DON’T BE DILUTED
Sometimes in the afternoon I need a little pick me up. What I will do is put a splash of tea in my cup and dilute it with water. It is just enough to get me going. This tea isn’t strong at all, but it is just a hint of taste that wakes me up. In the morning, however, I go for strong coffee. It is bold and powerful. It perks me up and sets my soul on fire.
Would you rather be like the diluted watered-down tea or strong like the morning coffee?
Last week in our bible study, we were studying some of the scriptures in Isaiah. Amy had highlighted the scripture Isaiah 1:21-26.
Isaiah 1:21-26 New International Version (NIV)
21 See how the faithful city (Jerusalem-representing all of Judah)
has become aprostitute! (God compares His people to a harlot)
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her—
but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross,
your choice wine is diluted with water. (YOUR CHOICE TO BE DILUTED)
23 Your rulers are rebels,
partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
“Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes
and avenge myself on my enemies.
25 I will turn my hand against you;[a]
I will thoroughly purge away your dross
and remove all your impurities.
26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old,
your rulers as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called
the City of Righteousness,
the Faithful City.”
The people had turned away from God. They worshiped idols their faith was defective, impure, and DILUTED.
DILUTED– weakened by the addition of another solvent.
So, we need to look at ourselves and ask, “What have we added to our life that has diluted our faith? Have we become a watered-down Christian?”
Just as in Biblical times, many worshiped idols and turned away from God. They had diluted their faith, and they knew better.
In today’s world, we know better also, and we still choose to put many things before God.
While searching a found this article on the Desiring Godwebsite written by John Piper. I paraphrased some of his words, but I feel it gives an accurate definition and example of what idolatry looks like today.
Paul says, “Covetousness, which is idolatry.” So, what idolatry looks like today is the activity of the human heart. This is not a deed of the body. It starts in the heart: craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than God. That is an idol. Paul calls this covetousness — a disordered love or desire, loving more than God what ought to be loved less than God and only for the sake of God. But covetousness is the condition that this disordered heart is in, an act of loving too much what ought to be loved less. And that is why the wrath of God is coming. That is what idolatry looks like today. And it is everywhere in our culture.
“Idolatry starts in the heart: craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than God.”
What is an idol? Well, it is the thing. It is the thing loved or the person loved more than God, wanted more than God, desired more than God, treasured more than God, enjoyed more than God. It could be another person, excelling in something, approval of other people, how you look, exercise, success in business, a hobby, a musical group, or even a television show. It could be anything.
I’m not sure about you, but I would rather have my robust and bold coffee rather than my diluted tea. I don’t want my life to be diluted by the earthly things of this world. I want my life to be strengthened by God.
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:
Keep your daily appointment
Dive deep into the word
Don’t dilute your life, keep a close eye on your heart
Fill your cup with Christ so you can fill other cups
EXTRA READING:
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