We often start the year determined. We don’t want the same results as last year, so we decide to work hard to get what we want. Being ambitious is good, but beware: it should not be at the cost of our standards.
As Christians, the standards we choose are sometimes difficult to follow. For example, a young single woman wants to marry a Christian man, passionate about his faith. But all the singles in her church aren’t attractive to her. However, the new employee with a great body is friendly and kind. What to do? Temptation starts early because the first temptation is to lower our standards. The young woman who initially wanted a man of God slowly settles for a man who believes in God. Then looks for a man who will let her go to church. Gradually, our standards begin to change, moving more and more away from what God desires.
It’s difficult to stand firm on our standard, especially when our desires are becoming more intense, or as time passes. We see unsaved colleagues get what they want instead of us, and not just in love! With a few lies, they get the promotion at work. By giving bribes, or by paying “under the table”, they get contracts easier. We seem to be the losers in following the standards of holiness.
It’s exactly how Asaph felt and how he describes it in Psalm 73. Until verse 16 (NKJV), he envies the life of the “wicked” who do not comply with the standards of God’s children. But in verse 17 (NKJV), he changes his point of view because he enters “into the sanctuary of God”. When we get closer to God, we start to see life according to His eyes, and our high standards again become obvious and essential.
Looking at our desires through the eyes of God keeps us on the right path, and helps us to avoid sin. As God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4.7 NKJV) We are tempted to lower our standards, but God encourages us to overcome this temptation. If it says we need to “dominate” those thoughts, it’s because they are strong. We must stand firm, fight until we are dominating.
God gave us authority, He gave us the strength to stand firm. “You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 CEV) That strength is what we find in Christ. Like Asaph, we find it in the sanctuary of God, in His Presence.
In 2016, let’s remain firm in our feelings. God attaches a promise to this attitude: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.“ (Isaiah 26.3 NIV) This year, let’s dominate the temptation to lower our standards. Yes, we have desires and dreams, but let’s not achieve them without God’s blessing.