An unqualified life

Have you noticed a tendency in your life to qualify statements in the Bible? I have. It seems to be something we do when our lives are trending downward toward compromise. We read commands that, on the surface, are simply stated, and then we play mental gymnastics to create the wiggle room necessary to convince ourselves that we’re obeying it even when we aren’t.

Let me give you an example. Proverbs 3:6 tells us:

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬, emphasis mine)

Naturally, we want to focus on that beautiful promise at the end, right? We thank God for loving us enough to make our paths straight, and yet we tend to miss the obvious words “all” and “acknowledge.” Let’s tackle them in reverse order.

The Hebrew word used for acknowledge is “yada” and it means “to know, to perceive, to consider.” But it also has the meaning of being made known and revealing yourself. In other words, this is a statement about a relationship. About bringing our relationship into every plan, every dream, and every decision we face.

When you read “every,” what went through your mind? Probably something like, “Wait, when you say every, you don’t mean every, right??”

But the verse is clear that we are to bring God into ALL our ways. Not some. Not just the areas we feel good about, but all. We want God to straighten what we won’t submit, and yet the promise is exactly the opposite. We submit our plans and He straightens our paths.

Want victory over porn? Invite God to browse the internet with you. Can’t stop complaining and being judgmental of others? Bring Jesus into your conversations. In all your ways, acknowledge Him.

That’s when He can get to work on the road before you. Stop qualifying what He clearly said, and He’ll start preparing paths that you can clearly see.

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