Observations of Human Nature
There is a process of discipline required for spiritual warfare and spiritual transformation as described in Ephesians 6:10-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, 2 Corinthians 3:18 and many other scriptures.
Our human nature is impatient with a slow process. We crave instant easy solutions. What if a touch of power from an anointed man will fix all my problems! A little prick will keep my child healthy. A prayer, a touch, and everything can be changed in a moment!
We don’t want to acknowledge our own weakness and contribution to our current circumstance. We don’t want to spend time developing spiritual muscles through prayer, reading and memorizing God’s word. We don’t want to take total responsibility for our health and our lifestyle choices.
We want an easy route. We want a relatively pain-free option. Instant healing.
Discipleship takes time. Maturity takes time. Resorting health is not instant. A daily connection with our holy God through His word – which is accessed and illuminated only through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ will lead us to truth, abundant life, and blessing on our family.
The original disciples spent three years in the daily presence of Jesus, yet they still lacked understanding. How can we expect a faster route? Jesus told the man he had instantly healed – stop sinning. Our problem is our sin. Our tendency to go our own way, respond to our natural urges, seek quick easy answers, and put ourselves first, rather than reflect on the character of God and seek His refinement of our heart.
Our human nature makes us vulnerable to those who offer easy answers. We succumb to a sales pitch for vaccines, statin drugs, knee replacements, psych drugs, etc. These seem to offer a simple solution and are easier than discipline, exercise, healthy food, and positive life-style choices. Natural birth, breastfeeding, and responsive parenting rather than day care or a nanny, seem too difficult. Cultivating listening to the Spirit of God seems like an unattainable goal.
We crave power. We want to see power and victory in our life. The power we need is the power over sin. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would give us power to be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This power must first be exercised on our own hearts.
Leaders must be careful not to bend to the desires of the people. People want a touch and a quick solution. Leaders feel pressured to provide it.
Colossians 2:23 makes it clear that true maturity does not come through following a lot of rules. “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” The root of our dilemma is sensual indulgence. How do we overcome that? The very next two verses are key, Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set you minds on things above, not on early things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Our challenge as leaders (and as parents) is to guide those we are responsible for into an understanding of how to overcome and restrain from sensual indulgence; fleshly indulgence, satisfying the flesh. We have to grow to maturity ourselves, and lead others to maturity by modeling the behavior.
“Therefore with minds that are alert and fully sober set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. As it is written, ‘Be holy for I am holy.’” 2 Peter 1:13-16.
“We put no stumbling block (obstacle) in anyone’s way so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way…in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;” 2 Corinthians 6:3-7.
The entire chapter of 2 Corinthians 6 is extremely instructive. God grants righteousness. This is described in Ephesians 6. The breastplate of righteousness is one of the weapons we require for spiritual warfare. Righteousness is produced over time as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and control our thoughts and actions.
We need to encourage those we lead that they are God’s temple. God wants to do His work in them. God is able to nourish and protect His temple. They need to honor and protect the temple God has provided for them, not to poison it and expect a good outcome.
Looking for an easy quick solution usually backfires.
Becky Hastings collects information on health and tries her best to discover and share truth. By God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, I was saved, blessed with a husband of over 40 years, and five precious babies all grown up. I now get to delight as ten grandchildren grow! Together we can help each other discover a healthy path in this crazy upside down world.