This post is going to be brief, hard hitting and you may hate. I do!
It’s because it’s so simple, yet reveals sooo much of what we would prefer to ignore, condone or justify.
But knowing the answer, no matter how harsh, can be the start of positive change…that lasts!
So here it is:
You are either following God, or following satan… there is no third option!
Now you may believe that neither God nor satan exists, but that doesn’t change a thing. There is ample evidence for God 1Creation, with all it’s immense beauty, delicate anthropic balance, raw power and precise order, boldly proclaims that a Creator exists! and He states clearly that satan is alive and active. If you need some proof for either of these please have a read of some of the other posts on this blog, or email us direct.
Quoting the Bible:
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT)
There is so much in this small section of the Bible, but the bit I want to draw your attention to is:
“satan is the power at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God, those who follow their own sinful desires” (paraphrased).
This means, if you are following what your heart wants – you know: sexual desires, building your empire, the love of money, selfishness, hatred, pride2When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) , the list is long – satan is working in your heart. You are his – and you are dead! The fleeting pleasures you live for, the things that take your attention and time, the things that seem exciting and worthwhile – they are all evidence of satan’s influence – they will cease and leave you condemned before an angry God. The end is death – the second death and there is no recovery from that!
If on the other hand, you find yourself wanting to please God instead of others 3No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29 (NLT), you think of others as better than yourself 4Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT), have a love for people (especially Christians) that comes from within 5So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10 (NLT), have a desire to serve and bless those in need 6If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:3-4 (NLT), sacrifice your own feelings & money & time & empire for others 7If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! Luke 6:32 (NLT), love to worship God 8For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort Philippians 3:3 (NLT) , hold lightly to this world because you understand what is to come… you just may be following the very Spirit of God!
Don’t keep obeying satan – he has lost & is headed for doom. 9 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) In fact, God has a special place prepared for him: a place that is burning with sulphur, a place called hell.10Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons Matthew 25:41 (NLT) There is no escape from that place – it was designed by the same powerful Being who designed the whole universe! Anyone who is under the grip of their own sin, their own desires, satan’s deception, will end up in hell too. 11“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (NLT)
But God, rich in His mercy, sent His Son to rescue those He loves. If you are reading this, He is trying to reach you! He love you & desires to set you free from the grip of your own sin and your selfish desires. And from the coming judgment.
You might be thinking “why would God love me when I’ve done…?”
Why would God love me?
Because God is filled with love – He is love itself – and He loves to forgive. Jesus paid the price for every sin you have ever committed. When He died on the cross – sin free and undeserving – He did that for you. Perfect forgiveness, a blank slate, awaits: trust in Jesus. Repent – turn away – from your self – focussed life and sin. He will never let you down.
“Lord, please forgive me for all I have done against Your holy name. Help me turn away from the things that are an offence to you. I put my trust in what Jesus has done for me on the cross. I willingly give you my life – I want to live with and for you. Today and forever.”
Footnotes:
- 1Creation, with all it’s immense beauty, delicate anthropic balance, raw power and precise order, boldly proclaims that a Creator exists!
- 2When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)
- 3No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29 (NLT)
- 4Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT) - 5So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10 (NLT)
- 6If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:3-4 (NLT)
- 7If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! Luke 6:32 (NLT)
- 8For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort Philippians 3:3 (NLT)
- 9You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT)
- 10Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons Matthew 25:41 (NLT)
- 11“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (NLT)