Christians, recently the Holy Spirit was revealing to my wife and me: when we help and minister to people, they may ask us what we do in certain situations, or how we live our Christian lives. They may desire to do the same things to improve their life. Cheri and I have many ideas on how to help others, but we realized that as unique and different as our fingerprints are, so are the differences in our walk with God.
The first temptation when dealing with personal convictions is to compare yourself with others around you. This only leads to judgement. If God is highlighting an area of your life for you to work on, it does not mean He wants you to change that area in everyone else’s life around you, He wants to change it in YOURS for His purpose. When God brings things up, internalize them, keep them private, only share it if someone asks you and you feel the Lord saying it’s alright to tell them your conviction.
My wife and I have certain tv shows we do not watch, certain restaurants we do not eat at, certain clothes we do not wear and certain movies we do not watch. It is not our place to tell people what to watch or eat or what to wear. No one told us what to do, the Holy Spirit led us to these convictions through seeking our Father God and they are personal to us.
We don’t try to force our convictions on anyone, but rather we encourage people to seek out the Lord on what they can do to go deeper in their relationship with Him. God is Holy and Christians, if we want to be near to Him, we must be holy as He is holy. The Greek word for holy is hágios (different, unlike, sacred, set apart for God). Since we live in an unholy world, we must die to the things of this world, we must be set apart for His will. If this sounds overwhelming, don’t fret, God will not change you in one day.
I remember when I started out on this journey, God asked me to not watch a specific show on television. I won’t say which one because it wasn’t about the show particularly, it was about my obedience. God LOVES obedience, as Christians, we are suppose to obey God unto death, but would I even give up one show? I gave up that show, I have not watched it since, and it has led me to stop watching other shows. Several times God led me to fast tv altogether. When the fast was over, I would watch shows again, but it was completely different because I had changed. I was more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
God also wants to refine the way we talk, what music we listen to, what food we eat, how we take care of our bodies. How do I know? I have seen Him at work in all those areas in my life, but it’s personal and I want to keep it that way. I write this to encourage you to embrace the personal convictions God implements in your life. It’s bringing you closer to Him and allowing Him more access into your heart, in Jesus name, Amen.
Your personal convictions [on such matters] – exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will ]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convince himself by what he chooses to do]. Romans 14:22 (AMP)
*I recommend reading all of Romans 14 for more depth on this matter
They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] decision (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]. Romans 2:15 (AMP)
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV)
Greek definition of Holy : Strong’s Concordance
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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