When you capitalize your thoughts outside of Me,
It distracts your focus upon Me.
Then your faith wavers and you become a double-minded man.
The Lord audibly spoke these words to me in November 2001. This was the most incredible supernatural season of my life to that point. I was a first year student at Morning Star School of Ministry and shared an apartment with my son Lyn who was a second year student in the School.
These words seared my soul and were inscribed upon my heart. Since then my life has been fashioned according to these words. The Lord gave me a clear understanding how things that surround us in every day life can easily be distractions. Whatever diverts our focus away from Him distracts our attention to get us off course. Once our focus is diverted we can be led astray and never even realize it until we’re totally lost at sea. Then because we’re distracted we become self-righteous in our own eyes and have difficulty discerning the truth. Discernment is filtered through the throne of our soul. If Christ is not on that throne then whatever occupies it instead of Him rules our judgment and decision making process. However if Christ is the center then all of our decisions are filtered through the righteousness of Christ.
Many years ago the Lord told me to eat of His flesh and drink of His blood daily and He began teaching me from 1 Corinthians 11. Since that time I take communion daily to make sure Christ is seated on the throne of my heart. The important thing is this causes me to examine myself daily. More importantly I ask the Lord to show me anything that’s in me that’s not of Him so I can repent of it. I don’t want anything that’s not of Him but I want all things that are of Him.
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:27-31)
I like to quote some scripture to see if I am in proper alignment. Self- examination is important and I want to remain humble not prideful.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
My prayer is for God to correct me quickly so I can repent and turn away from evil no matter how great or small. It is my constant desire to see God in all things. He is my all in all. My one desire is to be one with Him and complete the work He has destined me to do according to His will.
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? (Psalm 24:3)
As a Christian we should continually draw closer to the Lord. In order to do this we must live a lifestyle of holiness. This is not religious. No, it’s simply living an intimate life surrendered to Christ and walk in His likeness. As we do this we can come boldly into His presence.
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4)
An idol is anything or anyone that we place in the center of our heart ahead of God. They can be our spouse, children, grandchildren, a significant other, friends or even a pet. It can be such things as our job, ministry, recreational sports, money, television, our home, video games, phone or Internet. Simply stated, anything that occupies the throne of our soul in place of the Lord is an idol. Then the direction of our life is filtered through it instead of Christ.
Distractions bombard Christians daily but they must rule over them. We live with the consequences of the choices we make whether good or bad. In Genesis 4 God spoke to Cain about his disappointment and anger due to his offering not being acceptable. God told him that sin will come knocking at your door but you have a choice to make. The door He’s talking about is your mind (your soul).
So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7)
If Christ is seated on the throne of your soul you will rule over temptation because you won’t give place to distractions, diversions and delusions. If the thing knocking at your door doesn’t align with Christ, you simply say no and close the door. There’s no debate! Shut it and walk away. Don’t entertain the lies of the enemy. Once you do you’ve allowed Satan to place a pawn on the throne in place of Christ. If the hook is set it can be difficult to recognize that Satan has set up residence. I think he tries over and over again to wear out the saints. But James 4:7 says, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The Apostle Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. And if Christians follow his teaching they will keep Christ on the throne of their soul and displace the attempts of the enemy every time.
Paul explains it this way; For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
In the years since the Lord spoke this important message to me I’ve tried to walk upright in spirit with Him giving the Lord first place in my life. Of course at the time He spoke this to me it revealed that I had allowed someone to become an idol and he was seated where the Lord belonged. My oldest grandson was just eighteen months old when he came to live with me for three wonderful years. I loved him so much and poured my life into him and taught him all about Jesus. We had three glorious years and then the Lord separated us. It was in this process the Lord showed me that even love for another could rest upon His throne. He taught me that I can live without all things and all people but I cannot live without Him. He is my first love and my life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) It was a shocking realization because I truly loved the Lord with all my heart. But the fact remained that everything I did was filtered through “what is best for my grandson” therefore placing the Lord in second place.
Most of us are involved in many different time-consuming things and often they can become an idol in our life. Only through intimate fellowship can you draw nearer to Christ. It’s only by recognizing our idols and placing them at the foot of the cross daily that we draw nearer to God. I think it’s time for an inventory of our heart to make sure its in right standing with God. James 4:6 tells us to resist the devil and he must flee. He has no other option. But we must draw near to God. He’s always waiting with arms wide open. James 4:8 says that people are double-minded. Why? Because they have dabbled in the world therefore their motives are impure and these impurities now filter their thought process leaving a greater margin for idols to replace the Lord. But there’s good news! Repent, humble yourself and He will quickly forgive and lift you up. (James 4:10) But here’s an important key, don’t allow that idol access again. Like God said to Cain, sin knocks at your door but you must rule over it. Give the Lord first place in your life and keep Him there by saying no to ungodly options. Let Jesus rule your thought life. Let Him have the seat of authority in your heart and take possession of the throne in your soul. Amen.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.