Category Archives: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Sinning After Salvation

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Charles Stanley

1 John 2:1-2

How many times have you sinned since you received Jesus as your personal Savior? This is an impossible question to answer. The harsh reality is that every single person sins—yes, including Christians.

All transgression, before or after salvation, stems from the desire to have our needs met apart from God. Whenever we take matters into our own hands and operate outside of His will, we are headed down a sad, sinful road.

Faith in Christ brings many things—a new relationship with God, a new spirit, a new outlook on life—but it doesn’t eradicate all traces of our old life. We still have the same body and the same mind, which can lead to some of the same difficulties.

Why do we still sin after salvation? It is because old “programming” directs our thinking in certain patterns, which leads us into trouble. War has been declared in our lives, as our “flesh” struggles against the new life brought about by Christ. If we do not make a commitment to retrain our minds, we can expect a lifetime of trouble.

Scripture offers the remedy for this ongoing conflict: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). That is to say, we must intentionally fill our minds with the things of God, allowing Him to realign our thoughts.

Where are your thoughts taking you today? Are you grounding your thinking in Scripture, or does your thinking simply lead you aimlessly through life? That way leads to sin. Begin now to focus your mind on the Lord.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Courage to Obey

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Charles Stanley

How would your closest friends describe you—courageous or cowardly? And when you face a difficult situation, what is your most overpowering emotion? Is it self-preservation or the desire to stand for what is right and true?

Following God is never simple or easy for any one. It takes courage. A passion to obey the Lord doesn’t suddenly appear in the believer’s life. Salvation sparks love and a desire to please Him, but a courageous fire is built slowly from the timbers of spiritual knowledge, faith, and devotion.

Obedience usually begins with a healthy fear of the consequences resulting from disobedience. Until believers build a firm foundation of biblical knowledge and trust that offers better reasons to follow God, we are kept safe by the desire to avoid harsh repercussions. Thankfully, as we mature and gain greater wisdom from Scripture reading, prayer, and life experience, fear gives way to the recognition of God’s sovereignty and submission to His plans.

Following God’s will shifts our focus from the consequences of disobedience to the blessings of obedience. Once we taste the best He has to offer, we want to keep His goodness flowing into our lives. Obedience and God’s best are natural partners—good derives from following divine commands, while suffering is the result of stubbornly choosing our own way. This irrevocable principle plays out in the Bible and in day-to-day life. Every act of submission is rewarded, either on earth or in heaven. In becoming more aware of how blessing follows obedience, we realize that complying with the Lord’s will is the only wise choice.

As our faith grows, we will learn that devotion is a much more powerful motivator than any blessing the Lord might provide. All the promised blessings in the world won’t compel a believer to follow God into some frightening places. But love for our Father moves us toward passionate obedience, no matter what is at stake.

The man and the woman who courageously walk with God will always reach their destination.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Confident about Conversion

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Charles Stanley

Colossians 2:5-14

If you are to stand firm against Satan’s schemes, it is necessary to clear up any confusion you might have regarding your coming to faith in the Savior. Therefore, let’s consider three crucial steps that characterize the conversion process:

1. You must know something. You can never fully appreciate the significance of your conversion until you grasp what your condition was, apart from the Savior. Ephesians 2:1 makes it perfectly clear that, left to ourselves, we were all spiritually dead. If the Father had not provided our salvation through His Son, there would be no eternal life for any of us.

2. You must believe something. The good news is that the Lord did not leave us to our own devices. He provided a means of salvation that is open to all people. Ephesians 2:4-9 explains that our loving heavenly Father, of His own initiative, provided the means by which we can be free of our sin debt and dwell with Him forever.

3. You must receive something. In order to own any gift, you must first open your hands and receive it. The Father is reaching out to mankind, offering His free gift of salvation. Once you have received what He offers, it’s yours to keep—forever (Rom. 10:9-13).

Are you a believer who is empowered by God’s Spirit and specifically gifted to do a certain work? . . . who goes about the task which the Lord has assigned? . . . and who is completely confident about salvation? Then you are a force to be reckoned with! If you have known, believed, and received God’s gift of salvation, take your stand today.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Loved but Lost

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Charles Stanley

John 3:15-17

Many people assume that since God is loving, He will make a place for everyone in heaven. They do not grasp the basic truths about “lost” and “saved”:

1. All people start life as “lost” beings. Since he was the first man, Adam served as representative of the human race. When he sinned against God (Gen. 3), his spirit became one of rebellion and sinfulness (Rom. 5:12). That “sin nature,” which is passed along to each generation, results in our being “lost.” Neither our deeds nor the fact of God’s love are the determining factors.

2. Mankind is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). When Adam sinned, his intimate relationship with God died. We, his descendants, are born into that state. Although we are physically alive at birth, our spirit—the only part of us that can relate to God—is dead.

3. We are eternal beings. Because we are made in God’s image, our souls are eternal. Yet Scripture tells us that those who reject Christ as Savior will perish. (John 3:16). This does not mean annihilation; rather, the “lost” will experience consciousness after physical death but will be separated eternally from God.

4. New birth is required (1 Peter 1:3). To have a relationship with our heavenly Father requires that the part of us that has been dead to God now be made alive. When we trust in Jesus, the very life of God is born in us, and we move from being spiritually dead and lost to being alive and saved.

Our heavenly Father, out of love for us, provided just what we needed—a Savior. Start spreading the truth!

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Number One Priority of Life

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Charles Stanley

Luke 10:38-42

While heading to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped in Bethany to spend some time with friends He loved—Lazarus and his two sisters. As Martha was rushing around preparing a meal, Mary sat listening to the Lord.

In those days, culture dictated that a woman served the men in the house. By resting at Jesus’ feet, Mary was defying her society’s conventions. But this was a woman who cared more for her Lord than for doing what was culturally appropriate. When Martha complained, Jesus gently explained that her sister was making the right choice. The number one priority was to spend time with Him.

What was true for Mary and Martha is true for us today. Every believer needs to carve out personal time with God. There are many Christians who think that they prove their love for the Lord by going to church, tithing their income, and sharing the gospel. All these things are important, but actions are empty unless we are connecting with God personally on a regular basis. Doing so demonstrates how much we value our relationship with Him, since the people we spend time with are those we love most.

Believers often rationalize by saying they are too busy. We tell ourselves, I just need to finish a few things, and then I’ll pray and read the Bible, but there always seems to be a new task to replace each completed one. We must choose to make time for the Lord.

Changing our schedule to give God His rightful place can be difficult. But no other relationship in life equals what we have with the Lord when we make Him our top priority.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Pathway of Peace

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 4:6-7

All of us have responsibilities—whether regarding work, family, community, or church—and we may rightly feel some concern about how to carry out these commitments. When our natural cares get out of balance, the result is anxiety.

Though Paul faced an inordinate number of trials (2 Cor. 11:23-28), he was able to say, “Be anxious for nothing.” He understood that anxiety reveals a lack of faith—it’s not possible to be worried while fully trusting God. Fretfulness also takes a toll by draining energy and dividing the mind. Besides that, disproportionate apprehension prevents effective service to the Lord by keeping one’s focus self-centered rather than God-centered.

To keep concerns in balance, we must present our requests to God (Phil. 4:6), who is ready, willing, and totally sufficient to handle every care we bring Him. We do this by . . .

• Prayer. The Greek word implies worship and appreciation for God’s attributes, not some panicky thought tossed His way.

• Supplication. Our cry of humility conveys total helplessness and dependence upon almighty God.

• Thanksgiving. We are to approach God without blame or complaint, but with gratefulness that He will ultimately use the difficulty for our good, as He has promised (Rom. 8:28).

Philippians 4:7 says that when we bring God our requests in this way, the result will be His wonderful, inexplicable peace. Realizing this, we should learn to go to Him first—not as a last resort.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Standing on Our Principles

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Charles Stanley

Revelation 2:12-17

We all admire men and women of principle who are ready to pay a heavy price for what they believe. At the same time, we do well not to trust everyone who displays conviction. As we see all too often in the news, it is possible to have unsound beliefs that are not based on Scripture.

