Dead Things
As we sat on the front porch of our house enjoying the afternoon breeze, the wind began to shift and a deep blue grey formation of storm clouds slowly rolled in chasing away the sun beams. The smell of rain hung heavy in the air and we waited in anticipation for the first drops to fall.
The low bass sound of thunder reverberated deep within the sky, gently, as if explaining the approaching storm was not angry. I snuggled a little closer to my husband beside me and smiled with child-like wonder. I love a good summer rain shower.
Water began to splash the sidewalk in a slow, steady pace transforming the concrete into a darker shade of grey. Birds took flight and scattered, looking for shelter as the intensity of the drops increased. Across the lawn, we observed a squirrel frantically running in a mindless, zig-zag pattern, desperately looking for relief from the onslaught of rain that had now increased to a steady down pour.
Our front yard is dotted with several large trees with varying species of Pine, Crab Apple, Spruce, Maple and others. In the middle of the yard is an Oak that has died and needs removed; not a single limb bearing any foliage. This is the tree the squirrel selected during his chaotic search for refuge.
“That’s not going to help you much, little guy,” my husband commented out loud. The Lord took that opportunity to speak to my heart. “That squirrel is very much like most of my children. I provide shelter by various means, yet they still want to run to the dead things of this world.”
We, as humans, tend to be creatures of habit. We love the comfort of familiar and the ease it brings the mind when we already understand a process. We form patterns and routines without even realizing, most of time, what we have done. Some coping methods we learn to ease painful experiences we encounter can be extremely destructive and even though we know they are detrimental to our wellbeing, the pull toward repetitive behavior is a massive, mighty force not easily broken.
When we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and accept His free gift of salvation, scripture tells us we become new creations, the old is gone and the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is wonderful news, yet what does this mean in a practical sense of the every day? Early in my faith walk, there were many moments when I struggled with this concept, because I knew several of my actions did not reflect a transformed life.
Welcome to the Grace of Sanctification
While we desperately search for relief from our distresses, we can develop numerous unhealthy habits during the years of living in rebellion to the King of Kings.
Drugs
Alchohol
Sex
Money
Ambition
Pride
Food
Shopping
Porn
Isolation
Anger
This is but a sampling of the multitude of possibilities that are offered to us on shiny platters; all promising to sooth the inflammation of our souls. You know in your mind and heart the things you selected to pacify your fleshly cravings or comfort shattered emotions- I don’t have to list them all.
At the instant of salvation, we are brought from death to life and given a new Spirit; however, we still war with the old man. Your old self has ruled your thoughts, emotions and behaviors for years. He does not easily submit nor willing relinquish control to the new, thus begins a lifelong battle. If you have been told the Christian life would be one of ease, I’m sorry dear friend, you have been lied to.
Paul explains this struggle in Galatians chapter 5 verse 17 when he writes: “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
How then, can we win the fight against the old man, who with unwavering determination, continues his attempt to drag you back to your old ways?
“But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
“And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
We no longer have to be ruled by our old self, but it takes work and unmovable resolve to break off old habits, thought processes and patterns used like a crutch in the past. This is not a quick ordeal. Sanctification is a journey, not an overnight trip.
Changes in your life also need to be something you premeditate on, deciding each day you will take whatever action necessary to develop and strengthen your new man. May we be like Daniel when he was taken captive by the Babylonians. He was set apart to work in the palace and serve the king, but knowing the food and drink they were issued had been sacrificed to idols, Daniel refused to compromise his faith.
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or the wine that he drank.” (Daniel 1:8a)
Daniel prepared himself mentally for the fight with the flesh, by resolving from the moment of captivity he would not comprise his God-given convictions. This enabled him to withstand temptations and overcome his carnal desires, a valuable lesson we too should learn and utilize.
Of course, we will miss the mark at times. Give yourself grace when you stumble, but also don’t willingly succumb to the old, sinful nature that once reigned over your life’s choices and actions. Destroying repeated patterns of unhealthy behavior, means creating new ones. Research has shown, on average, it takes 66 times of repeating a new process before it becomes a habit. You must start practicing what the Word preaches!
Crucify your flesh
Deny your selfish desires
Walk in the power and guidance of the Spirit that now lives in you
Die daily
Constantly put sin to death
Walk in righteousness
Take every thought captive through the power of Jesus
Meditate on the truth of God’s Word
Learn new coping methods based on biblical instruction
Run to the strong tower that is Christ
Hide within the shadow of His wing
Iron sharpens iron, so find accountability
Our Oak is scheduled to be cut down in a couple of weeks, because a dead tree offers nothing. Many times the best place to start rewiring your brain is to evaluate everything in your life, the habits you know are destroying you and-
Remove it.
Cut it off.
Dig it up.
Throw it away.
Burn it to the ground.
Do whatever it takes to inform the old man, he is no longer in charge because there’s a new King on the throne.
Stop running to the dead things of this world, dear friends. Instead, lift your eyes to the hills, for your help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1)