Who's on the Throne?

My friend “Nate” was a pot smoker. Generally a good guy who loved the Lord. But a pot smoker. In the course of our friendship, I felt led to address this area in his life. (And as his small group leader, it was my place to do so.)

It was a friendly conversation because we had a good relationship. I had all my reasons why it was a bad idea, and he had all his reasons why it was ok, every one of which I disagreed with, but he was sticking to them. We were just going round and round, getting nowhere. Maybe you've had that conversation.

I silently prayed, “Lord, what can I say that will make a difference? What do you want me to say?” And I got an answer.

So I said, “Nate, we've gone round and round on a lot of stuff we're just going to have to agree to disagree about. But let me leave you with this thought. There are two things we both know are true. First, you smoke pot because you want to? Not a condemnation, just a fact. Yes?”

Nate agreed, “Yes, I do want to. I like it.”

“Ok,” I continued. “The second thing we both know is true is that God does not want you to.”

Nate sighed, “Yes, I know that's true.”

“Then the final thought I'm going to leave you with is, Who's sitting on the throne of your life?”

How about us? Is there any area of our life we're arguing with God about? It's time to give up.