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Describe the difference between not doing something because it’s not right and not doing something because it’s not what we most deeply want to do.What do you most deeply want to do?
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There is a battle raging for the soul, God is calling me to a higher place but the force of evil seeks to distract and pull me away.There is a Holy tension in my soul the power of the Spirit is deeper in the soul and devil is on the surface waiting to pounce. The believer does not do something because it’s not right, is hearing the deeper voice of God leading her to walk in the right way. What we want most deeply to do is to please God and when tempted, you can hear the voice saying “don’t do it” Now that we are Christians what we want most deeply to do is not sin but obey the written law in our hearts.
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Not doing something because it’s not right is often more of a fear of consequences. Not doing something because it’s not what we most deeply want to do demonstrates living in relationship and obedience to God and because of my deepest desire to please Him because He loves me, He forgave/forgives me, and my soul longs to be in relationship with Him. I most deeply want to glorify God.
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The first person is just doing good out of accountability – and perhaps guilt too. The second person is doing good out of appetite. The Holy Spirit enables him to desire what God desires – and that is enjoying God Himself and being a worthy image-bearer of God.
#SoulCare
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The difference is not doing something so we are right in our own and other people’s eyes as this boosts our fleshly ego, and not doing something because we based our choice on our inner convictions. I think we are more likely to do something if we don’t hold deep convictions about its wrongness, even when we know it is not right, and especially when it involves something others may see or are doing. If we hold deep convictions about something being wrong we are stronger to resist that thing, even when we are with other people who do that thing. It holds no appeal for us and neither does looking good in other’s eyes.
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To turn away from temptation because it’s not right is good, it’s obedient, but it’s not sustainable. If we turn away, with the knowledge that the something we desire more is readily available to us, and satisfies our souls- we will return to that path more often. Knowing that we can place our longings for lesser things in the hands of Christ and in exchange he offers more of Himself, there can be no greater satisfaction.
