| TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . ." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
TODAY'S WORD , as Christians, we need to avoid anything in life that will hinder our spiritual growth. To help you mature spiritually, here is a litmus test that will assist you in identifying what might weigh you down in your spiritual walk.
The first question to ask yourself is: "Does what I'm doing benefit me spiritually? The Apostle Paul once said, "All things are permissible, but not everything is beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23). Even though certain things are permissible, they still weigh us down by tearing us away from God and His people or by dulling our hunger for God's Word.
The second question you want to pose is, "Does this thing bring me under its power?" Paul provided us with this principle, when he said, "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Corinthians 6:12). Perhaps you are under the power of something. It's not that it is a bad thing in and of itself, but it might be that you have had so much of it that it is beginning to control your life. We want to avoid those things. We want to be under the power of Christ and Christ alone.
The final question of our litmus test pertains to the grey areas in life. When those times come our way, we must ask, "Do I have an uneasy conscience about what I am doing?" To put it scripturally, when these situations arise, remember the words of Paul, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).
You see, wise Christians constantly take inventory of their lives and avoid whatever aspects of life that can hurt their spiritual walk. Be wise and take inventory of your walk with God.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Father, you have given me another day. Bring your Holy Spirit into my mind and my life, so that I may walk this day in your presence. Let me feel your presence throughout the day, remembering always that you sent your Spirit that you might be a living force in all I see and all I do. When I feel temptation or begin to stray, show me your path. Correct me, comfort me, let me live your will; that I may be happy in this life and blessed in the life to come. This I pray in the name of Christ, my Lord, Amen |
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