Colossians
Thursday, July 15, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often fail when it comes to “conquering evil thoughts and desires.” I confess that I often look for another “technique” another “method” another “principle” I can use to live more effectively for You, and sometimes I succeed on the outside, but the inner thoughts and desires of my life are still selfish all too often, still turned to other matters than praising and serving You. Forgive me, O Lord, and create in me a heart that is alive with a passion for You. Let me turn from a pursuit of rules and regulations that keep me busy or tired or frustrated, and turn back to You, and You alone as the source of my victory. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may know the victory that Jesus offers, and that Paul reiterates in his words to the Colossian Church. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 2:16-23
16So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself. 18Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud. 19But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God. 20You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, 21"Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch." 22Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. 23These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What is the most strenuous regimen you have ever followed in seeking to get closer to God?
What is the most persistent “inner thought” sin of your life? How are you addressing ridding it from your life?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Why does Paul tells us that the rules and regulations people offer us seem wise as we carry them out? (2:23)
What does Paul tells us is their actual impact in eliminating evil thoughts and desires? (2:23)
What is the implication of Paul’s statement for ridding our lives of inner sin? (2:23)
Understanding God’s Word
What does today’s Scripture teach us about true wisdom as followers of Jesus?
What does today’s Scripture tell us about overcoming sin through discipline and effort?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What one action will you take as a result of having read today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...Conquering Evil Thoughts and Desires...
In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul tells us what will NOT conquer the evil thoughts and desires that come to all of us, and his answer is surprising! He says that strong devotion, humility and severe bodily discipline will NOT rid us of evil thoughts and desires. This may come as a surprise to many of us. We’ve been trying to rid ourselves of evil thoughts, desires and habits for a long time, using the very techniques that Paul tells us seem wise, but don’t work in eliminating them. The reason they don’t work is because evil thoughts and desires originate in the heart, and the heart must be changed by God, not by human effort. We can develop extensive strategies and disciplines to overcome our inner sins, but Paul tells us we will fail. That’s because it’s the relationship with Jesus—the staying connected to Him that transforms us, not our effort. If human effort could change us then, most of the world’s religions would be perfectly acceptable means of gaining entrance into heaven. The reality is that only Jesus is the way to heaven. We must rely on Him and the salvation that He has purchased to know victory!