“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133)

We we’re infested!

Recently we heard a scratching noise in a bedroom wall. We knew it had to be a rodent and we must get rid of it before it damaged the insulation or chewed electric wires. But how? First we knew they had found a way to enter our house and we must find that hole and patch it. Second, we knew they needed food and water to survive and there wasn’t any in the wall; they must leave the house in order to get that. So, we examined the exterior of our house and found where they were coming in and out and set traps there. Afterwards, we plugged up the hole so the invasion couldn’t happen again.

The same with sin!

As I was thinking about rodent infestation, I realized sin operates exactly the same way. It enters secretly through a hole or crack within a person’s life when they let down their spiritual guard. It reveals itself subtly and will grow into a big damaging problem if not caught and eradicated quickly. “Sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:15).

Sin must be fed to survive

To deal with sin, you must recognize it’s presence, trap it, and get rid of it before it gets a foothold.“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5). And, “Do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph  4:27).

And finally

Close up the hole through which sin had gotten in. “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5-6).

“For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Cor. 8:21 NLT)

When I was growing up in the 1950’s (yeah, that was a long time ago), I loved to watch cowboy movies featuring heroes like Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger, and of course, anything with the great John Wayne. There were the good guys and the bad guys, and you clearly knew who they were; the good guys usually wore white hats, and the bad guys wore black. The movie plots were thin and predictable, but that didn’t matter, the good guys always saved the day—they got the bad guys, they got the beautiful girls, and they rode off into a brilliant sunset at the end of the movie. You walked out of the theater feeling good because all had been made right. Those were the days!

Not anymore!

Over the years there has been a paradigm shift in movie characters and plots. Today, we have both superheroes and super villains, and you no longer know who’s going to win. In fact, characters who would have been considered evil during my childhood are now portrayed as wonderful, powerful, and exciting, and kids root for them to win. Good and evil is no longer clearly defined. Young people no longer understand the difference and why it should be important to them. They spend hours playing electronic games virtually and they mentally become the characters they are playing, whether good or evil. And this does affect their character development and how they understand what’s right and wrong and society changes as millions of them become adults and enter communities and the work force.

Defining character 

“Your character is the internal script that will determine your response to failure, success, mistreatment, and pain. It reaches into every single facet of your life. It is more far-reaching than your talent, your education, your background, or your network of friends.” A.W. Tozer

In the Bible persons of character are noted for their honesty, ethics, and charity. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Prov. 10:9)

One of the few things we can control is our character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;” (Gal. 5:22-23)

With God's help we can behave wisely and make wise decisions: “I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” (Psalm 101:2, NLT)

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thess. 1:9 ESV)

I heard someone say that if there was a drop-off into hell no one would be there! That’s because its presence would be obvious. It would be scary and avoided. Barricades and warning signs would be posted everywhere to keep people from falling into it. But, unfortunately, the road to hell isn’t a drop-off! Instead it is a very long and gradual slope leading gently into it. People are enticed along the way by all kinds of worldly pleasures and enticements. Suddenly, without warning, they find themselves in hell.

A gradual shift in the general perception of morality

If you were to compare what society in general thought was right and acceptable during your grandparents time with our present day you would see that what shocked, even outraged, them back then, is considered acceptable and not even blinked at today. It happened with one little sin concession at a time. Over time, one generation died out and another came in. Each new generation slid further down the slope of sin, accepting more sin as normal. If you were to ask the average person to define sin, they could not. Even most Christians cannot answer correctly. The definitions have become blurred.

The Bible defines sin

 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21)

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11 ESV)

Little sins with big consequences

“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” (Gal. 5:9 ESV)

But, there is an answer

… And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Quote:

“When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the church should bestir themselves. It is as much the duty of the church to awake, as it is for the firemen to awake when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city.” Charles Finney

"Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!’" (Neh. 4:14 NLT).

Surrounded and greatly discouraged

In the above passage the Jews were trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and were surrounded on every side by enemies dead set on seeing them give up, fail, or worse. As a result, they were drowning in discouragement—stuck staring at everything going wrong around them. So Nehemiah told them not be afraid, to refocus their minds on God who is great and glorious and on their important purpose. 

This is great advice, even today, no matter what happens!

When things look bad, or even impossible, do what Nehemiah said to do...

First, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV); “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Second. “Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious,” –  “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Eph. 1:19-21 ESV)

Third, “fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Eph. 3:20 ESV)

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” (Prov. 14:34 NIV) 

As I write this, our Country is going through some very turbulent times. The political and moral climate in America is in turmoil. Our Christian way of life is under attack and it’s hard to not be a little anxious about the condition of our nation. 

We shouldn’t be surprised!

This isn’t new! Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matt. 7:13 NIV).

In 1947, Carle Zimmerman, a distinguished Harvard sociologist, warned us in his book, Family and Civilization, which is his study of the rise and fall of civilizations, proved exactly what Proverbs14:34 says: that moral degradation in society has been a largely ignored major factor in the fall of past civilizations.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams

The future is bright!

As a Christian, you have dual citizenship! Not only do you live in this world, you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God!