Even as Christians, we have to be careful, or we could easily mistake personal preferences for convictions. We cannot afford to build our life’s foundation with any materials that are not totally scriptural. The apostle Paul told us that the quality of each man’s work will be tested by fire (1 Cor. 3:13), and that includes what we believe.

Such a test came to a church in a little town called Pergamum in Asia Minor. It was a foul place—Jesus even said that Satan’s throne was there. Evil men were disseminating the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans throughout the local church. A man named Antipas, however, felt strongly that this teaching was wrong and should be confronted. So he stepped forward to oppose it, at the cost of his life.

Yes, Antipas was killed, but listen to the tribute the Lord Himself gave: He referred to this saint as “My witness, My faithful one.” And He commended the church in Pergamum with these words: “You hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas” (Rev. 2:13).

Thank God that the trial of our faith, even though tested by fire, will “result in praise and glory and honor at the revela- tion of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Convictions: Our Defense

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Charles Stanley

Genesis 39:1,4,6-9

The only way that you’re going to build a defense against untruth is to saturate your mind with truth. You must, therefore, spend time in the Bible, undergirding your belief system with God’s reality so you can easily spot error.

This is similar to the way a chef creates his own version of a well-known recipe. While adjusting ingredients, he conducts repeated taste tests; only by checking his creation against the original cuisine can he determine the accuracy of his recipe. Otherwise, it would be as futile as trying to produce Coquilles St. Jacques by comparing the flavors to a fast-food sandwich!

God’s Word is our standard. Look over your belief system. What do you believe about marriage? Is it for life? Or do you believe it’s okay to bail whenever it becomes inconvenient or cramps your style? And what about children? Friends? Finances? Morality? Church? What about those “hot button” social issues we hear so much about?

If you are unsure where to stand on any of these issues, then it is imperative that you sit down with a Bible and begin researching until you hear God’s answers. Find Scripture concerning each area, and ask the Holy Spirit, “What does this passage really mean?”

Do not simply ask, “How can I interpret this passage in a way to suit myself?” The world operates by that philosophy, which is known as moral relativism. Instead, ask the Lord to mold your convictions through His Word. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit will equip and embolden you to stand for what you believe.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Friendship with the Lord

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Charles Stanley

Would you like to know God? Would you like to be sure that you’re following His will? If you are a believer, more than likely your answer is “yes.” But you may not know how. Even if you read your Bible faithfully, pray daily, tithe, and attend church regularly, you may sense that something is lacking in your relationship with Him.

Perhaps you believe God loves you. But have you experienced the depth of His affection in an intimate and personal way? Until you begin to understand His nature and character, a spiritual window shade will remain closed in your life. You may know right from wrong in certain areas, but it’s important to know why God wants you to live a certain way. Once you begin to understand the way the Lord thinks and operates, you will know Him better. You will be able to grasp that He loves you with an eternal love. And as your knowledge of God deepens, your desire to please Him will naturally increase.

What is required?

I believe the Father reveals Himself to those who hunger to know Him. Consider how Moses responded to the burning bush: he drew near to it and was eager to know the one true God. Later he prayed, “If I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You so that I may find favor in Your sight” (Ex. 33:13, emphasis added). It is obvious that Moses had one clear goal: to know his Creator, not simply know about Him. He wanted to relate to God on an intimate level—something much deeper than simply realizing that He exists. Moses’ quest to know the Lord led him to a relationship with the Almighty that changed his life forever.

In order to draw near to God, we must be willing to seek Him fervently, rather than pursuing solely our own comfort or ambitions. For example, David passionately sought the Lord and His ways. He wrote, “As the deer pants for water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:1-2). As a result, he became the person the Lord called “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22 NIV).

And consider Mary, the mother of our Savior—she made a sacrificial choice to surrender to God’s will. When the angel told Mary she would bear a child conceived of the Holy Spirit, she knew obedience would make her life difficult. Yet she replied, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

As Moses, David, and Mary discovered, getting to know God may include walking with Him through life’s darkest valleys. But in these times, we gain tremendous insight into the Father’s character. Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned have come as a result of inexpressible heartache. God could have spared me from disappointment, but that was not His will for my life. He had greater things He wanted to teach me, and they could be learned only through sorrow and suffering.

