DO NOT WORRY MATTHEW 6:25-34
“ …. do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.” Matthew 6:25
When a person worries, the peace of mind and ability to focus on the right things is cut off. Instead of keeping eyes on the Lord, he/she focuses on things that cannot satisfy. In fact, an average person crucifies himself between two thieves: l) the regrets of yesterday and (2) the worries of tomorrow.
Christ is not forbidding proper attention to these material needs but is forbidding improper attention. Christ is not teaching here that we are not to think about and take proper action regarding food and clothes. It is the inordinate, consuming concern about these things that is forbidden. We must eat to live and we certainly need to be clothed, but it is possible to get so anxious about these things that we take our eyes and attention and interests off the more important matter of our spiritual needs. The Bible tells us of Mary and Martha Luke 10:39-42. Mary chose one thing that is needed, which will not be taken away from her..
In other texts of scripture, we are exhorted to be industrious in actions to supply our daily needs. 1 Tim.5:8—But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Pro. 6:6—Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Pro. 28:19—He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
This command “do not worry” appears three times in verses 25, 31, and 34 of Matthew chapter 6. This repetition is significant and must not be ignored. Repetition in Scripture not only emphasizes the weightiness of the instruction, but it also emphasizes the slowness of humanity to heed the lesson. So when Christ repeats the command three times, we need to sit up and pay earnest attention. The fact that He has to repeat it so many times is an indication of the struggle we have with worry.
Worry is sinful. We may dignify worry by calling it by some other name—concern, burden, a cross to bear—but the results are still the same. Instead of helping us live longer, anxiety only shorten lives. Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God, and yet it is a sin that Christians commit perhaps more frequently than any other and zaps the life out of believers. Notice Matthew 13:22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
We are to look to Jesus Christ to provide for our needs. When we entertain worry, we find that it is irreverent, irresponsible, irreligious, and irrelevant. Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. The fact that He tells us not to worry indicates that “worry” is a choice. We choose to trust or to worry. Worry may (1) damage your health, (2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, (3) disrupt your productivity, (4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (5) reduce your ability to trust in God
Desist from worry: (1) Be thankful to the Lord for who you are and all that God has given to you – Philippians 4: 4; (2) Live by the day, take care of today’s business. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34; (3) De-clutter your life, simplify things that you do.; (4) Be prayerful. Beloved, delegate you cares to the Lord. Casting all your cares upon the Lord; for He cares for you -1 Peter 5 :7
The Christian has no need to worry because his heavenly Father is the Creator of the universe and is intimately concerned about the needs of his or her life. The Lord Jesus said, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ” Matthew 11:28. Bring your burden of sins to Him, and He will save you. Then come to Him and He will meet you and help you with your problems. Paul told the Philippians believers in Philippians 4:6 “Worry about nothing; pray about everything.” That is, take it to the Lord in prayer, and leave it there — don’t pick it up again, because Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 that “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” May the LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Welcome to the month of June 2018,the month of “No Worry,” in Jesus Name.
Yours in Him, Pastor (Dr.) Lillian Haastrup
