Living Life Based on God?s Word is Less Turbulent

I was just thinking about a couple of things we’ve studied recently in church (sermon on Ephesians and Home Fellowship study in Elijah) with relation to some recent experiences.  I’m so thankful that God has given us his word on which to base our life and decisions.  Otherwise, how would you make good, right, decisions?  Most make them based solely on the contemporary wisdom – books they read, what’s said on talk shows, the results of research studies, what their friends say.   

Ephesians 4:13-14 (NASB95)
“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;”

Presumably mature Christians know God’s word well.  As a result we are not to be going back and forth and our course determined by the mere teachings (that’s what “doctrine” means) and philosophies of people.  I am so thankful that I have scripture on which to base my life, from parenting decisions to the way to lead the church.  Otherwise every new piece of contemporary wisdom would throw me in a new direction of make me doubt myself.  Now I must say, receiving counsel from others (spouse, friends, elders in my case, etc.) is helpful, essential, and biblical.  But, we have to consider their counsel against scripture, and ultimately land on our values and convictions based on comparison against scripture and in conversation with God.  Then we go with it, still allowing counsel to challenge our direction, but it doesn’t have to threaten our peace that relies upon knowing God’s roadmap. 

From Elijah’s experience with Jezebel in 1 Kings 19, I concluded, people are not always going to accept what you have done under the conviction of the Lord.  I experience this all the time.  I just keep doing what I feel led to do and know that there are going to be negative responses some times.  We can’t be trying to please people above God.  When challenges and negativity do come my way, usually in the form of disapproving people, it does affect me.  I generally am sad.  If someone has wronged me, I may be a little irritated with them.  But soon, I realize that it’s just part of the job/relationship/etc., and trust the Lord with helping me respond appropriately and moving forward, operating under my biblical and God lead (through prayer) convictions.

It feels like a much more sane and undistressed way to live. 

Thanks Lord for your word.  I pray that we would appreciate it enough to know it well.  Thanks that we can talk to You on how to apply your word and to fill in any blanks.