Shifting Direction

I hope these thoughts do not bore you or leave you with a bad impression after reading them.  I believe the prophecies written in the Bible are indeed unfolding in our world today.  Attempting to overlook, ignore, or hide from this reality does not change the truth of Scripture.

(2 Timothy 3:1-5), “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away.”

The thoughts shared here come from a man who once wandered down the road of despair, taking one uncertain step after another, indecisive in nearly every way.  My direction changed after the Holy Spirit gently beckoned me to “come unto Him.”  I was weary and heavy-laden before God forgave my sins, and He gave me rest.  He showed me the only path truly worth traveling.

Through this writing, I hope to offer insight that may help someone determine which direction is right for them—a direction that brings peace to a troubled soul.

I do not believe it is healthy for anyone to think they are above evil or capable of resisting it solely through their own strength.  Sin is everywhere.  It seeks our attention and attempts to rub shoulders with us every day.  It comes at us from every angle and in forms we often fail to recognize.  We must learn to discern wolves in sheep's clothing and do everything within our power to resist the temptation of taking the “second look.”

This is where the Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf.

Sinful traps often enter through the eye gate and can lead a person astray because sin is frequently disguised as something “easy on the eyes.”  Such deception has the power to influence the thinking of those who entertain questionable thoughts.  Uncontrolled curiosity can persuade a person into believing they are missing out on something pleasurable or desirable.

We must guard our minds against the well-crafted lies that whisper within our thoughts.  We must not allow evildoers—or the enemy of our soul—to plant seeds that lead to regret, heartache, and spiritual compromise through satanic lies and demonic manipulation.

This was my struggle during my teenage years and early twenties before I came to know the Lord.  I failed to filter out irrational and destructive influences that misdirected my life.  You’ve heard the phrase, “Garbage in, garbage out,” often used in reference to computers.  Our minds are far more complex, yet they too can be manipulated into believing something is acceptable when it is not.

Because I refused to see what God wanted me to see, my spiritual vision became like tunnel vision.  I only focused on what the adversary wanted me to notice.  I became blind to the godly boundaries that would have guided my life in a worthwhile direction had I not been so stubborn and determined to do things my own way while walking away from God.

In my unstable wandering, I focused only on momentary pleasures as I drifted into places my mother and father had warned me about.  Instead of listening to their voices of wisdom echoing in my heart—telling me to run from sin and resist temptation—I chose to fantasize and fraternize with evil.

Something worth considering is how often Christians are tempted to rationalize something “just for a moment,” convincing themselves it may not really be as harmful as they once believed.  I believe this can become the first step toward justifying sin in one’s mind.

For this reason, we must remain cautious and reject such thoughts before they find lodging within us.  Do not give evil a foothold.  Resist looking at things you know in your heart are wrong.

Uncontrolled thoughts and spiritually blind reasoning, originating from the enemy of our souls, remind me of the “sample tasting” that took place in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit He commanded them not to eat.  Justification can pull a person into deep waters when they knowingly yield to temptation and partake in sin.

I understand these thoughts may expose behavioral struggles and issues many people would rather avoid confronting.  I also realize this subject touches a broad range of personal disciplines and matters involving the stimulation of the senses.  Yet I believe most people genuinely desire greater stability and peace in their lives.  Often, they simply need direction—guidance that points them toward what their soul is truly searching for.

That, in essence, was my struggle.  I wrestled between the “walk of peace” and the “walk of compromise.”

Walking in peace requires the God-given strength of the Holy Spirit so we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  Through God’s sustaining grace, those seeking peace are given the strength and courage to separate themselves from even the appearance of evil.  Through the Holy Spirit, they are empowered to resist temptation and walk in obedience.

I am deeply thankful that I shifted direction when I did and chose to follow Jesus and walk in God’s way.  My feet are now planted upon a firm foundation—the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Written by,

Papa Boyd