Minding Your Math:
Inspired Discernment – Part 2
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:1-8
Key Verse: Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ
Let’s end this month with Paul’s inspired prayer for God’s knowledge and insight. Having love and zeal for God is essential. God doesn’t want dry legalism to characterize our lives, nor does God want our love and zeal for Him to be stunted in its maturity.
Normally, our initial love and zeal to what Jesus did for us on the cross will cancel out most of the obvious sins in our lives. Certainly, the flesh fights the spirit throughout life but the beginning joy for the Lord makes great progress in those areas. Soft addictions will normally be dealt with as we mature in Christ. They are habitual behaviors that we start to recognize as “taking” rather than “giving” life. To deal with these we truly need more of our Father in heaven’s wisdom. The more we read the Bible and allow it to saturate our minds, the more easily we will discern these “below the surface” behaviors that tend to substitute for the abundant life God wants for us!
As you pray about your lifestyle, ask God to open the “eyes of your heart” to see anything that is starting to take away the authentic quality of life. Determine to break loose from normal routines and try experiencing activities that are different for you. You might find subtracting actually adds to your life!
Father, thank you for wanting me to live life to the full. Forgive me when I settle for less. Grant me your wisdom and courage to live the life you want for me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.