ASPIRE TO MATURE
SCRIPTURE: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.†Col. 3:1-4 (NIV, 1984)
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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
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
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
4 Comments
Amen sister Diggs! An encouraging and convicting devotional!!!
Amen it is time to stop being midgets and become GIANTS in the things of the Lord.
AmenðŸ™ðŸ½Thank you Sis. Denise!
Lord help us to meditate on those things (as Your word says in Philippians 4), that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report.....so that Your peace will be with us.
Amen. I have to purpose to set a guard over my eyes. Thanks Sis. Denise.