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by Gail Rodgers
Our faith walk is not a casual swagger through the flower garden under blue skies. Oh, we often wish it were and complain to God when it’s not. Yet He was clear when He told us to “Stand your ground” (Ephesians 6:11 & 13).
The enemy of our soul seeks to put a wedge in our relationship with God. God warned us to “be self-controlled and alert for your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Yet God does not leave us as easy prey. He has shown us the cunning ways of the devil when Jesus Himself was tempted in the wilderness.
The temptations came on the heels of an exceptional spiritual experience. Jesus had just been baptized and felt the favor of God the Father as He spoke from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Every one of the three things the devil used to temp Jesus were things that He was perfectly capable of doing in His role as Son of God. (See Matthew 4)
- He was totally able to turn stones to bread.
- He was capable of throwing himself off the mountain and being unhurt.
- He knew the kingdoms of the world would one day all bow to Him.
He also knew that to do these things without the word of the Father would be to put a wedge in His relationship with God. He was very clear in that He only spoke and did what the Father told Him to. “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me” (John 8:27b). To do anything more or anything less would interrupt His fellowship with God.
We read often in Scripture that Jesus spent time listening to the Father. “…while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed” (Mark 1:35).
Could it be that we sometimes unwittingly find ourselves in the midst of chaos and discontentment or confusion because we have stepped into the temptation to do something we are perfectly capable of … yet without the word of the Father to go ahead?
Could it be that we let our busy lifestyles keep us from the quiet times we need to listen to the voice of our Father and inquire of Him as to what He wants us to do?
For many Christians the restlessness and disquiet of our souls may well be the subtle battle strategy of the enemy of our soul. Doing what we do well, without the word and blessing of the Father, will leave us weary and with a wedge in our
friendship with Him. Our spiritual energy will be depleted.
When our soul is in fellowship with the Father, through times of worship, prayer, obedience and feeding our spirit on His word, there is nothing to compare with the peace He brings to our hearts. It fuels our spirit!
Don’t let the good rob you of the best. Ask the Lord to direct your decisions. Don’t just ask Him for help when it is out of your comfort zone, but depend on Him to guide even the things you do well.
Spiritual battle doesn’t always look like we imagine. When you feel the wedge in your friendship with your Savior, move quickly to your prayer closet and spend time hearing again the voice of the Father through His Holy Spirit.
Ask Him to increase your hunger and thirst for Him and you will be filled. It’s a promise. (Matthew 5:6)
Father in Heaven,
I can't afford any wedge in my relationship with You. The power of Your Holy Spirit in my l ife is the oxygen of my soul. Sometimes I do plunge into things simply because I can do them. I don't always wait to hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit. My own best thinking is not what You have asked for. Rather You ask me to acknowledge You in all my ways. Today I want to make a fresh decision to allow Your Holy Spirit to be the Director of my life. Help me to spend time in Your presence. Help me to allow You to guide my thoughts and actions. Fill me with the strength and power of Your Spirit.
Remind me when I push You aside and draw me close to You. Today I choose to make You the CEO of my heart. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
