May 25, 2009

• Ambition vs. Position: Part 2

  
  
  Our ambitions will draw us away from our calling if our minds are not renewed in these truths. Do we TRULY want to obey God’s Word when it says that we should be keepers at home or do we merely want to fulfill the lusts of our flesh? The Israelites did not listen to, or obey, God so He gave them up to their own heart’s lust. (Psalm 81:11,12) We are told (in 1 Cor. 10:6,11) that the Israelites were set as an example that we should not lust after evil things.
  
  Ladies, God’s Word is profitable for our instruction in righteousness. His Word has given us specific instruction on how to deal with these ambitions that desire to lure us away from our God-ordained roles.
  
  We are to:
  ~ crucify the flesh with its lusts (Gal 5:24)
  ~ flee youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22)
  ~ deny lusts (Titus 2:12)
  ~ abstain from fleshly lusts (desires), which war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11, 12)
  
  And instead:
  ~ walk in the Spirit and we won’t fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal.5:16)
  ~ put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts (Romans 13:14)
  ~ Be obedient and do not fashion ourselves to former lusts (1 Pet 1:14,15)
  
  Satan will use our fleshly lusts to tempt us to believe we have needs and desires that can only be met ‘out there’ or by ‘just one more thing.’ Our lives will become unfruitful if we allow the Word of God to be choked by the ‘cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things.’ (Mark 4:19)
  
  As God’s children we must examine these desires. Do the scriptures teach that these desires should be fulfilled if they are contrary to God’s word? Or do they say that we are to die daily (1 Cor 15:31) and walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16)? Walking in the Spirit means that we walk in obedience to what God’s Word says we should do. We have been created for our husband’s sake (Gen 2:18-24, 1 Cor 11:9), to be an “help meet to him,” & not for the purpose of fulfilling our own desires and ambitions.
  
  Let’s take a few of the temptations we mentioned earlier and find a scripture / biblical principle to use as we cast down each vain imagination.
  
  1. You would like to have *a little extra spending money.* GOD’S WORD SAYS: We are to be content with food and raiment. (1 Tim 6:8) Ask: Do I really “need” all, or even any, of these other things?
  
  2. You feel that your husband controls the budget too tightly and you’re tired of having to *ask his permission* to spend even a penny. GOD’S WORD SAYS: We wives are to submit ourselves unto our own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Eph 5:22) Ask: In what ways can I show respect for my husband’s choices?
  
  3. You are *embarrassed* by the way your furniture looks, or your car, or the clothes you wear. GOD’S WORD SAYS: Give thanks always for ALL things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5: 20) Ask: How can I fix-up or make do with what God has given me?
  
  4. You’re *bored* with the daily care of children. The thought of something NEW and EXCITING is appealing and ‘drawing.’ GOD’S WORD SAYS: Children are a heritage and a reward (Ps 127:3) and we’re to be training them up in the way they should go (Pr 22:6) doing ALL things heartily, as unto the Lord! (Col 3:23) Ask: How can I change my attitude for the better toward my job at home today?
  
  5. You want *more & more* things to do and yet become tired of them easily, and so you quickly jump from one project, or ministry, to another.
  GOD’S WORD SAYS: (Have as our goal) to know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings… (Phil 3:10) Ask: How can I focus my time and energies on coming to know my Savior better?
  
  6. You *volunteer* at church to the point that you become behind in your duties at home.
  GOD’S WORD SAYS: To be …. Keepers at home…so THAT the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5)
  Ask: What are the specific priorities God has already given me in His Word?
  
  7. You feel *guilty* for just being at home taking care of your husband and children, and so let family and friend’s innuendo’s (that you’re lazy or not reaching your full potential because you’re MERELY a homemaker) influence you. This leads you to begin desiring and pursuing other things.
  GOD’S WORD SAYS: A woman is to be well reported of for good works; (like) having brought up children. (1 Timothy 5:4) Ask: Am I seeking to please man or God?
  
  8. You think that a career would satisfy and fulfill you more than being a wife, mother, & homemaker. GOD’S WORD SAYS: Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. (Phil 2:3)
  Ask: What specific things can I do today to be looking out for the interests of OTHERS first?
  
  9. You think that once the children become school aged that you should help your husband earn a living. Or that you will need to go back to school to finish your education. The only reason you are staying home now is because the children are not in school all day. GOD’S WORD SAYS: Women are to be keepers at home. (Titus 2:4,5) KEEPERS: (Strong’s 3626) – a guard, a stayer at home, i.e. domestically inclined (a good “keeper of the house/home”) Or from oikourgos: oikos= home +ergon= work; one who works at home
  Ask: What work, or further education, – from home – (if any) is reasonable for me to pursue?
  
  10. You want your children to achieve academically. You want them to be a success in this world. You decide the only way to achieve this is by putting them in a Christian School which means that you will need to get a job in order to pay for it.
  GOD’S WORD SAYS: To seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33)
  Ask: Will this thing (fill in the blank_____) lead my children TOWARD God or away from Him and spiritual growth? Will He not provide ALL they truly need AS I am obeying His command to be a keeper at home?
  
  Paul said he died daily leaving for us an exhortation that we too must expect to fight a daily war against our flesh and the lusts. For daily we are enticed to throw down our aprons and find so-called ‘true & lasting fulfillment’ in some other role than what God has called us to. The lack of contentment in what God HAS called us to, and the lust for ‘just a little bit more’ whether it is more money, prestige or personal fulfillment is still enticing women today just as it did when Paul wrote this exhortation.
  
  Beware, Sisters, that you don’t fall into the devil’s snare.
  
  Protect your heart & eyes by not filling them with :
  ~ Soap operas that promote unbiblical lifestyles
  ~ Modern women’s magazines that promote luxury
  ~ Books that weave ungodly & romanticized notions of love & lust
  ~ Movies that glamorize the working woman by showing higher education and careers as the ‘goal’ of every woman
  ~ Friends that entice you away from the Lord and His plan & purpose for your life
  
  Saturate your mind in God’s word and what He has called you to do.
  ~ Memorize and meditate on scriptures that speak to your goal as a married woman
  ~ Make sure that your closest friends are those who have embraced their God assigned roles
  ~ Fill your heart & home with HIM!
  ~ Vigorously pursue the things outlined in His Word for a godly woman
  
  Begin to realize that the enemy of your soul and the lusts of your flesh seek to entice you to leave your duty in order that your life may blaspheme God’s word and commandments (Titus 2:5). Let us persevere to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life, to work with our hands and to mind our ‘own business.’ (1 Thess.4:11 NAS)
  
  *aberration – to wander from the right way or moral rectitude
  
  (1) The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity
  (2) Rocking the Roles by NavPress
  
  
  Georgene
  Copyrighted 1998. You may copy this article in it’s entirety.
  

  • 12:50 pm
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