Getting Your Spirit & Your Body On The Same Road

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attitudes, discernment, how to

 

Are you constantly hitting the windshield of life??

 

Newton’s Law states that a body in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. Sort of like if you are driving in your car, not only is the vehicle going 60 miles per hour, but your body is too. If you hit the breaks, your body continues to go 60 miles per hour, unless a seat belt or windshield, restrains you. I think this theory also is true to our minds and behavior as well. Have you ever attempted to stop doing something, but your mind and body continue to want it, and yearn for it? Though your spirit is anew, sometimes it takes an extended effort to get our thoughts and behavior to change.

The physical response to spiritual transformation is reminiscing. Remembering the good times that sin brought to your life, not the bad times. Don’t front, you know kicking it hard, flirting with every man with a pulse, and drinking beyond responsibility was fun. You know that hanging out with your friends, talking mess about everybody and their mom was fun. People use drugs, commit adultery, lie, cheat and steal for the thrill of it. It is fun. Attempts at holiness can be lonely.

You can have a spiritual transformation. But unless you do something to curtail your thoughts and seek to really understand your weaknesses, you will end up being saved, and being miserable back involved in the same mess you used to be in. You can spiritually hit the breaks in your life, but guess what…your mind can keep going. And unless you are proactive at stopping yourself, you may end up in a bad situation.

1. Understand what you were saved from

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

2. Be willing to forget and forgive the person you used to be

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

3. Call on God (pray) when you know you cannot handle it

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

4. Stay away  and guard your thoughts from the things that remind you of your weaknesses

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phillipians 4:8-9

What About Your Friends?

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about me, attitudes, discernment, happiness, Jesus, relationships

I used to kick it almost every night of the week. My friends and I used to drink and drive, act crazy in the club and were indiscriminate when it came to choosing mates (if you know what I mean). I spent the majority of my money on alcohol, club clothes, after the club food and couldn’t understand why even though I was single, sort of balling, why I was always broke. Not only was I misdirected and unwise, so were my friends at the time. I talk to some of them today, and they are nostalgic about those times, thinking that it was so much fun. Now that I know what real joy is, I look at those times as dark and depressing for me. I did all of this, by the way, after I was saved.

Over the past two years, people have told me I’ve acted funny. Or questioned why I have changed. I just tell them I am in a different part of my life right now. I felt like a zombie whore up in the club, squeezing into the tightest thing I could, drinking until I was unaccountable, hoping for a little love and attention. My friends, at the time, encouraged this lifestyle. Not because they were evil or out to destroy me. Because they just didn’t know either. I was the saved one, but was acting like I wasn’t. We all thought we were having fun too!

When we read in the Bible about being unequally yolked, most people think about marriage partners; one is saved and one isn’t. But being unequally yolked can affect any relationship or friendship. If you are married, hanging out with single people could be unhealthy to your marriage. A single person may not believe the same principals of marriage that a married person does. If you are in college, hanging with people who aren’t pursuing higher education can deter you from studying. A person who isn’t in school may have a different lifestyle that doesn’t involve intense studying. In my case, I was saving up to buy a house, working on my career and ultimately hoping to start a family. But I was hanging out in clubs and squandering my money and my self.  No parts of me looked like a person who loved Jesus. How are we to accomplish our goals when the company we keep is not a reflection of who we are or want to be?

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

Are your friends in the same place spiritually and emotionally that you are? Are you in the position to uplift them and vice versa, or are you all in the same sinking boat? What are you supposed to do when you realize that your friends are a reflection of everything bad about you, and not the good or potential in you? It was hard for me, because my friends were not bad people, we were just all lost. But the Bible tells us that we must separate ourselves from people who don’t believe the same things that we believe. When you are saved, God wants you to be set apart from the world. You are supposed to be different and unique. Many, many times, the ideas, lifestyles and thoughts of the world can be so attractive. A life of discipline can be boring, let’s not lie. So when I see married people hanging consistently with their single friends, or people who are trying to get their life right with God still kicking it hard, I KNOW that they are toeing the line of being lured back into a life they they are trying to get out of. I know, because it’s a struggle I have, and we all have.

“Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you

2 Corinthians 6:17

I am learning the importance of aligning myself with people who have similar goals and lifestyles as mine, and also seeking people who are wise in areas that I am lacking so that we can edify one another. Many people said that Jesus hung out with people on the low end…the tax collectors, the whores and the sick. But he was with them to heal them, not to do what they did. He was there to save them, not to kick it with them! I am not mean or shady toward the people of my past because I hope that my new life will be an example of how God can change a person. You can’t change people by staying in the same place that they are. Somebody has to come out and show God off. Are you an example of being transformed to your friends, or are you just like them? Are you faithful enough to say no to a life that you know is destructive?

