8 reasons we fail to follow God's way: Doubtfulness (in yourself)

September 27, 2016

Worship: I need You More, by Kim Walker and Jesus Culture

Chorus:
I need You more,
more than yesterday
I need You more
More than words can say
I need You more
Than ever before
I need You Lord
I need You Lord

Verse:
More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than the next heartbeat
More than anything, and Lord as time goes by
I'll be by Your side
‘Cause I never want to go back to my old life

Bridge:
We give you the highest praise
We give you the highest praise
We give you the highest praise

Ending:
More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than anything
I need You more

Read more: Jesus Culture - I Need You More Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Video: https://youtu.be/Gsj1htvlXzQ

Witness:

If I were to give a title to this portion of my journal thoughts for the day, it might be titled, “Of hair dye and sin.” I actually had this thought in mind late last week but spoke about my pride problem instead. I think I was in the shower when this thought came to mind. My hair is white with a mixture of darker hair that once was blond. Many women and some men my age will dye their hair to hide the graying of their hair. They seek to look younger by covering up this tell-tale sign of aging (though some younger people’s hair grays or turns white prematurely). This may work for a while, but sooner or later, the hair grows, and the roots begin to show the gray again. One has to touch up the roots or dye their hair again.

This made me think of the sin in our lives. How often we try to cover them up with lies, excuses, and religious acts. Others see us as “so godly” when we are just hiding the sin in our lives from them and more so, from ourselves. When we look in the mirror, we see only the halo above our head and not the hidden hollowness of our heart. Sooner or later, our “roots” of sin begin to appear as the Spirit of God reveals to us our sin and calls us to repentance. Others may start to see those “roots” as well.

                “...be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).”

So what do you do? Well, you can come clean and get rid of the cover-up and confess to God (Who sees beneath the “hair dye” anyway) as well as to those you have been deceiving. The word “confess” (homologeo) essentially means “to say or speak the same thing” (see Vines Dictionary of NT Words). We need to see our actions and thoughts as God sees them and say the same thing about them. They are sins not mistakes, oopses, little white lies, or “just the way I amses” (sorry for the vernaculars).  From what we view as the small to those we consider the greatest, sin is sin and must be confessed to our holy and loving Father and sometimes to our brothers and sisters in the Lord as well. 

Ps 32:1-5

Blessed is he

whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord does not count against him

and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,

my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night

your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was sapped

as in the heat of summer.

Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you

and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, "I will confess

my transgressions to the Lord" —

and you forgave

the guilt of my sin.

NIV

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

ESV

WORD:

Ps 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. NIV (1984)

Ps 25:8-10 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. ESV

Question: Why would we fail to follow the way that God points out to us?

8 reasons:

1. fear

2. Pride

3. doubt (towards God)

4. ignoring

5. rebellion

6. distractions

7. presumption (of His forgiveness)

8. doubtfulness (in yourself)

I have spoken before about doubt with reference to God, but what about doubt concerning ourselves? As I think over this, it seems to me that this is an irrational response to God’s effort to instruct us. We know He is Omniscient (All-knowing), Omnipresent (His fullness of being is fully present everywhere), and Omnipotent (All Powerful), yet we fail to step out on the path God has set before us because we doubt we can do it. We are not smart enough, or know enough, or are strong enough to do it.

                                                                              EXACTLY!

 BUT HE CAN!

                                                   AND HE WILL!

If we trust Him. So it comes back to doubt in God, doesn’t it? Unbelief in the God who can do all things. Unbelief in His promises such as, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13 NIV) and overlooking the example of Paul:

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor 15:10 NIV

Paul, knowing that God was working through him, had the confidence to work “harder.” Therefore, it is an irrational fear and doubtfulness in ourselves that often keeps us from following God’s direction and instruction. I confess I have found myself in this camp for many years. I have experienced many failures in my life. Fear of failure and doubt in any giftedness by God have kept me from experiencing His power, presence, and purpose in my life. Only recently have I stepped out (baby steps) in faith to serve Him in a greater capacity. I am still struggling and growing in this area. I have knowledge, but it is held back by doubt in myself and a reluctance to trust God for any success I may have. I must remember that it is not I, but Christ living and working in and through me (Galatians 2:20) that brings any success.

The hardest step along the path of righteousness is the first one. Any one of the above reasons or a combination of them (as often is the case) can paralyze us and keep us from beginning the journey. I remember the time I was at a men’s retreat. One of the recreational activities there was a zip-line. Now I am not too fond of heights (or falling for that matter either). As I began the ascent to the top of the tower of the zip-line, fear set in. By the time I got to the second or third level, fear had risen to such a height that I quickly descended and sat on a rock nearby. The rock was certainly reassuring and a firm place to rest.   However, I was mad at myself for chickening out. As I sat there, I resolved to climb and “do this thing.” So I summoned up as much courage as I could and climbed slowly but steadily to the top. Once there, I was placed in a secure spot in the back, harnessed in, and moved to the edge to launch out. When I finally began the descent, all fear vanished, and the exhilaration of the descent took its place.

The most difficult part was the first step. One thing I didn’t tell you is that someone else who was also afraid was with me. We ascended together. The faith life is a journey meant to be traveled together and not alone.  The first step may be hard but made easier when we step out with another. Jesus understood this and sent out His disciple in pairs of twos (heaven help the one who had Judas as a partner!). That is why I have sought out fellowship in Lifegroups at my church as well as the Band of Brothers. The path may not be any easier, and there may be many diversions along the way, but with an eye on the prize and the help of a fellow sojourner on the path to glory we shall reach the top and then oh what a joy and a thrill, it will be!

LET’S GET GOING!!!

Heb 12:1-4

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.