The Straight And Narrow

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

“acknowledge Him;” it is not a mere theoretic acknowledgment that is meant, but earnest penetrating cognizance, engaging the whole man. (Keil and Delitsch)

Acknowledge God in your jobs, in your classes, in your relationships, in your dwelling places, in your extracurricular activities, in a local church, in ministry, to your friends, to your parents, to your children, and to your teachers. Acknowledge Him by reading your Bible, by meditating on His truth, by memorizing Scripture, by practicing truth, by teaching scripture, and by letting your light shine.  Acknowledge Him by truly following him on the straight and narrow path.

Luke 9:61-62 ESV Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." (62) Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Men often say, I want to follow You Lord

     BUT...

Lord, let me see if my parents approve
Lord, let me get married...Once I have a family, I will follow You
Lord, let me first raise my kids...Then I’ll follow You
Lord, let our kids graduate high school...We work so much and are
     so busy...They have so many activities...When that's over we'll
     follow You then we’ll we’ll follow You
Lord, I want to follow now, BUT I want my boyfriend/husband or
     girlfriend/wife to follow as a pre-condition
Lord, I will follow You, BUT let me retire first
I would like to follow You Lord, BUT it’s too late now.
Lord, If I haven't followed YOU wholeheartedly already,
     what's the use?

Matthew 7:21 ESV "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

True acknowledgement of God is following the Lord.  True faith results in true following.  God's path is straight, His path is narrow, and He enables us to walk on the straight and narrow.  On which path are you?  What does your path say about your relationship to God?

How Should I Answer Temptation?

1 John 2:16 ESV For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.

• Jesus answered the desire of the flesh with Scripture

Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with a fleshly desire, whether it be a sexual temptation, substance abuse temptation, or a temptation to overeat. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the desire of the eyes with Scripture

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 ESV It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. (14) You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you-

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the desire of the eyes, whether it be a job that seems like it will give us, fame, fortune, or glory. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the pride of life with Scripture

Matthew 4:7 ESV Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the pride of life, whether it be a gimmick in which we seek to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes for our own glorification or combating a misrepresentation of Scripture/faith . Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter? Tell the tempter to “Go away!” as Jesus did.

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! ..."