ARE YOU FORFEITING GOD’S BLESSINGS BY LIVING A LIFE OF PLEASING YOURSELF?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 
Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all 
goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. 
(Ephesians 5:8-10)

MEDITATION:
Whenever we have children who will soon be moving out on their own, 
we want to help them by giving them as much information as we can, right?
In the process of sharing our wisdom and expressing our concern for them, 
there is usually one thing we want to tell them to remember 
even if they forget everything else we have told them.

A mom may tell her son to always wear clean underwear 
in case they are in a car wreck.
I saw a cartoon that showed a policeman speaking to a mom and saying, 
“Mrs. Smith your son was in a car wreck and we have some bad news. 
Well, you see, unfortunately he was wearing dirty underwear”.
But on a serious note, we might say something like, 
“If anything happens, call me!”

Paul knew he would soon be leaving the Ephesians 
and he was trying to give them as much advice as he could before departing.
He told them how they should live as Gentile Christians 
and provided some specifics.
Paul reminded them that at one time they were living in sin (darkness), 
but because of Christ’s sacrifice and their decision to submit to Him, 
they should now be living as Christians (children of the light).

However, it seems that he wanted them to remember above all else,
that they should “FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD”.
This is great advice for us as well.

Whenever we live a life that is governed by doing what pleases the Lord, 
our life will consist of goodness, righteousness, and truth.
When we please Him, 
we will be good to others and have a sincere concern for their welfare.
Our concern will not be limited to words, but will include action.

When we please Him, our focus will shift from worldliness to Godliness.
The things that used to lure us into sin will be less attractive to us.
We will have a greater concern for the lost and we will prepare ourselves 
in advance to speak to them whenever God gives us opportunities.

When we please Him, we will be more sensitive to honesty and truth.
We will feel guilt when we lie and we will have 
a greater desire to be honest in spite of the consequences.
We will also know the boundaries of our honesty; 
that doesn’t mean we will be dishonest, but we will have the wisdom 
to know when some things should not be mentioned until the appropriate time.

Although it is not listed in this verse, I believe that when we please God 
(and ask for it), we will receive a new level of wisdom 
that prevents us from falling prey to the flattery of others.
Proverbs reminds us of how our true friends will be honest with us 
(even though we might not like it), while others with bad intentions 
will smother us with whatever it takes to manipulate us.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. 
(Proverbs 27:6)

I recently spoke to a high ranking person in the police department 
and he told me that there are countless situations where men are preying 
on women who are lonely and desperate for a relationship with a man.
He said their method is basically the same.

They tell a woman how beautiful they are and how much they are 
in love with them (and in some cases they promise to make them wealthy).
And sadly, it is a technique that works all too often.
He said that some women claim they are in love with a different man 
(and he loves them) many times within the span of a year.

Unfortunately, he said they will not listen to any advice from loved ones.
Instead they become angry and start defending the integrity of this person 
they have known for only a few months, and in some cases only weeks.
Once the hook is set, the predators start to manipulate the women 
in such a way that they get access to some of their finances.

When we please the Lord, we have a greater sensitivity to these kinds of 
ploys, and realize the importance of meeting new people in Godly places 
instead of through social media, bars, dating websites, etc.
The Lord tells us that He is the head of the church (which is His body).
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, 
his body, of which he is the Savior. (Ephesians 5:23)
It’s not to say that it couldn’t happen in places we consider safe, 
but when we are dedicated to pleasing God first, I believe He gives us 
the capability to let wisdom overrule our emotions, so we make wise decisions.

ACTION:
Is ‘finding out what pleases the Lord’ your number one priority?
If it is not and you are a Christian, it should be.
You cannot enjoy the blessing of fellowshipping with God 
if pleasing yourself has a higher priority than pleasing Him.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the advice in Your Word. Help 
me to adjust my lifestyle so that pleasing You is my highest priority. 
Show me how to open the door to Your blessings of goodness, 
righteousness, and truth by finding out what pleases You, and then 
pursuing those things. Thank You, Jesus for Your sacrifice for me 
so that I no longer have to live in darkness as I once did, but I can 
now live in the light of being a child of Yours.”