3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. ~ Romans 12:3-8
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. ~ James 1:14-15
I recently rewatched the movie 300, and it reminded me of the Church, especially today’s Church. See, 300 Spartan warriors went to face the Persian army of 300,000. The 300 Spartans lost due to a betrayal by a deformed Spartan outcast named Ephialtes. Ephialtes wanted to go to war with Sparta, but King Leonidas refused to let him because of his deformity. Ephialtes took this as King Leonidas rejecting him, when in reality, King Leonidas was saving his life.
See, their battle formation required the ability to lift their shield above their heads, which Ephialtes, due to his deformity, could not. The first battle scene shows their successful fight against the Persian army that then ends with the Persians shooting so many arrows into the sky that it blocks out the sun. Ephialtes, unable to lift his shield above his head, would have died.
We don’t always get our heart’s desires as Christians. Sometimes we desire outside the plans of God, outside what He has for us, so He tells us. Not because He is wicked, but because He knows what we do not, and He is trying to save us from ourselves. But much like Ephialtes, we become angry and rebellious, turning away from God and toward the enemy. Ephialtes betrayed King Leonidas to King Xerxes because King Xerxes was willing to give him every indulgence of the flesh, no matter how it corrupted him.
Our enemy is much like that. He will give you the desires of your heart. All the indulgence of the flesh, asking only for your soul in return. So many of us accept his offer, not realizing we’re condemning our souls to everlasting punishment. To everlasting separation from our God and King. Therefore, do not be led astray by your heart’s desire. Instead, let your heart’s desire be molded and shaped after the plan of your King.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Remold Your Desire.