Double mindedness. Don't we all hate this in people... but more so in ourselves.
Let's look outward. Somebody who just cannot make up their mind - today they believe they should be doing this and tomorrow they have changed their mind. Today they believe God is telling them this and tomorrow they have forgotten all about it. The easy thing is to look at others and get irritated by these fluctuations. We see it in the church - today somebody believes God has planted them here, and tomorrow there is a new flavour in town and there they go - bye!!! Today it is "I am with you pastor" and tomorrow... well you just don't see them again.
It reminds me of kids in a candy store - they see this and want it, then get distracted and see something else that they want - they just cannot stay focussed long enough to make up their minds.
Is double-mindedness a problem of our time? Could it be that we have become a people without integrity - gone are the days of "my word is my honour"? That doesn't seem entirely accurate when I consider the Bible. James warns us that a double minded man is like a wave tossed on the sea - then this way, then that way - and that such a man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Paul warns us to grow up and stop being blown this way and then that by different "winds" of doctrine or teaching.
In plain English I would conclude they are telling us "Make up your mind!"
So HOW do we get to the place where we are no longer double-minded - that is the question?
In my own life this is a constant challenge. Being a child of God the answers don't always seem cut and dried. There are basic principals to follow, yes, but when it comes to everyday decisions things get a bit more complicated... there isn't scripture confirming which colour tiles to choose for my kitchen (or is there!!??).
I see two problems here - or hold it - maybe there is only one problem! Fear.
Fear of not hearing God's voice clearly. Fear of making a wrong decision. Fear of commitment. Fear of being used.
God has not given us a spirit of fear - but of power, love and a sound (and disciplined) mind! A sound mind is not double minded. A disciplined mind is not "tossed to and fro".
A sound mind - that's is the key to not being double-minded!!
We have two oponents here - in the one corner we have fear - and in the other corner we have love, power and a sound/disciplined mind.
Jesus said that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Truth allows us to see - truth allows us to discern - when truth comes things are no longer hidden.
Truth allows us to ask the question: "Hold it!! What is this?"
If it doesn't feel like love, if it doesn't feel like power (faith, courage, strength), if my mind is troubled and not feeling sound - then it must be fear!
Lets face the facts. Double-mindedness is caused by fear.
We are afraid. We are afraid of failing, afraid of disappointing - both God and others, we are afraid of rejection... the list goes on and on - and fear is a Driver - it doesn't Lead gently, like the Shepherd of our souls (Ps 23) - it Drives - like a slave-master. It shows no mercy.
Mike Murdock makes the statement "The battle of life is for your mind. The battle of the mind is for focus. All warfare is for your focus, because anything that keeps your focus becomes your master."
So the challenge Today:
Choose your master.
Choose who you will serve.
Choose who you will focus on.
Will you choose to serve God the Loving Father, the Gentle "leading" Shepherd - who's burden is light and who's yoke is easy; who brings liberating truth and light - freedom?
Or will you choose to follow the enemy of your soul, disguised in a cloak of fear, lying to you, driving you, burdening you down under cares and worries?
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (NKJV)
That settles it!
I choose life.
I choose truth.
Shine the light of your truth into every darkness, every lie I have believed, Father.
Help me to keep my Focus on You.
Help me keep my mind set on Truth that frees me from all my fears.
Let's look outward. Somebody who just cannot make up their mind - today they believe they should be doing this and tomorrow they have changed their mind. Today they believe God is telling them this and tomorrow they have forgotten all about it. The easy thing is to look at others and get irritated by these fluctuations. We see it in the church - today somebody believes God has planted them here, and tomorrow there is a new flavour in town and there they go - bye!!! Today it is "I am with you pastor" and tomorrow... well you just don't see them again.
It reminds me of kids in a candy store - they see this and want it, then get distracted and see something else that they want - they just cannot stay focussed long enough to make up their minds.
Is double-mindedness a problem of our time? Could it be that we have become a people without integrity - gone are the days of "my word is my honour"? That doesn't seem entirely accurate when I consider the Bible. James warns us that a double minded man is like a wave tossed on the sea - then this way, then that way - and that such a man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Paul warns us to grow up and stop being blown this way and then that by different "winds" of doctrine or teaching.
In plain English I would conclude they are telling us "Make up your mind!"
So HOW do we get to the place where we are no longer double-minded - that is the question?
In my own life this is a constant challenge. Being a child of God the answers don't always seem cut and dried. There are basic principals to follow, yes, but when it comes to everyday decisions things get a bit more complicated... there isn't scripture confirming which colour tiles to choose for my kitchen (or is there!!??).
I see two problems here - or hold it - maybe there is only one problem! Fear.
Fear of not hearing God's voice clearly. Fear of making a wrong decision. Fear of commitment. Fear of being used.
God has not given us a spirit of fear - but of power, love and a sound (and disciplined) mind! A sound mind is not double minded. A disciplined mind is not "tossed to and fro".
A sound mind - that's is the key to not being double-minded!!
We have two oponents here - in the one corner we have fear - and in the other corner we have love, power and a sound/disciplined mind.
Jesus said that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Truth allows us to see - truth allows us to discern - when truth comes things are no longer hidden.
Truth allows us to ask the question: "Hold it!! What is this?"
If it doesn't feel like love, if it doesn't feel like power (faith, courage, strength), if my mind is troubled and not feeling sound - then it must be fear!
Lets face the facts. Double-mindedness is caused by fear.
We are afraid. We are afraid of failing, afraid of disappointing - both God and others, we are afraid of rejection... the list goes on and on - and fear is a Driver - it doesn't Lead gently, like the Shepherd of our souls (Ps 23) - it Drives - like a slave-master. It shows no mercy.
Mike Murdock makes the statement "The battle of life is for your mind. The battle of the mind is for focus. All warfare is for your focus, because anything that keeps your focus becomes your master."
So the challenge Today:
Choose your master.
Choose who you will serve.
Choose who you will focus on.
Will you choose to serve God the Loving Father, the Gentle "leading" Shepherd - who's burden is light and who's yoke is easy; who brings liberating truth and light - freedom?
Or will you choose to follow the enemy of your soul, disguised in a cloak of fear, lying to you, driving you, burdening you down under cares and worries?
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (NKJV)
That settles it!
I choose life.
I choose truth.
Shine the light of your truth into every darkness, every lie I have believed, Father.
Help me to keep my Focus on You.
Help me keep my mind set on Truth that frees me from all my fears.
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