How often do you look to others when you have a decision to make? I see this happening all too often today, especially with the prevelance of social media. Looking to others to solve our problems deprives us of the ability to learn and grow and become spiritually self-reliant.
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Just like the parable of the 10 virgins, it's important that we become one of the 5 wise virgins who filled their own lamps. (Matthew 25:1-13)
You can't borrow spiritual oil
One of the things we seem to struggle with as humans is the ability to make decisions on our own. The need for external validation and confirmation is great today. I have seen it quite often on my Facebook feed and in various Facebook groups. People are constantly asking for the opinions of others.
I have also seen a similar trend where people ask for scriptural references and confirmation of prophecies, especially about the second coming. There seems to be much “sign seeking.”
This concerns me, because what I see is that people aren’t versed in the scriptures, and instead, they look to others for truth. This is a very dangerous path.
It’s critical that we fill our own lamps with oil, and not depend on the oil of others. We are the ones responsible for our own salvation. We are the ones responsible for learning to hear the voice of the Spirit.
Do what it takes to learn how the Spirit talks to you. Take the time every day to study the scriptures.
Have you ever read the entire Bible? If not, start now.
Here’s a link to a printable 1-year reading plan so you don’t have to map it out yourself.
I just print it out, fold it up, and put it in my Bible.
If you’re not sure how to solve a problem, it’s always ok to go to others to see what worked for them. But ultimately, YOU are the one responsible for making the decision. If you do seek advice from others, seek it from those who have successfully faced and overcome something similar, or who have wisdom about that area.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do for yourself is to learn to ask God.
Ask! God's waiting for you to come to him and ask him.
And if you’re sick, injured, or otherwise suffering, you can ask your body, too! Yes, your body will talk to you, just like Heavenly Father and Jesus will.
Not sure where to start? Like anything else, practice. Here's how:
- Take time each day in prayer and meditation to go to God and Christ. Start asking them for help.
- Tell them what you’re struggling with.
- Ask them for solutions to your problems or challenges.
- Ask them for the wisdom to know what to do.
- Ask them for the strength you need to overcome.
- Go and do!
Start today to fill that lamp
Fill your lamp with oil, just as the 5 wise virgins did. Don’t depend on someone else to give you oil. They can’t.
We all need to gather our own oil. Start today.
