Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
“No, you don’t have to truly die to all of your old life…” “You can just give God this one area of your life and hold back the others…”
If the enemy can keep us deceived and distracted, our growth is stunted. We are cut off from the True Vine, and we no longer bear fruit.
God longs to bring about growth in our lives, but the growth must begin with death. Those who have been united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection through baptism, have accepted the gracious gift of new life in Him (Ro 6:1-4).
As with a seed, our spiritual walk begins with death.
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (Jn 12:24).
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Lk 9:23-25)
The “daily” facet of Jesus’ invitation is a challenge for me. Do I daily die to myself, my needs and desires, to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness? What excuses do I allow to derail me from my primary purpose to remain in the Vine, to love God and love others?
Using one of my mom’s favorite words, there is a “plethora” of excuses or lies I accept. I allow them to become hindrances to my own growth and the process of fruit bearing. Today, we are going to call out some familiar lies or excuses and replace them with truth.
To do so, we will use a Lie/Truth Chart from Who Has the Last Word? Cutting through Satan’s Lies with the Truth of God’s Word. First, we Recognize the Lie in our own words. Then, we Replace that Lie with Truth, again, in our own words. These are the first two columns. The last column is for Remembering the Truth through a specific Bible verse or passage of Scripture.
|
RECOGNIZE the Lie |
REPLACE the Lie with Truth (in your own words) |
REMEMBER the Truth |
|
You can keep doing <distracting activity>. There will be time later to read your Bible, pray, encourage a friend, reach out to a neighbor… |
Doing <distracting activity> is keeping me from doing and being what God has given me the opportunity for today. |
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb 3:13) |
|
I just can’t do what it takes to remain in the Vine. I know the list of things I’m supposed to do, but is it even worth it? |
To remain or abide in the Vine is to invest in a relationship with the One who loves me perfectly and created me to grow in Him. |
““As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (Jn 15:9) |
|
Fruit bearing is frustrating and exhausting work that is not worth the effort. |
Remaining in God’s love, bearing fruit as He designed, is the ultimate source of complete joy. Even when I’m tired, God will help me find a way to do good. |
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (Jn 15:11) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9) |
|
I am all alone. No one around me is striving to bear fruit or remain in the Vine. |
Satan wants me to feel alone and compare myself to others. God has gifted me with a body of believers that face the same struggles. |
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2Co 10:12) |
The examples I have listed barely scratch the surface of the excuses the devil uses to deter us from Kingdom work and Kingdom blessings. In Christ, we can put all the accuser’s lies to death—the kind of death that brings life and later bears fruit.
What excuses does the accuser bring to your mind that you want to replace with truth? What lie does he use to invade your thoughts and distract you from bearing fruit?
The examples I have listed barely scratch the surface of the excuses the devil uses to deter us from Kingdom work and Kingdom blessings. In Christ, we can put all the accuser’s lies to death—the kind of death that brings life and later bears fruit.
What excuses does the accuser bring to your mind that you want to replace with truth? What lie does he use to invade your thoughts and distract you from bearing fruit?
