Sermon Central
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The High Places
Contributed by John Ong on Oct 10, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Have you ever had a constant in your life that you knew you had to give it up but for some reason or another, you just couldn’t do it?
Have you ever had a constant in your life that you knew you had to give it up but for some reason or another, you just couldn’t do it? Maybe that thing is too important to important to give up, that letting go of it would cause you too much of an inconvenience. Or maybe that thing was too small and insignificant that you thought God wouldn’t mind it and just let it pass. This is what you call a high place also known as one of the most challenging trials you will ever encounter.
Worry not for you are not the only one with a high place. Each and every one of us has their own, even the ones who are too proud to admit that they do. Some of us even have more than one high place, they just don’t know it yet or maybe they refuse to listen.
What are the common high places?
You’d be surprised to know that they are very ordinary factors that we wouldn’t even consider as high places. These include our jobs, the immoral relationships we have, the literal idols we admire, the unbiblical traditions we follow, the religions we believe in, the vices we refuse to stop, the comfort zones we contain ourselves in, and the pride, status and unforgiveness we hold close in our hearts.
Why is it important to let go of these high places?
Ephesians 4:27 says, “and do not give the devil a foothold”. We may think it is harmless to stand by these high places when the reality is, even the most minor of high places could affect our lives greatly, preventing us from serving God with our entire beings. The devil attacks us at our most vulnerable spots and before we know it, we have already been assaulted with its evil.
How to avoid these high places:
1. Tune in to the Spirit.
Listen to the Spirit for confirmation, that having high places in your life will only bring you bad and no good. Lean into it and watch your life thrive as you follow what the Spirit is saying.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
2. Trust God
There is no halfway with God. Either you trust Him with all your heart or you don’t trust Him at all. You also cannot say you trust Him but not obey. Trusting and obeying God goes hand in hand and following Him faithfully will only lead us into a fruitful, peaceful life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.
3. Act now!
There is no better time to let go of these high places and start living by His word than right now.
