A Time To Review #8

Last week, we looked at the ideas of embracing.  We examined what times are appropriate to embrace and when we should refrain from embracing things.  There were some similarities and differences with these two seasons.  We examine these differences today and look to uncover further information from these seasons.

What's the difference?

There is an obvious difference between the two seasons.  One teaches us to embrace, or take on, the things and challenges presented to us while the other cautions us to refrain from taking things on.  While that's pretty cut and dry, there is a reason for the differences.  The season of embracing comes from an opportunity God presents us.  The season of refraining from embracing comes when the influence of the world or our own ideas try to sway us.  This seems pretty easy to identify, but what happens when we face the challenge of both seasons at once?

What to embrace and what not to embrace?

The enemy is cunning and he's not going to present his ideas as being wholly separate from God's.  Moreover, he's not going to wait for God to get out of the way so he can present his opportunities on their own.  Often times we face the ideas, challenges and opportunities of God juxtaposed against those from the world and the enemy.  This is done to confuse us into embracing the wrong things and to miss out on embracing the things God has for us.

The devil also tries to frame his offerings as being from us.  He's hoping that we'll succumb to the same sin as he did: pride.  If he can get us to listen to our own carnal desires and fleshly "needs", Satan knows we'll make the worldly choice every time because our flesh is naturally sinful.  

So how do we avoid falling for Satan's traps?  How do we disseminate between what is from God and what is from the world?  How do make sure it's God's voice and not our own or the world we are listening to?  The answers to being successful in these seasons are fairly straightforward.

Getting in tune with God

We can better understand which opportunities are from God and which are from the world if we are in regular communication and relationship with God.  When we talk with Him and listen for Him regularly, it's easy to know which idea is from Him and which is not.  

Also, taking a fast day per week also gets us in tune with God because it denies our flesh.  The more we can separate from the carnal man the less influence our flesh and the world has on us.  

Finally, getting into regular scripture reading will allow you to know exactly how God feels about certain subjects.  Every subject relating to man is found within the Bible and every situation we will face has been covered.  If we look hard enough, we'll see exactly what's worth embracing and what's needing to be refrained from.  

What do you think?  How hard is it for you to know what to embrace in life?  Do you ever worry about which decision to make in your spiritual walk and life in general?  Share with us below and how the tactics above and other methods have aided you in making the right choices.  You never know who you'll aid.