Questions to Ponder

There are clear cut, black and white areas in Scripture and then there are areas that are not so clearly defined. Sometimes it is hard to know where to land on those "gray areas."
I recently heard a message by John MacArthur that had some wise insights on how to discern right from wrong and how to make wise beneficial decisions. I thought I would share some of his points. He said it is good to ask the following questions when trying to evaluate what is wise and best.

Will It Be Spiritually Profitable?

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything."

The question I should ask myself should not be, "Can I do this and get away with it. Rather I should ask, "Will this be spiritually profitable?"

The next question is, "Will this build me up?" Will this thing, activity, etc. build my spiritual strength? Some things are beneficial and some are just a waste of time. Life is short, so it is wise to use my time on things that build me up and further God's kingdom purposes.

"Will it slow me down in the race?"

"Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2

"Will it bring me into bondage?" Will this thing bring me into an imbalance in some area in my life or become an idol to me?

The answers to these questions may vary for different people and circumstances. These questions are a good guide on those gray areas where believers differ on their personal convictions. We can each take these questions before the Lord when evaluating any given situation or thing in question.

Lies

I have an excellent book on my shelf titled "Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free." It is written by one of my favorite Bible teachers Nancy Leigh DeMoss. The book basically puts out a lot of lies we women are prone to believe and contrasts them with the truths in God's Word. I thought it might be fun to go through the book and post some of the lies vs. truths on my blog to share with my readers. Hopefully it will be mutually edifying. :) I might end up making it a series as there is no way I could get it all in one post. Please be sure and share if something speaks to you. :)

Lie: God Is Not Really Good

The Truth:

• God Is Good , And Everything He Does Is Good

"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! - Ps 31:19

• God Never Makes Mistakes

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His pupose." -Romans 8:28

Lie: God Doesn't Love Me

Truth:

• God's love for me is infinite and unconditional.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Eph. 3:14-19

• I don't have to perform to earn God's love or favor

• God always has my best interests at heart - Ps 21

This last one is a good reminder to me. I know God loves me, but I find myself feeling less loved when I'm not meeting up to my expectations of myself. It is comforting to know that my Savior LOVES me for me in my ups and downs and struggles and all. I don't love my children any less when they disappoint me. I just want to help them to do better. How comforting to remember that the Lord loves me no less when I mess things up. He just wants to help me to keep being conformed to His image becoming more and more like Him day by day.