What's on your mind today?
Each moment of every day will be filled with thoughts. Some of these thoughts are task-driven. What will I eat today? What will I wear? Where will I ride?
But then there are other thoughts. Thoughts that shape desires that eventually lead to actions. Thoughts like these often have triggers. Something outside ourselves that can come along and at any moment get us on a particular train of thought.
Open an email, see the latest line-up of motorcycles from your maker of choice and suddenly you could find yourself thinking about buying a new bike. Next thing you know, you could be at the dealership, sitting on one, test riding it while the sales person jabbers away. Before you know it, you are headed on down the road on that new bike with the freshly signed papers stuffed into your jacket pocket.
What began with a thought inspired by an email, lead to a conclusion and an action.
What's on your mind?
Where did those thoughts come from?
What thoughts are you following lately to their logical conclusion?
Reading Ephesians today,
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." Ephesians 2:2-3 (NIV)
Paul is saying here that we used to follow the desires and thoughts of our sinful nature.
But as Christians, we no longer live that way. Yet the triggers, the ads, the external stimulation are all around us, all the time. And much of that appeals to our sinful nature, drawing us away from a life centered on God.
That's why it is so important to renew our minds daily in the Word and to pay careful attention to the "ads" that pop up along the way. Sin doesn't start with an action, it starts with a thought.
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" James 1:13-15 (NIV emphasis mine)
So what is the answer to this?
Pay attention to what is coming to your mind today and where it is coming from. Reject the things that are not of God, and cling to the things that are.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 2:2 (NIV)
Preacher Mike Beasley
Freedom Biker Church
919-550-FREE
