God looks at the smallest details

Today I’m thinking about the things in my life that are not pleasing to God. Many would say things like, “Oh everyone does that” or “This is not a big deal.” However, since these generally fall into the categories of self-indulgence or doing whatever feels good, that also puts them into the category of sin.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6, italics mine)

Turning to my own way puts me astray from God, no matter how small the turning. This includes stuff like playing a game when I know I should be doing something else or eating more food when I know I’ve already had enough. God does not measure self-indulgence and self-will by degrees but by a line that is crossed.

Tozer’s devotional for today comes from the following passage. It offers several ‘do this instead’ attitudes and actions that can easily replace ‘I’ll do it my way.’

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15–22)

Some of these do not hit me directly, yet all show that my mental and physical activities should not be about my ‘I-wants’ because God has a better to-do list.

Doing good to others is a biggie. I live in a small complex with at least one-third of the residents in needy circumstances. I don’t need to hide behind my own busyness. There are many ways to do good as He says.

Rejoice always. Replace any whining or complaining.

Pray without ceasing. Replace all wandering and fragmented thoughts and talk to God instead.

Give thanks all the time. God wants me to be thankful and has provided a million blessings to make it easy. I’ve no reasons or excuses to grumble or complain.

Do not quench the Spirit. When He gives me a godly idea, run with it rather than throw on the cold water of procrastination or any other excuses, usually that I’m ‘too busy.’

Pay attention to what God is saying through others. Do not dismiss a sermon by applying it to someone else. Also remember it is okay to test or question new or odd ideas, tossing out the false and hanging on to what is good. Don’t fall for everything — I know how to do this part — most of the time.

Abstain from every form of evil. This ranges from downright awful stuff to those ‘little’ things that turn my heart away from God to doing what pleases me (or the demands of others). Pay attention. It is not okay to wander off, either literally or in my mind.

Tozer says, “To appraise things with a heart of love and then to act on the results is an obligation resting upon every Christian in the world.” This means me too. The very next verses from the above passage say:

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, italics mine)

Completely, all of me . . . and the good news is that I’m not asked to do this by myself.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You are convicting me of a lot of seemingly ‘little’ but foolish things that I do, say or just think about. You have said that sin flows out of the heart, so You care about my imagination as well as my actions, my selfish pursuits as well as the things I should be doing instead. Grant me today the ability to meditate as Your Spirit leads and to let You drive the above convictions deeper into my heart and life.