Thoughts

Have you ever heard the term “mortification of the flesh”? That’s how theological writers of old termed what Paul presents in our passage today. These writers understood the spiritual battle—the old life, ruled by the sinful nature, versus the new life, ruled by the Spirit.

When your world begins to shake, you can go in one of two directions. You can turn to God and trust him to steady you. Or you can turn away from God and conclude he doesn’t care…maybe, he doesn’t even know what to do, so you’re better off on your own. At the end of the day, here’s the question: Which way will you turn?

The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, convicts, challenges, directs and reminds us that we belong to Jesus. You can’t pay for that kind of counseling.

My "treasure" is the best tool to evaluate my "heart." Convicting, isn't it?

Self-counsel leads us to self-directed actions and pushes God out of the picture. When God is out of the picture, we lose direction and focus.  Our thoughts and emotions are easily distracted by our circumstances. 

How about you? What are you learning about God and yourself on this journey? Are you thinking great thoughts of God? Is your energy to follow hard after Him increasing? Are you becoming bolder in telling others about Him? Are you finding contentment in Him alone? Packer’s words describe Joseph. Do they describe you?