
The problem with the world’s substitutes is that they are always LESS. God commands that we turn from the things of the world because they are less than BEST. Sadly, often we settle for less because it is fun, not because it is fulfilling. God desires more for us than we desire for ourselves! Throughout time God’s people have faced this struggle and God’s answers have always remain constant.
1. The world’s enticements are created to ensnare us. Don’t flirt with temptation!
Ex. 34:12-17 “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:”
2. Identify and destroy everything that can possibly draw you away from the worship of God.
“But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
3. If you allow yourself to become ensnared by sin, it will seek to destroy your children as well.
“Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.”
LESSON - The more time you spend with the Lord and distinctively godly people, the less you will desire the things of the world and the more you will desire the things of God. Our challenge should always be to spend so much time with the Lord that it becomes obvious to your family and those with whom you interact. This will be evidenced by how little you desire that which the world offers as a substitute. V34-35 “But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” Is it obvious to those around you that you were spending consistent time with the Lord?
~Mike
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