Sin Clouds Good Judgment

(Galatians 6:7-8), “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (vs 8) “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Before becoming a Christian, I entangled myself in things that clouded my judgment, and the results were never what I had hoped for.  It was easy to become like a leaf in the breeze when fast living monopolized most of my time.  When good judgment took flight—or when I left it sitting on a shelf at home—the lack of it left me with only the dregs of the cup, nothing good to speak of.

The window of rational thinking often closed whenever I neglected good sense in my daily routine.  Sin has a subtle way of dulling discernment.  What appears harmless at first can slowly shape habits, attitudes, and ultimately consequences.

It is important to learn how to become bigger than any sinful enticement of what I call “rhinestone entertainment”—cheap imitations that sparkle for a moment but lack lasting value.  These counterfeits promise fulfillment but deliver emptiness.  In contrast, what I call “diamond living” is life rooted in Christ—clear, steady, and enduring.  Diamond living does not cloud judgment; it refines it.

When someone flows with the crowd, trying to fit in through willful sin, that choice often leads to heartache and despair.  A lifestyle that ignores godly values eventually forfeits peace.  When our identity is grounded in anything other than God, we settle for less than His best.

We must resist the devil and his influence, setting for ourselves a higher standard of living rather than accepting a lesser quality of life due to sin.  When we open our minds to things that please God, selfish desires begin to loosen their grip.  With good judgment comes satisfaction in Christ Jesus.

Let us remember the greatest exchange ever made: Jesus traded His righteousness for our unrighteousness when He died on the cross.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Incredible Journey

 

Planning vacations is always fun and exciting—setting dates for quick getaways or long stays.  Every venturesome event begins with a plan and then the first step to fulfill the anticipated journey.

When I think about journeys and steps taken, I am reminded of my three children—the times they began to crawl and take their first steps.  My wife and I watched in awe as each child ventured out and daringly stepped forward.  It was exciting to see the progress and growing confidence they developed as they explored new horizons inside our home.  Their inquisitive minds led them into adventures—often into things they weren’t supposed to get into.

From my perspective, their incredible journey was both exciting and mischievous in their quest for happiness, but always under our close supervision.  This marked the beginning of their training experiences in the way God intended youth to grow; under the guidance of concerned parents with godly influence.

Early on, we taught our three adventurers not to touch the knickknacks on the coffee table or climb onto the raised fireplace hearth where they could hurt themselves.  We knew the temptation was strong, but they soon learned that obedience was better than the alternative.  I’m sure they didn’t understand that the frequent “No-No” they heard was for their benefit—often responding with tears of frustration.  They wanted what they wanted, and that was that.

Those early learning experiences during their formative years were lessons in staying out of trouble through obedience as they journeyed across plush carpet and hardwood floors.  These moments influenced them in every area of life—physically and spiritually.  As Scripture says, “Train up a child…”

(Proverbs 22:6), “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

My parents believed in teaching my three siblings and me the importance of obeying rules at a young age.  That training produced strong moral character in each of us.  It didn’t happen by accident; it required consistent follow-through from Mom and Dad.  I’m sure it would have been easier for them to let us do our own thing rather than invest the time to teach responsibility.  But they wanted us to understand accountability—and that actions have consequences.

Their long-range goal was for us to possess strong moral values, respect those in authority, and take responsibility for our actions.  Discipline in our home was not a “Do as I say, not as I do” environment.  Their training was rooted in love, not abuse. 

Dad, with his old-school mindset, believed obedience was better than sacrifice.  Losing privileges—and yes, on occasion a trip to the woodshed—taught us the importance of doing what was expected.  And his methods worked.  Like any children, we tested boundaries to see what we could get away with—that’s simply part of growing up.

God has given us guidelines in the Bible to help us maintain a fulfilling lifestyle on this incredible journey called life.  He understands us better than we understand ourselves and deals with each of His children uniquely, shaping excellence in their lives.

Just as I love my children and desire the best for them, God loves His children and desires the best for us.  He is neither overbearing nor unjust in His commands.  His rules serve as safeguards—to protect us from physical and spiritual harm.  At times, we resist correction because we fail to grasp the depth of His love.  Yet He chastens us to help curb our disobedient spirit.

His desire is for us to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to abundant life in Him—a path that blesses rather than entangles us in temptation.  When obedience becomes immediate and foremost in our spiritual walk, our relationship with God flourishes.  The joy He gives far outweighs the despair that disobedience brings.

When we follow God’s commandments—His moral law given for our benefit—we discover that He truly wants the best for us, free from the chaos that comes when headstrong children insist on their own way without considering consequences.

My wife and I endeavored to raise our children with patience and love.  God is even more patient and long-suffering with us.  He knows that persistence, follow-through, and love bring fulfillment to both sides of the relationship.

The journey ahead becomes incredible when obedience is faithfully observed.  It produces strong character in those who walk in His statutes and live as His sons and daughters.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com 

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Through His Eyes: Seeing Grace Beyond the Past

Since I became a Christian, I’ve listened to sermons reminding me that God’s love is infinite and that His grace is sufficient for all my needs.  But deep within the recesses of my mind, I sometimes struggle with memories of the years I ran from God—lacking interest—wanting to do my own thing.

I sometimes question the depth of His love because of the coldness I harbored before coming to Christ.  I want to accept, with total belief, the sermons I’ve heard, but on occasion an exterior force causes me to question—how can God love a wretch like me?

The spirit of darkness tries to blind my eyes from truth that God’s Word is infallible.  If only I could see myself through His eyes and not my own.  It is when I listen to Satan that I feel unworthy of God’s love because of my past failures.  It is hard to grasp that the God of creation—the Great I Am—personified in Jesus Christ, loved me so much that He died on a cross for my sins.

