Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Dangling Carrots

Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

I'm not sure this verse has a whole lot to do with my topic today but it is the verse God placed on my heart when thinking about this topic this morning.

Have you ever heard the expression "dangling carrots"? Well....I don't quite remember the first time I heard that expression but it has stuck with me since that first time. This morning I have been thinking about how the devil will "dangle carrots" so-to-speak in front of God's children to get them or entice them to get out of God's will and totally miss God's will for their lives.

He wants things to look like it is the will of God because it is not necessarily a bad thing that he is enticing us with but if it is contrary to what God wants for us then it is a bad thing. God desires for us to stay in His will at all times. One of my children is facing a situation where they are having to make major decisions in their life and the devil is working to entice or try to entice them to maybe make a decision that is not necessarily God's will for their life. And when we miss God's will in one area of our life then it causes us to miss God's will in other areas of our life as well. The devil knows this. He is a very sly and smart character. He has his evil helpers working overtime in the lives of Christians everywhere trying to get them to step out of God's will.

We must pray about EVERYTHING we do and EVERY decision we make so as to make sure it is what God wants for us. If it isn't....no matter how good it sounds or how much WE want it...we have got to say NO and turn the other way. It's what God wants for us that is most important. I have made decisions in my life that were not God's will for me and it turned out to be very costly.

I don't care what man tells you or what the devil is whispering in your ear...make sure it is God's will before you act on it. I have one statement that I tell myself ALL the time and I tell others as well. "When in doubt...DON'T!!!" If there is even the slightest bit of doubt in my mind or heart about it I don't do it. I take more time to pray on it and make sure and I don't act till I know it is God's will. So be careful about the decisions you make in your life. Don't jump at those dangling carrots that are being put before you. Sometimes they are poisonous and deadly!!

7 comments:

Rhonda in Chile said...

The most dangerous thing is that the "carrot" is the "carrot" that you've always wanted to have or do or be.
Watch and pray, that's the only way.

Rhonda

Sandy said...

I have had many a carrots dangled my way. (And I love carrots, okay, the real ones, the veggie! HAHA!)Sometimes I still jump in without completely thinking things over and praying about them. And you are right, carrots are dangerous! I know I still need reminding of this very thing! Thanks!

CindyMae said...

What a great post! Satan has dangled many carrots in front of me before. He has even made me think that bad things were things of God. You are so right, we need to pray about Everything!!!!!!

Also, wanted to let you know that you need to read my blog and the post titled Thinking Bloggers Award.

Sandy said...

http://lifesheartstrings.blogspot.com/2007/03/choice-is-yours-hell-huff-and-hell-puff.html#links

Not sure if you have read this on my blog but it has to do with dangling carrots....

Anonymous said...

Oh Julie, this world is filled with dangling carrots!!! But we have the promise of the Word of God, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11) When we "look" at the world's dangling carrots, our eyes are not on the Word - we are not hiding it in our hearts. BUT, when we DO read it, remember it and apply it, the Word can keep us from sin! Good post sister!!!

Lyndy said...

Sis Julie this is one of your very best post and so timely for me too.

Bless you dear one for your wonderful words of wisdom.

Marsheila said...

That is so true sister Julie, I have had many carrots dangled in front of me too. and I also love carrots the real ones you eat I have never heard of the expression dangling carrots I have heard the expression when in doubt do without. good post

VERY IMPORTANT!

Are you a good person? Take this test and find out.

Swidget 1.0 6

Audioministries.org