There are two extremes of human attitudes, which end up as
liabilities to the work of Christ, rather than as a blessing. Satan tempts us
in our thoughts with the sins of inferiority and superiority. Our misguided
beliefs about God, the world and our self shade the thoughts in our mind. This
also affects our words and actions.
Some of us are insecure, and shrink from the limelight,
rarely volunteering to help in church ministries. We end up disparaging,
censuring and condemning our abilities and our feeble attempts to serve. We
doubt God's love for us. We fail to walk in the will of God, because we believe
that we cannot accomplish what He is calling us to achieve (Proverbs
23:7).
On the other hand, there are those with prideful thoughts
who exalt themselves and brag about their accomplishments (Galatians
6:3: Romans 12:3). We have spiritual pride and remove our self from
fellowship with the Body of Christ, because we look down on them and criticize
their efforts for the Lord. We think that we are too good to function in God's
true calling for our life (James 1:26).
Jesus pointed out that what is in us, comes out of us,
either good or bad (Matthew 12:35). If we listen to Satan's lies, we
will live in defeat or arrogance. God's Spirit deals both with inadequacy and
pride in the authentic Believer (Hebrews 4:12). The balance between these two
extremes is to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Christ can heal us and deliver us. We can function through
God's Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth and directs our every step (Galatians
2:20; John 16:13; Romans 8:14). We no longer struggle to live in this world. God's
Spirit replaces our carnal disposition with the divine nature and mind of
Christ (2 Peter 1:4; Romans 12:2).
Prayer:
Father God, after our spirit is Born Again, allow us to
surrender to the transforming work, which Your Spirit accomplishes in our soul.
This way we will cooperate and exhibit more and more of Your spiritual fruit (Galatians
5:22-23). Remind us to place our mind on spiritual and eternal
issues, not on earthly aspects (Colossians 3:2). Help our mind to dwell only on
what is factual, moral, accurate, divine, positive, admirable and worthy of
praise (Philippians 4:8).
Thought for the Day:
If we focus on the negative, we reap death; but if we focus
on the positive and spiritual, we will enjoy rest and peace. - Romans 8:5-6
