“A quick glance is all you need when you are in constant communion with God to keep you on the correct path.” (Sarah Young, Jesus is Calling)
This statement stood out to me as I read the daily devotional in Sarah Young’s, Jesus is Calling, November 5 entry. It immediately brought to mind how all my parents had to do was catch my eye and I knew I was in trouble if I was misbehaving. My dad could be sitting on the other side of the church, but could correct my behavior with just a glance.
I knew my dad meant business because I knew my dad. I spent time with him. I lived in the same house as him. I knew his expectations. I wasn’t taken by surprise when I was disciplined for making the choice to do something wrong, because the boundaries were pretty clear.
God’s word provides us with the guidance we need to make the right choices. As we spend time with the Lord and in His word, those boundaries also become pretty clear. They were established to help protect us from the pain and loss that wrong choices bring.
Sin starts long before the actual act of disobedience. Normally, a person doesn’t just wake up one day and decide, “Today I will cheat on my spouse.” The process starts first in the mind and in the heart.
God knew the importance of that and He provided guidance in His word about the importance of keeping our thoughts on Him.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
These are just a few of the versus that tell us how important it is that we keep our mind set on the things of God.
When we start to question in our minds what is right, all we have to do is glance up to our heavenly Father. When we are spending time with Him and reading His word, we will know His voice and recognize the lines that He has established for us to walk in.
Remember to take time to glance into the eyes of your heavenly Father when you are faced with choices. He will never lead you wrong!
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