When Reality Sets In

You and I have had those moments when we have been so engrossed in what we were doing that we kind of lose touch with reality. Let me give you and example. Driving - When you have been on the road for a while or you are in a deep conversation with those riding with you and in a flash you realize you did not even notice the last 10 miles you just drove. In that instance you snap back into reality. Your mind begins to try to recount the miles, the curves, the stop signs, etc. Your are almost fearful because you are like "how did I get here." You catch your breath and realize how much could have happened during that time. You could have been in an accident, you could have hit someone, or run off the road.
We have all experienced it.
This happens to us on a spiritual level as well. We are covering ground but not really paying attention to the miles. It really happens more than we believe. It is a dangerous spiritual situation because it may involve people getting hurt or our testimony weakened. And all this happens while we are "asleep at the will." Yes, will. During those times you forfeit control over your will. It becomes vulnerable. Technically speaking you are out of control. Just like when you are driving but unconscience of your surroundings. In that moment you are a danger to yourself, those with you, and those around you.
I know we don't want to be considered a danger, but it happens. We call it "auto pilot." The bible calls it dangerous and lack of discipline. Ephesians 4:27, "Don't give the Devil an opportunity." 1 Corinthians 6:12, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be brought under the control of anything." When we are "asleep at the will," we loose control over our will and allow other things to take command. The Apostle Paul uses his own life to explain this principle in 1 Corinthians 9:27, "Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified."
We as believers in Jesus are commanded to NOT fall asleep at the will. Even in our surrendering to Jesus we are to do so with eyes wide open. Luke 14:26 - 28, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, and even his own life - he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?" Jesus clearly explains that the person who wants to follow Him must be awake and aware of what they are doing and the "miles" they are traveling. This is important because with out a conscience state of mind our default nature will steer our will. (Let me note here before going on; we must make conscience decisions to follow Jesus every second of our lives.)
This default nature (sin) falls victim to forces that want to destroy us and render us ineffective. Paul warns in Ephesians 4 if we fall asleep or lose control of our will the Devil will seize the opportunity over it. In essence we hand him the wheel. This point is amplified in Romans 6:13, "And do not offer (hand over) any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer (hand over) yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness." If we are not conscience of our will every second, we will allow ourselves to be used as weapons of unrighteousness. The same is true of the car we drive, if we do not remain in control of that car and it harms someone, we have just used that car as a weapon. The enemy love to take someone who is "asleep" and use them. He has done it ever since pride filled his mind. He used the angels that fell with him, he start again with Adam and Eve, and has continued to use those who will allow him to take control of their will. But what we must understand is when he does use someone as for unrighteousness; once he is done with his work he will leave them to awaken to reality. Just like when you come to your senses about the miles you drove without notice, the enemy will complete his work and in that moment you will return to your senses and reality will set in. "What just happened." This is where we say, "The devil made me do it." This is where I say and the bible says, no way. The only way the devil can do anything through us is if we let him. Yes, he will seize an opportunity, but we have to give that opportunity to him. That means when he walks away and we awaken to the reality of the bloodshed that has happened we are accountable and responsible. If we kill someone with our car and used the excuse that we were not aware of what was happening, the judge would not overlook our responsibility. Nor will God. And if he did, he would be unjust. Please note this, the devil loves nothing more than to use you and walk away leaving you holding the bag. By doing so, he has destroyed others and torments you as well. This is the point where he uses reality to destroy us. I can image him walking away and looking back at the exact moment reality sets in, only to laugh and feel a sense of accomplishment. That upsets me! I don't want him to feel that way at all. I want him to be tormented. I want the reality of his destruction to set in and be in his face every second of existence. But he will use our lack of control to steer and kill. When reality sets in, it brings other things with it. Such as guilt, shame, remorse among things. This is the continued work of the devil, because he knows very few are able to overcome these realities. Very few are able to say, "what have I done" and be able to fix it. Very few are able to continue to follow God in a healthy and productive way after the reality of events set in. He knows because he has been using people for thousands of years and his method and results remain the same. The only thing that changes are the victims. And those he is most interested in are those who profess to be believers in Jesus. He knows that the percentage of those who fall victim to his work and overcome the reality of being used is very small. He knows that even in those who say they know Jesus, the "I am sorry", the "can you forgive me", and the public confessions will probably never happen. He know because he has been around longer than us and he just laughs. He know that those who say they know Jesus will never do the things that Jesus says to do when these things happen. The devil know that very few will use the commands to overcome the bloodshed and carnage. The devil knows that very few will humble themselves or admit fault to become more than conquerors. Very few will really let go and move on. He knows that when reality sets in pride will typically increase, guilt will control, and shame will prevent.
When reality sets in we can either allow ourselves to be tormented and continue to torment others or deal with the consequences to promote biblical healing and bring glory to God.
When reality sets in those who profess Jesus and love Him with all their heart and all their mind and all their strength will do what very few do when reality sets in.