Page 54 - First Steps 2023

2. Seek first the Kingdom.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

It’s one thing to be a citizen of God’s Kingdom and another to active-
ly strive to be a faithful citizen.
Will you be perfect? No…but when you’re leaning into loving and
serving your King, it unlocks other blessings God is eager to give you.
Following Jesus means you keep your eye on him. Anything that pulls
your focus away from him is a distraction, possibly an entanglement.
And entanglements are dangerous things.

• Confront entanglements
Becoming entangled is like straying off a path and wandering into
barb wire that rips and tears at your clothing and flesh. It’s painful, and if
you’re not careful you’ll be so tangled up that you can’t escape.
Entanglements tend to fall into one of three categories:

Cravings of sinful man. These over-size hungers include lust, im-

purity, sexual sin, gluttony, self-indulgence, and other short-sighted sins.
Falling into these is easy; struggling out of them is difficult.

Lust of the eyes. This is a “I see it and I want it” entanglement.
Those snared here find their focus captured by material and physical pos-
sessions.

Boasting. This is pride, but not healthy pride. A desire for fame,
power, or position motivates someone ensnared here to lie, cut corners,
and do whatever it takes to come out on top.

Here’s a question for both of you:

Which of these three entanglements feels most familiar to you?
Whether you’re struggling with it now or have in the past, share which one
is a place you’re prone to stumble.
Pause and pray for one another.

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