Don't Open That Door

I know all of us at some time or another have watched one of those horror movies where there is a killer on the loose and he (for some weird reason) wants to start a killing spree in someone's home. Of course, the parent's are gone from the house and have left a babysitter to watch their kids. Then the weird events start to happen and we go through one sequence after another of bad mistakes. In almost every one of these movies the babysitter, or the kids at home hear a noise in another room. Then they approach the room and we are all going "Don't open the door, don't open the door. Turn and run." Do they do that though? Of course not. They open the door and a huge axe or knife comes out of the dark and kills them and you just want to say, DUH! When you are looking at TV or a movie screen it is so easy to be an armchair quarterback, when in reality we might do some of the same dumb things if we were in similar situations. We would like to think we would make moves to keep ourselves from getting killed by the crazed killer. The one that always gets me is when they know there is a killer in the house because there are dead bodies everywhere and they still keep opening those doors. It makes me want to say, "Excuse me Captain Obvious, you are now in idiot territory!"

How frustrating it must be for God to see His children fall again and again after His Word has made the killers so obvious. I had a friend who years ago made some wrong choices and his family was totally torn apart because he "opened that door." He let his own will become his gauge for life and God's Word was put on the shelf and became DEAD in his life. The Word of God, sharper than any two edged sword, set aside. DUH! Life is full of absolutes. If you try to live a life without God in control you will absolutely fail. If you try to dabble in things that are questionable (open the door) you will absolutely fail. If you think you can coast through your life as a believer, you will fail! Why? There is a cause to everything you do and knowing that cause can head off anything that might come your way. In James 4:1-2 he says, "you lust and do not have, so you commit murder." Do you see the cause? It is selfishness. It's the "I want what I want, and I want it now" syndrome. What causes selfishness? It's the "dark side" that is referenced in the Star Wars stories. You know, there is a constant battle between the dark and light side of the force and in that battle we have to always keep our armor in great shape. Selfishness causes us to put the armor down and walk away from the battle thinking we can distance ourselves from it, but the battle follows us and we are defenseless. God does not want us to be defenseless and He protects His own, but we must put our desires out of the equation and expel selfishness from our lives. You heard me! Step away from the me first attitude and let God be on the throne of your life. He must be Lord in all the areas of your life. If He is not, you will fail. I know that sounds so strong; so black and white. That's because it is. So, now that you know the cause, you can choose to keep the door closed to your own wants and desires that are contrary to God's Word. In doing that God will bless you and all those who come in contact with you. Remember, the killer is always going to be on the loose somewhere in the house. He wants to start a killing spree in your family. You will hear him and see evidence of things he's doing around you. What you need to do is make sure you don't open the door and let him destroy your life.

Ephesians 6: 10-12 (The Message)And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. If you will surrender to God He will protect you and your house and He will lead you through all the struggles of life. Also, He will lead you to a life of blessing and hope. Your selfishness will change into devotion to the one who saved you. Then the destroyer will be defeated.

ONE BIG QUESTION..Are you aware of the things around you that are killers trying to destroy your life? 

DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!!!

The Pilgrimage continues......

David Warren