“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character and reap a destiny.”
When God warned Cain about his thoughts, he wanted him to put his boundaries in place.
He said, “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.” (Genesis 4:6-7)
Evil thoughts will get you on a detour and put you in murky waters.
The Narrative
THE PHARISEES AND EXPERTS of the law just complained that Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them.
And Jesus told them the parable of a father and two sons.
The younger son said to the father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’ (Luke 15:11-12)
The dad divided his property into two. And shortly after, the younger son took his inheritance and left for a distant land where he found himself in trouble.
If you ever find yourself in murky waters, ask yourself these questions:
Where is your heart?
BEFORE HE WENT TO HIS FATHER, the son had left—his heart was somewhere else. He acted out what he thought.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is is the place you will most want to be and end up being.” (Matthew 6:21)
He wanted to be alone. He rejected the father’s love and hearth.
The prodigal son wanted to be away from home—independent and free from parental controls and responsibilities.
Have your values shifted over time?
SOME OF US bury our values when we are trying to achieve or going through tough times.
The prodigal son’s values had shifted. He partied with the big boys and lived on the fast lane.
His friends’ values screamed loud in his ears and blocked access to his own values. They drowned everything he believed in, and he lost control of his life.
One way to prevent shifting values is to step aside—away from all the noise and be still before God.
Another way is to be rooted in biblical principles and continue to value what God values.
When David hatched the plot and had Uriah killed and took his wife, he disrespected the values of God. And David paid dearly for it. (2 Samuel 12)
Paul advised that ‘we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Your duty is demolishing the arguments and ideas, not God’s responsibility.
Your duty is demolishing the arguments and ideas
What’s your process?
THERE WAS A GREAT FAMINE in the land. The prodigal son began to want, and no one gave him food. Then, he looked inwards.
The prodigal son did a value assessment and came to his senses. He recalled how his father treated even his hired servants.
He said, “I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.” (Luke 15:18-19)
When God sent Nathan to David, he called David’s attention to the process.
David re-examined himself. He said, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13)
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)
The process of self-examination should be an ongoing one.
Who are you becoming?
THE PRODIGAL SON realized that he had brought shame to himself. When he searched his soul, he came to his core values.
He was concerned about what he had become, but he had the option—to return home and ask for forgiveness.
To become who he should be required taking ownership for his mistakes. He returned home.
While he was afar, the father recognized him. He ran out, embraced him and kissed him.
The father told his servants to bring clean clothes and put on him. He also said to them to put the family ring on him.
He rejoiced that his missing son had returned to take his place. He treated him as his son.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THE PRODIGAL SON realized that the only way out of his predicament was his dad, and he went to him.
You must also understand that only God can rescue you from this world of sin.
Run to Him and be safe!