We all have a bag in our life that we have a difficult time getting rid of, whether it be a label, past hurt, bad behavior, attitude, or sin. There is that one item that has become so challenging to shake off our life. We all have one, and it is frustrating.
The apostle Paul struggled with this, “I don’t understand myself at all, I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate.” Have you felt this way, I know I have.
God gave some amazing principles to the children of Israel, before they crossed the Jordan river to capture canaan. It is found in Deuteronomy 7:24-26closeDeuteronomy 7:24-26 24 And he will give their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under heaven. No one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. (ESV) closeDeuteronomy 7:24-26closeDeuteronomy 7:24-26 24 And he will give their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under heaven. No one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. (ESV) 24 And he will give their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under heaven. No one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. (ESV) “No one will be able to stand against you, and you will destroy them all. You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the Lord, your God. Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.”
4 Possible Steps to let go of that horrible bag:
- Hate It – Learn to hate that bag
- Starve It – Learn to avoid that bag
- Out Smart It – Learn to set up boundaries to avoid that bag
- Replace It – Learn to focus on something better
Romans 12:21closeRomans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV) closeRomans 12:21closeRomans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV) 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Is there a bag that you need to let go of that has become difficult? If you would like more information on this subject, I would encourage you to listen to my sermon in the Baggage series.
Be blessed…Hope to see you this Sunday at 9 or 11am
