.  We planned our failure by not developing a strategy (consistent Bible study) to assist with our spiritual growth.  We settled for instant gratification instead of solid food.

In applying this spiritually, (this will take some planning), we need to set ourselves up for success.  (1) What if we were to write a Scripture on a slip of paper and keep it in a pocket or place it on a desk calendar, referring to it several times during the day.  (2) While we’re having a meal or snack, meditate on a Scripture.  (3) Waiting in the check-out line or for a scheduled appointment, roll a Scripture around in your thoughts or,  (4) pull Scriptures up on the cell phone or an internet electronic device.  (5) Follow this up with finishing a chapter or several Scripture verses when arriving home.  There are many possibilities of taking the Word into our hearts all throughout the day.  Every portion we absorb helps us live life better.

All of our living, as disciples of Christ, is in spreading the Gospel.  Psalm 19:8 states…the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes and vs. 11 goes on to state that through these commandments we are warned.  If we are only, possibly, getting a good meal (sermon) on Sunday and mid-week Bible study, the enemy keeps track of our laziness in attending to the Scriptures and sets land mines (things that distract us from Christ) for us.  If we are not “filling up with the Word of God”, he wants to fill those empty places.  When we don’t take the Word seriously, our vision will be impaired and we will easily fall into these traps.

Some of these traps may also be good things, but not the best for our goal in gaining more of Christ and spreading His influence.   We see many things we would like to own.  But to stay within a budget, we must learn to say “no” to some of the things we want.  When we are constantly being filled with the Spirit of God(Ephesians 5:18), we won’t easily succumb to these distractions, ruining our influence and faith.  Another benefit is our discernment increases and when coming near these land mines, we are warned to go another direction (Proverbs 22:3).  Gradually, our thinking changes, coming more in line with the Gospel.  We will begin to make better decisions.  Filling up these empty spaces with Christ, we can say “no thanks” to these distractions because there is no vacancy.

The Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:3).  The Word of God converts our soul (Psalm 119:7) as the old nature is traded for the new in Christ.  As we walk in the light of the light of the Word, when trouble comes, (and it will), the Holy Sprint brings Scriptures to remembrance (John 14:26) to help us in our fight of faith.  Therefore, let us apply diligence in getting know who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us. (The Book of Ephesians is a wonderful book for spiritual growth).

Christ became for us wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30) , to meet every need in life and living.  He wants to so permeate our life (Isaiah 6:1), that like Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19), none of our words (speech or living) fall to the ground.  We will win souls (stabilizing ours and winning theirs..Proverbs 11:30) as we speak (lifestyle) to ourselves and one another, strengthening our walk in Christ.