Should we pray for trouble? No. But when it does strike, I counsel people to ask God to reveal what He wants them to learn through the situation. He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). And as we draw near to the Father, He will reveal “great and mighty things” to our hearts and minds (Jer. 33:3).

What about you?

Perhaps you’ve wondered, Where is God? What is He like? Can I know Him personally? Does He care about me? The good news is that the Lord is here, right now, right beside you. His presence is with you constantly. The Lord calls to you as He did to Moses—inviting you to draw near and learn of His ways so that you may know and experience the depths of His lovingkindness.

My desire is for you to pray, “Let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight” (Ex. 33:13). When you begin to understand God’s mind and the way He works, you suddenly have the right tools to live an abundant life—one that is full and complete. Beyond this, you will have the Holy Spirit abiding within you, and He delights in supplying you with knowledge, love, peace, joy, intimacy, and hope. You will never know all there is to know about the Father’s ways, but you will learn quickly that He is in control and willing to guide you at every turn.

Nothing is more valuable than knowing God. The world may entice you to search for wisdom in any number of ways, but there is only one Source of ultimate truth. He patiently waits to reveal Himself to you.

 

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Condemned No More

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Charles Stanley

Romans 8:33-39

Every person is born under condemnation. Because of Adam and Eve’s rebellious decisions in the garden of Eden, each person born since then has come into the world with an inherent sin nature. Consequently, everyone needs a Savior, and God has graciously and lovingly provided one in His Son Jesus Christ. Those who reject Him remain under condemnation. Their guilty verdict has not been overturned, so they owe the penalty for violating God’s laws.

Perhaps this seems unfair to you. It is important to remember that God has always facilitated our unfettered communion with Him, even though He alone is perfectly holy and righteous. The reason He created Adam and Eve with free will is that He didn’t want us to be robots—He wanted to enjoy real love and fellowship with His children.

But those first human beings fell because they made poor decisions, as any of us would have. How wonderful that God offered to restore our relationship with Him through Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is the Creator, so we truly have no right to question His plan. And yet the Lord has been magnanimous and amazingly loving throughout history. We deserve nothing, but He’s given us everything—including access to Him at any time.

 

Instead of condemnation, eternal security is ours once we place trust in Jesus as Savior. Praise God! We’ve been liberated from the penalty of our sin and are free to live forever in Christ’s nurturing and instructive grace.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Conviction or Condemnation

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Charles Stanley

Romans 8:1-2

Sometimes it’s easy even for believers to become confused, because emotions can be very tricky. For this reason, it is unwise to trust feelings or base our decisions upon them.

But what about those times when you are unsure? You can probably recall periods when you thought you were sensing conviction from the Holy Spirit but wondered whether it might instead be condemnation from the Enemy. There is a difference between emotion and true conviction, which means an awareness of wrongdoing (John 16:7-8). The Holy Spirit prompts conviction of sin as an expression of His love because He wants to keep you on the right path. One sure way to distinguish conviction by the Holy Spirit is that He will always identify something specific (Ps. 51:3-4; Luke 22:60-62). God won’t hesitate to put His finger on whatever is outside of His will.

Conversely, the Enemy will try to inspire feelings of condemnation and guilt by whispering something like, “You call yourself a Christian? You’re a poor excuse for somebody who claims to be one of God’s children.” The Enemy wants you so weighed down that you become ineffective for the Lord. When believers listen to that deceitful voice, they can become incapacitated by the untruths from the Father of Lies.

The Holy Spirit uses conviction positively—to warn against danger or lovingly nudge an erring believer back onto the course the Lord designed for his or her life. Thankfully, this is one of God’s unceasing acts of love.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Jesus Came to Set Us Free

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Charles Stanley

Luke 4:14-19

On returning to His hometown, Jesus entered the synagogue and—to the amazement of all who were listening—read His job description from the book of Isaiah. Perhaps some people in that congregation were confused by His statement that He was sent to release captives and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). Who were those captives? Was He going to storm the prisons?

