A close shave

Ever had one of those moments when you realise that for a change you actually got it right, but it is impossible to feel proud because you realise how close you came to getting it wrong? I had a similar moment recently. But God’s provision for a good outcome came a few days before in my daily Bible reading:

“The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).

At the time of reading this verse, I was powerfully struck by the result of having a mind controlled by the Spirit. Who is up for a greater dose of life and peace? Don’t know about you, but I could do with heaps more life and peace. In fact, the more life and peace I can get the better.

If I can do with more life and peace, the implication of course is that I should give the Spirit more control of my thinking. But how can I do that? The answer lies in verse 5: I must set my mind on what the Spirit desires.

 In the incident I alluded to earlier, it was very tempting to react with anger and frustration. But the Spirit does not desire us to react in anger. Actually, the Spirit says: be slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:19-20). An angry reaction pours petrol on the flames.

Another temptation I experienced was to make assumptions, reading into the situation more than I should have because of past experiences and my own insecurities. But the Spirit says: love rejoices with the truth (1 Cor. 13:6). We must ALWAYS try to get the facts and listen to all sides of the story. I guess that is why James said: “My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

In contrast to what the Spirit wants is what the flesh is screaming out for. But we are no longer owned by sin. We need not say yes to the flesh. We can set our minds on what the Spirit desires, and the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Bring it on Lord!!

Cheers for now - Ian