โ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ช - สแดสแดษดแดษชษดษข แดแดแดแด๊ฑษชแดแด๊ฑ
As believers we are called to live a life of faith that requires balance between worldly temptations and spiritual devotion, between legalism and materialism.
However as always in Christianity, the mindset is what is important.
A) UNBIBLICAL - Striving not to displease God prompted by a fear He’ll abandon or punish you. In this case it becomes performance based which the scripture warns against (ref Romans 8:1)
BIBLICAL - Walking the narrow path of obedience and acquiescence, while completely relying on Our Lord's strength and grace.
B) In many religions around the world, the end justifies the means Not So in Christianity. Looked at in another way, the Christian perspective is countercultural.
Firstly, the Christian already knows his end and knows that he cannot write his own end. Christ has done that for him at the cross. — “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6; KJV]
Secondly, he measures success not in terms of his own accomplishments but in the cross of Christ and the resurrection, not in an earthly version of success — “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” [Galatians 6:14; KJV]
C) Decree and Declare or Beg in prayer - Prayer is a dialogue with the Divine Almighty, where we make our requests known to Him “as per His will”, as is specified above.
That being said, Faith is the key to accessing the promises of God—not begging. Faith is not about the volume of the prayer or how desperate we sound but believing that God will do what He has promised for He has promised that He doesn't change His mind - “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” [Numbers 23:19; KJV]
We don’t need to convince God to bless us. Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished” (ref John 19:30). His work is complete, and now our part is to receive it by faith. The promises of God are “yes and amen” in Christ (ref 2 Corinthians 1:20).
D) Boldness vs Rebellion - Boldness is the courage to act or speak fearlessly. However , it is not to be confused with rashness or aggressiveness. Spiritual boldness pursues the truth, works to destroy lies and error, and speaks what is right regardless of how terrifying such action may be.
Boldness is no more fitting for a fool than jewels are fitting for a hog (ref Proverbs 11:22).
Rebellion always begins in the heart. Rebellion against God’s authority was humanity’s first sin (ref Genesis 3). Rebellion is linked to pride and both sins are equated with witchcraft and paganism. It all stems from boldness untempered by humility and obedience to the word.
E) Knowledge vs Arrogance - In practically every occurrence of “arrogance” or its synonyms in the Bible it is a behavior or attitude detested by God - “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” [Proverbs 16:5; KJV]
Overestimation of one's own knowledge combined with a distinct lack of humility leads to Arrogance. Arrogance is not even confidence. It's fear and insecurity dressed up as power.
F) Temple of the Holy Spirit vs Idolatry - This emphasizes the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within genuine believers, signifying a transformative relationship between God and His people. The sanctity and divine ownership of the believer's body is stressed upon and so also the importance of keeping it healthy when the scripture states “... therefore glorify God with your body.” (ref 1 Corinthians 6:20).
Since the same blood that redeemed our spirit also purchased our body. Therefore, how we steward our health, rest, and strength, is part of our spiritual obedience. That’s why taking care of physical health isn’t vanity or self-obsession but gratitude.
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