The Christian's College Survival Guide

CHAPTER FOUR WHOSE IN CHARGE? And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26, (NLT) You are valuable to God and to His Kingdom. This is why the devil (the enemy of God and of your soul, 1 John 3:8) wants to distract you -by any means that he can- in order to abort God’s plans for you now and in the future. The challenge that you face in college is the same challenge that believers face in every season of life: will I live according to God’s Word or will I be absorbed by the culture around me? We are involved in a daily battle for our soul (mind, will, emotions) and our spirit (communion with God). We don’t always recognize spiritual warfare (the devil’s battle against God’s Word and Presence in the world and in our lives) when it engages us. You can only win a spiritual battle when you allow God to be in charge of your life. Understand that every challenge is an occasion to determine: • What is the source of the conflict? Was it caused by poor choices on my part or disobedient behavior? Is it spontaneous with an unknown cause or source? • How is my faith being attacked? • What weapons do I need to fight this battle? • Am I equipped with the protection that I need? God protects us fully but he allows us to experience every facet of life and to suffer the consequences of our choices. In order to be successful in a spiritual battle, you must determine who is in charge. For a Christian, every conflict is a spiritual fight because we must decide whether to handle attacks against our faith-walk God’s way or some other way. When do you fight for your faith? If not now, when? You also need to understand both the motive behind your desire to excel and your personal definition of success. If your motive for achievement and your view of success do not line up with God’s word, you could end up tearing down your faith instead of building it up. God has to be in charge of your entire life. Ask yourself the following questions and consider what it says about your heart: Am I in charge? Do I do whatever I want without taking God’s Word into consideration? Do I operate in a mind of my own (a carnal mind) that does not embrace the will of God? If I do, I cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8; Hebrews 11:6). Is the world system in charge? Do I pattern my life after the priorities of the culture that I live in or do I place God’s principles as my guideline for living? Do I embrace the fashion, philosophies, goals of a world system that, for the most part, disregards God and His Word? If I do, I am not a lover of God (I John 2:15-17). Are my friends or family in charge? Do I make my decisions according to what other people will think or do I make a conscious effort to seek the will of the Lord? If I seek the approval of others, I love the approval of man more than the approval of God. (John 12:43.) Is the Lord in charge? Is Jesus master of my life? Do I prayerfully seek Him in every facet of my life? One thing is sure: we can’t win the battle if we don’t know whose side we are on. We need to know whose is in charge! James 1:8 states that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways! What would it mean for you to “gain the whole world”? It is an important question to ask because your definition of success fuels your motivation to achieve and determines what/who really controls your life. Get a piece of paper, a notebook, tablet or PC and lists the things that you want your college career to accomplish. Your list might look like this: 1. A lucrative career 2. Social mobility 3. Spouse and family 4. Opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle 5. Opportunity to learn about other cultures 6. Opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others. These are good goals and our Father, God, desires wonderful things for his children. He only asks that we would remember that He gave us the ability to attain wealth and that we would acknowledge Him in everything that we do. (Deut 8:17-18). While you have your paper, PC or tablet handy, take the Deuteronomy 8 challenge. This passage was addressed to the new generation of Israelites as they prepared to cross into the land that God had promised to them. The previous generation had died out in the wilderness as a result of their flagrant disobedience and mistrust of God (Deuteronomy 1:26-39). Moses, God’s leader for the nation of Israel at this time, warned the new generation to be prepared for the abundant blessings that God was about to give to them. This was an agricultural society so some references for wealth apply to the accumulation of livestock. As your challenge, personalize the entire passage of Deuteronomy 8: 11-18, substituting “herds” for other possessions that you desire as part of your accomplishments. For verses 14-16, substitute a personal experience of how God delivered you in a mighty way, even if you are recalling the fact that he saved your soul. Substitute your name for all pronouns. Save this copy of your personalized passage in a convenient place. The efforts that you have invested in your college career will open opportunities for many blessings. Be prepared to receive them by allowing God to be in charge and living for His glory (Colossians 3:23-24)! Challenge: Personalize Deuteronomy 8: 11-18 as described in this chapter!