10 Things That Can Cause Christians to Lose Their Purpose

 

By Jason Charles on 4/22/2015 (9 years 228 days ago) Theology & Religion

Upon leaving this earth Jesus didn't give us the Great Suggestion, he gave all Christians Past, Present and Future a Great Commission. That is to go into all the earth and make disciples.

 

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  - Matthew 28: 19-20

This verse is not just a command, it is the Universal Command. This means all other commands in the Bible fall under it in importance. Be fruitful and multiple yes, but never at the expense of the Great Commission. To lose sight of this primary directive of making disciples and teaching the commands of Jesus is to lose sight of your Christian purpose. Here are 10 points you can reflect on and determine whether you have lost it or not.

 

1. Refusing to Learn How God Communicates His Will to His People

You will hear all sorts of different theories on how God speaks His will into peoples lives. Some think God is the small voices in their head, they say they can feel God in things, they look to others to help guide them and direct them. etc etc. The problem with this is A) these people end up mistaking their own thoughts for "God" B) They become self-proclaimed false prophets and finally C) The Bible is full of examples that the internal dialog(thoughts), people and emotions can all be directly manipulated by spiritual entities, and much more by our own worldly passions.

The real way we determine how God directs our path is praying passionately for God to reveal our life purpose first, and then allowing him to order our path through circumstances that are unmistakably Him. It is never how you think it should happen, or with whom you would choose, but never deviate once in hide sight it is obviously Him. To do so means consequences many times.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. - Proverbs 16:9
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" - Psalms 37:23

 

2. Mistaking Church Participation with the Great Commission

As a Christian we all know that one person that jumps around from bible study to bible study and conference to conference always quoting the Bible but never actually beating their feet and putting their money where their mouth is.

Looking at the example of Jesus and the disciples we see at first while with Him, the disciples were dummy's always putting their foot in their mouth and never really getting it. Then at a certain point in time, having received the Holy Spirit all of their training was put to action. Meaning they went from being fed to feeding, from talking to doing and came into spiritual maturity. Working at a Church doesn't cut it, that is called making a living. We must recognize the unique passion, place and ministry God put on the inner space of our heart and then in faith going out and making it happen, that is living out the Great Commission.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22

3. Living for Perpetual Recreation, Entertainment and Work

This one is a no-brainer, if you find yourself doing something every weekend compulsively then you have entered into a cycle of escapism, and Christians should never fall into this trap. The world sells you on endless movies, working out, concerts, hobbies that can and will become an idol that will trump your God given call and passion. Yes, it is wonderful to get out and see creation through recreational hiking or camping, but you're not called to witness to and instruct birds and trees, you're called to be fishers of men. If this is you, and you define who you spend your time and life with by those who like the same compulsive activities prepare to have Jesus say anything but, well done my good and faithful servant at the end of your life.

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." - Matthew 25:23

 

4. Down Playing the Realities of Spiritual Warfare

The first point to make here is Christians now days have no concept of the realities of spiritual warfare in their own personal lives, family, and church. It is as real as the nose on your face. We hear people all the time say God will open the right door in His timing, but what you don't realize is that for every door God opens Satan opens one that plays to your every desire right next to it. Sometimes Satan will even open it before God's door opens, so be forewarned.

The second point is understand that your mind is not your own, the language and junk that occupies the backs of our brains in a constant feedback loop is contrived by the devil, he can inject words, phrases, feelings at a whim in the mind of a susceptible human. Satan is called the prince of the power of the air for good reason, never take the filth that occupies our minds seriously as being the "you you" and you should constantly be analyzing it for out of character nastiness that seemingly and randomly just float through.

Paul gives Christians Good advice to rid ourselves of the evils of a corrupted internal dialog. He advised us to fill our hearts and mind with songs of praise and words of scripture. It truly is the only way to find peace when under spiritual attack.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" -  Deuteronomy 30:19

 

5. Chasing Relationships and Marriage

The biological drive to find the right one, marry, settle down and have children is hard wired. Without question God instructed us to marry and raise a family, but this should not become your exclusive passion either. The reason we are raised in a family and then look to have one of our own is because in a family unit we learn about God. We learn about the characteristics that please him, such as love, sacrifice, hard work eithic, patience, and unity. These are all things that you will need to effectively utilize in your passionate fulfillment of the Great Commission.

A side note is be very careful trolling dating sites, and jumping from singles groups looking for a mate, you're only forcing the issue. Instead God will deliver you the right person when you have A) received your ministry calling and passion, and then B) are doing it alongside someone who shares the same passion and commission. That is what equally yoked should look like. If a family results then it will be Good in the sight of God.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." - Proverbs 31:30

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." - 1 Timothy 5:8

 

6. Mistaking Christian Platitudes, Lingo and Cliche' for Biblical Truth

If you spend anytime on social media sites you know that they are filled with pictures laced with spiritualized quotes that sound good on the surface but examined in a Biblical worldview are often very misleading and should never be lived by. The fact of the matter is making choices for the Lord is filled with tribulation, sacrifice and strife none of which will sound good and get a lot of "likes" if plastered on a flowery photograph. Grow up, your relationships will be hard, your parents will be controlling, your friends will lead you astray, but knowing how, why and through whom God has used to bring you into your purpose will not. Don't deviate for anything less, or be denied a blessing and harvest.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." - Psalms 1:1-3

 

7. Allowing Perceived Christian Mentors to Dictate Your Decisions

Nobody know's the passion, purpose and instruction God has embedded in your heart. Just like Job whose friends spoke seemingly good advice into Job's life, friends, family and spiritual mentors can give seemingly good advice too. Then again it could be the total opposite of what God would have you do and just a group of people the devil can use to get you to do his will. Try the spirits, not all of them are from the Lord. Christians as well as anyone must be tried. Spiritual manipulation is the worst and is hated by God, just look at how Jesus dealt with the Pharisees, he loathed them above all sinners.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1

 

8. Associating with the Wrong People and Alienating the Right Ones

People are inherently selfish, this is a lesson everyone will learn in short order. Ask yourself constantly is this person affirming the call, circumstances and passion God has put in me or is this person pushing me in other directions? If they are pushing you in other directions, then you can say good bye to the path God put you on if you follow. People controlled by others never find their path, and if convinced to leave will never get back on it if they had found it.

"Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." - Proverbs 27:5-6

 

9. Turning Your Back on Direct Answers to Prayer

This one is a so important. If you have prayed and asked God to reveal a path and a purpose take it very seriously when things unfold and are answered. Who did God use, how did you get to where you are, what kind of struggles and obstacles were overcome to be where you are? These are all divine miracles that God put in your life because you personally in tears and anguish asked God to reveal it to you. Woe to you for disregarding the people, places and things that brought you there, the Bible says God will not be mocked.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." - James 1:6-7

 

10. Never Having Asked God Directly to Imbue Your Life with Purpose

If you are unsure what God has for you and whether or not you are on His path or the devils then you better ask Him. Don't ask friends, don't ask family, or even your spouse. The Great Commission needs to be a priority in your life if you are to fulfill your heavenly appointments on this earth. Ask of God, clarify, don't alienate people that have pointed you in the right direction and especially don't discount the devil's hand in your life. His smile, warm embrace and high life have distracted more people from their God given purpose than any evil ever could.

"For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11

In Conclusion don't let Satan take advantage of you my dear Christian Brothers and Sisters and push through in pursuit and execution of Jesus' final command!

 

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