Biblical Success - Finishing Well Part 3 - Running In The LightSample

#2 - So Much Noise!

Ephesians 4:11, 12 - “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

We are all in danger of being deceived. There is no safe place that we can attain and remain “fixed” and free from deception. Life swirls around us from physical birth to physical death and every day, even every moment, we are subject to inputs that are potentially darkness. The evil one is clever and very strategic. He knows our weaknesses and soft spots. He ALWAYS makes darkness appear to be attractive, easy, and often seemingly capable of being enjoyed in secret. 

Think of King David on the rooftop of his palace resting from his duties. He took one innocent glance over the edge and ......darkness entered his “eye,” he saw Bathsheba. A path of thoughts began and the darkness grew. Ultimately that one glance and the thoughts that followed led King David to commit adultery and murder. Though his sin was later forgiven, terrible consequences followed him for the rest of his life, things were never the same. Though he remained “a man after God’s own heart” the scars of the darkness never left him. 

Now, that example is a “biggie.” One of the worst. But our personal battle with darkness always begins as it did with David, with a thought that catches our “eye” as light, but that is darkness. A little darkness of thought that is left unchecked leads to actions. 

Here’s another, easier example to think about: “The ministry of the church must be done by the clergy. Laity must support the work by their tithes and offerings and by inviting their friends to come to church, but the real work is done by paid professionals.” What do you think? Darkness? Light? Shades of grey?