Walk Circumspectly, As If You Are Already In Heaven

by Chuck Ness

We are all hopeless sinners who live in a corrupted body that is continually under attack by powers under the control of the ruler of this World. (John 14:30) Both Christians and atheists face the same temptations. While aheists could careless about the destination of their souls, they are still tempted to do stupid things that can harm them and those around them. Christians however, can often times worry incessantly about their soul due to the temptations of this World. So if, you as a Christian, are constantly under attacks by the Evil one's minions, then how can you be assured of defeating those temptations so you can live a life worthy of Christ?

Well, we must walk circumspectly. (Ephesians 5:15) Not as a fool who ignores their surroundings, and thus are unaware that the things they follow will bring them harm and possibly lead to the final death, where the worm doesn't die and the fire is never quenched. (Mark 9:48) Rather we should walk completely aware of all the dangers the well worn paths of the World offers. Remembering that as long as we walk as the One whom we put our faith in walked, then no harm can come to us.

Now, we know that until we are free of this World, we will not be truly free from temptations. After all, Jesus faced temptations every day he lived in this World, just as we do. However, we are also told that if we have the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) then we can accomplish everything that is in accordance with our Father's will. Everything. Not just some of what He so desires for us, but Everything He desires for us to accomplish.

So then, how can we accomplish everything He desires for us to accomplish? By walking in the footsteps of the One who walked amongst us. Remember, throughout Christ's ministry in the World, His disciples were all protected from any harm. (John 17:12) Nothing, but their own insecurities and weak faith kept them from walking as Jesus did. Just as Peter had the faith to walk out onto the water, so too can we do things beyond our own ability if we keep our eyes and minds upon Him. Yet, the moment Peter took his eyes and mind off Jesus he began to sink into the water. (Matthew 14:30) The result will be the same for us, each and every time we take our eyes and minds off of Him.

Remember, to never take your eyes and minds off the only One (Hebrews 12:2) who can keep you from sinking into temptation. Instead of walking as if we are alive in the World, we must walk as if we are dead to the World. We need to walk as if we are already living in Heaven with Christ Jesus Himself, Who sits at the right hand of God. Thus we set our minds on the things above instead of things below in this fallen World. As Paul told the Colossians,

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:1-5)

These indicative statements describe the believers position in Christ. We are dead, and have been raised with Christ into Heaven, and thus we have laid aside our old self, and put on a new self. Which means we are to set our hearts and minds upon that which is above, Heaven. That which is in the World, cannot exist in Heaven. So we must act in accordance as one who exists in Heaven with Christ Jesus. We can rejoice, Hallelujah. We are free, free at last, because we are born again in Christ.

Yes, in Christ there is nothing that can stop us as long as what we are doing is the will of our Father in Heaven. Not giving heed to the desires of the flesh that the World has to offer. If we have mustard seed faith in Christ, then temptation cannot win over in our lives.

In Galatians we learn that Christ is revealed in us (Galatians 1:16), Christ lives in us (Galatians 1:20), we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27), and Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19). In principle, this means that we know Christ and live by Him in our spirit. If so, then we should be able to defeat temptations which effect the flesh. If ONLY, we had the faith of that tiny little mustard seed.

"In that day you will know that I am in the Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 14:20)

This verse really encourages me. It says that in that Day, we will have full understanding of the connection we have with our Father in Heaven, and that is the connection that our Lord Jesus Christ has established when He bridged the gap between God and man. As we walk with the Lord, the Spirit impresses this upon us, that's why we often instinctively cry out in our spirit, "Abba, Father", especially during our most difficult moments.

So one must be circumspect in one's walk with Christ. Thus the popular saying by some, "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD). After all, if sin did not exist, then we would not act in an unrighteous way. We would walk as Jesus did. If we have the faith of that mustard seed, then the strength Jesus possessed, which enabled Him to withstand sin, would be ours also. Always remember whenever you struggle with sin, the power that raised Christ from the dead is available to you and me every day. Stand firm against sin through the power of our Lord and Savior.

This is why He sent the Helper to us. The Helper empowers us to live in the light of the Gospel, and moves us to do the will of the Father. (Acts 16:6) Jesus knew that once He left this World we would be weak and forgetful. Thus the Holy Spirit reminds us of things we learned from the One who became the propitiation (1John 2:2) for our sins, and not just ours, but for the whole World. As long as we practice the faith of a mustard seed, then we know we are in the presence of the Living God, where no sin can exist.

Now I realize we are still living inside a body that is sinful, and has been from conception (Psalm 51:5) Thus we will inevitability sin, because the flesh is weak, and the temptations we face are severe at times. However, we know that He Who began a good work in us will continue doing so until the day His Son , Jesus Christ, returns. (Philippians 1:6) On that day, we will then become complete.

Paul tells us that we are all born under the dominion of sin. (Romans 5:17) We all have an innate desire to rebel against authority in general. So to rebel against our Creator is normal for unbelievers. Yet we are born again in Christ Jesus. Thus, instead of an attitude that drove us to be in control, which only led us to be controlled by our desires of the flesh, we have surrendered that control to Christ Jesus. We have in essence become willing bond servants to Him instead of sin, and He Who is in us is greater than the tempter (1Thessalonians 3:5) who is in the World.

As a child of Christ, we can defeat sin, sickness, death, and perform miracles just as Jesus and His disciples did. Yes, miracles can abound if we just have the faith of a mustard seed. Nothing is beyond our ability as long as we have faith. Going back to John in chapter 14, you will see that what I state is true. Jesus tells us,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it". (John 14:12-14)

Sadly, none of us have the faith of that little seed. So we struggle with sin, we suffer illnesses and we watch our loved ones suffer. All because none of us have the faith to even defeat the sins of the flesh and the lies of the evil one. We all struggle at different levels, but we all do sin.

I do have hope though, because this World will end one day for us all. Each and every one of us will have a time when this World ends for us. In the mean time we must do as the Father's will leads us to do. One day we will be granted rewards of crowns, of which we are told in Revelations,

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelations 4:10-11)

Although the Scriptures do not state it specifically, I see us being so overwhelmed by His sacrifice which saved us from eternal damnation that because He is the One Who is worthy of our eternal praises that we too will cast our crowns at His feet. Regardless of what we endured on earth, a priceless crown will seem a paltry offering, but it will be the best gift we can give Him.

To help you defeat the temptations of the evil one's constant attacks, I cannot stress the importance of the continued use of the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11). Wearing them daily will ensure that the powers of this World cannot, and will not take you from Him who died for you. I also offer this simple, but short. prayer. Regardless of how small or big that temptation is. Repeat it and meditate upon it,

"I am dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11)

Make it an automatic response when you are tempted. Say it under your breath throughout your daily activities. Or say it out loud when you feel a temptation coming on. Use every opportunity you have to memorize this simple principle and let it be ingrained in your mind.

I pray that those who have ears to hear will hear His voice and call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.