Would You Be Better Off Without It?

A few weeks ago, Jenny, one of our youth leaders, did a lesson about "Tables" based on Philippians 4:8. Each of the 3 tables were either "good", "bad" or "neither"; or black, white or grey. The kids had to determine, based upon the objects on the tables, which table was black (bad), which was good (white) and which was not necessarily either one (grey), in regards to purity, honor and being admirable in the spiritual sense.

This got me to thinking about how we know that we should constantly try to stay at the spiritually "white" table, and definitely avoid sitting at the spiritually "black" table, but what about the "grey" table? Should we avoid it, too? You have to wonder, will spending time at the "grey" table lead you to sitting down at the "white" table, or the "black" table?

Look at your life right now. Evaluate who you are. Think about what it is you're doing and whether it is "true and honorable and right". Do the things you are doing right now make you want to do, or even think about doing things that are "pure and lovely and admirable"?

Let me ask you, if you had to choose a limb, or an appendage, or an organ (like an eye, or your tongue), to be cut off, and it would actually help you live a life that is "true and honorable and right... pure and lovely and admirable", what would it be? What amputation, or organ removal, given your present state of "Christ-likeness" would actually be a help, and not a hindrance?

One of the biggest, and most widespread characteristics of the depravity of man is lust. Usually, when the word lust is mentioned, thoughts of excessive, immoral desire come to mind. But that's not all of what lust is. By definition, lust is having a self-absorbed desire for an object, person, or experience. Even an intense personal eagerness or enthusiasm; e.g. a lust for life. In a nutshell, lust is the driving force in a personal agenda. The word "lust" is pretty much an New Testament word based upon Old Testament principles.

Exodus chapter 20 gives us the Ten Commandments. Let me ask you, does it say anywhere in the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not lust"? Let's see: no gods before God, no idols or graven images, don't use the Lord's name in vain, remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, honor your father and mother, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, don't give false testimony (or lie) and do not covet. Hmmm, I don't see "do not lust".

Now break down the whole of what lust is and tell me if lust is addressed in the Ten Commandments. Does lust seem to have a part in each of the Commandments? Think about it. If we have broken any of the Commandments, then we are on our own agenda; our self-absorbed desire for something other than the perfect will of God.

Now, what does this have to do with Jenny's lesson and my question about amputation? In Matthew 5:29-30, Jesus talks about removing those things that cause you to sin- and He's talking about taking your eye out if it causes you to lust, or cutting off your hand if it causes you to do wrong! Was He speaking metaphorically? You tell me. Do physical conditions and actions have spiritual implications? You know the answer to that.

Now, knowing this, what do you need to remove from your life? What "handicap" would actually be a help and not a hindrance? Is there anything that brings you fear, guilt, shame, or makes you keep secrets about sin in your life? Is there anything that is binding you down or chaining you up- keeping you from being free? Remove it, and throw it away.

Friends, relationships, cell phones, internet, media, drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual immorality, witchcraft, social networking- whatever it is that keeps you on your own self-absorbed agenda, and away from God's perfect plan- cut it off, and throw it away! It may be painful, and seem like a "handicap" at first, but remember, you can do all things through Christ, Who is your strength (Philippians 4:13), and He promised, saying "be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the ends of the age." (Matthew 28:20 NLT).

So, whatever it is that is causing you to be less than who God made you- cut it off and throw it away. Wouldn't you be better off without it?

I love you all, and pray for you continually.

In Christ, for Christ,
Guy.