It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.
In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be. Enjoy each mile of your own journey and know that God is working through you if you let Him.***
Originally Posted: July 15, 2013
What's Your Choice?
We are given our own free will. So we are allowed to choose the bad, the wrong, the evil, the devil. God doesn't want us to choose that route, but He will allow it so not to impose on the free will He has given us.
Why do people choose what is wrong, bad, evil, of the devil?
I used to think that of the devil could only mean severe things such as killing, robbery, etc. I never related it to everyday evils we barely notice because they are much too common... lying, pride, jealousy, talking poorly about others. Now I clearly know that to be Christian means ridding myself of those evils, striving to do so as much as possible, living in a way that is a reflection of Jesus.
People don't realize how much the devil is present in this world, in our lives. He is CONSTANTLY trying to pull us away from God, from doing what is right, what is good, what is true. He is constantly deceiving us into thinking the wrong way is the right way. He deceives us through every possible medium out there- the media, strangers, friends and even family. The devil can and will use anything and anyone to get to you with gossip, jealousy, lying, anger, division within families. He can talk you into anything... make you believe that you are doing right, doing well. It's all a bunch of lies.
How can we discern then what is of Christ and what is of the devil? Open your Bible. Read it. Study it. Discuss it with other Christians. The Bible tells us everything we need to know. So, if you are trying to discern what is of Christ- is it biblical? If so, it is most likely of Christ. If you can't find it in the Bible to back it up, consider the devil is trying to deceive you and bring you down to a place you don't ever want to go. The Bible isn't something where you can pick and choose how you please. Why? Because in following Jesus you must follow him completely, because if you pick and choose then you really aren't following him at all. You can't carry only half the cross and claim it as your ticket to Heaven.
So again why do we choose evil? For the pleasure, excitement, experience, etc. that we are deceived into thinking is worth it. Maybe we feel we want to experience ALL of life- the good and the bad. But consider this- there are enough struggles out there without creating your own. You will encounter both good and bad without making a choice of it. We are still experiencing all that is life... but while doing so we are making the choices to remain faithful and righteous. We are not missing out on anything but instead actually making the most of everything.
Maybe you just feel you can't give your life to Christ because you'd be giving up your own free will, that choice. But think about it this way. You ARE making a choice right now if you aren't choosing Christ. If you are choosing evil, or anything other than good, truth and Jesus, you are in fact choosing the devil. You are CHOOSING the devil. So if you fear that you will "submit your life to Christ" and give up all freedom, look at it in the other sense that right now you are submitting your life to the devil and giving up all freedom. It's one or the other. If you aren't giving your life to Christ you are allowing the devil control over you.
Our life here on earth is nothing but a split second compared to all eternity in Heaven or hell. We cannot do whatever we please, knowingly doing wrong, and then at the end say "Oh I'm sorry God, forgive me and take me to Heaven now." I don't think so. Once we know right from wrong, we MUST live righteously. And then if we make a MISTAKE, we repent and strive our very hardest never to repeat it.
Anyone who has gotten through some tough times, anyone who has witnessed or lived a miracle... what came before that? The struggle. How would there ever be miracles if there weren't struggles? Thus we must go through trials of sorts, strengthening of our faith, obstacles and overcoming evil, to get to the other side. For without the struggle, what kind of testimony would we have to receive the blessing? We need for the goal of the other side to still be with Jesus, with Him all along and in the end. We need the goal we are aiming for to be biblical. For if we remain faithful to Him no matter WHAT no matter how tough it gets, and we continue to praise Him and thank Him and trust in Him, we will get through it. Make it your goal not to live in evil but to OVERCOME evil.
When you read the Bible and make the decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, repent your sins, ask for forgiveness and follow Him. Then start living in the spirit rather than the flesh. You have a choice. Which do you choose? Heaven or Hell?
And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:26
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