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Key Bible Verses: Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit (Romans 8:5). Bonus Reading: Romans 8:6—14

If you're watching your weight, you're probably mindful that people like to admonish, "You are what you eat." If you're watching your spiritual diet, the phrase "You are what you think" fits the bill. In Romans 8:5, Paul makes it clear that my mind is the primary influencer of how I live out my faith. To increase the likelihood that I'll behave in a spiritual manner, I must saturate my mind in spiritual things.

Picture what happens when you marinate a steak in teriyaki sauce. The meat absorbs, or takes in through the pores, the flavors and juices of the marinade it's soaking in. When I take a bite, the flavor of the marinade has penetrated the flavor of the meat.

Paul is telling us that our mind acts as an impressionable sponge. It sits and it soaks. If I subject it to continuous office gossip, negative complaining, immoral television, and unhealthy music, those flavors will take hold. If I allow myself to be influenced by such negative things, I hamper my ability to please God and walk in His spirit.

—Stephen Graves & Thomas Addington Deep Focus

My Response: To monitor what I read, see, and watch, I'll …

Thought to Apply: A man is the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.—Mohandas Gandhi

Adapted from Deep Focus (Jossey-Bass, 2004) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, the entertainment I'm exposed to could easily deflect my mind and heart from Your truth. Help me make sound choices.

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