Are you stuck in a pattern of destructive behavior that is difficult to obliterate once and for all? Read on for an escape plan for your deliverance.
The clue comes from a letter from the Apostle Paul to his apprentice, Timothy. Paul warns of difficult times that will come in the last days. The difficult times come because of what men choose to love.
The list is a long one, demonstrating the many alternatives to loving God. It is recited in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 and is repeated below:
…Men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
Do you struggle with any of the destructive behavior listed above? Do you want to escape into a more peaceful existence?
Self effort focused on eliminating a destructive pattern of behavior is often not enough. We can make intentions to do better, but then in a moment of weakness fall again into behavior we want to change. How do we break out?
The key in Paul’s writing to Timothy are the words “rather than”. All these destructive behaviors fill the vacuum in a life that is not full of the love of God. If we fill our life with the love of God, these other undesirable things will be crowded out of our life. There will be no room for them.
How do we cultivate a love of God? The answer is found in leading an obedient Christian Life.
Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, used a Wheel illustration to represent an obedient Christian life. The spokes of the wheel, represents connections we make with God. The vertical spokes are prayer and Bible reading. The horizontal spokes are fellowship and witnessing.
As you invest time in prayer, Bible reading, fellowship and witnessing, you will find your love for Jesus warmed and other distractions crowded out.