I need your help. Next weekend I'm talking about "Major League Temptation" from Genesis 39. The talk is based on this:
- EVERYONE has 1 or more areas in which they are weak & more easily tempted (to do wrong)
- Everyone's weaknesses are UNIQUE (they can be different than another person's)
- Though our own weaknesses are unique, the path to freedom for all of us is the SAME
So…here's what I need from you…
- What types of weaknesses do people in our community struggle with?
- What types of weaknesses do people who are far from God struggle with?
- What types of weaknesses do people who are close to God struggle with?
Can you put your thoughts in the comment section of this blog entry?
Thanks!
When I read your blog, the first thing that popped into my head was from our book, Chapter 6. About God giving the church in the wilderness manna only to SUSTAIN them, not to SATISFY them. By ignoring what we NEED, we will begin to WANT. Once on land, they bore witness to the Holy Spirit; and now were not just sustained, but SATISFIED.
Are people in our community not seeking God, not being satisfied with God’s gifts to them and wanting what the Jones’ have? I know I fall victim to this… a 3rd car garage… a finished basement… newer cars… Disney vacations… etc! When, we need to remember that God gives us what we need and we need to “be still” and pray…. and God will answer in HIS time and according to HIS will.
Another thing people in our community may forget is to be thankful for what we DO have.
What types of weaknesses do people in our community struggle with?
Idolatry – Money, Property, Material goods…
What types of weaknesses do people who are far from God struggle with?
Following Man and not God which creates greed, anger,selfishness,lack of patience, not forgiving… this list could be very long.
What types of weaknesses do people who are close to God struggle with?
Just because you walk with God not everything is going to be good. The one thing to understand is God will never leave you HE is committed to you and you will never loose your salvation. I think that is a weakness in their faith.
Our community: Me, me, me, me, me. It’s all about me. Why don’t you ever ask me how MY day went? What do you think of MY new hair style? What can the government do for me. How come that server can’t get ME my food faster. How come we can’t get a winning Royals team so I can be happy. The cries go on… It seems that we are in an “all about me” world. In the words of country singer Toby Keith “You, you, you, you you you you, I wanna talk about me!”
People far from God: Everybody has something that they are interested in. If a person is far away from God, then the world probably rotates around them. (i.e. – what can YOU do to help ME.)
People close to God: ME! I get in God’s way of doing great things in my life, WAY more than anybody else does. Speaking for myself, trying to get out of God’s way is sort of like throwing a boomerang. I keep getting out of the way for a moment or two, but go right back to where I was.
Our community: Buying into the “Gotta Have It All” mentality; overindulging in shopping, sports, eating, etc.
People far from God: Using addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, food, sex… to fill the “God-sized” hole in their heart.
People close to God: Being judgmental; Exclusivity (not reaching out to those lost because they look, talk & act differently from us); Busyness (not making time w/God a priority)
Our community: Do I fit the Johnson County mold of material affluence. Do my kids belong to the “right” elite sports teams.
Away from God: They allow the world to tell them how they are doing. If you drive this type of car, you’re doing okay. If you can shop at this store, you’re doing alright. How you are doing is based on outside parameters which are always changing. The weakness or struggle is do I have the current status symbols of success or has it passed me by?
Close to God: To SOME degree the same as the other two categories, but hopefully not to the same extent. Another issue is confusing a relationship the Lord and how many activies you are involved in at the church. Being in 4 Bible studies, a leader of a small group, and wiping runny noses in the nursery on Sundays does not guarantee you have a close relationship w/ Jesus Christ. Sometimes we have to make sure everyone else knows how busy we are doing “church stuff” so we appear holy to other people. We worry about what’s on the outside, while He cares about what is going on inside our hearts.
The first thing that came to mind is that we are all somewhat alike. We, as humans, all have weaknesses. Believers or not, there are universal “moral” issues that we can all struggle with. Whether it’s lust, overeating, drugs or alcohol, overspending, telling lies (maybe even white lies), or putting friends, work, or other interests before the ones we love, we are all sinners, and all have our struggles. Some of the most favored Christian evangelists and leaders in history have struggled with sinful deeds. Who is to say that lust is a greater sin than telling a lie? Or murder is more unforgivable than overindulging in alcohol or drugs? Christ died for our sins, and when we accept Him as our Savior, we are forgiven. For good. The difference is, that at the end of the day, it is the Christians that are going to have a place in Heaven waiting for them. Even if they did murder someone in the past…
Remembering the main reason that we are here – to mirror Him, let others see Him through us, and bring others to Him is the one issue that non-believers don’t deal with. Sometimes our actions (or reactions) don’t allow others to see that we are a Christ follower. And, if we don’t show it, how will someone want to be like us – or Christ? It’s easy to “put off” filling our hearts and minds with His word. We get caught up in the every day rush of things, and tend to put off spending time with Him. Satan is waiting to push each of our buttons. Pushing those of believers is harder for him, and he is up for the challenge. When trouble arises, and we are at our weakest, Satan will be there to show us a “false” way out by providing the things that cause problems for us. So, as Christians, we need to fill ourselves with His word and maintain a relationship with Him. Not one where you only call on Him when you are in trouble, but every day so you can thank Him for everything He has done for you, and, by His grace you may stay away from the things that tempt you…
What types of weaknesses do people in our community struggle with?
-materialism, keeping up w/ the Joneses, pride, etc.
What types of weaknesses do people who are far from God struggle with?
-materialism, lust, idolatry, self-centeredness, etc.
What types of weaknesses do people who are close to God struggle with?
-complacency, self-righteousness, pride, etc.