Jesus was talking about spiritual bonds, not physical ones. Everyone is born with a sinful nature, and we’re all enslaved to sin until that bondage gets broken by faith in the Savior. But even after salvation, Jesus is continually setting us free from things that entrap us, hindering our relationship with Him. He delivers us . . .

• From error: The Word of God protects us from the misconceptions and lies that Satan and his world system use to bombard us.

• From evil deeds: God’s indwelling Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and live a righteous lifestyle.

• From emotional bondage: The Lord doesn’t want us to be controlled by fear, guilt, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, or inadequacy, which steal the peace and joy Christ promised. When we learn to trust Him in every situation, He’ll set us free from these negative emotions.

Many Christians live in bondage with-out realizing it. They know something is wrong but can’t straighten out their lives. Despite all their efforts to “be better,” they keep failing. No prisoner has the key to unlock the door, but Jesus is standing outside the cell, calling, “Trust Me, and I will set you free!”

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Nagging Sense of Dissatisfaction

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Charles Stanley

Isaiah 55:1-2

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the refrigerator, trying to find something to satisfy a vague sense of emptiness or discontent? You aren’t looking for anything specific, but you know you want to fill a longing. Whatever you choose will probably not do the trick, because the empty spot is not in your stomach but in your soul.

Whether the substance is food, career, possessions, or relationships, our souls are continually trying to find satisfaction. But nothing in this world will fill the void. Since we were created for relationship with God, He placed deep within us a yearning for Him. Though we may not recognize it as such, everyone knows the feeling of dissatisfaction that at times seeps into our souls. Any time we seek fulfillment with worldly substitutes, disappointment and disillusionment are sure to follow.

There are two possible menus from which we can choose to fill our emptiness. Satan’s menu is long and full of enticing things that seem to promise gratification

and pleasure. These could include riches, relationships, prominence, acceptance, or recognition. Whatever he offers looks like the good life that will bring content–ment, but it’s a deception. God’s menu, on the other hand, is quite small. In fact, it lists just one “item”—Jesus. He is the only one who can fill the void.

Have you found the satisfaction you seek, or is there always a vague sense of discontent in your soul? Make Jesus your highest priority, and spend focused, unhurried time with Him, He’ll satisfy you as nothing else can.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Divine Power That Is in the Believer

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Charles Stanley

John 16:5-15

In Matthew 13:11, Jesus told the disciples, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to [the crowd] it has not been granted.” As followers of Christ, we, too, have the privilege to know all of the truths God has chosen to reveal in Scripture.

But do you ever feel as if other believers are somehow in on a secret that you don’t know? Do you ever have the sense that they have managed to solve the mystery of how to rejoice in suffering, conquer sin, forgive the unforgivable, or live a life of love in ways you haven’t yet discovered?

If that’s your situation, then I have good news for you. So draw near to hear, and open your eyes to see the truth: The secret to living the Christian life is to become best friends with the Holy Spirit. He has all the right qualities for that role and will not disappoint you—the Bible teaches us that the Spirit of God is someone we can lean on, who helps us make the right decisions, and with whom we can share our deepest feelings (John 14:17; 16:13; 2 Cor. 13:14).

And the Holy Spirit offers believers much more. He loves us, protects us, and assists when we pray. He also works in and through us with divine power, and helps us to become like Jesus.

God’s Spirit is a person with whom we can have a close personal relationship—and He has our best interest at heart. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you through the Scriptures, and then be prepared to have a friend unlike any earthly companion—one who is with you constantly, whispering of your heavenly Father’s mercy and your Savior’s love.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Who Is the Holy Spirit?

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Charles Stanley

John 14:16-18

If you were asked who the Holy Spirit is, would you say He’s a ghost, a power, or a person? The Bible clearly teaches that God’s Spirit is a person, and He . . .

• Is a member of the Godhead. The Trinity includes God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

• Acts like a person. He lives, testifies, teaches, convicts, guides, and speaks.

