Simple or Prudent?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:15,
"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

Have you ever sat down with God and asked Him to show you what your true beliefs are? Or, have you gone through your life as a Christian believing what others tell you to believe? I think we have all started out our walk with God trusting that our church family knows everything and that we should just follow in their footsteps. Most things are very easily determined. Like, it's easy to know that God does not want us to murder, lie, cheat, steal, lust, or covet. He wants us to 'serve Him and others' and He wants us to 'love our neighbor as ourselves'. But, what do you tend to do when someone speaks "truth" into your life and it just doesn't feel right? That's where God, the Holy Spirit, comes in. Acts 1:5 tells us, "For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." The word baptized means to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying. So, when we receive the gift of salvation, we are purified by the Holy Spirit in our spiritual beings. Therefore, God, the Holy Spirit, living IN US guides our steps and thoughts. When something is said or done that you have an uneasy feeling about, that is more than likely the Holy Spirit nudging you to take the time to "give thought to your steps."

I hate to use Halloween as an example, but that's what is on my heart at this time. For 17 years I have had an uneasy feeling about Halloween and it's symbolism. Again, God, the Holy Spirit was speaking to us, not necessarily what He would say to everyone. I'm not the one to make that decision. But, for our family, it was not the right thing to do by "celebrating" or "participating" in what we believe to be "fruitless deeds of darkness." We believe that the powers and principalities of darkness (hell) are roaming around on this night in more abundance than usual. They want to kill, steal, and destroy! This is their night, their big NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY! We tend to want to believe that all the spooky things we've heard about demons and satan are just stories, but they are very real. When we become Christians, our spirit is consumed with God's Holy Spirit and physically, spiritually, and emotionally cannot feel good about being a partner to such unholy things. It is my personal opinion that ALL Christians have this uneasy feeling, but rather choose to ignore it like I did for so many years. And, that's okay! God will purify us all in HIS TIMING! Anyway...all that to show that the Holy Spirit, living in us, guides our steps and allows us to choose for ourselves what is right and what is not. Pay close attention to that small voice inside your head that gives you an undeniable uneasy feeling. Recognize it for what it is, pray that God will speak to you in a clear voice with no distractions from the enemy. He will show you what your personal beliefs are! Choose to line your entire being up with those things which are of God and not of this world. Sometimes it makes us feel like we are different from everyone else, but stand firm in your faith. We are called to be imitators of Christ. We cannot accomplish this task if we are not in tune to His voice. If you don't think you hear from God, pray. Ask Him to reveal things to you in a more clear manner. He will do it. He loves you and will show you HIS ways.