Thursday, August 30, 2012
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
GOD WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY, SO ...
Imagine Bible heroes employing this lie. Imagine Joseph reasoning: God wants me to be happy, so ... I think I will have an adulterous affair with Potiphar's wife. She's attractive. Surely God wants me to enjoy myself. Imagine Daniel reasoning: God wants me to be happy, so ... I think I will worship King Darius. They'll throw me to the lions otherwise! Surely God wants me to worship King Darius. Imagine Jesus reasoning: Hmm ... being beaten, spit on and nailed to a cross doesn't sound like fun. God the Father wants me to be happy, so I think I'll skip the suffering and dying to redeem the sinners of the world.
Satan is successful with this lie because he presents it like this: Do something wrong and get relief, or do what you know is right and be miserable for the rest of your life. But this sells our God short. God doesn't need us to sin in order to make things better in our lives!
When Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar's wife, he was accused of pursuing her and was thrown in jail. But not long after that God made Joseph second in command over all Egypt. When Daniel refused to worship Darius, he was indeed thrown to the lions. But God sent an angel to close the mouths of the lions and Daniel made it out of that pit without a scratch. When Jesus refused to falter on His way to the cross, He was indeed beaten, tortured and crucified. But three days later God raised Jesus back to life and exalted Him as the Savior of all mankind.
God doesn't need our sinful ways to make us happy. He has more than enough power to make that happen all on His own. So, let's trust Him when He directs our walk.
