A Saving Voice Needs a Willing Mind
Whatever is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovely, excellent, admirable, and praiseworthy, think on these things. ––Philippians 4:8
God’s man always runs the risk of being pimped by his old nature, old voices, old ways of thinking, and old ways of dealing with life. All of which are separate from the Holy Spirit’s control. Any of us can be broken down culturally, physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually and begin to think self-destructive thoughts. Fortunately though, the obstacles that really challenge us can help us grow a spiritual spine.
Think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane or Joseph in that Egyptian jail. These are the times the strength of the Holy Spirit is waiting, poised to invade our weakness and bring God’s perspective. In these moments we must choose the Holy Spirit’s direction over the easier, better feeling, more convenient, more comfortable, dark impulses that beckon for indulgence. It’s called sacrificing for a higher allegiance. It’s called becoming a man. It’s called being Christ-like. It’s called activating the Holy Spirit’s power.
Every man experiences these valleys and pits, but not every man succumbs to his self-destructive, sinful nature at the expense of his connection with the Holy Spirit. The battlefield lesson is this: If we don’t have a mind set to please God before our challenges hit, it will be hard to side with the Holy Spirit of God in the middle of such testing.
Practically, this means making up our mind in advance, to side with the Spirit when the chips are down and the pressure is on. This predetermined choice which eliminates bad options in the heat of the moment is called a willing mind. Paul says, For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6, NASB).
Father, thank You for the choice of freedom You have given me.