Tuesday: The Disciplined Will
One of the greatest enemies of our wills is our own feelings. We are increasingly living in a culture bombarded with pictures and music that can appeal directly to our senses, triggering our emotions — anger, fear, or lust — without our realizing it. How often do we think such things as “What do I feel like eating for supper?” “What do I feel like doing today?” “Do I feel good about buying this?” Feelings have thus become intimately involved in our decision-making. Feelings are not necessarily bad, but how I feel about something may have little to do with what is right or best. Indeed, our feelings can lie to us (“The heart is deceitful above all things” [Jeremiah 17:9]) and can create a false picture of reality, causing us to make bad choices, setting us up for a crucible of our own making.
Image © Ron Bell at Goodsalt.com
What examples can you find from the Bible where people made choices based on feelings rather than on God’s Word? What were the consequences? See for example, Genesis 3:6; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; Galatians 2:11-12.
Read 1 Peter 1:13. What is Peter concerned about, and what does he want his readers actually to do?
Peter understood that the mind is the rudder for the body that we control. Take away the control of the mind, and we will be controlled by whatever feelings blow our way.
Imagine walking along a narrow path to the Shepherd’s home. Along the way there are many paths leading in different directions. Some of these paths go to places that we would not want to visit. Others look tempting; they appeal to our feelings, our emotions, our desires. If, though, we take any one of them, we get off the right path and go in a way that might be exceedingly difficult to get off.
| What important decisions are you facing? Ask yourself honestly, “How can I know if I am basing my choices on feeling, emotion, desire, as opposed to the Word of God?” |
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Much of what the modern world associates with Christianity is its showmanship. The great cathedrals with their beautiful stained glass, imposing architecture and massive organs were designed to create feelings of awe, and even a bit of trepidation and fear. Today we often see Christianity as media savvy with slick productions, huge audio systems, large electronic bands and charismatic preachers. Participants get the feeling of belonging to an organisation that is well organised and knows where it is going.
The temptation for us is that we want to belong to something that is successful, or in modern parlance, "a bit of a goer." We need to be reminded that:
James cuts to the quick. It is not about showmanship, pomp, ceremony, erudite sermons, or all the excitement and glamour of "church". It's about our concern for the needy. Salvation is meaningless if it is not shared. True Christianity is an "out of church" experience.
Good morning Maurice from South Africa. Thank you for your input always, and the amazing thought provoking lessons you add to our daily lesson study.
Please may I use this to share on social media?
Thank you for your kind words Louis. Yes, you may share. Maurice
This was part of my comment yesterday, seems fit to copy and paste (some of it) for the issues here !
Focus is on our mind, our thoughts that controls our bodies and actions.
Once are minds are focused on our need for the Spirit, like beggars, for the free gift of Spirit of God, our motivations have a fighting chance to fight all the other signals bombarding our minds.
What dominates my/our mind, will control our actions in our bodies.
Let us be dead to sin, and live in the Spirit.
It's a life time challenge in santification.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Ephesains 1:18
Shalom in Christ 🙏
Keep on trucking (meme)
Sometimes I may have to decide over things that are not related exactly to right or wrong. But I want to do God's will. Based on my comfort, I may decide something but I do not want to be led by my own judgment. Because God knows the future! He knows much more about what is best to decide because He knows the end from the begining! Thus, the best is to trust on Him, if things go right, then go right! He is able to change directions every now and then...
Some may not know this I have discovered by trial and error. If you spell the Bible book wrong we don't get a link you have posted in your comment. This may help someone. And it sure helps us in reading to have a blue Bible link. Also if you correct some words in the alloted time and then save, they are not blue but when approved they come up blue. Now it may save work for the volunteers if you select all in box and then copy and then delete. Then paste, make your corrections, and post again, that way the links remain blue.
Today's lesson correctly states that for most people in most instances, "how I feel about something may have little to do with what is right or best."
So how do we know if how I feel about something is right or best? If your feelings are linked with something that fosters self-seeking and self-indulgence, that is a problem (Ephesians 2:1-3). However, if your feelings are linked with something that promotes the genuine best interests of others, then those feelings are right(eous) and best because they are Christlike (Philippians 2:3-8).
It is said, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Good 'intentions' don't guarantee good results.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV
Very well said! Thank you.
Another way to look at it is that if there are two voices, and one appears to go against our desires, that one is more likely the voice of the Holy Spirit. But you said it well - any self-seeking or self-advancing behavior is not godly behavior.
On the other hand, I believe it is possible to come to the place where we are so identified with the will of God that doing His will feel exactly like doing our own will.
How can I know if I am basing my choices on feeling, emotion, desire, as opposed to the Word of God?”
Ask yourself - does this bring glory to the LORD?
Because I believe that is our purpose in life.
Mat 5:16, Luke 2:14, 1Tim 1:17
Eph 1:3-14
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.
12God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God
15 the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
How can I know If I am basing my choices on feeling, emotion, or desire, as opposed to the Word of God?
Collosians 1:27, " Christ in you, the hope of glory."
My thoughts, my words and actions should reflect Christ living within.