It occurred to me the other day after another lapse of sin in my life, that as we are living our lives we generally are not trapped by our actions, but rather by our inaction. For example, when we struggle with a sin or a short fall in our lives we look at it like “man why do I keep committing this sin”? I have noticed that in my life my lapses come from not what sin I am acting on, but rather what actions in Christ I am not taking.
Let me explain. Lets say that I struggle with anger in my life. I have a problem with blowing up at my kids and my wife over little things that happen around the house. Or if I don’t blow up, I say mean resentful comments to those I love when I feel they haven’t performed the way I think they should. Well you and I both agree that I should learn to control my anger I should not be lashing out at my family. That is not how Christ would want me to interact with my family. However, I would say that my biggest short fall is in what I don’t do and not what I do. If I was to run to Christ and pray for protection and seek his peace for my life constantly through out the day I would not struggle to keep my anger in check. If I was to take action when I knew the attacks from the enemy were at their highest I would be more successful at interacting with my family in loving ways.
However instead of constantly engaging with Christ what I find myself and I am sure you find yourself doing is maybe praying in the morning before the day starts and then never giving another thought about my spiritual life throughout the day. I give into inaction, we all do. We have fallen again through our lack of acting and engaging constantly throughout the day. We have to be on high alert all day everyday if we are to keep ourselves in check and tuned in to the Spirit of God. I know the battle is not easy, but victory is worth every last fight. Victory over an enemy that would love nothing more than for us than to live lives of apathy and continual separation from God’s plan and will for our lives. You can fight, you can win, you can engage in your spirituality daily.
All it takes is to be listening for the enemy trying to tempt you. When you hear or see it, don’t just listen or give in, fight back. In the name of Jesus, fight back, make him leave you alone. Then pray for the Holy Spirt to help you with the next attack. As the day goes on you will get quicker and quicker at recognizing the attacks and your defense will become faster and faster. You will gradually become a stronger man for your God, your family and your friends. Try it some day, try it tomorrow. See if yo don’t find yourself not being tripped up and distracted by the little things in life.
