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Living Under the Influence

by Steve Countryman  
5/14/2011 / Christian Living

Driving under the influence means that your ability to operate and maneuver a motor vehicle is greatly impaired. Those who try believe a lie and are deceiving themselves. Trying to drive while under the influence will cause you trouble. It will hurt you, those around you and those close to you. It will bring destruction, destroying your life, your job, your finances, your family, your friends and perfect strangers who get in your way.

Living under the influence refers to those things that influence your daily life and decisions either good or bad. The sinner lives under the influence of the ruler of this world, Satan. All decisions the sinner makes are affected, one way or another, by the influence of sin and temptation. Even when it seems to be a worthy cause or good intentions there always seems to be a hidden reason for the decision. For example expecting something in return for doing a good deed if only recognition. Or being deceived into thinking that by doing good deeds they will qualify to enter into heaven. Driving drunk or high is an indicator that the person could have an addiction problem and is living under the influence of the kingdom of darkness.

Even Christians live under the influence of this world to some degree because we live here surrounded by sinful influences daily. It is when you allow those influences into your thinking that trouble begins. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Allowing the little things is where it starts. Your friends start complaining about their job, their spouse, their sickness, their finances you name it and the next thing you know you are doing the same thing. Seemed harmless enough just blowing off steam right? Wrong! Your words carry power and by confessing with your mouth your complaints you are pronouncing curses over yourself and your situation. Take your concerns to the Lord not to your friends.

Fear, doubt and worry are all opposites of faith in your God which leads to complaining and murmuring that leads to poor decisions, more curses and more trouble! It shows a lack of trust in God's ability to provide for you and is contrary to being a child of the Most High God. You must choose to put on the mind of Christ daily and ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But you say you don't have enough faith Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Being a Christian is not an honorary title but requires commitment and dedication to God and His Word. You have to spend time with God daily and develop an intimate walk to know Him better. Spending time with God and in His Word will build your faith. Like anything else you only get out of it what you put into to it, like what is means to be a child of the Most High God as revealed in your daily walk.

You can't have the victory in your life trying to survive on the prayers of others. You can't have the victory over your problems, troubles and fears by going to church every once in a while. You can't have the victory if you can't forgive others who have sinned against you, your family or your friends. You can't have the victory by going on the words of a preacher and not read the Word of God yourself. You can't have the victory by listening to the advice of this world and ignoring what God's Word says. You can't have the victory if you don't know who you are in Christ and who Christ is in you. You can't have the victory in your life without faith in your God. Faith is the bridge that joins the known of this world to the unknown of God's kingdom.

Being a Christian is more than wearing a cross around your neck. Being a Christian is more than being a Sunday pew sitter. Being a Christian is more than carrying a Bible. Being a Christian is more than having a Christian bumper sticker. Being a Christian is more than being just a survivor, more than an over-comer, more than a warrior and more than a conquer. Being a Christian means that your life brings glory to God. Being a Christian means that you are a child of the Most High God and you represent His kingdom everywhere you go. You proclaim His goodness in your life instead of complaining to others. Your decisions, actions and words all reflect His influence in your life as you conduct yourself daily with the mind of Christ. By doing this you bring glory to your God.

It is His will that is manifested in you, with you, to you, for you and through you. It is His will that you are healed and in good health. It is His will that you prosper as your soul prospers. It is His will that you walk in ALL power and authority of heaven. It is His will that all spiritual blessings and spiritual gifts are made available to you. It is His will that you have abundant prosperity in every part of your life. Think about it, how does it reflect on God for one of His children to be sickly, complaining, grumpy, sinful, hateful or destitute? Where is the glory of God in that person's life? How do they bring God glory? What kind of testimony is that? We are God's witnesses and He is our testimony. "If I can only hang on until Jesus comes back" is a defeated shameless statement that too many Christians use. Where is their victory and how do they bring glory to God?

The fullness of Christ lives and dwells in us at the time of salvation. We Christians spend years grasping what that all entails. We have what no other powerful men and women of God had in the Old Testament. When God worked through them the Word said that the Spirit of the Lord came upon them. Because of the finished work of the cross of Jesus we have the Spirit of the Lord in us always! That is why His Word says that the latter house will be greater than the former house. And why Jesus said that we would do greater things than He did. We are the latter house! Knowing who you are in Christ and who Christ is in you is found through faith. The fullness of Christ is made known through your faith. It is through faith that you are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens you. It is through faith that you walk being led by the Holy Spirit. It is through faith that your salvation is made possible. It is because of your faith that God is pleased with you. And it is by studying the Word of God that your faith is founded, perfected, put into action and grows strong. By faith the influence of God's kingdom is manifested in your life daily. Living under the influence of God's Word, commands and love will impact your surroundings and those around you everywhere you go! The time is ripe!!

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