The Things I Do, Or Don't Do
As long as we live on this earth, we are flesh. We do fleshly things and think fleshly thoughts. This includes the decisions we make about spending our time. The choices will come in a heartbeat, over and over again, and the two results are worlds apart.
If I'm spending my time this week doing what God has called me to do, then I won't be spending my time doing the things that are against His will. The things that grow me in my walk with the Lord will occupy my time instead of those that satisfy the flesh. This sounds like a terribly easy concept, but how often do we actually follow through?
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Romans 7:14-20
God never gives us liberty to do evil, negative things. Scripture says we can get angry, but we are not to sin in reaction to that anger. I can be upset over a circumstance, but I'm not to retaliate in any way that is unholy. So if I turn my anger over to the Lord instead, there is nothing left in me to attack the person who made me angry.
On a more simple level, I can choose to hit the snooze button in the morning and get a few more minutes of sleep - sounds like a pretty good way to spend my time! But that decision means that I may not have time to start my day with prayer and Bible study. What seemed like a positive at the time turns into a negative in God's eyes.
But if I exert some self-control and get out of bed when the alarm rings, I'll be assured of time in prayer and study. I might read something vitally important for an encounter with someone later in the day. If I hadn't taken the time I would have been unprepared and useless in God's plan for the day. We never know how the Lord is going to use our time if we give it willingly.
The upcoming week will be filled with thousands of choices for using our time. If we're spending each moment in service to the Lord, He has promised blessings exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think.
If I'm spending my time this week doing what God has called me to do, then I won't be spending my time doing the things that are against His will. The things that grow me in my walk with the Lord will occupy my time instead of those that satisfy the flesh. This sounds like a terribly easy concept, but how often do we actually follow through?
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Romans 7:14-20
God never gives us liberty to do evil, negative things. Scripture says we can get angry, but we are not to sin in reaction to that anger. I can be upset over a circumstance, but I'm not to retaliate in any way that is unholy. So if I turn my anger over to the Lord instead, there is nothing left in me to attack the person who made me angry.
On a more simple level, I can choose to hit the snooze button in the morning and get a few more minutes of sleep - sounds like a pretty good way to spend my time! But that decision means that I may not have time to start my day with prayer and Bible study. What seemed like a positive at the time turns into a negative in God's eyes.
But if I exert some self-control and get out of bed when the alarm rings, I'll be assured of time in prayer and study. I might read something vitally important for an encounter with someone later in the day. If I hadn't taken the time I would have been unprepared and useless in God's plan for the day. We never know how the Lord is going to use our time if we give it willingly.
The upcoming week will be filled with thousands of choices for using our time. If we're spending each moment in service to the Lord, He has promised blessings exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think.
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