Sunday, April 6, 2014

Deadly

I don't believe that there is any thing more deadly to the Christian walk than dissatisfaction--with who I am, with what I have, with my circumstances, with my situation. Dissatisfaction is the sin of "I deserve better than this." It is a lie easily shredded by honest self-evaluation. Frighteningly, the person who lets it fester and grow will end up being capable of doing anything to anyone in order to get what he or she believes they deserve. They won't even hesitate to act maliciously to get what they want. And they will rationalize and believe most any lie in order to justify their actions. And the Enemy is more than happy to provide them with the opportunity to gain whatever it is they think they deserve. He is, after all, the father of lies and a destroyer.
The problem is that the fruit of those choices is bitterness, shame, and a deeper dissatisfaction. And the feeling of being hedged in by one's inability to admit that he or she has made a horrible mistake--usually because they have callously hurt the people who love them the most. Willful, prideful sin creates an indecipherable maze of untenable options as substitutes for the only cure--broken-hearted repentance. If you know someone who has been corrupted by such choices, pray earnestly that God will do whatever is necessary--quickly--to bring them to confession and repentance. The longer they tenaciously cling to their stubborn pride, the more they will find themselves shedding Esau's tears--but beyond repentance.

But above all that, don't you become a victim of the deadly sin of dissatisfaction. The hearts of those who love you will be crushed. And hide it as best you can, it will shred your soul. There is a sorrow unto death.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus" is a life-saving commandment. Embrace it with all your being.

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