Have you ever had problems walking straight? Maybe because you’re dizzy, inner ear infection or distracted by something around you….
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV)
the Bible tells us that our walk with Christ should be straight and narrow.
He even punished Lots wife when she looked back over her shoulder at what she was leaving behind… which was a life full of sin.
Jesus instructed the ones that followed Him that they didn’t have time to turn back and even tell their family goodbye because the work was so great and turning back would be a temptation to stay.
He gave the example in Luke 9:62 of the plow…
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV)
So… back in those days the plow used for farming had one handle. The farmer would stand on the plow and shift his weight towards the front of the plow so that the blade would be forced deeper into the ground. The farmer had to keep his head straight as he plowed because if he so much as looked sideways or backwards for sure… then his rows wouldn’t be straight.
Have you ever tried walking and looking back over your shoulder?
I don’t know about you but I can only take a few steps when I look backwards over my shoulder or I either have to stop….or I stumble and get off path.
Even a slight stumble will get a person off their straight path.
This is what God is trying to prevent us from doing in our daily lives.
Focusing straight ahead on Him and not glancing at the world.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (KJV)
I admit… I’ve gotten caught up a time or two here lately with things in the world. My lips gave praise to the Lord but my heart was growing fearful at the things going on around me in this world.
I needed to repent….and I did. That is one thing about me… it doesn’t take the Holy Spirit long to convict me when I’ve done wrong and it doesn’t take me long to repent when that conviction comes. I HATE those spiritual whoopens!!!! They hurt!!
We have already been told what things to think about and focus on.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
We can be just like David was in the Bible and encourage ourselves in the Lord.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (KJV)
David felt like Everyone was against him… and they might have been… but if God is for us then does it matter who’s really against us?
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (KJV)
We’ve already been told where fear comes from and how are we to defeat it… but yet so easily the devil continues to use this as a snare for people.
Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (KJV)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (KJV)
Hmmmm 🤔 I wonder if Jesus felt frustrated when He said “Oh ye of little faith”
Why does it seem so hard for us to live in the spirit and kill out our flesh?
I wish I had a good answer…. I know it’s something that’s been asked for thousands of years. Even Paul was confused by his own actions sometimes. He tells us that when he said….
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (KJV)
He’s so confused by it that as he’s talking he even says it again…
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (KJV)
He admits that he’s wretched and in need of a Savior.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (KJV)
We are no different this many years later. It’s the same devil using the same tricks. He doesn’t have to change his plan because his plan has worked for….well…. for thousands of years.
So today…. let’s make it a conscious effort to not get trapped by the devils snares. Make a conscious effort that we will keep our eyes on the Lord and only seeing and hearing and doing and walking in the places that He would have us to go.
Making this conscious effort will make you a target today, but remember…satan hates you because he hates Jesus. Knowing ahead of time that you will be targeted will make it easier to have the mindset that your focus won’t change and it can even give you the determination to go harder towards Christ.
So…. make it a conscious effort that you will walk straight and narrow…. and NOT look back while you’re on the path for Jesus so that you don’t stumble. The reward waiting is so great and the blessings eternal.
And remember…. no matter how far off the path you got in life all you have to do is look for the cross to find your way back home.
Ready… set…. march…
Leave a Reply