The Power of Our Justification
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 16:25
God created us with freewill and there is great power in that will. God designed us with a powerful will because when he changes our hearts, our wills seek God’s will. The more Christ-like we become, the more our wills and God’s will become the same. However, Satan will take what God created for good and tempt us to use it for sin. Our flesh seeks things of the world, which means our fleshly desires can cause us to justify obeying our wills over God’s will.
Whenever we heed our own wills over God’s will, we have become our own Gods and have broken the first commandment. You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3). We must carefully examine our choices to determine which god we are following. One way to overcome being our own God is to commune with God throughout the day, thereby giving him control as he guides us with his love and power. A good rule that I use is that whenever I have to justify a choice, then I must examine the choice carefully, because making a Godly choice requires no justification.
We normally justify our choices based on our fleshly desires. If we think about it long enough we will find some way to justify our desires. Our flesh tempts us when we are tired or when we find something we would rather do. Satan will tempt us with many reasons to keep us away from Sunday worship, evening worship, Bible classes, Bible reading, and praying. We might tell ourselves, “after all, missing Sunday worship this morning will not cost me my salvation.” Remember the Lord looks at our hearts, which reveal our motivation for every choice we make. Ask yourself: Is this choice for me or for God?
Satan attacks us through our emotions, and if we don’t have control of our emotions through the power of the Spirit, we are subject to justifying our way most any time we desire. Satan will attack us in little steps which we may see as insignificant. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:15). When we give in to Satan by our own justification, we are like a fish that took the bait. All Satan has to do is reel us in, and he does this very slowly and patiently as he feeds us his lies while masquerading as the angel of light.
Today, beware of any choices that require your justification, and don’t confuse justification with Godly reasoning through prayer. It is good to commune with the Lord throughout the day because it primes us for Godly choices. The more we commune with the Lord, praising him, thanking him, and asking him for guidance and wisdom, the closer we will be to him, and the more we become Christ-like. Use the power of your will to drive you to do God’s will, because when we make Godly decisions, life turns our better and we are able to live life to the full.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to always seek Godly choices in thought, word, and actions. Mold my thinking and desires to those of Christ, so that the power of my will can be used to do your will. Thank you for the Spirit who continually molds me to be Christ-like, making life fuller each day. In Jesus name, Amen