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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

~Hot Topics~ Weapons of Mass Destruction

Grab your coffee- we've got things to discuss.

They couldn't find them in Iraq, but I see evidence of them in my own life far too often.


John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
NIV

There is no hiding these in Syria...they pop up when I am least expecting it and they destroy the peace, love and joy that God truly wants me (US) to have.

These are weapons so stealth and powerful that I can be thrown right off track in the matter of minutes when I ALLOW them to be effective in my life.

Let's look at a few WMD's that the enemy uses to cause destruction in my life...
and as ~HOT TOPICS~ goes- it is then your turn to interject your input on this subject.

*COMPLAINING

I can get myself in such a rut with complaining. I think of it as a "gateway" sin...it just opens the door to other rotten attitudes.

Phil 2:14-17
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. NIV

It destroys my peace and is linked hand in hand with-

*UNTHANKFULNESS

UGH! This one is especially dangerous. Our hearts can be set off track so quickly by not continuing to be thankful for ALL that the Lord has done.

Heb 12:28-29
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." NIV

When I read blogs like Heather’s I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. She is walking through this difficult time with grace and not letting the cancer dictate her daily attitude and love for her God.

*CRITICISM

Matt 7:3-53

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. NIV

That pretty much says it all.
Who am I to put someone else down when I've got this telephone pole in my own eye!

*WORRY/FEAR

I can get myself in a frenzy getting worried about something that may or may not ever happen? Anybody else??

You start thinking about something and before you know it, your heart is pounding and you start reacting to a situation that has not even happened!

Psalm 91 has helped me tremendously in this. Here is a portion of it:

Ps 91:9-11
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling — even the LORD, who is my refuge —
10 then no harm will befall you,no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your way NIV

*PRIDE

Prov 16:18
18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall. NIV

Need I say more?

*ANGER

The Word of God says it best:

Prov 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,but a wise man keeps himself under control. NIV


Eph 4:26-27

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. NIV


James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. NIV

Anger in and of itself is not sinful, but what we do with it can quickly become sin and destroy the fruit of the Spirit in our hearts.

Left to ourselves, these weapons will destroy us- thankfully, we have not been left to ourselves!!

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV

Once again- He's the answer!
Don't you just love HIM!

He loves us far too much to leave us victims to these WMD's- He's made a way of escape and it is right into His loving arms. The key lies in our knowledge (and belief) of Him and His truth.

Let's bring this all together with this:

Gal 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

Truth is so beautiful!

31 comments:

Amrita said...

Hi Sue, Thank you for visiting my blog. I surfed thru yours and like it a lot.Your family is beautiful and dear sweet Lauren.

God bless

Susan said...

Ouch! I'm going to stop coming here if you don't stop hitting me right in the heart!

Needed it this morning.

Love ya.

Monkey Giggles said...

Hi, I read your post earier this morning and have been pondering it. I never thought about these sins as WMD. But so so so true. We have been struggling with a few of these in our home and I think I will use your post today for our family devotion time. My boys will be captivated by the title. I will let you know for it goes. As always Thank you!!!!

Roo said...

amen!!! one tiny seed from any of these things yields fruit that will KILL.

shalom to you...

Susan said...

Great post and oh so true.
Susan

Middle-Aged Moi said...

What a great post, Sue!! I really struggle with the complaining one and the unthankful one, that's for pointing them out. Always something to work on!

inspired said...

;o]

Jill said...

My critical spirit needed to hear this today. Thanks for the thoughts and coffee break!

Anonymous said...

I actually am having a cup of coffee as I read...and nurse my sore toes. Thank you for an analogy which truly snapped me to attention.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Hmmmmm, seems like my thoughts have been going in the same direction the last few days. Isn't it great when you can see the Holy Spirit has been talking because the posts are lining up.
May we be delivered from WMD.

Tamatha said...

kewl......good one. Amen and Amen!

Heather Cady said...

Hey, enjoyed your blog, thanks for your comment!

Heather

JavaMama said...

Whoo! Praise God we were no left to ourselves!! What a great thoughts to reflect on, thanks for sharing them!!

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Michelle (wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, and striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman) said...

Hi Sue,
Good to meet you. I love your blog! Great writing...great soul-reaching...I'm adding you to my favorites!
One of my WMDs is IMPATIENCE. Waiting is sooo hard for me, even waiting on the Lord. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" (Isaiah 30:18)
Michelle

Sharon Lynne said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I've been reading through your posts and have been uplifted and inspired.

That is interesting about your Motocross involvement. I'd love to know more about that...does your son ride? Is it a ministry?

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post Sue...It was very nice reading...Really thoughtful!

Susan Demeter said...

Terrific post! Thank you .. :)

MommyMommy said...

thank you for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Great post, Sue! I am printing this one out for further reference! LOL

Anonymous said...

Wow. Powerful stuff... what a great analogy! You captured my attention right off the bat with your title, captured my mind with your descriptions of the various WMD's that assail us, and captured my heart with your story. Thank you so much... your link is going on my blog list right now! :)

One of my WMD's is time management. I can get so wrapped up in my list of things to do that I lose focus, and my priority shifts from where it needs to be. I need to trust the Lord to order my days.

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

— Ephesians 5:15-17

we are reilly said...

WOW -- you speak to me when I needed it most -- isn't that interesting how that happens?

I have had a critical heart lately and not "in love" with my job -- I need to re-think my heart and be thankful for all that I have been blessed with...

Jackie said...

Good word and something to think on for the day. Keep speaking the truth- we need to hear it. Take care!

Brenda said...

I think you've about covered them all! It's so true that one of these at a time seems like a "little" thing..."I'm just having a bad day. or I'm tired. or The kids have been getting on my nerves." Excuses, all. These things start small and blow up. We must watch for them in our lives.

Thanks for this post.

concerned parent said...

Ok so I have spent the past few days pondering your post and maybe it could be possible I have some of these weapons in my possession.
Very good read I have been dealing with these in our home this week even before your post.
(I am very good at balloon animals, some talents we have to keep secret until the time is right.
ali)

Liz said...

Hello Sue. Excellent post. Very thought provoking and challenging.

Thank you for stopping by my blog a few days ago. Please come back any time.

Heather said...

Hi Sue :) This was a muuuuch needed read on my part. Wonderful post!-Heather

Jewels of My Heart said...

What a profound post! Thank you for sharing. I have never thought of these as WMDs and yet you are so right. Might I add.... Distraction. This is one the enemy often gets me with.

Amrita said...

Sue I read this post again as i am walking a rocky emotional terrain and it helped me a lot. i have to get rid of pride and anger. Thank you

Char said...

Hi, I was just scanning through your blog as I saw your comment on my good friend's blog post today (The happy geek).

I wanted to add to your pride weapon. I've been learning that pride is not always just boastfulness.

Sometimes it is masked as uncertainty or insecurity. Low self-confidence.

All of these things separate us from doing God's will. We decide that they are legitimate excuses for staying safe in our comfort zones.

Instead, we need to be trusting in God to help us through new risks and big steps for Him.

If we legitimize our actions, we are being too proud to trust in God. Too proud to chance rejection or humiliation on behalf of our Savior.

What do you think? God Bless, Char

Praise and Coffee said...

Char,
I agree with you. I have taught this in Bible study. Being "shy" is not humble, it can be pride. Many times our insecurity and shyness is based on our fear of what others will think about us ie. our focus is all on us.

I have had to repent for stage fright because I wanted my audience to like me! That's now why God gives us a platform, it's always to give HIM the glory, not us.

Blessings,
Sue

Praise and Coffee said...

Char, do you have a blog??

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