God has a plan for your life and Satan also has a plan for your life. God’s plan is to set you apart, to do good works for Him, and live a life of abundance. Satan’s plan is to steal, kill, and destroy. The choice is up to each and everyone. People can say what they want, but in the end, time will prove truth or lies. Here are just a few examples experienced by the Christian pastor Thomas George. He was pastoring a church in the Orlando, Florida, area, but his experiences can be found all around the nation…and the world.
– He had a close relative who had smoked marijuana for over 30 years. His entire working life he took jobs that allowed him to have the freedom to smoke marijuana and drink alcohol. He never wanted to work a 9 to 5 job with daily responsibilities even though he had a family to support. Today he is in his mid-fifties, speaks erratically and irrationally, is homeless, and has no retirement or social security. His daughter has had to take him in because he can no longer work. He is a victim of Satan and poor choices.
– In the inner city, the effects of drug use can be seen on an entire community. Many individuals have minds that do not function properly from their own drug use or from the drug use of their mothers while still in the womb. The effects are evident within the first few moments that you speak to them.
– Pastor George and his wife once bought food for a young couple who were living in a tent in the backyard of an abandoned home. Both were in their late twenties and unemployed. When the food was delivered to their tent, it was noted that needle marks were all over the young man’s arm. More victims of Satan and poor choices.
– Many busy intersections in the city usually have people standing, holding signs, and asking for money. On close observation you could tell from their faces and bodies, that drugs had taken a toll on their lives. More victims of Satan and poor choices.
– This is not to mention the drug related violence that takes place in the city every day. Drug addicts rob people and break into homes for money. People are killed over drug deals gone bad. Gun shots at night and helicopters flying overhead looking for criminals is a daily event. More victims of Satan and poor choices.
– And finally there is an experience that Pastor George and his wife had at the church they pastored. One Sunday morning a mother brought her son to church. He was in his early forties. He refused prayer. He sat restless during the entire service. When the service was over, during fellowship, it was noticed that something was wrong with him. He acted irrational and said things that were nonsensical. Even the twelve year old children around him acted more mature. He never returned to the church. Six months later he died from a drug overdose. His battle with drugs had been a lifetime battle. He was homeless most of the time. His mother was distraught. At the funeral, some of his ‘friends’ spoke. The toll drugs had taken on the lives of his ‘friends’ was obvious. They spoke in a nonsensical manner. The young man never fulfilled the call God had on his life. Another victim of Satan and poor choices.
We are not to live according to the lusts of the flesh but by the Holy Spirit. God expects us to live a holy (sanctified) life and to do good works. One who is a slave to drugs cannot meet that requirement. We are to be in the world, but not of it…John 17:15-19. Jesus prayed that the world would believe in God through us. If we live a life contrary to the Word of God, how are we any different from the world. A drunk ‘Christian’ going to strip clubs, doing drugs, and cheating on one’s spouse is not the example God wants us to set. You are here on earth for a purpose. We are to deny the worldly lusts within us that once ruled over us before we gave our lives to the Lord. Worldly lusts can be completely ‘legal’ such as drinking alcohol, over-eating, being lazy, cursing, getting angry, committing adultery, having an abortion, or doing drugs…legal or otherwise. These behaviors are not Godly. Once you dedicate your life to the Lord, there are many worldly habits that are still part of your flesh. You must ‘battle’ to deny them. Many of these habits will be presented as entertainment or an enticement to ‘buy’ something. With time and as we learn the Word of God, we will grow to become more like Christ. Billy Graham said, “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” Your holiness is the will of God. This is obviously not the will of Satan. Anything that hinders you in doing God’s work is not the will of God. Just because something is legal, does not mean it is good for you or right in the sight of God. We are to live our lives according to the spirit, not fulfilling the lust of the flesh.
Next week we will finish this discussion on the attempts of Satan to encourage sin through the legalization process. We can be fooled through this process.
– Bob Munsey
“Congruence – it’s what some refer to as ‘practicing what you preach’ or ‘walking your talk’. When lives and words simply don’t match up, in-congruence leaves us blind.”
Geezer Politics 