“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that…” Martin Luther King Jr.

It seemed innocent enough – people I knew, church people had the thing, the item I wanted.

I justified.

Even Jesus’ garment was of such good quality, solders drew lots to acquire it not knowing in doing so, they fulfilled prophesy.

For me, it was a left or right moment cloaked in worldly desire.

To purchase an expensive, unnecessary fashion item or align myself with the values of Christ.

Inside, I knew it wasn’t the right thing but I purchased it anyway.

I wanted it and could think of no logical reason why I shouldn’t have what everyone else had.

I reasoned it was okay because I was frugal in other areas of my life.

I tithe and give; I deserve an indulgence.

It was a moment that lead to many other moments.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

The Bible is full of “if/then” statements.

Sow and reap.

Seed and harvest.

If I do not conform.

If I renew my mind through the Word.

THEN I am able.

I cannot know or test what God’s will is when my mind is consumed by the world.

When I look at what people wear and imagine how I might attain it not only am I coveting and valuing things of this world, I am distracted and starving my spirit.

Supernatural doesn’t manifest in natural.

I cannot reason or rationalize God, I can only experience Him.

When my spirit is God starved there is no power.

Without it when difficulties come, my faith is impotent – I can only endure darkness.

Christian culture teaches me to count it all joy and endure pain yet Jesus died to set me free from darkness and gave me the power to do so.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:19

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

If I choose to limit God, He allows it.

When I choose to walk in self and chart my own course, I can.

There is no love without freedom and God is perfect love.

He gives me the gift of free will and choice so I can choose.

Self or Savior.

I can’t figure it out using human logic and still manifest the power of a living God because He is supernatural and defies reason. The least are greatest, the poor rich.

I must choose – rely on a supernatural God or my own experience.

Become broken bread and poured out wine.

Intercession over intellect.

Prayer instead of pry.

Jesus died to save me from myself.

To find life I must lose it.

Give up to gain.

Lay down to pick up.

Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Self creates a sin slave.

Destructive distraction.

The world normalizes it through a steady stream of propaganda.

We call it media.

I’m so desensitized, I don’t notice Aladdin glorifies a thief and sorcery – something God finds detestable and worthy of the death penalty.

Our children call it magic and parents purchase toy wands.

Satan is the father of lies and the god of this world, therefore this world always leads me astray.

It makes no sense that God in Heaven gives satan temporary dominion over the earth but mainstream television, books, and movies are unaffected and off limits.

Make no mistake, many are electronically sedated, world fed, walking the wide path to hell on a guided tour.

Frogs in the pot.

The patterns of this world lead to destruction.

What am I representing?

I recently attended a basketball game wearing a jacket with an embroidered flaming hoop, declaring the Miami Heat is my team.

As I walked around the stadium, no one had to guess who I supported.

Symbols and logos have meaning and the purpose is visual representation.

They declare identity and meaning.

Create feelings, evoke memories.

Symbols are a powerful way we communicate.

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:19

Mermaids come from Greek mythology and are demonic – we cover our children in their images, believe it’s whimsical and fun.

During the Christmas season, there were owl ornaments everywhere – the owl often represents Molech – we put these symbols on our pagan tree and promote the false Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice.

Lambs lead to the slaughter.

Sitting ducks wrapped with worldly ignorance.

“It doesn’t mean that to me.”

If I don’t care about the Miami Heat or even know they’re a basketball team, the symbol’s meaning doesn’t change.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8

It matters.

It matters what I watch and wear.

It matters what I listen to and who I spend my time with.

I’m either feeding flesh or spirit.

Heaven or hell.

God or satan.

The fence is a lie because satan owns the fence.

There is no neutral position.

“Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me.” –Jesus, Matthew 12:30

Am I in or out?

In the final analysis, God will decide.

One day, I’ll stand before Him and He will judge whether or not I believed in my heart that Jesus is Lord.

The Word says even the demons believe and tremble.

There is belief that is knowing and a belief that affects what I do and how I live.

Jesus says all who believe are saved.

He also says the gate that leads to destruction is wide and broad and many go in by it.

In the same scripture He reveals narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.

The Bible says to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

You can attend church, read the Bible and still go to hell. Click To Tweet

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

When I believe, really believe Jesus is the only way, it changes what I do and how I live.

I know on my own I can never be good enough.

My Christian resume doesn’t impress God.

He looks at my heart – what I truly love and value.

Where my treasure lies, reveals true affections.

Time, treasure, talent – it all belongs to God yet I spend most of it on myself.

Self equals flesh equals satan.

It’s not about living in poverty and ashes.

It’s about seeking and resting and trusting.

Peace and joy.

Love everlasting.

It’s valuing God’s economy over the world’s economy.

It’s dying to self through prayer and the application of God’s Word.

Loving Him with my whole heart – not just enough to get by.

Jesus, the way the truth and the life said this:

“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

Father God, Lord Jesus,

Thank you for Your grace and mercy – without Jesus, there is no hope. This is a hard word. I pray it stirs hearts and minds the way it stirs mine. Relationship takes time, work, investment and my relationship with You is no different. I don’t want to make up my own god, my own version of You, an imaginary friend that requires nothing more than the occasional prayer. I want the one true, living God. I want to serve You with my life. I want to proclaim You and speak Your truth because Your Word tells me you are patient so none will perish – it also says many will be destroyed for lack of knowledge. You came to earth as a baby to live and die to show us the way home. This life isn’t all there is and I pray You grow and change me, conform me to Your character, help me know You and love You better. Thank You, Lord for all You accomplished on the cross. You lived the life I couldn’t live and paid the price for my sin. I love You Father God, Lord and Master Jesus, Holy Spirit. In Your Precious, Holy, Matchless Name, Amen.