ASPIRE TO MATURE

My favorite news channel over the past several years has been Fox 45 here in the Baltimore region. Its reporters are focused, professional, and have become like familiar acquaintances to whom I tune in to hear what I’m convinced is the real deal about current events happening here and around the globe. One could say that my t.v. dial, as it pertains to news, is set on Fox 45—unless some sports event preempts their news broadcast! In a similar manner, we Christ-followers must set our minds on the things of Christ, as the above Scripture commands. To do otherwise is to unwittingly compromise and short-circuit our growth in Christ. Self-monitoring of our eye and eargates are lifelong disciplines. We can too easily become mired in the muck of the crumbling foundations that are ever-swirling down here in the world—one that is under the sway of the wicked one and all that accompanies such diabolical sway! {1 Jn. 5:19}

Thankfully, we are told specifically what “earthly things” to avoid setting our minds upon and why—starting with those which are most obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed/ idolatry. The Spirit warns all who are heeding His Word that God’s wrath is coming against such things. We are also warned to renounce anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying to one another. “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh,” says Galatians 5:16.

That said, I’m persuaded that even a frequent vicarious exposure to such sinful activities, via television programs or movies with no redemptive plot whatsoever, is toxic to the Christ follower’s spirit! Such voluntary exposure frustrates the believer’s experience of the Savior’s perfect peace. “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me (Psalm 101:3).

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, help us to consistently set our minds upon leaving the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation s of repentance from dead works.” We thank You in advance for such spiritual growth. In His matchless name—amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs