When I was in my early twenties I started smoking cigarettes. I got a new job and nearly everyone at that place smoked. I realized in short order there was a social aspect to smoking. So I would bum one in an effort to be privy to the conversation. I wasn’t worried about it and I only smoked a couple a day at the time so I felt that people who couldn’t quit smoking lacked self control and were stupid. I didn’t consider myself stupid and was determined to maintain my resolve.

As it turned out, I was , in fact, stupid; and my resolve went the moment my ego stepped in. In short order I was up to two and a half packs a day. I couldn’t go an hour without jonesing for a cigarette. Fifteen years later they came out with “Vaping” and I can honestly say, I believe it saved my life. Now, you can piss and moan all you want about vaping. But I’m tellin’ ya, it’s not even in the same ball park as smoking. Not even a little bit. People that claim it is don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.

But I learned something about myself during those fifteen years. I have an addictive personality; and my ego and overconfidence can get me in trouble. When something is known as a “bad idea”, I’d be wise to listen and check my ego at the door.

I bring this up because I can remember on more than one occasion during that period in my life when who I was, and how strong my faith was, would be questioned. I called myself a Christian, but would often leave in the middle of a church service to go light up in the parking lot.

And church people are kind of an odd bunch. They claim to not be a “part” of the world, but often act just like it.

If you asked a non-believer what it means to be a Christian they’ll rattle off a list of things you shouldn’t do and things you can’t do: “Well, you can’t smoke, can’t drink, can’t cuss, have to go to church, your sex life is boring, can’t have long hair or tattoo’s, can’t laugh at dirty jokes or tell them, can’t….etc.” They got this list, see. An example of what it means, in their limited knowledge, of what it means to be someone who believes. All of it pertaining to what they can see with their eyes. The outward appearance of how a Christian is supposed to look, supposed to behave, supposed to act. And a lot of church people are no different. They call themselves Christians and then struggle to hold themselves and others to the worlds standards of what that means.

It’s a joke. Total disgrace. An embarrassment to faith.

I can remember, as a kid, being in the car with my dad and getting a flat tire. The only place we could pull over happened to be the parking lot of a bar. My dad, being a pastor, was worried that someone from the congregation would see his van there; and I can remember thinking, “Really?…..I am never living my life that way”.

And I haven’t.

See…..I figured something out. I don’t answer to you. I don’t answer to people of the church or other so-called Christians. The only one I have to answer to, is Christ. That’s it. Where you look at the outward appearance of me, what I wear, how I behave, or what I say; He looks at my heart. While the world around me, and the so-called Christians, judge me based on my outward appearance and actions, The Lion from the tribe of Judah, sees me for who I really am. Knows my heart.

And let me tell you something about that Lion…..that Lion, isn’t afraid of ANYTHING. He’s literally got no fear. Regardless of where you go, what you do, who you’re with, He’ll be there with you if you ask Him to be. While every one of your friends at your church will stop at the door….that Lion will boldly walk right in with you. I know. I’ve tested it.

So I look around, see these believers, these Christians, and I wonder….where is your discernment? How are you unable of seeing with your heart or recognizing the spirit behind the outward appearance? Can you not feel the presence in spite of what’s being portrayed? Why does a people, who claim to know the truth, still behave like the world?

Can’t you hear it? Can’t you feel it? His voice….like a soft whisper, deep inside your gut…telling you what to say and when to say it? Can’t you feel that presence, that peace, that warning or prompting….when the situation or circumstance demands it? Can’t you feel the spirit of people, the one deep inside them, that they don’t show?

I don’t understand. How could a people that are given the ability to see beyond the limitations of their eyes, choose to limit themselves and their ability to serve Christ based on only what they see of the outward appearance? It makes no sense to me and is the greatest failure of our faith.

It says that, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.

Why quote that scripture if you’re not going to live it? Sure, you may look pretty on Sunday; you may not use bad words, or smoke, or drink, or do drugs, etc., but if you aren’t operating by the Spirit and looking for the heart of the people you engage with: you’re missing it. You’re focusing on the flesh and blood. Judging on the outward appearance. Looking for fruit , based on what you can see. That’s NOT what being a Christian means. That’s not what any of this life means.

Sometimes things in this life take time. Sometimes the task ahead, the mending, repairing, fixing, of a person and their soul is best served in small doses. Christ knows this. He’s up for the challenge. He’s faithful. He’ll deliver. But it’s likely not going to be on your terms, or when you want. So try to keep that in mind when you think of yourself and the people around you. Sometimes change is swift and miraculous. (Church people like those because they always make the best testimonies ) But sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes it’s a process.

A process that’s easier understood and accepted once you start SEEING THE HEART of a person; and have faith in that Lion, that He knows what He’s doing.

Read more here: Wise Counsel 

 

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