Stop Hurting Yourself

I recently heard Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church, say "Any time Jesus is not 1st in our lives, we will always do things that hurt us." At first I was confused by his statement because I never intend to hurt myself. As a human, I am looking out for my best interest and never intentionally trying to do things that hurt me. That's the problem though. Many times I make decisions because I think I know what I need/want in the moment. However, I have realized that if I am not seeking the Lord through my decisions, I tend to make choices that cause myself pain.

Jesus' commands us not to do certain things:

• "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits is outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18
• "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry," Colossians 3:5
• "You shall have no other gods before me." Deuteronomy 5:7 [No idols]
• "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24

These are just to list a few. But now if you aren't a Christ follower I understand that you read that and think "Yea, a list of rules and things I can't do."
Can I please tell you that I have been there.
Can I please openly tell you that I have gone against those commandments listed above.
I may have been satisfied in the moment; however, at the end of the day I was left broken. Sometimes not even at the end of the day, sometimes it was the end of the week, or even month.

I have learned that the Lord wants what is best for us. He did not give these commands so that we would have a boring life. He gave us these commands so that we would experience life to the fullest. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

The Lord's commandments are guardrails for us. They are to protect us. He created us and knows what's best for us. Instead of being left broken and empty, He fills us and offers us joy, hope, peace, and love. He offers us eternity with Him in Heaven. Life is so much better with Jesus. It may not get easier but it is so much better living under His commandments. So much joy comes from obeying Christ. If you are reading this, I am praying that you follow the Lord and experience this truth for yourself.