November 7, 2013

James 4: "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Whoever wants to be a friend of the world, makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'?

How am I a friend of the world?  I don't drink, smoke, carouse.  But I still seek friendship with the world.  How do I spend my time?  I labor in shame because I seek to "relax" when I get home from work.  I tell myself that I deserve some time to myself.  I seek no one's fellowship, but my own.  I replace real fellowship with vicarious living through Facebook. Why do I keep people so far from me?
Even God.  I don't come home and seek His fellowship.  I turn to a game on-line or turn on the tv to "relax".  Yet the Holy Spirit yearns for my fellowship.  Why do I resist Him?

Television is an interesting medium.  If what I see on tv were to come into my home, would I welcome it.  Scenes of people backstabbing other people, people in relationships with others who are not their spouses, vocabulary and innuendo that would bring a blush to my face.  Would I want those things
in my living room?  Probably not, yet I fill my mind with "entertainment" like this every day.  Is it wrong?  Not in and of itself, no.  But do I give the Spirit a chance to fill me and renew my mind?
No.  I am sorry to say that I have sought friendship with the world.

Dear Holy Spirit,  help me to resist the devil.  Your Word says, "Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:7-8

It is hard for me to discipline my flesh and my mind.  God I am a failure at these things.  Please help me
to long for You,  to seek Your face, to love your Word.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for yearning for me,
for not leaving me, nor forsaking me because I do not deserve You.