The easy way

I was meditating on the temptation of Jesus as I was getting ready this morning (Matt 4), and I noticed a theme. Every time the devil tempted Him, he tried to get Him to step outside the bounds the Father had imposed on Him, specifically, to fulfill the will of the Father according to the flesh (Gal 3:3). I think this is a huge problem in the church today. We see the problems of the earth and we try to solve them the quick way, the easy way… the way of the flesh.

Had an abortion? We have a teaching series on that!
Just got divorced? We have a teaching series on that!
Struggling with pornography? We have a teaching series on that!

Now, I have a lot of respect for godly teachers and good bible teaching, but it takes more than just teaching to change a nation. A whole lot more.

Jesus told us that when we’re confronting the worst that the world has to offer, we must contend in fasting and prayer (Matt 17:21, Mark 9:29). This is the hard way, the slow way. The way of God, because it a) causes you to undergo change in the inner man (Eph 3:16) and b) it causes you to draw near to the Father’s heart, and learn his ways (Psalm 103:7).