Question #3: What Temptations Distract You?
The key question from the third soil is this: What temptations keep distracting you from your calling? What decisions have you made that keep derailing you What are your struggles or even generational sins passed down to you?
Take an honest look at your life. Is it possible that there are ways you are undermining yourself? What do you need to adjust and sacrifice to make strides forward?
We have a great example to learn from when we look at the ministry of Titus.
Paul traveled all across the Middle East and what is now Europe reaching out to people and starting churches. He traveled with others. You and I can be mentored by Paul when we read and apply what we learn from his letters.
Often when one of those he was mentoring was ready, he would leave them in a city with the task of carrying on their work without Paul. In one situation, Paul left Titus in Crete. Titus’ goal was described in Titus 1:5
Titus 1:5 (NIV)
“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”
Paul goes on to describe elders as spiritual overseers who have integrity. They aren’t corrupt or given to stealing or drunkenness. Instead, they are slow to anger, trustworthy, hospitable, and demonstrate self-control. They are faithful to their spouse, and they know and live out the truths found in the Scriptures.
Paul points out to Titus that he realizes what a difficult task this is because there weren’t a lot of people in Crete that matched that description. In fact, Paul says in Titus 1:12-13a:
One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”This saying is true.
Even to this day, to refer to someone as a Cretan is not a compliment.
Sounds like a tall task! “Titus, I want you to turn Cretans, people who are always liars, evil brutes, and gluttons into spiritual overseers.”
Titus’ goal was to create a community in which evil people became overseers, a community where unlikeable people became world class leaders.
We see it right here in Scripture: People are invited to come as they are, but they don’t have to stay that way!
So then, what is the process Titus used and Paul used to help people become intentional and make progress in changing their character? They were going into all sorts of crazy places with very broken people who had no Christian background and even no understanding of a loving and just God.
Intentional people take off the old by putting on the new, take thoughts captive to renew their minds, and eliminate bad habits by living out the good habits they want to be true of them.
To help Titus enable the Cretans to become more intentional and less distracted by their destructive habits and pursuits, Paul writes these words:
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,and to live self-controlled,upright and godly lives in this present age,
"Grace helps us say 'no' to ungodliness."
God's part in helping us become who we were created to be is his grace - the love He lavishes on us even though we don’t deserve it.
Our part (and He helps us even with this) is motivated by our gratitude
As Erwin McManus writes in Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul: “Gratitude means we are thankful for what we have and not mad about what we don't have.”
We need to reflect on all of the great things that God has given us. Most of us have life, breath, health, family, friends, freedom, a new life in Christ, and so on. He has done so much for us and given so much to us! Our lives should be motivated by a deep sense of gratitude. We should passionately serve Him and follow Him willing to endure any trial that comes our way.
I have been so inspired when I've met people with far less live with a tremendous sense of gratitude for even the little they have.
They have discovered a secret: when we are compelled by gratitude to become the best version of ourselves, we become fruitful – transformed and transforming others.
Answering these last two questions - what trials have slowed me down? what temptations have distracted me? - are important because it helps us take account of the pain in our lives and helps when we come up with our strategy for moving forward. Often we are haunted by the selfish, mean, evil, and stupid choices of others, but too often we don’t see how our own choices have been part of the pain we’ve experienced. Taking into account the trials AND the temptations helps us determine why we aren’t moving forward and helps us better answer the final question: what sacrifices do you need to make?
Before we get to this next question, spend time answering the following:
For more on overcoming temptations, read the Becoming Intentional Snippet (coming 7/16/14!).