• Has a personality, shown by knowledge, thoughts, will, and language (1 Cor. 2:13).

• Has many names, including Spirit of Holiness, Spirit of Christ, and Spirit of God, which all indicate His divine nature.

• Can be treated—or mistreated—like any person: He can be lied to, resisted, obeyed, and called upon.

Yet many believers don’t think of God’s Spirit as someone they can know. Perhaps these Christians have misconstrued verses that speak of the “Holy Ghost,” or received incomplete teaching about Him. Or maybe, when reading about His power, they assume “power” is all He is. It could even be that their church may have focused on the Father and/or Son to the exclusion of the Spirit.

If we believe anything less than what Scripture teaches about the Holy Spirit, then we will experience far less of the victorious Christian life than God intended. That would delight Satan, because he doesn’t want us to know the whole truth.

The remedy is easy: Ask the Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures about Himself so you can know Him in all His fullness. He’s the one who will help you find in Christ a life that is radiant, powerful, fragrant, satisfying, and victorious. What are you waiting for?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Role in the Nation We Love

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Charles Stanley

Freedom is one of the most-prized human ideals, and as Americans, we are blessed to live in a nation where we can serve God with unreserved obedience. Throughout our great history, people have fought and given their lives to be liberated from tyranny. We know that the rights and privileges we enjoy today have come at an awesome price.

So as we consider the price our Founding Fathers paid to sign the Declaration of Independence and provide us with national autonomy so many years later, I challenge you to consider both the freedom from oppression we enjoy in the United States, and the liberty from sin we have through Jesus Christ our Savior.

These are important subjects to consider because as our nation faces one crisis after another, we must be wise and watchful. The decisions being made and the direction the country will take in the months and years ahead are sure to impact many generations to come. If we continue to make the mistake of surrendering control of our lives and country to those who act contrary to God’s Word, we will find ourselves bound by the same chains our forefathers cast off so long ago.

That is why it is critically important for all Americans to seek and obey God, because it’s only through Him that we have true liberty to live life at its best.

Therefore, the first thing we need to do is make the choice to put the Lord first in everything we do. We must reject the destructive ways of the world and choose to live in submission to our heavenly Father (John 8:34–36).

Second, we must trust God to change the course and character of our nation. We are to be salt and light in our communities, stepping out in obedience with the faith that He will hear from heaven and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14).

Third, we are to fight this battle for America’s future on our knees. It is our duty as Christians to pray for our leaders in the hope that they will turn their hearts to do the will of God. Only He can transform them into men and women who will truly honor Him (1 Tim. 2:1–4).

We may not know who the next president will be or who will hold the seats of power throughout the land in the years to come, but we do know the King of kings and the Lord of lords. So let us embrace the freedom He’s given us and thank Him for liberating us to live for His name’s sake. May He bless you as you continue to serve Him with love and faithfulness, and may God continue to bless America.

 

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Wants and Needs: The Difference

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 4:19

Sometimes people perceive a desire as a necessity. The heart can become so consumed with a craving that fulfilling it feels critical to well-being. Then, unless God meets the “need,” frustration occurs.

Believers wondering why they’ve been neglected should honestly answer one question: Is my petition essential to achieving God’s purpose, or is it only for my enjoyment? Beyond basics like food and shelter, necessities might include money for a mission trip or counseling for a troubled marriage. If we can’t complete God’s plan without something, then it is a need, and He’ll answer when we bring the matter before Him in prayer (Phil. 4:19).

God is also pleased to satisfy desires that fit within the confines of His purpose and will. The things we long for bring pleasure, entertainment, or a sense of joy. Many are good and worth pursuing, but they become troublesome when we deem them essential for our plans. God isn’t obligated to grant wishes or fulfill any plans but His own. However, He says that those who seek Him won’t lack any good thing (Ps. 34:10). Matthew 6:33 tells us we are to pursue the Lord above all else. That means making our desires subject to His will. And when we “delight in the Lord” (Ps. 37:4), He’ll also shape our desires to be most beneficial.

