One night I was watching a nature documentary focusing on the leopard. This particular male leopard spend most of the night trying to make a kill. The first kill he made was snatched away when a pack of hyenas swarmed over to claim the carcass for themselves. The leopard went right back into the game and managed to make another kill. He climbed up a tree with a dead impala in his mouth looking to stash his food. After smelling the kill, a female lion approached the leopard as he sat high in the tree. She began climbing up the lower branches. Lions aren't great climbers like the leopard, but the lioness knew with the reputation she has she doesn't have to be. A lion can weight close to 50 percent more than a leopard, so of course this made the little fella nervous. The leopard began moving higher to get away and out of panic he dropped his meal. The lioness then proudly walked off with his hard-earned dinner. This incident is what I immediately thought of as I read Matthew 6 this morning. Jesus covers many things in this chapter, one of which is financial and worldly gain. He tells us,
The leopard spent all night looking for food just to end up with nothing at the end of the night. Think of the energy this takes! This leopard had to stalk, chase, and kill its pray just for it to end up in a mouth of an animal who did nothing but steal. It happens! Luckily for us we are made in God's image so we don't have to live like this poor leopard. Yet many of us are. Growing up I watched my mom work 12-hour shifts just to end up penniless on payday. Many of you are going through those lengths right now. Hey I understand, bills need to be paid and food needs to be on the table. Even with that need, this shouldn't be the primary thing we strive for. The world says we should, but God tells us otherwise. Satan wants us to live like the animals in the wild. He wants us to wake up only focusing on chasing money, food, love and successful careers just like a lion wakes up only thinking of the hunt, building rank and mating. Animals in the wild live focused only on those things with no knowledge of God who sends down rains to feed them and quench their thirst, the God who creates life every time they reproduce. How many of us are living the same way? How many of us wake up thinking about the bills that need to be paid and tasks that need to be done at work without acknowledging God whatsoever?
This is satan's agenda, and it's dominating popular culture as well as seeping into the church.
Pop Culture
Pop Culture
"OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you."
On the surface it appears Robin is talking about the man the good girl is with, but in reality he is talking about God. In particular he is attacking the way God expects us to live by standards higher than the animal kingdom. He expects us to control our lust and forfeit our desires to submit to His will. Robin goes on to say,
"But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature."
Deception contains a tiny bit of truth that is stretched to the point of breaking in order to cover a huge lie. Yes we are made of flesh which means that by nature we are driven to sin. But we are NOT an animal. We are made in God's image and God is not an animal. Through the Holy Spirit we accept the keys freeing us from sin that Jesus died and rose again to give us. Satan used this tactic when I was driven by lust. I would think, "yeah I'm a Christian, but it's okay to indulge in lustful desires because I am young, I have hormones, and it's only so much I can do to stop that. God understands." Lies! God understands what we are going through, granted. For this reason He provides us with a way out, He does not give us a pass to give in.
The deception goes on. Robin then says,
"Just let me liberate you
Hey, hey, hey
You don't need no papers
Hey, hey, hey
That man is not your maker
Hey, hey, hey..."
In these verses Satan is using Robin to bring forth the idea that living a Godly life is like slavery. He wants unsaved people to focus on the things you are "losing" to accept Jesus rather than the things you are gaining. God doesn't require us to completely refrain from sex. He also doesn't say sex is bad. In fact Apostle Paul being used by God advices Christians to have lots of sex so that satan won't tempt them. BUT what God is saying is wait and have sex with the husband/wife, He has for you. He doesn't want to see you giving your body to a person who will abuse you, disrespect you or belittle you. Rather He wants to build you up and heal your scars so you can be prepared for your other half and do some damage in satan's camp through ministry and prayer. Now once you are married God gives us the okay to populate like bunny rabbits. It's all good. Notice the deliberate shade satan is trying to throw at God. Robin, being used by satan, says "That man is not your maker." It's very clear this is a shot at God. However the devil is a liar. All he can do is lie. God is your maker, and He loves you. God thinks about your well-being out of love while satan thinks about what you want out of hatred. Satan wants to entice you to lure you to your destruction. In reality it is lust that is slavery and Jesus offers freedom from it.
The Church
The Church
Let's see how this agenda is also working its way into churches.
Teacher and Pastor Joel Osteen is known for sending out inspirational quotes. On the surface many things he says sound great, but under deep examination it's very subtle deception. Osteen sent out the following note:
"God has already done everything He's going to do. The ball is now in your court. If you want success, if you want wisdom, if you want to be prosperous and healthy, you're going to have to do more than meditate and believe; you must boldly declare words of faith and victory over yourself and your family."
At first glance this looks okay. But this has that "animal kingdom" mindset written all over it! First off on an unrelated note, God is never at a point where He's done everything He's going to do. As long as you are breathing, God wants to and will work on you. The ball should never be in your court. Being a Christian is actually about forfeiting the urge to want the ball in your court and instead relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you. Now back to the other deception here. Our main goal shouldn't be to be prosperous, or even healthy for that matter. This is a theme with Joel Osteen. He often talks about riches and gaining the treasures of this world. He doesn't preach repentance and he doesn't encourage people to serve God, pray for people, and spread the love of Jesus Christ with hopes of saving souls. Anyone who would say this quote is okay I encourage to see what Jesus says.
Jesus urges us to seek His kingdom first as Solomon did. God asked Solomon to tell Him what he wanted and it would be done. Based off of Osteen's quote it looks like he would probably ask for a worldly treasure. However Solomon asked for assistance serving God. He asked for wisdom.
2 Chronicles 1:8-10 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
God was so pleased with Him for seeking His kingdom over the treasures of this world. He told Him,
God was so pleased with Him for seeking His kingdom over the treasures of this world. He told Him,
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
This is the model Jesus is asking us to follow. Yet satan is raising up people like Joel Osteen who are teaching prosperity doctrines and encouraging people to live their lives like wild animals, only focused on how to get by.
We are made in God's image and we have dominion over the animals on this earth, just like we have dominion over satan that his demons who try to convince us to live like animals. I know it's hard. I literally have to check myself on this everyday. Being a Christian doesn't mean God owes you success. Jesus was homeless during His life and His disciples left their homes to be homeless with Him. Yet from this homeless man many miracles came forth. God never promises us material wealth no matter how many pastors try to twist the word and say He does. He is capable of giving material wealth, but that lies in His discretion. What we are guaranteed is His mercy, love and care, and that's better than material things. He will always make sure we are taken care of, even though God's care may seem like poverty to others. During Jesus' life He was homeless, but He was able to eat, have shelter, and even pay taxes. This is because He put God first and the other things followed. He didn't expect a new car or a check for every person He prayed for. Thinking about this keeps me in check every time I begin to worry about my situation. Jesus understands and He addresses that worry with such wisdom and love.
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I said this in the last post and it's worth repeating. You are kings and queens in God's eyes. Your reward is better than this decaying stuff here on earth. Your reward is in Heaven, and it's everlasting. You are cherished and highly favored by God. Think of royalty. Kings and queens don't have to worry about finding food and clothes. It's already taken care of. I am not saying quit your job or anything. I am saying our mindset can't be focused solely on those things as animals live. You are higher than that leopard that has to dedicate his life to feeding, and mating. You have the luxury of being able to focus on your relationship with God. That's all you need to do and He will make sure you are taken care of. Put God first over your needs, desires, and worries. Don't let satan reduce your beautiful God-created mind to that of an animal who aimlessly chases after what it wants and needs completely unaware of God's presence in their lives. Stop and think of the ways He's shining in your life. That's the key to breaking the worries and hurts in this world.
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