Fighting Defensiveness

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attitudes, discernment

How far will you get being a bad girl?

Everybody is hating on you. Even your mom. You feel like nobody is on your side and everyone is telling you that you’re wrong. Nothing is going right for you. Instead of considering that maybe people are right and that you are not doing things the proper way, you get mad and defensive.

The world has become so accepting of defiant people. It’s cool for women and men to be rebels. The more rebellious and unsettled a person is, the more popular and famous you can be. Bridezillas have their own TV show and bad girls are going wild. In spite of what pop culture wants you to think, being defiant is a dangerous spiritual place to be.

I know husbands that don’t listen to their wives. And how many kids to we see disrespecting their parents, and vice versa? When someone tells you that you are wrong, do you think it’s because they want to squander you, or help you grow? People are defiant because they see no examples of people doing the right thing and having happy outcomes. The world will make you think that being right will lead to a boring life. But that is not the case.

People who have a problem taking criticism from others, ultimately have a problem with God. Because if you read the Bible, He tells us things that we feel aren’t for us, but they really are. That’s the essence of defiance right there. You have to trust that God loves us and knows what is best. That is why it is so important to ask God to search your heart and show you the things that are unclean. God may be putting people in your life to answer that request.

Revelation 3:19 (from the Amplified Bible) says:

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]

Smart people listen to wise people. This isn’t to say that you should take in everyone’s opinion. But discernment will tell you the difference between independence and defiance. If you are experiencing perpetual unhappiness, instead of confiding in people who will tell you want you want to hear, you should seek people who will tell you what you need to hear.

Proverbs 15:31-32 says:

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

I think the phrase “life-giving rebuke” is so amazing because people who love you will tell you things to try to save you, not give in to your temporary happiness. People who love you want to see you have a good life, not just a good time. The verse that says “he who ignores discipline despises himself” means that all the people we see acting wild and crazy are really masking an inner pain. They really don’t like themselves. Because people who like themselves have discipline.

We need to do a better job at accepting advice and criticism. We need to ask God for wisdom and discernment to know what messages to let stick, and what messages to let fall to the ground. Everyone who criticizes you is not a hater. Most likely they are a lover! Do people that “do what they want” really lead happier lives? I would venture to say, no.

Listening to the people who love you, can be another key to your deliverance! They are not blaming you or calling you out for no reason. It is silly to shun the people who love you, because you feel like you must be right all the time!

Proverbs 13:18 says:

He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Blessing Our Haters

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about me, discernment, forgiveness, Jonah, relationships

In a few days, I have to go to an event, and there’s a girl that’s going to be there that I don’t like. Yes, I am a Christian and I dislike someone. The process of forgiving her has been a long one. I even contacted her (through Facebook) and let her know that I wasn’t upset with her anymore. Of course, she understood. But there is a difference from being cyber-cordial and actually having to occupy space with someone that has did you wrong. How am I supposed to act? And I know people will be watching me, waiting for me to react to her, knowing that I don’t like her. I have every right not dislike her, and everyone agrees.

Sometimes there are people in your life that you have a legitimate, valid audit against. You have every right and reason to be mean to this person and anyone with any sense would tell you to stay far away from them. Haters are not new. But what if God puts us in a position to have to bless our haters? Would you do it?

God wanted Jonah to bless his haters, which were the people of Nineveh. God told Jonah to go the the city and speak about Him because the people were awful, violent and terrible. Way less terrible than the girl I don’t like. Instead of going, outright, Jonah tried to flee and ended us in the belly of a fish for three days. After repenting and being vomited up by the fish, he listened to God and went to Nineveh. He told the people his story and told them to turn to God, and they did. Just like that. That made Jonah upset because he didn’t like the people. He though that God should have destroyed them because they were horrible sinners. God explained to Jonah that he had compassion for His people, even in their disobedience and ignorance, and Jonah should have the same.

Do we have compassion for disobedient and ignorant people? God tells Jonah, yes!

Jonah 4:11 says:

And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”

Of course, people lack discernment! It’s like the old saying: If people knew better, they would do better.” Maybe God put you in certain people’s lives to show them the right way to behave. Are you up for the challenge? As Christians, we set the example to the world (and even other Christians) to act towards people as God acts toward us. So continuing to be a jerk and actively dislike this girl is doing nothing to help her become a better person.

