BK's Korner, 7/24/2023

BK’S KORNER
I had one of those childhood memories the other day.  I don’t really know what triggered it, but it came.  I was very young.  I really don’t remember how old, but I was certainly a small child. My sister and I used to go to a store with my mom. I remember this store having a toy aisle. One day I spotted a plastic boat.  I wanted it. My mother told me to save my allowance and I could buy it.  My sister and I got some kind of allowance at that time.  Maybe a quarter a week or something like that.  I began to save.  Every time we went to that store I would go and look at the boat.  I would pick it up and look at it.  One day it would be mine.  I was saving for it. The day finally came.  I had enough money to purchase my boat. Mom took my sister and me to the store. My sister had been saving her allowance as well and would also buy something.

When we got to the toy aisle, my sister immediately saw something that she wanted.  It was an umbrella.  That’s right, an umbrella.  As I remember, it had a picture of a dog on it. You will never believe what happened. Suddenly, I wanted an umbrella too.  I no longer wanted a boat.  In an instant my mind changed.  I wanted an umbrella.  All of that money that I had been saving for that boat, I spent on an umbrella. Of course, it didn’t take long for me to regret that decision. Nevertheless, I had to live with it.  My money was gone. I made the choice and now I had to live with it.  It was such an impulsive purchase. No thought put into it.  Someone else was getting it, it caught my eye, so I bought one too. 

It occurred to me that sin has the exact same dynamic.  It is so impulsive.  We do not set out to sin. We don’t really want to sin. In fact, we are working to pursue God and then suddenly something catches our eye and we act impulsively. Without thought. Without any consideration, we just act. 

James 1:14 says that we sin when we are “… drawn away by (our) own desires and enticed.”  Satan in an instant draws us away. He makes us want something.  Maybe someone else is doing it.  It just appeals to us on some level and we act. Verse fifteen says that when that desire is born it then gives birth to sin. 

So what is the answer? It is a fruit of the Spirit that we rarely talk about. Self control.  We must discipline ourselves. We must learn to control our impulsive tongues, thoughts and actions. Know what you want and do not let anything cause you to deviate. Keep pressing toward the goal of the high calling as the Apostle Paul says. We need to discipline ourselves to pray. To study God’s word. To attend worship. To fast. Self discipline, that is the answer. 

Please be sure to attend the Night of Worship this coming Sunday evening. I understand that it is going to be a “Gaither style” night of singing.  You will not want to miss it I am sure. 

Blessings to All
Who’s Your One?
Glorify, Go, Gather, Grow.
BK ><>