The heavenly Father wants to be His children’s greatest delight—the One in whom fulfillment and satisfaction are found. When that is true in a believer’s life, then he or she does not require a lot of “stuff,” entertainment, or other people in order to be happy. Genuine joy is found in the Lord.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Ignoring the Conscience

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Charles Stanley

Are you making certain choices today that your conscience would not have allowed in the past? If so, you may have become desensitized over time.

As we discussed yesterday, God uses our internal “moral compass” along with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to direct our daily choices. The conscience serves as a protective “alarm system,” sounding an alert when a Christian is about to take part in ungodly behavior. But sin can throw off the system’s sensitivity.

The insidious process begins if we choose to disobey and then refuse to deal with our rebellion. The conscience warns us repeatedly, but it will eventually become “gummed up” and ineffective if we persist in ignoring the distress signal. When that happens, there are no longer any signals from the heart to point us back toward godliness. In other words, the conscience has become seared.

One way of looking at it is to imagine removing all of the traffic signals from a busy intersection: it is a recipe for disaster. Missing “red lights” in our life can deceive us into thinking “go” when we should be putting on the brakes.

Take an honest look to determine whether your internal signals are in good working order. If they are malfunctioning, repent before the Lord, and pursue accountability and fellowship with other believers. A healthy conscience is worth the effort.

Don’t delay. Scripture warns that we have a real Enemy who desires to lure us away from godliness and into destruction. God uses a clear conscience to guide, protect, and lead us into His light and peace.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Clear Conscience

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Charles Stanley

Acts 24:10-16

When facing hard decisions, do you pay attention to your conscience? Is trusting this inner voice always wise?

God gave everyone an internal “moral compass.” In fact, reflecting His truth within all men is one way that He reveals Himself to mankind. The conscience is a divine alarm system that warns us of oncoming danger or consequences. Its main purpose is protection and guidance.

But sin warps perception and can lead us astray. So it’s important to understand the difference between following your heart and allowing a clear conscience to help with decisions.

To make a determination, ask, What is the greatest influence on my morality?If the world’s system of what is acceptable has infiltrated your heart, then your conscience cannot be trusted. But if you have allowed God’s Word to permeate and transform your thinking (Rom. 12:2), that inner voice is likely dependable.

The Holy Spirit, along with a divinely informed conscience, guides believers. In order to maintain a healthy internal compass, we should continually meditate on Scripture. The Ten Commandments are a solid basis for morality, and we are wise to internalize them—especially the way that Jesus summarized them: to love God above all else and to love others (Matt. 22:36-40).

What would you say has the greatest impact on your belief system? Is it the truth of Scripture? Or do the world’s standards of right and wrong infect your heart? Almighty God knows what is best for you, His child—and He gave you a conscience to aid in making wise decisions.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Danger of Money

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Charles Stanley

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Money is a neutral commodity—it is inherently neither good nor evil. However, a strong yearning for wealth can cause great danger for our souls.

God created mankind to love Him, but ever since the temptation in the garden

of Eden, people have given their heart to lesser desires. Love of money not only robs God of His rightful place in our affections; it also steals contentment, leads to various temptations, and can cause us to wander from our Creator.

The amount of money we possess is not the source of the problem. The root originates in the desires of the heart. We never seem to think we have enough, no matter what our financial situation is. The lure of wealth promises pleasures and security, but if we devote ourselves to the pursuit of affluence, we will find that it does not satisfy. Even worse, it will ultimately lead to ruin and grief.

Mark 4:19 speaks of the “deceitfulness of riches.” Think back to a time when you purchased something you really wanted. Remember the delight you had in that item when it was new? What about now-—do you still feel the same joy, or has the pleasure decreased? The satisfaction of possession is fleeting and, therefore, requires the pursuit of more in an effort to regain the same feeling of gratification.

Lasting pleasure and security are found only in God. He “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). But if we let His tangible benefits become our main desire, we’ll lose our contentment. Seek the Lord through His Word and prayer—as you learn to delight in Him, you’ll discover enduring satisfaction for your soul.