My Epic Journey

Though I have a lot of my plate right now, EPIC, Grad class, family, etc., I have been reading, just for personal development, the book, Discipleship Counseling by Neil Anderson.  I have been a student of Dr. Anderson for quite some time and have always enjoyed his biblical approach to the counseling process.  In this recent book a quote caught my attention om relation to how we, in the church, often use secular reasoning to deal with spiritual issues,

Have we taken into account the reality of the spiritual world?  In other words, do we have a biblical worldview?   Are our struggles against flesh and blood?  Are we trying to accomplish God’s will without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit?  Is the person mentally ill, or is there a spiritual battle going on for this individual’s mind?  Do we us the same message and methods with believers as we do with non-believers? Are we trying to help people establish their identities, find purpose and meaning in life, and see to meet their needs without Christ?  Isn’t that what the devil is doing?  Sobering!

I have had a lot of opportunities to meet with students and parents recently over a number of different issues and yet, almost every time, I find myself reverting to secular practices to deal with spiritual issues.  I have tried so hard to make my psychological schooling match my spiritual needs.   This is not going to work.  Though I see to help others, there is no one outside of the Holy Spirit, that can change their life–no one!!!  Not even me!  I am not, nor can I be, anyone’s Savior.  All I can do is point that person to Jesus Christ and help encourage them to be open to the Holy Spirit.  I am thankful for this reminder.  My desire is that this would continue to be at the forefront of my mind.

INTRODUCTION

There’s more to life than just getting our physical needs met. There’s a God factor. There’s a faith factor.

Every temptation is an issue of whether or not you think God can and will intervene and show up in your world.

TENSION

The second temptation is to assume that, despite how big and powerful God is, you think you know how He works and you know how to work Him.

TRUTH

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple (Matthew 4:5 NIV).

“If you are the Son of God . . . throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:6 NIV).

It’s the temptation to presume and assume on God.

So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (Exodus 17:2-3 NIV).

“Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah” (Deuteronomy 6:16 NIV).

Jesus answered him, “It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7 NIV).

APPLICATION

As Christians, we’ve been called to cooperate with God, not manipulate God.

Four Signs You May be a God-Manipulator

1.  You talk more than you listen.  Your spiritual life consists of more praying than listening for an answer.

2.  Your conversations (prayers) are more about what God can do for you than praising God for who He is.

3.  You bargain with God.  “God, if you do this for me, than I will do that for you.”

4.  You are angry when God doesn’t come through.

CONCLUSION

Are you a cooperator or a manipulator?

Are your prayers centered around His will being done?