We have lived so long in darkness and been deceived by the devil, our culture, and our own thinking that there are many things that appear to us to be light that are actually darkness. It is only God who can help us discern truth and He’s given us three tools: The Bible, His Holy Spirit, and mature Christians.
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. (Psalm 119:105 and 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)
If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to so - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. (James 1:5 NLT)
Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)
We will fail in our new way of life if we ignore any of the following: 1) When the Bible says to live in a way that is opposed to, or even radically different from what we have always known, we need to be obedient to live the way the Bible teaches. We need to read and learn and shape our lives around the principles taught there. Successful life is rooted in surrender to God as His servant. 2) The Holy Spirit lives in us to guide us in our new life with Jesus. We will know joy and peace and blessing as we set aside our own self-centered pleasure-seeking ways and live in His way of serving others. Our conscience needs to be guided by God’s Spirit. We need to talk to God throughout the day and invite His Spirit to show us if what we are thinking, saying, or doing is God’s way. 3) We need to find and stay with spiritually mature people who can mentor us and help us sort out, on a daily basis, what is going on in our world and what God’s will is for us. We need to pay attention to what they say.
The exciting truth is that if we do these things, we will no longer be people who walk in darkness and in the shadow of death, but we will become those God blesses and uses to bring others to His light.
Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16 NLT)
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