The Wiles of the Devil

I have to admit: Satan is smart. He knows where to hit & how to subtly convince us of things that are just not true.

And something he has successfully deceived me about in the past were all of the many “reasons” why a pursuit of holiness was something I did NOT want to pursue.

Is this something you can at all relate to? Do you feel a stubbornness ignite within you whenever the thought of pursuing holiness comes up? Do you feel overwhelmed by it? Does it make you cringe?

In all honesty, I have felt all of those things & more.

When I thought of holiness in the past, so many emotions were quick to surface (encouraged by the lies I believed about it), drowning out even considering this idea any further.

So, today, I want to spend some time debunking the lies that breed these fears & concerns that Satan so craftily can convince us of if we are not on the lookout for his schemes.

Is Holiness Unattainable Though?

The first & most common offender (for me, at least), is overwhelm… that holiness “must be unattainable.”

When I hear this small, yet lofty, command to “be holy, for I am holy, in 1 Peter 1:16, I immediately flood with the recognition of my many faults, failures, pride, & stubborn nature, etc.. This FEAR rears up in me that I must be PERFECT to please God. And this idea is so daunting to me that it makes my head spin.

And when I feel overwhelmed, what is my first response to it? AVOIDANCE! (I adopt the children’s concept of, If I can’t see you, then you can’t see me!” & pretend that little verse must mean something else, so I’ll just breeze past it to where I feel more confident & comfortable.)

But, the verse remains right there in 1 Peter 1:16, doesn’t it?

If God Commands It… It’s Possible… With God’s Help

So, how do I combat this fear? How do I dislodge this doubt that Satan has so carefully embedded in my heart? This doubt that my sinful nature rears up at, wanting to choose ME over God?

“Jesus looked at them & said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

First, we must understand something VERY pivotal to this whole command for holiness: If God commands it, then it IS possible.

With God, All Things Are Possible

BUT, it is NOT possible in your own efforts! And it is NOT something you are entirely responsible for… It IS a cooperation with & reliance on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, strength, power, etc.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever & ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

And every single time that the Bible tells us to do something (aka how to be holy), “IN FAITH” or “BY FAITH,” God’s Word is not referring to a flimsy faith in yourself, but a faith in the ALMIGHTY God to help you carry it out… a faith that HE has what you need to carry it out & that HE will help you do it!

It’s a partnership born from humility & obedience to God.

It is a desire in your heart, manifested by the wisdom, direction, power, & strength that He provides. A partnership & a process that God will continue working in you as you seek to live for Him throughout your lifetime.

“… being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Will This Isolate Me? Making Me Unrelatable?

So, with that relief, Satan was quick with more ammo… If I desire this life of pursuing holiness… won’t that make me unrelatable? Isolated?

Won’t people look at me, scoff, & say things like, “Who does this girl think she is?”

Won’t people think I am judging them constantly because I choose God over myself?

Won’t people shun me when confronted with their own unwillingness to surrender when they see me in pursuit of pleasing God?

Won’t I come off as arrogant & self-righteous?

Won’t all of this isolate me from others, rendering me completely unrelatable?

The answer isn’t simple. It’s yes AND no.

Yes AND No

Yes, some people may not understand & may think you believe yourself to be better than them, but others will see the humility it takes to surrender to God’s working out holiness in your life.

Yes, some people may feel “called out” for their own sinful choices, but others will be encouraged to repent & turn back to God for restoration & healing.

Yes, some people may feel threatened by your pursuit of holiness, but also others will be inspired by it.

Yes, you may lose some friends who want to live the bare minimum for God, but you will most likely gain more friends who are serious about wanting to please God with everything they can, with God’s help.

Know the Truth

And how does God sum up His commandments? Like this:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” … Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind.’ This is the first & greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law & the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Don’t let Satan trap you in his scheming tricks & lies. He is constantly roaming around, seeking who he may devour, & has come only to steal, kill, & destroy. (John 10:10)

“Be alert & of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

But Jesus came that He may give LIFE & to give it more ABUNDANTLY. (John 10:10)

God Is Good. God IS Love.

Seeking holiness may require some giving up of things, but not without replacing it with that which will breathe LIFE into your life. It’s a giving up of the LESSER for the FAR GREATER.

For God’s will is always for our good because HE is Good.

He loves us so much that KNOWING we would reject Him & choose ourselves over Him in so many ways big & small, He STILL created us AND MADE A WAY for us to be restored & redeemed, through the willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

A God who loves you THAT much does not ask you to give up good things for worse things, but quite the OPPOSITE.

He asks us to give up things that don’t breathe LIFE into us, so that we can exchange those things for LIFE-giving alternatives.

Squashing Holiness Fears: Unattainable? Unrelatable? Isolating? NO!

Our obedience to Him is a blessing to us… not arbitrary control-trips by an arrogant god, but PURE WISDOM-formed commands by a loving, Almighty God who seeks our good.

Pursue holiness.

With God’s help.

With no ulterior motives.

Not for salvation.

Pursue holiness.

And SHINE HOPE that only comes in living for holiness… living a life that seeks to please God for only the reason of pleasing God–Because that is THE most loving thing you can do in this life.

Coming Next Week

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