If you are not firm in faith,
you will not be firm at all.
isaiah 7:9 esv
I have a question for us all: “What are we firm in?”
We may be firm in:
- What internet aesthetic fits us best (cottagecore for the win!)
- Our feelings on the latest Star Wars movies (definitely NOT canon)
- Boycotting certain companies
- Where certain ingredients go in our fridges/pantries
But when times get tough . . .
- When you might get cancelled online for holding to biblical gender roles
- When your coworkers ask your opinion on current events
- When churches and schools get cracked down on for religious views
Where will we stand?
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
We can go to church all we want, have the most squeaky clean reputation, put “Daughter of the King <3” in our Instagram bio . . .
But where is our foundation?
Every action testifies to our foundation
Our reputation matters
We are ambassadors of Christ. That is terrifying, but also so so exciting because it gives us a purpose that will carry us through the rest of our lives. Therefore, what we do must line up with Scripture in order to avoid muddying the name of Jesus.
Our intent matters
I was reading in Proverbs this evening, and 21:27 gives a harsh reminder that actions (especially those we might call “worshiping God“) are driven by (and evaluated according to) our intent/desires: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.”
In fact, if we use worship merely as a performance to gain accolades or prestige from those around us, we’re no better than the evil Pharisees of the New Testament.
Our routine matters
People say what you do when they’re watching is reputation; what you do when they’re not watching is character.
What we make up our daily routine with testifies to our foundation, from the moment we wake up (which is pretty foundational in setting the tone of the day) to when we hit the pillow at night.
It may be helpful for you to take a day to map out how you use your time. You might be surprised! Imagine the difference in your life if you fill it with prayer, sermons, time in the Bible, and hanging out with godly friends.
Every word testifies to our foundation
+ Using our words
What words do you use on a daily basis? Are they:
- Edifying – uplifting fellow Christians
- Exact – speaking on things that are true according to biblical standards, and also true just factually
- Ethical – without innuendo or perverseness or crudeness
- Effective – solving problems, not causing them
(By the way, what you talk about the most could hint at what you’re actually using as the foundation of your life)
– Using our lack of words
This is something I’m constantly trying to learn haha…I have the gift of gab, and my mouth constantly wants to open and put its two cents into any and every topic.
But…the more I’m reading the Bible, the more I feel like a biblical person is mostly silent haha.
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
Proverbs 17:27-28
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
I’ve challenged myself to stay silent and listen more at my Bible studies. We can learn so much from older Christians!
Also, staying silent keeps us out of the gossip/slander trap. :/ If we aren’t speaking, we aren’t gossiping!
Application
Use your actions and words to actively testify Who you’ve built your life foundation upon. God is the only foundation we can hold firm to!
Ask yourself objectively what you’ve built your life on. Are they good things turned idols (i.e. relationships, family, career, school, success, money, reputation, possessions)?
Ask God for the desire to center your life solely on Him.
