Sometimes people call on us to boycott a store or an event because they don’t agree or believe in what they stand for. What I find interesting is the same scrutiny does not always apply to their lives. It’s easy to point out what’s wrong in government or a big corporation, but turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to our mess. The real question is, should people boycott you because of your behavior and what you stand for?
Your four walls
We know that the nation’s debt is out of control and continues to grow. It’s not something you or I can control. We know that the moral standards of the world are extremely low and are becoming more raunchy. What we can control and focus on is what we allow to take place within our four walls. Are we creating debt for our families? Where is our money going? Do you leave all the lights on in your house? Is the door open while the air conditioner/furnace is on? Are you eating out constantly instead of cooking? Do you follow a budget and look for deals or do you have the shop until you drop attitude? That’s money that you can allocate for a savings account or end-of-life plan.
Are your standards in compliance with God’s standards? What you do and allow within your four walls, would Jesus say well done? We need to put our thoughts, actions, and motives under a microscope and dissect them according to the Bible. When we compare ourselves to others instead of the Bible, we grade ourselves much higher than what we deserve. We think we are not as bad as the next, and God said our righteousness is as filthy rags. Let’s manage our homes and be the example God calls us to be to the nation and the world.
It’s not enough to know
Most of the time we know when we’re not functioning at the level God requires, and it’s shameful when we have no sense of urgency to change. I believe it’s because there’s usually no immediate severe consequence for our sin and bad behavior. Your hand doesn’t fall off as soon as you touch something you’re not supposed to. Your eyes or mouth aren’t glued shut if you look at or say something you shouldn’t. Praise God for His mercy and longsuffering, but don’t take it for granted. Remember you can pick the sin, but you can’t pick the consequence or the duration of the consequence.
We are a people that think we have unlimited time, and we will get to it when we want to, or that someone or something will always be available to us. Unfortunately, some people thought they would have one more day and the morning never came for them. Don’t let your pride give you a false sense of security that tomorrow will come and somehow you have control over it. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you should do today, your life may depend on it.
The main focus
If you feel the need to boycott/protest a store or event, make sure your goal is that people see Jesus. More importantly, make sure you see Jesus so His vision is your vision. As Christians, the main focus is for Jesus to shine brightly through our actions at all times. We all have things we are passionate about, but they can’t come before or at the expense of putting Jesus on the back burner. God called us to share the Gospel and His love, which should always be our main focus whether we’re boycotting or within our four walls. People need to see the love of Jesus and the best place to start is at home.
In conclusion
Boycott means to withdraw from, and there are some things we need to boycott to be in good standing with the Lord. It may be what we watch on television, look at on the internet, post on social media, what we put into our bodies, the people we hang out with, and our entertainment. We may need to re-evaluate our thought process, what we truly believe, and who we are getting our instructions from. Let us remove the big, fat beams (Matthew 7) that we’re allowing to cause discord and crumble our four walls before we boycott government, corporations, and people.
ACTION ITEM(S)
- Are there some things you need to boycott in order to bring you closer to Jesus?
- Would God say well done to the things going on within your four walls?
- Are you taking God’s longsuffering for granted?
- Are you waiting for tomorrow?
Amen! I love it! You nailed it as always sweet friend! It’s good to be convicted! I am forever thankful for your posts for they point me back to Gods word for one and what he says and two for reminders if areas I need to work on or haven’t even covered yet!
I have had to boycott things like alcohol in my life. I can’t be around it or
When people are doing it. It brings back horrible reminders of the past Ashley before I was saved and I also don’t want any temptations. So it’s always a no for me when I know it will be at certain events or get togethers.
I was just thinking about salvation the other day and how I want to be careful not to take it for granted! Jesus died on the cross! A painful suffering! Am I doing my all for HIM!? I won’t ever be perfect! But I can make conscious decisions! Sure enough He showed me an area I am personally trying to work on.
Thank you for these reminders and truths! God bless you sweet sister!
Ashley, As always thank you for your kind words and encouragement! Your transparency helps me and will help many others. Thank you for your comment and continued support!!!
You know the church saying, “If you can’t say amen, say ouch?” This is definitely one of those blogs! I love the analogy between our four walls and what’s going on in the world. We are, at times, quick to judge the leadership of others (no matter what they are leading) but neglecting to judge our own….wow. I pray as God graces me to lead my household, that I will follow His every instruction.
Lisa, God is challenging me in all areas to go deeper and this one is no different. I’m praying that I follow His instructions in leading my household as well.
Carol thank you so much for this impactful and powerful message. It is very important that we all take inventory of our lives and be very transparent with ourselves in order to exact the changes that we expect from God! I know that there has been things in my life that I have boycotted against for my own good. And I have seen very positive changes and consequences for those boycotts. Again thank you for all that you do to make Make this a better society.
Michelle, Amen! It’s a blessing to hear that you are taking personal inventories and withdrawing from certain things and seeing God’s blessing upon you! Thank you for sharing!
There are so many things in this world that we as Christians could boycott. But you are right, God tells us to examine ourselves first. James 1 talks about the man beholding himself in the mirror then forgetting what manner of man he is. How quickly we forget our righteousness is as filthy rags and we don’t deserve anything good. We are called to examine ourselves first and foremost. Our actions have consequences beyond the immediate. Are we acting as Christ would have us act? Are we good examples to others, would someone look at us and say that person is a Christian? What does God want me to do?
How do we win people to Christ? By loving them. Not always an easy thing for me to do. It is so much easier to point that finger at others then to ask “How does Christ want me to respond in this situation?”
I do not live on an island by myself, what I do affects others, therefore I must ask are my actions bringing people to Christ or leading them away?
Thanks Carol!
Carolyn, Amen! The Holy Spirit is always reminding and convicting me to look at my heart, actions, attitude, and motives to make sure I am being obedient to the things of the Lord. I truly am nothing and can do nothing without the Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you so much for your comment!!!