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“Such persons cannot say this petition of the Lord’s prayer, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ They plunge into it of their own accord.”
Adam Clarke
We have all heard the phrase “unequally yoked” which refers to the mingling of believers and unbelievers. Many apply this to marriage and even though it is true, this was not necessarily Paul’s intended context. Consider how many believers today are influenced more by the world than by Christ?
If you have ever watched farm animals interact, you will notice a trend. When the fence gate is open, sheep don’t understand that they can walk out. Often, what will happen is that the goats will walk outside the fence gate and the sheep will follow them. This is happening all around us every day. Instead of following the shepherd, the sheep follow the goats.
Many people go back to mind-numbing activities to combat the stresses of daily life. We eat ice cream and binge on the latest Netflix series. We sit and play video games for hours. We drink alcohol excessively to numb the pain. This is the world’s response to stress. Believers are called to patiently endure, which is much easier said than done. Consider how in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus persevered in prayer while drops of bloody sweat streamed down his face. The disciples, on the other hand, fell asleep.
I can’t help but think how many of us would not respond the way Jesus did, myself included. The more I read and study the Bible, the more I realize how much I fall short daily. But this is Paul’s point. He wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The compromise of entertaining worldly behavior absolutely stunts our spiritual growth. This is especially true of situations when God has allowed suffering to increase.
The truth of the matter is that you are a child of God. You have been chosen and set apart. You are to be holy just as God is holy. Because of the new identity which was purchased for you by Christ, you now know the shepherd. You don’t have to follow the goats anymore.
This is impossible without the Holy Spirit who brings perspective, peace, and protection. Knowledge is only half the battle. The other half is practical application. Each of us has an opportunity every day to live in our new identity and follow the Shepherd.