by Larry Burkett
1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3
"[Their] seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, and the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:18-19).
Christians get trapped into a discontented life by adopting world goals. These goals always boil down to more, bigger, best. Scripture defines them as indulgence, greed, and pride.Often successful Christians come to the Lord out of desperation when they realize that their lives are characterized by fear and anxiety, and the accumulation of assets has neither alleviated the fear nor provided happiness.
For a while after accepting Christ as Savior, there is peace and a real desire to commit everything to God. Unfortunately, many Christians continue to live in the natural, and the tendency is for them to fall back into the same old routine. They only go through the motions of serving the Lord.
The evidence to the contrary is a lack of peace, a lack of spiritual growth, and a growing doubt about God.
Satan's ploy is to use the riches of the world to keep you away from God's salvation and His blessings. If that fails, he will simply use riches to steer you away from God's path.
Don't let Satan get the upper hand in your life by adopting worldly goals.
The apostle Paul wrote, " 'Come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord. 'And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you'" (2 Corinthians 6:17).
 Would you like your own copy of this devotional? |