Author’s Note: This is part of a 40 Day Lenten & Easter YWAP Devotional that explores self-sacrifice as it relates to the death and resurrection of Christ.
PLAYING THE "GOD-CARD"
The "God-Card", don't leave home without it! Yes my friends, if you're looking to get a heavenly hand to give you the upper hand in what you want, play the God-Card for an unfair advantage! Playing the God-Card is using God as your reason or excuse to make a decision as you cover up truth. People who play the God-Card come from both sides of the religious aisle; believers and non-believers.
Playing the God-Card is telling folks you're "holier-than-thou" while behaving in an underhanded manner. A guy will tell a girl he loves Jesus so he can try and have sex with her. Some guys go to church during their courtship of a woman and quit church after their married. People apply for jobs, rental apartments and negotiate better deals by portraying themselves as believers in God because the people they're dealing with are into God. "Hey I'm into God just like you, this was meant to be! God must want us to do this!"
God does bring people together. God does give us messages on a regular basis, but using God to gain an advantage is wrong. Many people have been fooled into accepting bad business deals or personal relationships by folks professing to have a relationship with God. We feel bad when we get burned, but rest assured God always takes care of business in the end. A simple way to put it is, "you reap what you sow."
“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG)
It's not wise to make decisions based upon someone's proclamation of believing in God. Decisions should be made after prayer and include some common sense. It's okay to take risks and show compassion, but God does want us to be frugal. Without frugality, generosity dries up. If you let somebody rent an apartment because they played the "God-Card" and they leave you in the lurch for thousands of dollars, you have to ask yourself if you made the right decision. You can't be generous and support people in need if a bad decision has left you in need. Wisdom makes decisions while including the revelation of God's Word. The Holy Spirit does talk to us in a still small voice, but God will never tell you to be dishonest in your relationships. The Word of God is the Truth of God and tells us how to live in the Way of God as our character displays the Life of God.
Some believers use the words, "God told me" so much it would lead one to believe that God is speaking to them in an unending rap song. Playing the God-Card as a believer, whether you think God has spoken to you or not, can lead to a stumbling block for unbelievers. Just for the sake of definition and clarity, a believer is someone who professes their faith in Jesus Christ and follows the Truth of the Bible. A non-believer is someone who has yet to make a personal connection with God through Christ. Both believers and non-believers play the God-Card. Be honest, be true, put other people before yourself and put God ahead of all things. There are ways to misuse the name of God and playing the God-Card is one of them. Let your character reveal what you believe in by the choices you make and the words you speak. It's okay to say that you think God is leading you to do something, but back it up with proof from His Word.
DAY 11 WORD
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
[that is, irreverently, in false affirmations
or in ways that impugn the character of God];
for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished
the one who [a]takes His name in vain
disregarding its reverence and its power].”
Exodus 20:7 (AMP)
Footnote: [a] “Using the name of God
in a casual, frivolous way establishes a mindset
that diminishes and dishonors the omnipotent God.
Using the name of God to abuse, manipulate, or deceive
invites judgment.”
HEART THOUGHTS
How much respect do you give God when you speak about Him?
HEART REFLECTIONS
Make an effort to create more holiness and reverence in your relationships when you speak of God.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
Playing the God-Card is telling folks you're "holier-than-thou" while behaving in an underhanded manner. A guy will tell a girl he loves Jesus so he can try and have sex with her. Some guys go to church during their courtship of a woman and quit church after their married. People apply for jobs, rental apartments and negotiate better deals by portraying themselves as believers in God because the people they're dealing with are into God. "Hey I'm into God just like you, this was meant to be! God must want us to do this!"
God does bring people together. God does give us messages on a regular basis, but using God to gain an advantage is wrong. Many people have been fooled into accepting bad business deals or personal relationships by folks professing to have a relationship with God. We feel bad when we get burned, but rest assured God always takes care of business in the end. A simple way to put it is, "you reap what you sow."
“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG)
It's not wise to make decisions based upon someone's proclamation of believing in God. Decisions should be made after prayer and include some common sense. It's okay to take risks and show compassion, but God does want us to be frugal. Without frugality, generosity dries up. If you let somebody rent an apartment because they played the "God-Card" and they leave you in the lurch for thousands of dollars, you have to ask yourself if you made the right decision. You can't be generous and support people in need if a bad decision has left you in need. Wisdom makes decisions while including the revelation of God's Word. The Holy Spirit does talk to us in a still small voice, but God will never tell you to be dishonest in your relationships. The Word of God is the Truth of God and tells us how to live in the Way of God as our character displays the Life of God.
Some believers use the words, "God told me" so much it would lead one to believe that God is speaking to them in an unending rap song. Playing the God-Card as a believer, whether you think God has spoken to you or not, can lead to a stumbling block for unbelievers. Just for the sake of definition and clarity, a believer is someone who professes their faith in Jesus Christ and follows the Truth of the Bible. A non-believer is someone who has yet to make a personal connection with God through Christ. Both believers and non-believers play the God-Card. Be honest, be true, put other people before yourself and put God ahead of all things. There are ways to misuse the name of God and playing the God-Card is one of them. Let your character reveal what you believe in by the choices you make and the words you speak. It's okay to say that you think God is leading you to do something, but back it up with proof from His Word.
DAY 11 WORD
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
[that is, irreverently, in false affirmations
or in ways that impugn the character of God];
for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished
the one who [a]takes His name in vain
disregarding its reverence and its power].”
Exodus 20:7 (AMP)
Footnote: [a] “Using the name of God
in a casual, frivolous way establishes a mindset
that diminishes and dishonors the omnipotent God.
Using the name of God to abuse, manipulate, or deceive
invites judgment.”
HEART THOUGHTS
How much respect do you give God when you speak about Him?
HEART REFLECTIONS
Make an effort to create more holiness and reverence in your relationships when you speak of God.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
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