If God asked you to do something to bless your haters, would you do it? Would you flee from the responsibility like Jonah did? I have surely done that in the past. I surely don’t want God to have to go through drastic measures, like He had to do with Jonah, to get my attention.

So going to this event, I am going to have to remember to be compassionate, forgiving and calm. God has definitely showed me compassion and saved me from a whole host of things, so now I have to set the example of how to act. I am going to set the example of true forgiveness and show everybody there that yes, you can be nice to people that have done you wrong. Jesus didn’t say be nice be kind to everyone, except that girl you don’t like! He said be kind and generous to those who hate you. So I’m going to try to do that this weekend.

Matthew 5:44 says:

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

How To Judge Music, TV and Movies in a Christian Way

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discernment, how to, Juanita Bynum, movies, music, TV

This comes from The Juanita Bynum Topical Bible, a good source for those who are learning the Bible and need direction and clarity on a variety on Bible topics. The book offers a questionnaire to discern between media that is good for you, and media that is not good for you. It becomes really clear on what one should do.

1. Would Jesus listen to this music, or watch this TV program or movie?
John 12:46
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness

2. Through your TV or music, what kind of people or evil spirits are you inviting into your home?
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

3. Is this TV program,movie or music contrary to God’s word?
Proverbs 19:27
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

4. is the TV program or music bringing you closer to God?
James 4:4
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5. Is it causing you to compromise or sin?
1 Corinthians 10:21
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

6. What are you putting in your heart through your eyes and ears?
Psalm 101:3
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

7. Are you wasting time?

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil

8. How do you qualify good TV programs, movies and music?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Is Hip Hop Evil?

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discernment, hip hop, music

Lately, there has been so much talk about rappers and other artists selling their souls to the devil for money, fame, power and influence. Rapper Jay-Z is rumored to be linked to some ancient evil organization. People are suspecting that Rihanna and Beyoncé have images and lyrics in their videos that point to evil and are trying to figure out who bought their souls too? Every few years or so, rumors start spreading about different celebrities and whether or not they have “sold their soul to the devil.”

It is hard to watch a music video of any genre and not see images and hear words that directly oppose the church. But lately, hip hop has been under fire. With groups like Ex Ministries that make no apologies about calling hip hop demonic, it throws so many people in my age group in an argument that has a very clear answer.

We can speculate all day about the beginnings on hip hop, the intentions of music labels and whether artists worship demonic spirits or not. But one thing that we cannot sit on the fence about is God’s word. Either art is made to glorify God or it isn’t. There really is no in between. There is NO argument that there is a lot of hip hop music with distinct anti-Christian messages. One cannot be a Christian and condone messages or blasphemy, idolatry, adultery, fornication and intoxication, no matter what the beat sounds like.

Psalms 1 says:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful

The Bible is very clear that Christians are not supposed to do the things that unsaved people do. We are supposed to be examples of what to do. We are not supposed to be confused with sinners. It should be clear who Christians are and where we stand when it comes to messages in the mass media and images and music that are geared toward our youth. Some people shy away from being too preachy, but God wants us to tell people the truth about what misinformation will do to them.

Psalms 37:37-38:

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off

It can be confusing, eerie and upsetting to Google your favorite artist and read that they may be connected with ancient evildoers. So much of the information is compelling and overwhelming. It is also hard to believe that these artists, who seem so down to earth, can be connected to such dark forces.

Believers in Christ have the responsibility to be educated on what God wants so that we are not tricked or fooled by evil spirits. It is so easy to be deceived by the world because we love fashion, glitz and glamor. We praise people because they work hard and gain fame and try to create their “grind” and their “swag” in our own lives.

Ezekiel 44:23 says:

And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the clean and the unclean

We must ask God for discernment for the music and images we let into our houses and our minds. We must test the spirits that we encounter so that we don’t become complacent with things that are against the Kingdom of God. And if you find it hard to give up your favorite music, you can even ask God to replace it with something of His liking.

I don’t necessarily believe that hip hop is inherently evil. I don’t believe everything has that come from Ex Ministries or other hip hop conspiracy theorist. But I do know that many rap artists cannot pass the litmus test of being for God. So at the risk of being uncool, we must be more diligent at seeking God’ voice when it comes to popular music. So much of in influences our lives and the lives of our children. There are surely more people who know the words of entire volumes of rap albums and not one single Bible verse. How many kids do you know that watch more 106 & Park than they read the Bible?