“gods at war” – the god of pleasure… A couple of weeks ago we discovered sin was just a symptom of a deeper problem. Sin is what we usually focused on, but that’s NOT the problem is it. I used the analogy/illustration of having a cough… a cough that is significantly affecting every area of our life. We finally go to the Dr. and they discover it’s cancer… instead of addressing the cancer, your Dr. gives you a strong cough syrup that takes care of your cough! The problem wasn’t the cough (sin) the problem was something deeper. (Cancer) Sin is the fruit of a deeper problem! There’s something else driving our sin. Idolatry. We’ve allowed someone or something else access to the throne of our heart, to rule and reign in our life instead of GOD! IS GOD OK WITH THAT? Absolutely NOT! God will NOT be 2nd place. Exodus 20:3 – You shall have no other gods (little g) before me. (That means in my presence!) God will NOT compete for HIS rightful place in our heart! (Think about what God did for us in Jesus death! And God’s going to compete?! ) These little “g” gods are at war with the one true living God! Behind every sin struggle we have, there’s a false god battling for the throne of our heart… to rule and reign in our life! Unless those little ‘g’ god’s are exposed, dethroned, and destroyed we will become more and more frustrated in our walk and we never become the person God intended us to become or experience the “abundant” life Christ died to give us. John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (Rich and Satisfying life, in all its fullness) For most people… the most difficult of the little ‘g’ gods to expose, dethrone and destroy are those little gods of PLEASURE. Most of us… continually find ourselves surrendering… bowing down to… and sacrificing for what feels good… what makes us HAPPY, instead of what makes us HOLY! – If we have an appetite for something… we feed it. – If we have an itch… we scratch it. – If we’ve got this desire, we do whatever it takes to satisfy it. – We work, plan, save, manipulate to satisfy what pleases! Pleasure isn’t evil. (God gave us things to enjoy!) But it is wrong when those things compete with God for the His rightful place in our Heart and our Life! – When we give them our Attention, our Affection and Abilities instead of God. – When we give them the priority in our life instead of God. – When we give them our worship instead worshiping God. (NOTE: Whatever has our Attention, Affection and Abilities… and priority is what we worship!) Question: Has the gift replaced the GIVER!? ILLUSTRATION: Let’s say you have an amazing spouse. Not perfect but strives to be the husband or wife that they should be. Works hard, takes care of you, the kids, the home and is a Godly person. Godly character and integrity. Striving to Surrender, Sacrifice, Serve and Share their faith. You want to express your love for them… so you buy them a brand new Motorcycle; (Truck, Convertible, 4 Wheeler; Golf clubs/lessons… whatever flips her switch, right.) They’re beyond ecstatic… beyond JOY! For the next couple of months you’re planning rides together, going out to events, activities, etc… You’ve never been closer! It’s AWESOME! It’s the best thing that’s ever happened for your relationship, to bring you closer together. Life couldn’t be any better… Thank you God! HOWEVER, after several months you begin to notice something different, things aren’t the same… things are changing. * They’re not spending as much time with you as they were before the gift. * They’re never home when you get home from work.
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