The Bible is filled with stories of people who fell short in reaching their full potential for God. There are several reasons why we miss the opportunities God gives us, and one of them is selfish pride.
Isn’t it interesting how easily we gravitate towards our own ideas and desires for God? In other words, you don’t have to convince me that my ideas are great! I’m my number one fan!
Well, if this attitude is in your heart, you’re not alone. Our tendency because of fallen humanity is to put ourselves first. We’re selfish and prideful by nature. But for a believer who has been set free from the bondage of selfishness and pride, we cannot hide behind this weak excuse.
Every day God is at work in us by His Spirit, conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ! That's because our flesh is always seeking to show up in our ministry pursuits.
One way to tell if we’re ministering with a carnal heart is to pay close attention to how we pray. Carnal prayers center around what we’re doing for God, as if God should be thankful to have us working in His kingdom. You know your prayer is selfish when you find yourself asking God to bless what you’re doing.
On the other hand, Spirit-led prayer is centered around coming into agreement with what God is doing. It takes a humble heart to pray right prayers before God. We have to realize that apart from Him we can do nothing, therefore, we're honored and privileged to join Him in His mighty work.
Spirit-led prayers are more interested in lining up under God, than getting God to line up under us. Unfortunately, quite a bit of what goes on in the ‘Name of the Lord’, isn’t really centered in God. We can easily deceive ourselves and place our desires at the center of His work.
That's why it's wise to begin prayer with the worship of God, and then practice what Jesus taught His disciples – pray, “Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
It’s a good reminder for us to consider that we're not the source of the good that comes to others. God is always the source. We’re simply the tool in God's hand. When we approach God with a humble desire to join Him in His work, we walk away with a richer, more full experience of blessing, which has eternal consequences.
Isn’t that what we’re really after? To know that by life’s end, we have joined God in His pursuits? If so, we have truly been led of His Spirit.
Let’s always give thanks for the privilege of joining God in His work!
Pastor Greg