“…  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Col. 1:12-13 ESV)

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” (Hebrews 12:28 ESV)

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20)

When I was a child I remember being told to be careful who I played with because there were some children who often got into mischief and I would too, if I hung around them. As I grew into adulthood I realized what they said was true. You are affected by those you chose to spend time with! I noticed that people tended to hang around with the same kinds of people as themselves both good and bad. After I became a follower of Jesus, I discovered a lot was said on that subject in the Bible. For instance, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33 ESV) and “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.” (Prov. 24:1-2 (ESV).

Therefore:

One way to become wise is to hang around wise people! The verse at top says it very well, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20 ESV)

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10 ESV)

Recently my suitcase got lost on a flight from Seattle to Denver. I had to have it because it contained what I needed for my conference presentation. So I told the airport personnel I would wait at the airport for them to find it. I knew it had to be somewhere at the airport because it was a nonstop flight with no connecting flights. Even so, it took them three hours to find it. It was a good thing I had given myself lots of extra travel time just in case something should happen!

The new normal

If you travel a lot as I do, you soon find out that the unexpected will become your new normal. There will be traffic issues, parking issues, airport issues, luggage issues, delay issues, seat issues, shuttle issues, and numerous hotel issues to deal with. Stuff just happens sometimes and you learn to roll with them as they occur. Truth is, unexpected issues will come your way. Thats the new normal. They key is to always be prepared for unexpected things to happen.

What to do when the unexpected happens

• Expect the unexpected – The first rule of dealing with the unexpected is to not be caught by surprise by it. It is normal for unexpected things to happen.

• Prepare in advance – Give yourself plenty of time to deal with the things that may happen. When I arrived in Denver and found my luggage had been lost, I had the time to stay and find it because I’d myself plenty of extra time to deal with delays. I have to drive through Seattle on my way to the airport so I plan for long traffic delays which are a part of Seattle’s “normal”.

• Attitude is everything – Always keep control and maintain your composure in every situation. It never helps to get angry or speak harshly to others near you when negative things happen. “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],” (Phil. 2:5 AMP)

• Seek God first – as a follower of Christ you have some promises to lean on in emergencies. One of my favorites is Matt. 6:33,  “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When something unexpected happens, immediately think about God’s ever-presence with you and ask Him for wisdom, guidance and help. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

• Expect God to help you – When things go wrong, and after you have said a prayer to God about it, expect Him to work things out for you. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV) When the airport finally found my luggage after three hours of waiting they gave me a $150 voucher for my trouble.   “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV).

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)

When my older brother died a few years ago, I was the only one left, or so I thought. My mom was gone and now so was my older brother, David. Then I received an unexpected phone call from an aunt who wanted to tell me something important. She said she knew where my birth father and his family lived and she thought I should know where. I was shocked to hear this news because I had understood from what my mother had told me that he had died decades before. But now I learned it wasn’t so, he was alive and living in Anderson, Indiana! After speaking with my aunt I phoned people in the Anderson phone book with my father’s last name and soon spoke to a woman with that name. I told her who my birth father was and he was her father also—she was my half sister! She told me that our father had recently died and that he had ten children living in and near Anderson. A couple of weeks later I flew to meet them. As soon as I arrived I was picked up by Greg, a half brother. The shocking thing was that he looked very much like my older brother, David, who had recently passed—the family likeness was breathtaking to me. Soon we arrived at the house where my newfound siblings were waiting to meet me. We spoke for hours and I learned so much about them and they about me. There was an amazing and immediate family connection, a kindred spirit among us that we all recognized. It was an amazing family reunion!

It’s the same with brothers and sisters in Christ!

When we receive Christ, we become born into God’s family and become fellow heirs with Jesus. We then have lots of new siblings to have fellowship with.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” (Rom. 8:16-17 ESV)

 Therefore:

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:21-23 ESV)

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV)

Someone once asked that great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, where he got his tremendous information that they had found so helpful in business, and he said, “Everything I teach comes directly from pages of the Bible, but I don’t tell people where I got it.”

For many years I worked in the business world and most of my clients had no idea I was also a pastor. I did my work in a Christian manner as carefully as I could, but I did not say too much about my faith (regretfully). During those years I had the opportunity to attend many business conferences and I heard many speakers talk about their success principles. Often I would hear a speaker explain a success principle and I knew it had come from the Bible even though the one giving the principle usually didn’t know it. For instance, I heard a businessman explaining the SWOT Business Principle which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, which are the four things you’re supposed to consider in building a healthy, successful, growing business.

These four things are found throughout the Bible

They are not only good business principles but they are also helpful in all other areas of your life, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. To be healthy and achieve growth in all these areas examine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, in each one and then make adjustments to what you find as necessary. Here are some verses to consider as you do.

In everything you do search for and discover its…

·      Strengths: “Be strong and imovable.” (1 Cor. 15:58); “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron. 15:7)

·      Weaknesses: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29); “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Rom. 8:26)

·      Opportunities: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16); “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,” (Gal. 6:10).

·      Threats: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Therefore:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)