Photo Credit: Wetsun

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m upset right now! Upset at all the ways that so many people are experiencing deep hurts and devastation in their lives because of the wrong choices of others. I’m angry at the way Satan has bound so many and has built strongholds that are gripping lives. My heart is aching for the hurting people we’ve been meeting who are stumbling around with a spirit of heaviness, when they should be experiencing joy. I’m angry about the consequences of sin, but I’m also angry at the wrong choices that lead to sin. So many within the church profess to be on the straight and narrow way, yet live a defeated life of sin. God’s word says that this is a very dangerous place to be. “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23)

My friend, We can’t just blame all the sin and wrong choices on the “world” and the nonbeliever anymore. The change needs to start with us. The church. Within my own heart…and yours!

It seems so simple. The “narrow road” we’re supposed to follow leads to “light.” Walking in the light requires us to live open and transparent lives and to confess our sins to each other. So why have we become so shallow and superficial? Why are we walking in defeat rather than in victory?

Do you see the hypocrisy of us trying to portray God’s love and faithfulness to the world while we are hiding our marriage that is falling apart? When we aren’t choosing to show agape love to our spouse, how can we portray God’s love to others? On the outside, we may look as if we have an perfectly acceptable marriage, yet there are “stone walls” between us and our spouse.

What does the Bible say about this? “…for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Let me ask you…do you truly love everyone, or is there someone you just don’t like very much? Who is that one person that when they walk into the room, you stiffen up just a bit? You know the one. The person you try very hard to avoid because they’ve said or done something you don’t like.

How can we exemplify the forgiveness of God while we are holding a grudge against another person? We are deceived into thinking we are forgiven by God while we harbor bitterness toward a person sitting a couple pews in front of us. The messages we hear every Sunday about the fruits of the spirit, forgiveness, and love never break through our heart’s calluses. We are deceived if we believe God is truly forgiving us. Do we really know what we are saying when we pray,“And forgive us our debts, AS WE forgive our debtors.”? (Matt. 6:12)

Photo Credit: TexasEagle

We meet unprotected women and children within the church who struggle with the moral failures of their husband or father. If husbands begin thinking that their secret pornography and other moral failures only affect themselves, they can be assured that Satan has them exactly where he wants them. What a man does secretly, greatly affects his wife and exposes each of his children to the influence of Satan. The same holds true for a wife and mother. In Ephesians 5:12, Paul says,“It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” God have mercy if this would be said about any of us.

I’ve also seen the damage we, women, can do by trying to control what we shouldn’t and not controlling what we should. We should control our unruly tongues. They can quickly become like razors. There are whole churches who’ve been divided because of the gossip and slander done by women. Men sometimes allow themselves to become as puppets on a string because of the damage and control of their wives. James 1:26 says, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” This is serious stuff!

I know that “hurt people hurt people” and I’ve written several different blogs about caring for the hurting person. I know that our wrong choices are often the result of our deep hurts, but I believe it’s time to stop making excuses, and speak about the holiness of God and the sinfulness of our own hearts.

I know many people react to a message of holiness because the “living under grace” mentality is much more comfortable and acceptable. But, I believe, it is time for the whole portrayal of Christianity to be shared, and a burning revival to begin in our country, our churches, homes, and, most of all, our hearts! And may it begin with ME. And YOU.

Because I want to be in a right relationship with my Holy God, I want to have absolutely no reasons or excuses for sin in my life. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Rom. 13:14)

How about you? Are you done making excuses for the wrong sins in your life? Have you viewed your pride, gossip, bitterness, ungratefulness, lying, immorality, hatred, lust, anger, jealousy (or any other sin) as God views it? Do you justify your sin in any way? Do you think God justifies your sin? What does He say about sin? God tells us to,“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom. 12:9) (The Bible also clearly says what is evil in God’s sight. Read it yourself to find out what it is.)

Photo Credit: Ryk Neething

In order to have a relationship with God, we need to have ZERO tolerance of wrong in our lives. Our love for the Lord is determined by the degree we guard our hearts and lives from the bondages of sin.

Jesus made it very clear to us with these words…”Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH THE WILL of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)

Let me ask you—no, better yet—ask God to show you. Are you “doing the will” of God? How about in every area of your life? Is there a wrong attitude, a sin issue, a stronghold, or an area of defeat in your life? My friend, choose the path that will lead you to LIFE.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Which path are YOU on? It’s not too late to course correct!

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)