Natural Tendencies


Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

In this life there are many things that I want to experience and many places that I want to see. I save my money, time off from work, and plan for the future. The reality is that in this life I may not ever accomplish the plans that I make. The Lord is in control, he is going to place me where he wants me, and use me as he sees fit to do. My job is to be obedient to his will, to do the good works that he has set before me to accomplish.

We may not like the places he wants us, the job, the geographical location, but God has a purpose for us being there. We may not like the fact that he tells us “NO” at the time, but in retrospect and with maturity, we may see his purpose for doing so. I am so frequently reminded of Genesis 8:21 when God said, “… every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood…” The definition of inclination is our natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way. We naturally have an attraction, if you will, to evil/sin. We are naturally selfish, greedy, and self-serving. If you do not believe me, take a look at babies, they do not care if you are trying to sleep; when they are hungry they expect to be fed, when they made a mess in their diaper they expect to be changed.  

Plans that are made with evil intentions, God still uses for good, to accomplish His purpose. He has given us the bible to teach us, to instruct us. It has examples of what happens when you are obedient and disobedient. It tells you what is wrong and what is right. Most athletes when they begin playing sports have natural tendencies. A boxer may drop his hand when throwing a hook, a golfer may bend his front arm, a baseball player may not field with both hands, a basketball player may kick his elbow out and etc. If you play, have played sports there are things, a form, that you have to work on, you have to practice to avoid errors and improve. Being a Christian is the same way. We have to avoid our natural tendencies, and “practice,” by reading the Bible, and obeying what it tells us to do.

Challenge: Look at your tendencies and practice your faith as to correct them.

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

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