Christians are empowered to do great things in obedience to the Lord. Because of God's grace poured out to us in Christ, we who believe in Christ and follow Him can simply declare and live by this declaration:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
There are some, however, who give in to the devil's lies and wrongly apply this amazing truth.
Sadly, they believe that they can do all things through Christ, even if what they're doing is not what He would want them to do.
In this article we'll talk about the truth of this verse, and how the enemy tries to twist our minds to misapply it.
I can do all things...
Friends, it's true that we can do all things through Christ.
- Through Christ, we can be forgiven and reconciled to our God and Father in heaven;
- Through Christ, we can be indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God and be His own;
- Through Christ, we can face our fears and overcome them;
- Through Christ, we can be emboldened to preach the Gospel to all creation;
- Through Christ, we can have hope in the face of desperation and turmoil.
Paul actually made this declaration as he spoke of facing hardships:
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13)
He wouldn't want me to do some things...
There are some, however, who apply this bold declaration to the wrong causes and for the wrong reasons. And why would they do that?
It's because the devil has mixed this truth with his lies, and this mixture poisons Christians to do all things, even when it's not pleasing to God. For example:
- Some Christians, desiring to serve God, abandon their families and disobey God's Word (see 1 Timothy 5:8);
- Some Christians, believing they can do all things through Christ, use His name for their own gain (see James 4:3);
- Some Christians, thinking that they can overcome their sins "with the help of Christ," go ahead and face the temptations they used to fall for -- and end up falling again and again (see 1 Peter 4:1-4);
- Some Christians, reaching for their selfish ministry ambitions, use God's Word to manipulate others to listen to them and give time and money to them and their cause (see Matthew 23);
- Some Christians, thinking that God loves them so much, live selfish lives praying for God's blessing while ignoring their neighbors and the unbeliever's poor spiritual condition and destiny (see John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:4);
Friends, we can do all things through Christ, things that pertain to His will. Through Him, we can accomplish God's will and purposes for our lives. Through Him, we can do all things, but we shouldn't use His name to do things He doesn't want us doing.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."" (Matthew 16:24)
