Entries by tag: thought life
Scripture reading for december 3rd: Romans 13-16
Read it online here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013,14,15,16
S:
Romans 13:14 (NIV) Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord, Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
O:
This is Paul's concluding sentence after warning the church in Rome to avoid sinful lifestyles and pursue holy living.
A:
I am struck by the contrasting commands "clothe yourselves" and "do not think." I think God is showing me that the later sheds light on the former. Paul doesn't say avoid doing the acts of the sinful nature, he says don't even think about how you might do them. The mind is very powerful. What I allow myself to think about works its way into other parts of me - my heart, my physical body, other parts of my brain, my will, etc. This speaks directly to cavalier attitudes about morality, ideas like "Look but don't touch" or "I can dream, can't I?" This verse says to me, "No!" My thought life matters. Whether it's a car, an iPhone, or a woman other than my wife, thinking on those things can lead me down an unholy path. That means clothing myself with Jesus must include thinking about Him, his character, his attributes, his grace, his love, and so on. This verse serves as another reminder to guard my thoughts diligently and to think on what is good and true and noble and right. That's one reason for trying to start the day out in the Word; it sets the right tone for my mind.
P:
Lord, it is hard to guard my mind every moment of every day. The world around me assaults it. My own flesh assaults it. Will You protect it by the power of Your Spirit within me? Amen.
Read it online here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013,14,15,16
S:
Romans 13:14 (NIV) Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord, Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
O:
This is Paul's concluding sentence after warning the church in Rome to avoid sinful lifestyles and pursue holy living.
A:
I am struck by the contrasting commands "clothe yourselves" and "do not think." I think God is showing me that the later sheds light on the former. Paul doesn't say avoid doing the acts of the sinful nature, he says don't even think about how you might do them. The mind is very powerful. What I allow myself to think about works its way into other parts of me - my heart, my physical body, other parts of my brain, my will, etc. This speaks directly to cavalier attitudes about morality, ideas like "Look but don't touch" or "I can dream, can't I?" This verse says to me, "No!" My thought life matters. Whether it's a car, an iPhone, or a woman other than my wife, thinking on those things can lead me down an unholy path. That means clothing myself with Jesus must include thinking about Him, his character, his attributes, his grace, his love, and so on. This verse serves as another reminder to guard my thoughts diligently and to think on what is good and true and noble and right. That's one reason for trying to start the day out in the Word; it sets the right tone for my mind.
P:
Lord, it is hard to guard my mind every moment of every day. The world around me assaults it. My own flesh assaults it. Will You protect it by the power of Your Spirit within me? Amen.
For Today's Bible reading, click the link.
S: Scripture: Choose one thing that stood out.
O: Observation: What does it say (context, audience, meaning, etc.)?
A: Application: What principles apply to me? How should my life be different moving forward?
P: Prayer: Speak to God about what He showed you.
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