His pain and suffering, unto death, was the manifestation of His amazing grace and love for you and me.  This agape love prevented Him from calling ten thousand angels to free Him from the cross.  He chose to die for our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

At times, Satan throws the muddle of my past in my face that I’m not proud of.  He tries to deflect my thoughts away from the fact that God’s mercy saved me from those sins.

The more I read the Bible and hear messages relating to God’s love, the depth of His love becomes more real and clearer to understand.  They help me to see myself through His eyes. 

Yes, it is challenging to ignore satanic attacks, but God is my Heavenly Father.  I am His child—a sinner saved by grace—not of my own merits or self-righteousness, but through the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross.

(1 John 4:4), “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

There is no other person who walked the face of the earth whom God recognizes as the appeasement for sin.  Only Jesus, God’s Son, made it possible to become sons and daughters of Almighty God.

When we ask God to forgive our sins and invite Jesus into our heart, this act of faith brings forth an abundant life in Him. 

(2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Do you see yourself through God’s eyes or are your thoughts short-circuited by Satan?  Do not lean upon your own understanding that is coupled with narrow vision?  Do not listen to the devil’s lie, “There is no hope for you.”

Jesus is our hope.  Don’t allow Satan or anyone for that matter, to steal the joy that God gives through His Son.  Happiness awaits anyone looking for peace of mind.  It comes in the name of Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  We live victoriously when the Lord abides within us.  Hopelessness fades, and joy takes its place.

Yes, it may be difficult to see ourselves through God’s eyes at times, but when we notice Satan trying to pull the wool over our eyes and tell us that our vision of God’s love is unfounded and that our purpose in life has no meaning, we must rebuke him in the name of Jesus.

The devil is a liar and the father of lies.  His deceptions are nothing more than smelly dung-heaps, having the odor of death.  When we resist him, he will flee and return to the cesspool of filth from whence he came.  His untruths will no longer bury us in the graveyard of the deceived when we shun his attempts to distort our vision from Christ.

(James 4:7), “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

When I choose to believe what God says about me instead of what my past whispers, my vision clears.  I no longer see a wretch—I see a redeemed child of God.  And through His eyes, I am loved.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Widen Your Gaze

When the field of vision becomes drastically narrowed--like looking through a tube--it is known as tunnel vision.  Too often, people move through life with this same limitation.  It is like driving a car with blind spots built into its design.

Not being able to see vehicles approaching from the left and right rear is dangerous when peripheral vision is blocked.  These moments are especially critical when driving defensively.

Not long ago, thinking it was clear to change lanes, I began to maneuver my car--only to hear a horn blasting.  I had failed to see the vehicle in my blind spot.  I was grateful the other driver was alert and had a working horn.  Most drivers can relate to similar experiences.

Just as blind spots endanger us on the highway, spiritual blind spots threaten our walk with God.

It is important to stay alert while driving, but it is imperative to remain spiritually aware to prevent Satan and his forces from blindsiding us as they lurk in unseen places.  Like a thief in the night, the enemy waits for moments when we are distracted and least expecting an attack.

We are most vulnerable when the cares of life obscure our spiritual vision.  When responsibilities, pressures, and distractions consume us, we may fail to recognize the enemy's subtle schemes designed to deceive and lead us astray.  We must remain vigilant.

When we stand firm in Christ, prepared to face the forces of darkness, their attempts to harm us are thwarted.  It is when we become preoccupied—wearing blinders—that our field of vision narrows and tunnel vision sets in.

Failure to widen one’s gaze endangers both body and soul.  In everyday life, inattentiveness can produce harmful consequences.  Consider something as simple as daydreaming while walking from your car into a store.  Distraction--especially talking on the phone--can make a person unaware of their surroundings.  In certain environments, the lack of awareness can invite danger.

There are unscrupulous individuals everywhere who take advantage of those who are unaware.  Assaults, robberies, and violent crimes occur daily.  Many tragic situations might have been avoided with greater attentiveness.  

Spiritual attacks are just as real.  They have existed since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

In the years I have walked with Jesus, I have witnessed friends--and even preachers of the Gospel--fall prey to spiritual deception and walk away from the Lord.  They allowed temptation to draw them away from their steadfast commitment and gradually drifted into compromise.

Satan remains relentless.  His objective is to steal, kill, and destroy.  When believers drop their guard and grow complacent in their faith, they become entangled in worldly distractions and pleasures.  For fleeting moments of indulgence, some have waved a white flag of surrender.

Yet maintaining spiritual stamina requires the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, daily discipline, and a determined heart to remain faithful. When we disconnect from a consistent, Christ-centered lifestyle, we risk being enticed by subtle lies crafted to weaken our resolve.  

But God is greater.  He is merciful, forgiving, and steadfast in love.  When we stumble because of spiritual tunnel vision, He restores us when we confess and turn back to Him.

(1 John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

(Matthew 24:12-13), “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (vs 13) “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

With God’s help, we can resist Satan’s cunning attempts to overpower us.  When we widen our gaze, we recognize the enemy for who he is--a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  We remain free from the devil’s influence as we rebuke him in the name of Jesus.  As we resist him in the name of Jesus, he must flee.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 

(Isaiah 59:19), “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”

(Romans 5:20), “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

Satan may be the father of lies, but God's grace is greater than any scheme of darkness.  His mercy endures forever.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  I have resolved to walk with Jesus and not allow the cares of this life to cloud my vision when the enemy attempts to advance.

Let us widen our gaze.  Let us remain spiritually alert.  Though the enemy lurks in the shadows, the light of Christ exposes every deception.  And where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd