There Are no God-Free Zones

June 18, 2008

By Jerry Scott

Many of us leave God out of entire parts of our lives — sometimes intentionally, sometimes unconsciously. Ask yourself these questions:

When I turn on my TV, do I invite the Holy Spirit to be with me? If Jesus Christ were visibly present in my living room, would my choice of programming be different?

When going to work, do I separate biblical principles that govern my personal life from the decisions I make in my business?

When I open my checkbook, does God have a say in the way I spend my money?

When I disagree with someone, do I push the Lord aside so I can vent my emotions?

There are no God-free zones!

“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. … You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. … Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight?” (Psalm 139:1,2,4,5,7 The Message).

Perhaps you find that a threatening passage. For me, knowing that God is always near, that He knows everything about me, is wonderfully reassuring. Nothing that comes my way today surprises Him or catches Him off guard. As my Advocate, my Counselor, I can rely on Him to guide me through any situation, to keep me from being overtaken by temptation.

Don’t allow for any supposedly God-free zones in your life. Here’s a prayer from the Word. Make it your petition today.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24, NIV).

— Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor at Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.