I'm tired of watching conflict destroy families and churches. Satan seems to be carrying out his plans of 'divide and conquer' as easily among Christians as in the world. If we want victory, we must recognize where these conflicts come from...
A friend of mine recently had a conversation with a young man regarding the college basketball coach, Rick Pitino, and the negative media attention he has received concerning allegations that have recently been brought against him. Maybe you have asked yourself, “How could he do such a thing?” After all, people of influence are held to a higher standard; they are expected to conquer the very desires that defeat us. And so the greater question would be: “How could anyone do such a thing?” But the answer is clear; the Bible tells us that all people are affected by sin and selfishly motivated to fulfill their own desires. No one is exempt from the power of lust and self-fulfillment; no one can conquer it on their own.
Not long ago, I heard ‘lust’ defined as wanting something else, someone else, or somewhere else. If that’s true, then I must confess to lusting quite a bit. I find my heart discontented with what I have and I've got a feeling that I'm not alone.
Not long ago, I heard 'lust' defined as wanting something else, someone else, or somewhere else. If that's true, then I must confess to lusting quite a bit. Its poison has destroyed the best of us. Causing many marriages to fail. Drowning families in debt. Leading us on a never-ending chase for satisfaction. The carrot is dangled in front of us, yet we never arrive at our destination...
Have you noticed that our current generation (especially of Americans) has no concept of control. We are out-of-control. The drastic rise in credit card induced bankruptcies, divorce attorneys, and mini-riots are skyrocketing. Road rage, impulse spending, and all sorts of addictions are seen as ‘normal’ in our society… even in the church! We have totally lost the concept of temperance: the moderation of passions and appetites (Galatians 5:22-23).
This article deals with the fact that God's law (from Moses to Christ) is good and that its continued presence in church and culture is right, not wrong. The simple truth is that far too many Americans desire a life without any laws or rules at all - and this has bled over into the church!
patchnix.com 