indulging personal preferences...

When we indulge our opinions...
our personal preferences...
we feed our flesh...

Whether in food choices...
fashion...
interior design...
pleasing self... our natural bents...
feeds the flesh...

When we allow personal preferences... in the church...
to affect a community of Believers...
whether it's worship style... or personality of the preacher...
it's destructive... and divisive...

For to set the mind on the flesh is death,

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 ESV

To walk by the Spirit... dismisses the voice that says style matters...
exterior matters...

Walking by the Spirit... pays attention to the unseen...
the invisible... asking Him...
What is the heart behind the worship...?
Where am I focused...?
Where's the truth in the words spoken...?

Heart is what matters... not personal preference...

When we indulge personal preference...
feeding the flesh...
we quench the Spirit...
and miss grace altogether...

When personal preference moves us to leave a community...
we've judged those who serve Christ in that community...

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?

It is before his own master that he stands or falls.

And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:4 ESV

Focusing on the Spirit in worship...

focuses on the unseen...

asking Him to reveal Himself...

through the offering of those serving Him...

Worship is all about the heart...

hearts seeking to please Him...

glorify Him...

not self...

Indulging personal preference...

allowing it to lord over us...

feeds the flesh...

misses grace...

divides... His... body...

Is there room for personal preference...? when it comes to faith...?

For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God,

for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot.

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:7-8 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Flesh and faith...

they just don't mix...

Father forgive me... for every instance I've indulged...

personal preference... to the harm of another... 

teach me to walk by faith... not by sight... 

not by flesh... but by the Spirit... 

Help me to see what really matters... You...