Courtney Gilmore So often, God does not tell us why He wants things done in a particular way, and He rarely let’s us know much of what the future holds. As a matter of fact, many times we only receive the information that’s needed for that particular moment. This is hard for most us, especially if God is asking us to refrain from something. Why is He holding out on us? How long will we be deprived? Why are those that are doing what’s good and right being deprived in the first place?
Self-control and patience do not come naturally for most of us. It is not fun to wait and it’s frustrating to keep ourselves away from something that we want. When someone else keeps something from us, that’s one thing. But to keep it from ourselves seems almost masochistic, doesn’t it? Yet these are qualities that God wants us to exhibit because they are qualities that He has.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
So, is that why God doesn’t tell us what’s coming next, why He sometimes makes us wait, and why He keeps seemingly good things from us sometimes?
Why Didn’t You Just Tell Me?
When the Israelites fought their first battle in the promised land, God forbid them from taking any plunder. But Achan could not resist. He saw the silver and gold and a beautiful cloak and he took it. Though he tried to hide it, God knew he had disobeyed and the punishment for this particular crime was death.
Once the Israelites had rid themselves of this sin, they went into the next battle. This time, God told them they could plunder the city before they destroyed it. If only Achan had just restrained himself one time, he would have been free to take whatever he wanted in the very next battle.
Do you think Achan would have been able to exercise a little more self-control, if he would have known that God was going to change the rules the very next time? Would he have had the ability to wait if he knew that the wait wouldn’t be long? Why didn’t God just tell them that the restrictions would not stand for every battle so they could have obeyed Him more easily?
He Has His Reasons
Maybe in this case, God just wanted to see if they loved and trusted Him enough to make even the smallest sacrifice for Him. Who know? As a matter of fact, we rarely know God’s purposes for things. But we can always be sure of His motives. They are always pure, perfect, and profitable for us.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; His commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-11
Just as a father does not withhold good things from his children, our Heavenly Father does not withhold good things from us just because He can. They either are not really good for us, He is trying to teach us something, or we just need to wait a while. Either way, if God tells us “no” or “wait” then we can be sure that He has our best interests in mind.
The Works of the Flesh
So, if we logically know that it is good for us to obey even when we do not understand or want to, then we must discipline ourselves to do it. We must “exercise” patience and self-control. These are not passive qualities that we just have. We must actively wait and keep ourselves from temptation. When we are passive, we exhibit the works of our flesh.
The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.
Galatians 5:19-21
This is what it looks like to be passive. We are just acting according to our nature. It is the absence of patience and self-control. We are just indulging ourselves with whatever we want, whenever we want it.
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, with no walls.
Proverbs 25:28
I will grant that some of the works of the flesh feel good at the time. But when I look at the fruits of the Spirit, I really feel good. It makes me smile. I want to be known by those things. Then I look back at the works of the flesh and it kind of makes me feel sick. It’s just gross and unappealing. I guess I can see the effects of these indulgences when they are listed out like that and it just isn’t attractive anymore.
The Sacrifice of Obedience
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
Psalm 4:5
I want to obey. I know God’s ways are perfect and His motives are pure. But I am weak. My patience and self-control need to be exercised. I must be willing to offer the sacrifice of obedience to my Lord who has given me my very life. His Son died for me and I must be willing to live for Him. So I will not be passive. I will walk by the Spirit so that I will not gratify the desires of my flesh. I know that these two are contrary to one another and I will work to be purposeful and not passive. Will you join me in this new year?
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he ahs been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
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This is an excerpt from “What Happens When You Do It God’s Way” as taught on YouTube or Podcast or as written on Substack. Read the beginning of the lesson for free, or in its entirety, along with over 35 previous lessons, for $6/month or $60/year. Once subscribed, you’ll receive one lesson each week thereafter.
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