Too often we make up our own definitions of who God is. This results in a clouded vision of His character. We are mistaken if we see Him as being solely merciful, exclusively forgiving, and compassionate. Some of us don’t think God takes sin seriously and we overlook the truth that He is holy and just.
It will never be okay to sin. It is not enough to say that you follow Jesus, yet you are living your life according to the patterns of this world. We are facing this everyday battle against the enemy because satan is working around the clock “to steal, kill, and destroy” [John 10:10]. God is even truer to His Word that, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.”
Pastor Shane Idelman of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, delivered a strong message about “spiritual slumber.” He didn’t hide the fact that he was trying to “ruffle some feathers” with his sermon, telling Christians to be cautious of the things that they are watching and doing.
“So, if we’re watching all these things we shouldn’t be watching, doing things we shouldn’t be doing, do you honestly think you’re going to wake up in the morning springing out of bed and want to go spend time with God?” he asked.
Are we feeding ourselves enough from the things of God?
“I hope I’m stepping on toes. I hope I’m ruffling feathers,” Pastor Shane continued. “I hope I’m rubbing you up the wrong way so you might turn the right way.”
Prayer, he reasoned, is the best “weapon” for Christians to grip — a very strong weapon that can push satan away from distracting us and the schemes he planted.
“Prayer is a weapon … this is your AR-15. Everybody [says] ‘We got to buy an AR-15 before the gun laws are regulated! I’ve got to have 1,000 ammunitions in my gun safe … and I’ve got to have all these things!’” He continued, “No! The weapon of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.”
Are we focusing enough on God’s Word, or are we focusing on the things of this world?