Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
For this blog, “Avoiding Problems with Purpose” the word problems will be referring to unnecessary temptation, conflict, and any carnality.
God’s people are called to faith and righteousness! Through Christ, our faith in God has power! (1stCor4:20)
• The Holy Spirit is gifted to us who believe, and it is faithful to edify and set us apart as holy. Christians are not perfect, but we are always being sanctified, and we are holy in God’s sight because of Christ blood that has made us clean.
Biblical faith awakens us to the reality of God, sets Him as the King that He is in our life and in our heart, and we seek to give others the forgiveness and grace that allowed us to be drafted into His mercy and kingdom.
We continue in repentance of sin, knowing it doesn’t belong before God, and we can trust that Christ is faithful to advocate on our behalf. (Galatians4:6)
However, some people are not yet children of God and may never become His again, and even God’s people who are mistaken or untrained and immature or even falling away from the faith can present unresolvable conflict.
Not everyone will accept and live in the light of God, and while we are called to impartially, wholeheartedly love, we are also called to discernment and full reliance on God’s power, not our own to bring about any conversions even after preaching the gospel, as there is seed that falls on good ground, and some that fall on bad ground or is even snatched away by satan. (Matthew 13 verses 24-30; 36-43 and 3-9; 18-23)
It is God who makes grow (1st Corinthians 3:3-8).
Sharing the faith can bring persecution and danger. God does not always spare of suffering, in fact He informs us that we will experience it (John 15:18). But God always weeps with us, hears our prayers, and has a heart of justice. We will never be put to shame for our righteousness. We never have to return evil for evil. We never have to seek vengeance. We’re called to display mercy (like we’ve been given) and to pray for our enemies and allow for God to be the judge on where wrath is given.
Some situations though, do not call for any other action than our prayer and separation.
Verses to dig into and understand:
— Note: There is a company more tempting than others. There is a company we cannot entertain, and must guard our heart around.
Psalm 1:1
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;”
— NOTE: Walk in the counsel of the godly, stand with them, sit in the midst of God’s people.
Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed
1 Corinthians 6:18-19
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
— NOTE: FLEE sexual temptation and immortality. Don’t try and resist in certain situations, but set yourself up for success and not failure. We have a testimony and body that belongs to God and godliness.
Matthew 7:6
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
— NOTE: We sow seeds with some, we are even called to water some, but there are times where we should discern and dust our feet off, and walk away where God’s word is not receivable. (God will guide you in this.)
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
— NOTE: Do not expect the world to behave in godliness. They need the gospel in power not judgement, only believers are reciprocal and meant for discipline.
AND REMEMBER TO cast your cares and burdens on our Lord God and Jesus Christ! Pray without ceasing! He wants to be apart of our entire life!
Philippians 4:6-9
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
— NOTE: We must practice what we learn from God so that His peace can follow! Lean not on your own understanding, and follow not your own resolution to problems, but cast things away! Stay focused on Christ’s beauty, and callings, and the good already being done!
The Book of Proverbs gives great wisdom to navigate life in the world, and both Books of Timothy offer God’s guidance to help us with our life as Christians and in the church! (2nd Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all of scripture is inspired and powerfully edifying.)
Thankfully certain problems can be avoided with others and ourselves by remembering the great wisdom given to us by God.
In these few verses we begin to learn a wise way of navigating. Loving warning on where to be and not to be, what to participate in and what not to. Throughout God’s word we’re safeguarded from any consequences of being foolish and reaffirmed that there are consequences for evil done against us. Christ is our refuge!
Exodus 23:21-22 “…. for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. “
• In God’s kingdom to come there will be no more conflict, as we will all be in tune with God’s Spirit, and His will, and able to perfectly walk in it.
Imitate and know His ways and heart now, and you can avoid or at least be proudly equipped to face life’s troubles with the reassurance of God’s favor, peace, and love before you.