9.19.9 "Getting rid of 'That Thing'"

"Getting rid of 'That Thing'"

Isaiah 30:12-33:12
Galatians 5:1-12
Psalm 63:1-11
Proverbs 23:22

We all have "That Thing". It was Achan's desire for "That Thing" that caused defeat for Israel and ultimately the destruction of Achan & his entire family. For each of us, it's a different "Thing". There's something in our life we know shouldn't be there. It may be a bad habit, a "comfort sin", a pattern of unhealthy thought, bitterness, selfishness, lust, the list can go on. If you think you don't have a "That Thing", spend a little more time in prayer. God will show it to you.

I heard a testimony from a friend who was finally free from YEARS of sinful addiction. It was a great testimony! One thing he said was how he would in essence "resolve" to never sin again. and yet, he would find himself in the middle of it over and over. So many times we try to get rid of "That Thing", only to return. Why is that? Why can we try and try, but not shake free?

Isaiah 31:7-8 says, "I know the glorious day will come when every one of you will throw away his gold idols and silver images - which in your sinfulness you have made. And the Assyrians will be destroyed, but not by sword of men. The "sword of God" will smite them."

The biggest problem we have with "that Thing" is that we are usually trying to get rid of it by the sword of men. We read self-help books, talk to friends, make resolutions, but we don't completely surrender our lives to the work of the Holy Spirit and allow God to do his thing in us. Yes, we will go to an altar, or sense the conviction, and we'll even cry. But a broken surrender is a whole different thing. It's getting out of the way to let God do his deep work. It's waiting for God to break us.

Isaiah 30:18 says, "Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them."

We can't win any battle in our own strength. I don't know why we fool ourselves into thinking we can. Isaiah 32:2 says, "But to us, O Lord, be merciful, for we have waited for you. Be our strength each day and our salvation in the time of trouble. The enemy runs at the sound of your voice. When you stand up, the nations flee."

Remember a couple days ago talking about the shelter in the time of storm? Isaiah 31:2 says, "He will shelter Israel from the storm and wind. He will refresh her as a river in the desert and as the cooling shadow of a might rock within a hot and weary land." It is in running to this shelter that we find our strength.

There is a discipline to this. Most of the time when we fail, it's because we are living in the flesh. We are serving the flesh, or relaxing our thought process, or even feeling like we "deserve" the indulgence. That sets us up for bringing "That thing" back.

Galatians 5:1 says, "So Christ has made us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get all tied up again in the chains of slavery..." Yes, we are set free through the blood of Jesus, but we must discipline ourselves to not go there again. John Bevere says, "He brought us out of Egypt, but we have to be faithful to get Egypt out of us."

We must be intentional about rejoicing in and remaining in this freedom. Psalm 63:5-8 says, "At last I shall be fully satisfied; I will praise you with great joy. I lie awake at night thinking of you - of how much you have helped me - and how I rejoice through the night beneath the protecting shadow of your wings. I follow close behind you, protected by your strong right arm." Think about that discipline of thought. Think about that habit of worship. Many times we create room for "that thing" through laziness of thought, and lack of discipline in worship.

God will be faithful. He is constantly trying to direct us in his path. Isaiah 30:21 says, "And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, 'No, this is the way; walk here.' And you will destroy all your silver idols and gold images and cast them out like filthy things you hate to touch. 'Ugh!' you'll say to them. 'Be gone!'"

Get rid of the things that are holding you back from being who God has created you to be. Allow him to purify you. Keep your thoughts on him. Let him set you free. Be disciplined to stay free.




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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