What steps can we take to align our actions with God's will today? Setting the Scene: A King Who Missed the Mark “And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.” (1 Kings 15:34) Baasha had every opportunity to lead Israel back to covenant faithfulness. Instead, he copied Jeroboam’s rebellion, spread it to his people, and secured judgment for himself. God recorded this moment so we would choose a different path. Timeless Lessons Drawn from Baasha’s Failure • Sin spreads when it is imitated. • Leadership matters—yet every believer influences someone. • God’s assessment (“evil in the sight of the LORD”) is the only verdict that counts. Practical Steps for Aligning Our Actions with God’s Will 1. Recognize and Reject Sinful Patterns • Identify any “Jeroboam” habits you may be copying (attitudes, speech, relationships). • 1 John 1:9 reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” 2. Measure Everything by God’s Word • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Keep regular, unhurried Bible intake so decisions are filtered through clear revelation, not shifting culture. 3. Seek God-Centered Transformation, Not Conformity • Romans 12:2—“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” • Replace passive consumption with active renewal: memorize, meditate, and apply Scripture. 4. Obey Promptly and Completely • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Partial obedience still writes “did evil” beside a name. Choose full alignment. 5. Surround Yourself with God-Honoring Influences • Proverbs 13:20—“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • Join Christ-centered community, heed godly counsel, and limit voices that normalize compromise. 6. Cultivate Ongoing Dependence on the Spirit • Galatians 5:16—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Begin each day consciously yielding your plans, trusting His power to produce obedience. 7. Live for God’s Approval Alone • Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” • When His smile matters most, peer pressure loses its grip. Walking It Out Daily • Morning: Commit the day to the Lord, review one verse that guides today’s choices. • Midday: Pause, evaluate actions against Scripture, confess and correct immediately. • Evening: Thank God for victories, note any areas needing deeper repentance, and plan practical changes for tomorrow. Living Differently Starts Now Baasha shows where imitation of sin leads. By rejecting recycled rebellion, embracing Scripture, and depending on the Spirit, we can align every action with God’s will—and leave a legacy marked “pleasing in the sight of the LORD.” |
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