In continuing the topic of Are You Cheating On God, before we begin to dig in deeper, lets revisit what Cheating On God is. Self perception is often the common cause of us Cheating On God. It’s always in what WE think God will allow or what WE think we can or can’t do. In the book of Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) it tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Many of us pick and choose what to give to God and what to keep to ourselves. Often times the things we keep to ourselves are the very things we should give to God. Now you may ask, “what does this have to do with Cheating On God?” but you can knowingly and unknowingly be doing this. In acknowledging God in ALL your ways, you minimize the chances of confusion, miscommunication, misdirection and you begin to walk closer to God’s will for your life.

There was a story of a woman who through all the tugging on her heart, finally decided to surrender all and follow Christ. She had a group of friends that she hung with that were the complete opposite of her now. Months before surrendering to Christ her friends wouldn’t have had to go looking for her to go out drinking or smoking with them. This is what they all did before she met Jesus. Asking her to join them, she was now facing something that was once a certainty…now it’s a choice or question of loyalty. Then here comes the tough choice. Will you give in to the old life you once had, the old desires you endlessly searched after with those friends whom you have been through thick and thin with…or be faithful to God who rescued you from a life of sin and saved you from death?

As followers of Christ we face many challenges on this narrow path. What used to be acceptable or culturally normal to us then is now disrespectful to the relationship we now have with God. Our culture is basically the way life is in a particular setting, what people do, think and believe. Because something is their culture doesn’t make it right. In her culture, drinking and smoking was the norm even at family gatherings. When she became a follower of Christ, her culture didn’t change but her actions to the culture around her did. Its obvious this woman has become a new person. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) it tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Before she didn’t know how her actions offended God but now as a child of His, she understands the things she once did were offensive to Him. Now, the decision to go out drinking and smoking is one made based on loyalty. Often times there is always going to be something that will conflict with our relationship with Christ…there is always a choice to be made. Our decision reflects where our alliance lies. Those decisions are often hard but God desires for us to make our decision based on the relationship we have with Him.

Many of us face similar obstacles. Maybe its not drinking and smoking, maybe its commitment, submission to Christ or even our fleshly desires compared to what God asks of us. Matthew 11:30 (ESV) says, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” In this alone God is allowing us to know that what He has for us is not hard to obtain, but the reward is in Him. Soon all these things we seek after will fade away and become no more. Are you willing to replace a love that’s unconditional with something this world provides that’s temporary? There is no greater love than the love that Christ provides for His people. I challenge you today, to ask God to reveal to you “areas” where you need to change and improve but allow Him the lead in the restoring process. For our help is in the Lord!

Be Blessed!