FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS!

 FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

We were on holiday, spending a few days in a hotel in the city! My husband and I decided to attend a Church not too far away. We would take a ride on the bus to Church and back. 

I thought I had it all in place! I was given clear directions by our son, to get back to the hotel on the bus, after attending the Church service.

I was asked to turn right after getting off the bus and that's what I did and yet we walked in the wrong direction!

I was confused until I realised why. After getting off the bus, I simply turned right, when I should have turned myself a 180 degrees and then turned to my right! I should have been facing the road, when I turned right!

The instuctions given to me were correct and I followed the instructions. But I was facing the wrong way!

This taught me a lesson about following the instructions for our life on earth, as given in the Scriptures. It is so very important to have our motive clear and correct, while studying the word of  GOD.

If my motive is purely selfish and self centred, and if my mind is set on the things of this world, It is possible for me to misinterpret the word of GOD and proceed in the wrong direction, deceived by my carnal mind. My motive is wrong, if my desire to learn the Bible is to use this 'Sword of the Spirit' to thrust through and kill others with it, by pointing my fingers at them, bringing accusation and condemnation.

Another subtle, hidden goal of a Pastor or teacher of the word could be, to use it like sugar candy to attract crowds and keep them following them!

The word of GOD is truth and I might seem sincere about following it and teaching it to others. But if my motive is wrong, I am deceived by the devil like Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. I am then turned 180 degrees in the wrong direction!

If my first turn is wrong, each subsequent turn in my path would lead me further away from the truth and from my eternal destination!

Let us therefore prepare our hearts in prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts, so that the seed of GOD's word will be sown on good ground and yield good fruit in our lives.

Let us make sure our mind is open to receive the word of correction and conviction by the Spirit so that we may repent and turn away from our sinful ways which lead us towards eternal damnation.

Let us not study the word towards justifying ourselves before GOD or others. Let us put away the habit of picking and selecting only verses that speak about worldly prosperity and happiness.

Rather, let us study the Bible prayerfully and diligently, allowing the Holy Spirit to give us revelation of His word, with a motive to know GOD's way and to walk in His path to bring glory to His name and to bring blessing to others. Then we will proced towards our eternal destination, which is  Heaven!

 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, 

lest anyone fall 

according to the same example of disobedience. 

For the word of God is living and powerful, 

and sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, 

and of joints and marrow, 

and is a discerner of the thoughts 

and intents of the heart. 

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, 

but all things are naked and open 

to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:11-13