Clothes that Should Never Fit

Over the course of the next several weeks during the CHRISTmas holidays we will find ourselves focusing on many things ranging from how many shopping days are left until CHRISTmas all the way to what are we going to eat!  We will be bombarded with circulars for sales as well as the finest of sweets and treats to eat.  I find myself struggling too often in the latter category, especially in the area of sweets.  While some of my co-workers would find that hard to believe in that I try extremely hard to avoid such weight gaining delicacies, if the truth be known they are my horrible nemesis.  This time of year is especially hard when I know I will be faced with my mother’s homemade fudge, pecan pies, and Martha Washingtons.  In addition, I will have to contend with the pecan balls, no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies, and peanut butter cake which Lisa’s mother makes each year.  These temptations are all the more alluring because I know I will only see them for a brief time while at each of my family’s house.  Therefore, I began to rationalize that I will only have these seasonal treats for a short time and must indulge!  (Sounds like logical thinking!  Right?)  To make matters all the worse, these treats are often left out in the open to be easily seen and accessed during the duration of our visits.  Oh what is a weak man to do as he sees these treats and hears their beaconing call?  I mean I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by not eating them, especially since they went to all the trouble of cooking them for me!  I wonder what I would look like when the holidays come to a close if I indulged wholeheartedly into these treats and just enjoyed them immensely.  Most likely I would be as large as a whale and as unhealthy as could be.  Much to my dismay I will refrain from going overboard and attempt to continue a running schedule to ward off any additional pounds of weight which would come with the indulgences. 

In the same vein of thinking regarding what we would look like if we indulged in overeating and lack of self-discipline let me pose a few questions for us to ponder.  What would happen if we began to surround ourselves with spiritually healthy and encouraging words, activities, and endeavors?  What would happen if we began to seek to act more like Christ and less like the world?  What would happen if we began to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh?  The Word of God tells us in Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (NASB)  Just as there are dangers in having the house full of sweets for us when we are prone to overeating (Guilty as charged am I!) to surround ourselves with the vices of this world and the negativism of immature believers as well as carnality of non-believers is eternally damaging. 

So what are we to do?  First, be sure our spiritual input is sufficient.  By that statement I mean we must do more than hear a sermon or a Sunday School lesson once a week.  We must take time to ingest the Word of God on a daily basis.  How can we overcome the draw of the world if we do not have sufficient ammunition and energy to resist her temptations?  Secondly, we must rid ourselves of anything which will continually lead us into temptation.  Just as an alcoholic must stay away from any place or person which will tempt him to partake of his vice we must rid ourselves of all things contrary to the Word of God.  Thirdly, we must surround ourselves with godly counsel.  Without the encouragement of godly men and women to spur us on to Christ-like behavior we are prone to complacency and failure.  Scripture speaks of how “iron sharpens iron.”  Surround yourself with holy iron to develop your holy character.  Finally, pray and as you do listen for God to reveal great truths and answers you need.  However, be cautious that you discern God’s voice from any voice which might seek to mislead you.  The true test to ascertain if the direction you are hearing is from God is to see how this word you received lines up with the Bible.  God will never lead us in any direction or ask us to do anything contrary to His proven and Holy Scriptures. 

In closing, just as you don’t want to put on undesired weight this holiday season make sure you don’t clothe yourself with ungodly traits or character.  As we see throughout scripture God calls us to “Be holy, for He is holy.”  Therefore clothe yourself with the character of God.

 

Merry CHRISTMAS,

Pastor Ric

1 Peter 1:16