Renewing Our Mind

Read: Ephesians 6:10-18

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

Many people misinterpret this verse by saying that God will not give us more trials than we can bear. Clearly, this is not addressing trials, but is about the temptation to sin. God does not diminish our trials, because He uses trials to work character in our life (James 1:3). He does, however, strengthen us to resist the temptation to sin. He wants us to walk away from temptation as victors rather than victims.

Temptation is common to all of mankind and does not affect our Salvation. The first unholy thought is not a sin; it is a temptation. It is Satan’s tool to draw you away from spiritual pursuits. We only sin when we agree with and entertain those ungodly thoughts and quests. When we are tempted, God always gives us His wisdom to see right through Satan’s lies.

One way we withstand temptation is by renewing our mind (Romans 12:2) with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We start pursuing eternal matters rather than allowing issues in the earthly realm to consume us. This is easier said than done.

Since we live in this worldly realm, its shackles continually pull us back to earth. Some people are spiritually immature and give in to a wide range of fleshly driven, decadent, corrupt behavior that brings God’s judgment on their lives. Others are less overtly sinful; yet, are still excessively busy with worldly pursuits. Some are even idle gossips or full of anxiety or prideful about their own accomplishments.

If we make a commitment to follow Christ, then withstanding temptation gets easier every day. As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, read the Bible and listen to the preaching of God’s Word, worship with fellow Christians and share with others what Christ is doing in our life, then we renew our mind by puting on the mind of Christ (Psalm 27:11).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the tools You give us to live a life, which is victorious over sin. When Satan attacks, prepare us to do battle using Your armor (Ephesians 6: 11-14) as our defense.

Thought for the Day:

Our defense against temptation is to be fully dressed for battle.

Love Never Fails

Read: I Corinthians 13:4-8

“For God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ 6 That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, "The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’ ”  - Heb 13:5-6 (TLB)

Trying to live in a constant state of perfectionism used to drive me in circles. Thankfully, I learned that God is love (I Corinthians 13: 4-8), and that His love covers a multitude of my sins. I do not have to be perfect in order to receive His love. Now, I can loosen up on myself and everyone else. His character includes patience and kindness; and though we fail, He never thinks evil of us. He takes no pleasure in disciplining us; but He is always faithful to discipline all of His children in order to bring us back to His straight and narrow road.

He bears with us, comforts us and embraces us in His everlasting arms. He rejoices when we walk in His truth and when we speak His truth to others and to ourselves. He believes we can do all things through Christ, His Son. Jesus endured the cross to ensure that we will never utterly fail. Now, Jesus lives within us by His Spirit, providing all the power of the entire triune Godhead for us to utilize as we need His help with a task, guidance to walk in His will, and protection to keep us safe.

These promises inspire assurance in my heart. I may make mistakes, but God’s love is not contingent upon my works. He calls us to reach for perfection, but He knows without His grace this goal is impossible. God created us as human beings, and He has the patience to wait as our character grows through the encouragement of His love. Therefore, I can do my best and leave the rest up to Him.

Prayer:

Lord, when I give in to Satan’s temptation to give up on myself, remind me that You are in my corner believing in my success. Help me to read Your Word, to delight in each thought it reveals, to allow it to divide between my flesh and my spirit in order to make me holy, and help me to share Your Truth with everyone I meet.

Thought for the Day:

God loves our humanity, because He made us as mere mortals!

Falsely Accused

Read: Matt 26:59-60a

“For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them.” - Acts 25:11 (NKJV)

There is nothing that upsets me more than a false accusation. I make so many mistakes, for which others can justly accuse me that I hate to receive false accusations as well. One day, during my devotion time, God reminded me that the Jews falsely accused Paul and Jesus also. Therefore, I am in good company.

Biblical characters used a soft answer to turn away wrath (Prov 15:1). So from their example, I endeavor to learn that humility is always the best way to diffuse a tense situation. Now, when someone falsely accuses me, I remember that as long as God knows the truth, the false opinion of others makes no difference in my life. I do not need to use one breath in my defense, because God is my judge (Romans 14:4) and Jesus is my advocate (1 John 2:1).

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving us Your Word to teach us to see both sides of the coin. Help us to make wise judgments and never to accuse anyone falsely.

Thought for the Day:

The mouth of the righteous man speaks only wisdom and justice and never makes a false accusation.