Ephesians 5 (The Message)
6-7Don't let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don't even hang around people like that.
Wow! This is some pretty tough talk. What I like about the Bible -- it does not pull punches. It is equally tough on Christians and Non-christians. Just when I start thinking a little highly of myself, I read something like this and I start to shrink back to size. Christians always make it all seem so easy and life is anything but easy as a christian. If someone tells you that you need to devote your life to Christ and your life will be perfect, are giving you a BIG SALES JOB! Ok, not too many people will tell you your life will be perfect, but even if they don't say it directly, they certainly leave you with that impression. How can you tell if you are getting a SNOW JOB? Well, it's not always obvious! As a matter of fact, if you don't work at building a relationship with God, it can be nearly impossible to tell the Smooth talking religious sales person from an honest God fearing Christian. By building a relationship I mean by praying, reading the bible, hearing the word of God preached, and confiding in trustworthy Christian friends. God talks to us through all of these ways. The more you seek him, the better you are at discerning the truth and gaining wisdom. Also, if someone tells you they have that perfect life, or even if they lead you to believe it, they are lying. God wants us to hear the truth and gets upset when we are deceived, especially by Wolves in Sheep's clothing. Trust God alone!
Dear Lord, grant me discernment. Help me to gain your wisdom in everything I do. I know that life is not always perfect. But, I also know you are with me no matter what comes my way. You want me to rely on you in the good and the bad. Please Lord, give me the strength to Trust you and you alone! Amen.
Wow! This is some pretty tough talk. What I like about the Bible -- it does not pull punches. It is equally tough on Christians and Non-christians. Just when I start thinking a little highly of myself, I read something like this and I start to shrink back to size. Christians always make it all seem so easy and life is anything but easy as a christian. If someone tells you that you need to devote your life to Christ and your life will be perfect, are giving you a BIG SALES JOB! Ok, not too many people will tell you your life will be perfect, but even if they don't say it directly, they certainly leave you with that impression. How can you tell if you are getting a SNOW JOB? Well, it's not always obvious! As a matter of fact, if you don't work at building a relationship with God, it can be nearly impossible to tell the Smooth talking religious sales person from an honest God fearing Christian. By building a relationship I mean by praying, reading the bible, hearing the word of God preached, and confiding in trustworthy Christian friends. God talks to us through all of these ways. The more you seek him, the better you are at discerning the truth and gaining wisdom. Also, if someone tells you they have that perfect life, or even if they lead you to believe it, they are lying. God wants us to hear the truth and gets upset when we are deceived, especially by Wolves in Sheep's clothing. Trust God alone!
Dear Lord, grant me discernment. Help me to gain your wisdom in everything I do. I know that life is not always perfect. But, I also know you are with me no matter what comes my way. You want me to rely on you in the good and the bad. Please Lord, give me the strength to Trust you and you alone! Amen.
