Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
Have you ever worked on a project for a long time and felt you were not being successful? The work was hard and tedious and you found the harder you worked the behinder you got? When life becomes complex, I change the scenery and my mind become refreshed. Then the work is easy and problems are solved! Keep this in mind as you read the following.
Our biggest potential enemy in life (besides our own wrong thinking and the devil himself) is the environment in which we live. For instance, if we constantly live in an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief, it is just a fact that we will have a much more difficult time maintaining a strong walk of faith. That doubt-filled environment will try to rub off on us!
It is just a fact that our environment tends to affect the way we think. For example, if you used to smoke or if you used to have a drinking problem, it is obviously not a smart idea for you to hang around smokers or drinkers — unless, that is, you want to return to your old habits. Hanging around people who still do these things may lure you to pick up a cigarette to take a smoke or to allow yourself one more small drink? However, those little allowances may possibly be the very hook the devil uses to drag you back into the bondage from which Jesus Christ already delivered you. That is why it is vital for you to understand that the environment surrounding you is very important! AMOS 3:3 Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Can two walk who together disagree?
With this in mind, think about what kind of sin this verse is talking about.. The old nature of sin so comfortably surrounds and gives us a comfy feeling; a comfortable environment of sin? No, it a familiar spirit of sin.
Sometimes in order to make necessary changes in our life, we must physically remove ourselves from an unprofitable situation. If we are not strong enough in our faith to stay there without being affected, we need to get up and get out of that unbelieving, negative environment — the one you may have been comfortably living in for a long, long time. If you are not strong enough to overcome it, it will unquestionably try to reach out and drag you back into your old behavior. We need to change our environment and change our associations.
If the Spirit is prompting you to lay aside every weight, then obey Him and make a break from that unhealthy environment! Perhaps old friends, old places, or wrong believing are trying to exert bad influences on you and you're not resisting that influence well. If that is the case, get out of there! For you, that environment is sin if it keeps you from fulfilling your potential in Jesus Christ.
Be honest as you consider your workplace, your friends, and your living conditions. Ask yourself, is this environment conducive to my walk in Christ, or is it dragging me back down into the mire from which I was delivered? Do not let your environment destroy your spiritual life.
A change of scenery is in your future. The pain of change will be challenging to you. The mind of your old ways and your old friends will question your new high and mighty attitude. They might say that sarcastically. Nevertheless, you do have a higher standard of living. It is Kingdom bound, and full of His might! You might even find it difficult to be with God loving, Christ minded people on regular bases. Your mind might question their "religious" way of life. As the old man remains in this new environment of loving Word living people you will become more like HIM! I can tell you this it is worth it..
Your Christian life is serious business. Do not let your environment fill you with doubt and knock you out of your spiritual race! If you cannot handle your environment victoriously, initiate a plan of action to change the scenery!
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