Resisting Impulsivity

This post is not for everyone. It’s important for you to take this back to the Lord and confirm with Him that this is for you. Not every word is meant to be applied to your life in the immediate moment. If you are receiving this in season it should not be the first time you are hearing about it. If the Lord has not been speaking to you about this already, take the wisdom and knowledge as a form of learning the ways of the Lord that you might choose to walk in them. If this is for you it should serve as confirmation and give you understanding. Glory be to God!

This week the Chapter the Lord led me to was Exodus 18. He had me study the exchange between Jethro and Moses. I encourage you to read it yourself and take notes, leaving room for God to continue to reveal to you. Glory be to God for giving me a space to share what the Lord gave me. I pray this blesses you in your wilderness season.

It is a heavy burden to carry being the one to settle cases between disputing parties. If this is your position, people come to you and you are a representative before God— you take concerns to the Lord and teach others Gods ways and His character. God will give you instructions for other people when you are in this position. Before you start behaving in this position make sure He really put you in it. You’re also meant to lead by example. Moses would wear himself out by taking on this responsibility alone. Jethro reminded him to remain who he is but to allow others to be leaders as well. Having wisdom does not make you responsible for handling every conflict— there are helpers that can take the weight off of your shoulders. Do not love the position of being a judge or a leader so much that you live life under pressure. Remember where the battle is. If the enemy is in the spirit— keep the fight there too.

“If you follow this advice and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” (Exodus 18:23) It’s important to really let that sink in. The advice Jethro gave was essentially, “don’t carry the weight alone and make sure it’s Gods will for your life.” If you are the one who is drawing near to the Lord and you are met with conflict and arguments in the physical— your conversation with God needs to be “Is this your will for me, I can’t do this on my own.” Moses took the advice and chose capable men, appointed them over an allotted number of people as leaders who were readily available to solve the people’s common disputes. Bigger issues were brought to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. We also learn what makes a man capable of that position: spiritual maturity, knowledge of the character of God and His laws, honesty, fear of God and they must hate bribes. Not everything can be transactional. They can not be easily swayed into the ways of the world. Use discernment when giving/asking for advice in matters of disputes. Do not go to just anyone for guidance. Stay connected to people who seek Gods will and will stand in agreement with Gods ways before they feed your flesh according to your feelings. Leave room for the Holy Spirit to correct and counsel and test the spirit of those speaking in to your ear about your journey.

It’s dangerous to come in to agreement with being solely responsible for leading others back to God. Jesus and Heavens armies are with you. Don’t rely on your own strength. When there is a dispute or disagreement between two parties— one, or both, are out of alignment with the way God would have it go. Instead of arguing or carrying the weight of the responsibility to maintain peace by your own strength— call on the Holy Spirit to bring peace of God to the situation. Stay yoked to Christ. The enemy is not the person in the argument— it’s a disconnect caused by a misunderstanding somewhere. Praying for God to reveal truth and being humble and open to correction keeps peace in the home, group or office, offense out of our hearts and leaves the battle in the spirit where the victory belongs to the Lord. You do not have to have all of the answers. Jesus does. It would be a form of spiritual pride to truly believe that you can figure it all out on your own. If that were the case what would you need Christ for?

What this looks like is not reacting out of impulse. What this looks like is not snapping back. What this looks like is actively seeking counsel of God before counting anything right or wrong. This also goes for disagreements between the physical and the spirit. When God puts you in a position where what He is saying and what you are seeing do not line up— pause and seek understanding before you make any decisions. Walking by faith requires us to believe before we see. It is normal for the physical and what God is speaking to you about to conflict. The enemy moves through the power of suggestion when our flesh is weak. When there is a disconnect between our head and heart— we should be seeking guidance before coming in to agreement with any ideas or decisions. Impulsive decisions during a wilderness season or freshly out of one lead to unfavorable agreements. The devil followed Jesus into the wilderness and made him offers according to what He lacked— but Jesus was not overcome by a lack mindset so he was able to reject the enemy and keep his eyes on what God was saying, forcing the enemy to flee. Esau came out of the wilderness starving and not fully understanding his birthright and so he traded it over for a bowl of soup. He chose to feed his immediate desires rather than value the birthright the Lord had given Him. In your wilderness take your time to learn Gods voice. Learn His yes and His no. Learn how to recieve guidance. Do not be the one in the wilderness who did not learn how to discern the purpose and the plan of the Lord. Settle matters by the leading of the Holy Spirit. There will be pressure but long-suffering is a fruit of the Holy Spirit meaning if He put you in a tough position and there is conflict around you; call on His Holy Spirit for the strength to endure. Don’t carry the weight alone. Keep going.

This weeks word was very short and sweet and to the point but for the purpose of the Lord. He literally said to me “this is your next study” and I’m so used to posting long explanations and more but this seems very specific and direct. Remember that none of this teaching matters if you dont start to apply it to your life. Resist impulsivity. Reject heated arguments and disputes. The solution does not need to be found immediately. Make room for the Holy Spirit to reveal. You are not running out of time. Here is a prayer that will help if you are facing this in your life. Keep it for later if necessary.

*Heavenly Father Glory be to You. God I thank You for Your Holy Spirit to guide and cousel my character and my ways that they would align with Your design. Speak to me of Your will for my life, Oh God. Keep me on the straight path that I would not be led into the direction of fools. Give me Your strength and Your peace as I navigate this journey and work in me and those around me to bring a spirit of agreement into this space according to Your perfect will. Keep me wise and my thoughts and emotions obedient to Christ. I call on the aid of Heavens Armies to bring all things around me into alignment of Your purposes and plans. I trust Your lead. Show me the way that I should go. All love and praises be to You. Amen and Amen*

I love you guys. Keep your eyes on Jesus. See you in the next one.

Ari.