But it can be.

You see, people tend to compartmentalize their spiritual life. God is a part, but he isn’t really in control. God isn’t the main factor in your decision making. So, you could put God first in some area, and then go and do what you intend to do, even against God’s will. For example, you could acknowledge God with some routine prayer before a business meeting, and then go and lie and cheat and steal and whatever in that meeting. God was first, but you were still in control.

Sometimes, people have God on their agenda, but God isn’t their agenda, and that is the issue. We have the wrong goals. We think that they are godly goals because we put “God” up front, but our view of him is out of order. This is the problem of “putting God first” instead of making him the center, the gravity that grounds us, and the orbit that our life revolves around. There are a lot of people who suffer with this at times. Their motives are not as pure as they might think they are. And so, they see the Scriptures in the wrong way. For example, …

Matthew 6:33 says this – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

And you might think of it like this: If I seek God, then I will get what I want.

But it is actually this: Seek God, and don’t worry so much about material stuff.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says this – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

And you might think of it like this: If I trust God, he will bless what I do.

But it is actually this: Trust God, and don’t wonder about some other way.

Psalm 37:4 says this – Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

And you might think of it like this: If I delight in God, he will make my dreams come true.

But it is actually this: If you delight in God, he is the desire of your heart. God becomes your dream, and doing his will becomes your reality.