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Live Differently
Justin SmithDeuteronomy 18:9-13:
"When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you.But you must be blameless before the Lord your God.
It’s very easy in my rush to “do” devotions to skip over a passage like this because, after all, when was the last time I found myself caught up with burnt offerings and sorcery. Yet, the heart of God for me is present, even in an obscure passage like this, if I take the time to listen. With the Promised Land ahead, God had to remind His people of His plan. If they chose obedience and submission He was ready and willing to pour out His blessing and favor, but if they chose rebellion and pride they would have no greater enemy than He. If they wanted to be His people, submitting to His authority and Kingship, their lifestyles had to fall in line with His commands and Kingdom principles. Living under His calling, and receiving His covering, meant obeying His commands. To sum it up in two words, “Live Holy”. To live holy is to live separate or set apart. In other words, don’t live like they do. Live differently, live distinctly, live a life dedicated to Him.
Alright, so how do I apply this to my life? Again, I can’t remember the last time I concerned myself with burnt offerings and spell casting. The key is living differently. What is deemed acceptable in the eyes of man that God has called us to be set apart from? What has captured my heart that has distracted me from living differently and camouflaged my soul?
- Words: Whether it’s jokes, profanity, or all around negativity, do my words reflect that of God and His Kingdom. Maybe it’s gossiping, judging, or condemning others, which are all deemed as “acceptable” by the world yet angers the heart of God.
- Worship: Not in the sense of music, but what consumes my allegiance, my attention, and my time? Whether it’s social media, selfish living, or more stuff, what has captured my heart and worship?
- Willful Compromise: What compromises have I tolerated in my life because they are deemed as acceptable in other’s eyes? What things do I watch, listen to, or allow into my heart?
The key is to live a holy life; set apart from the ways of the world for the cause of Christ. Today, I will choose to live differently that He might find delight in me.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for straying from simple and pure devotion to you. Forgive me for allowing compromise to sneak into my life. I surrender my words, worship, and areas of willful compromise to you, and I choose to live a life that is set apart for your purposes.
