“You don’t have to look very far to see awe problems everywhere around you.”
My last two posts were connected to Paul David Tripp’s book, Awe. (You can read them by following these links: Post 1 and Post 2.) Today, I want to share what he says about Awe Problems – how looking for awe in the wrong places will lead us into sin:
In the heart of a sinner, awe of God is very quickly replaced by awe of self. This is the great war of wars. You don’t have to look very far to see awe problems everywhere around you.
Adultery is an awe problem. To the degree that you forget God’s glory as the Creator of your body and his place as owner of every aspect of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual personhood, to that degree it is easier to use the members of your body to get whatever pleasure your heart craves.
Debt is an awe problem. When your mind is blown away by the thought that God provides everything you have, that every good gift really does come from him, you are predisposed to be a good steward of the things he has provided.
Obsession with the collection of possessions is the result of an awe amnesia that makes you ask of things what you will only ever get from the God of glory, who alone can satisfy your searching heart.
Living for power and control is an awe problem. When you live with the rest and peace that come from keeping the power, authority, and sovereignty of God before your eyes, you don’t need to work yourself into control over the people and situations in your life.
Gluttony and obesity are awe problems. When you forget the glory of the satisfying grace of the Redeemer, you are susceptible to letting things like food and drink become your temporary replacement messiahs.
Fear of man is an awe problem. When I forget that God’s glory defines not only him but who I have become as his child, I look to people to give me meaning, purpose, and identity.
The awe war is everywhere. So I know that in ministry I will be preaching, teaching, and encouraging people who are awe forgetful, awe discouraged, awe empty, awe deceived, awe seduced, awe kidnapped, and awe weary. My job is to give them eyes to see the awesome glory of God—his glorious grace, wisdom, power, faithfulness, sovereignty, patience, kindness, mercy, and love.
I hope that today, your eyes will be open to see how awesome God is, so that you can replace your own awe problems by looking at the glory, grace, and might of our wonderful Savior!
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