Soaking It Up
Theme of the Week: 'It's Only a Movie'
Stephen Graves & Thomas Addington
Friday, December 31, 2004
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: 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—1
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.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
for reprint information.
1 of 1
 share this page
Lord, the entertainment I'm exposed to could easily deflect my mind and heart from Your truth. Help me make sound choices.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
