The Christian's Most Ridiculous Sin (Part 1 of 2)

Almost everyone will acknowledge the need for priorities in life. After all, there are only 24 hours in each day, 7 days in each week, and 52 weeks in each year. We are constantly faced with the need to decide what things in life are more important than other things? As Christians, the trick is to discern God’s priorities. We often look to verses like Matthew 6:23, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” as guidelines for our priorities. A typical Christian priority list might look like this…

GOD - FAMILY - CHURCH – WORK/SCHOOL – OTHER PEOPLE

Planning our lives around priorities like these is essential. However, as we trust God and remain faithful in these priorities, conflicts will arise (back to the 24 hours in one day thing). What is our response when priorities conflict and we face the constant struggle between what is ‘best’, the ‘tyranny of the urgent’, and the pull of our worldly desires?

Enter in: The Christian’s most ridiculous sin…worry. For many of us our response is to become anxious and frustrated because we cannot seem to accomplish everything we ‘need’ to do in a way that brings joy and fulfillment. We worry in spite of the Bible’s clear command that tells us not to worry (Phil. 4:6). What might our worry be telling us if we are willing to have a look?

Worrying may be a signal of not following God’s command in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

When we choose to spend time indulging our flesh (even if no blatant sin is involved), then we might find ourselves ‘without time’ for other things that are clearly more important. Selfishly indulging our ‘wants’ does not count as ‘working heartily’ and does not keep God at the center of our activity.

On the other hand, it might not be our selfish desires that rob our Christ-centered energy. Instead, we sometimes allow the responses of other people dictate our anxiety level. There will be times when a well-balanced and God-focused Christian disappoints people by making the best decisions. If we are working for men more than for the Lord, anxiety will inevitably arise when living our priorities conflict with the expectations of others.

Bottom line: Are we truly pouring out our lives through prioritized involvement in God-focused work? If the answer is ‘yes’, I believe we will be a step closer to a life of joy and contentment that is free from worry.

Go to Part 2