Watchman Nee has a gift for clarifying important truths in life. In this short devotional, he explains our primary purpose for living – to help God every day.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. – Romans 16.20
We believers who have been chosen by the Lord should never forget this purpose of our being involved in destroying the works and the power of the devil. Whatever we do, we should not ask if this matter is good or bad, but ask instead if it is profitable to God and destructive to Satan. We will not do anything if it has no power to affect the kingdom of darkness and to cause damage to the devil.
In all our works we are to judge them not by the apparent result but by the effect they shall have in the spiritual realm as to who will gain and who will lose. This is spiritual warfare that is not to be waged by the efforts of flesh and blood. This is also to be the criterion at the judgment seat on that day; whether a work is to be burned or to stand shall be based on how effective it was in effecting the will of God.
Refocus Our Priorities
Most of us assess our choices in life by asking, “Is this good or bad for me?” For example, we may ask:
- Should I send my children to this school or that school?
- Should I take this job?
- Should we donate to this cause?
- Should I vote for this candidate or that one?
- Should we get involved with this organization?
Watchman Nee reminds us that while it is important to make these worldly decisions, we should not stop there. The goal of positioning ourselves in the world is so we can help God every day. Only by serving God can we counteract the dark forces of the devil. So, it’s not enough to decide worldly questions. We need to go one step further. Once we resolve the question, “Should I take this job?”, we need to follow up with another, more important question. “How can I proceed in this job in a way that is profitable to God and destructive to Satan?” And if we don’t have a satisfactory answer to that question, we need to reassess our initial decision.
The Spiritual Realm
Similarly, we should not judge our daily efforts by their results in the world (how much money we earn or how many widgets we produce) but by their effect in the spiritual realm. “Do my actions at work ultimately benefit God?” “If I make a charitable contribution to this cause, will it benefit God?” But how can these activities have any impact on God, either positively or negatively? The answer is that while actions alone may not make an impact, coupling them with the right attitude always will. It’s the attitude that is key when striving to make an impact in the spiritual realm.
For example, an action like feeding the hungry has the potential to serve God by taking care of those in need. However, if we feed the hungry with an attitude of resentment or superiority, we are not serving God even though the action is noble. In comparison, building cars on an assembly line may not, in itself, serve God. However, if we show up to work every day with an attitude of goodness, love, and integrity, our work will inevitably honor God.
Seven Attitudes That Serve God
Here are seven attitudes and actions that enable us to help God every day and resist the negative forces of evil in the world. We can incorporate them into any task we do.
- Love and Kindness – Every day, we can strive to help others who are in need, whether through words, actions, or resources. Likewise, we can show compassion and empathy to those who are suffering. And we can prioritize forgiving those who have hurt us by letting go of old grudges.
- Living with Integrity – No matter what activity we are engaged in, we can strive to be truthful, even when circumstances make telling the truth difficult. We can also act justly and stand up for what is right. Furthermore, we can avoid actions that exploit or harm others.
- Developing a Relationship with God – We should pray regularly to seek God’s guidance, offer thanks, and express trust. Reading and meditating on sacred texts will help us grow spiritually. Attending worship or community gatherings are also important to strengthen and sustain our faith.
- Practicing Humility and Gratitude – We must continually acknowledge God’s blessings and being thankful for what we have. Staying humble, avoiding pride, and giving credit to God for our success are also important.
- Resisting Temptation – One of our greatest challenges is turning away from habits or actions that lead to sinful behavior. Instead, we should strive to focus on positive, God-centered thoughts and actions, and reject destructive desires.
- Spreading Hope and Encouragement – We should look for opportunities every day to share our faith and inspire others to trust in God’s love. When we are in a good place emotionally, we can utilize our overflow to encourage others who may be struggling.
- Stewardship and Care – As stewards of this planet, we should look after God’s creation, including nature and the environment. That includes using our time, talents, and resources wisely and for good purposes.
Help God Every Day
By focusing on these actions and attitudes, we can build a life that honors God and counters Satan’s destructive influences of selfishness, hatred, and despair. We can help God every day by applying them at work, at home, when we socialize, exercise and relax. In some ways, the details of our physical lives don’t matter as much as our attitude while doing them. It is less important what we do in a worldly sense than it is how we act spiritually. For example, it’s better to be a loving janitor than a short-tempered, bitter brain surgeon.
At the end of the day, we will all be judged. Watchman Nee is imploring us to prepare for that moment by having the right values, attitudes, and perspectives. He said, “This is also to be the criterion at the judgment seat on that day; whether a work is to be burned or to stand shall be based on how effective it was in effecting the will of God.”
About Raleigh Acupuncture
At Raleigh Acupuncture Associates, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality professional acupuncture while being rooted in strong Judeo-Christian values of love, faith, kindness, and truth. Our practice is guided by a belief in compassionate care, where each patient is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, faith, or beliefs. We welcome people from all walks of life, creating a warm and inclusive environment where healing and holistic wellness are our top priorities. Our dedication to delivering exceptional acupuncture is paired with a genuine love for helping others, making our clinic a place where faith and top-tier medical care come together for the well-being of every patient.
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Focus Keyphrase: Help God Every Day
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