DIVIDED HEART

James 1:8 says, "Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." One of the reasons many Christians struggle is that they compromise what they believe with their sinful ways and the desires in this world. A believer who is not committed to walk with the Lord will always stumble in the temptations of this world. For example, if a believer goes to church on Sunday, but he does not practice His faith at work or wherever he is, he will be easily tempted to live life as if he is not a believer in the way he treats others or the way he behaves in front of other people. In the end, his divided loyalty to God will lead him to a life of guilt and shame. If a compromising life continues, he will eventually walk away from God until he comes to his senses and returns to God. By then, he will reap the consequences of his sin. There is one solution to a divided heart between God and the world, or being double-minded. It is found in James 4:8. It says, "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." 

The solution to our divided heart between God and the world is to come close to God by first turning away from sin, then making things right. We must have the desire to surrender our hearts back to God. Sometimes in order for us to surrender our hearts back to God, God must allow something in our lives to get our attention. For some, God would allow altering situations in our lives to happen, such as losing our job, sickness, losing something or someone whom we love and care for. Or, simply, losing our peace and joy in life. A compromising life is never satisfying because we are living in sin, and the Spirit of God keeps on convicting us of our sins so that we can repent and do the right thing before Him. Someone said that the most miserable people on the earth are Christians who do not walk with God but live in sin. They try to get fulfillment and joy in this world, but they are never satisfied. As Christians, our contentment and security in life are to live a life that is surrendered to God. Noah never walked away from God in His time. No matter how he was ridiculed and tempted to walk according to the world, he kept walking with God. In the end, he and his family were the only ones who survived the universal flood. Everyone else was swept away by the raging waters. 

Being divided between God and the world is not good to be in. Let us keep on walking with God and walk away from a sinful lifestyle. Our joy and contentment in life can only be found in our God, for He created us for Himself. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Is my heart divided between God and the world at this moment? What should I do if my heart is divided? Where can I find contentment and joy in life? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please unite my heart before you. Please help me to let go of the ways of this world and walk with you. The ways of this world will only lead me to guilt and shame, but your ways lead me to contentment, security, and joy. Please do not let my sinful desires overcome me, but may your Spirit overwhelm my heart so that my heart will not be divided between You and the world. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.