Chatting with Jesus
Monday, June 26, 2023
Lord, I’ve read the scripture many times, but it never jumped out at me until you said, “Jump!” I thought I had my “stuff” altogether. Surely, I controlled my actions and words, staying positive, avoiding negativity. After all, don’t I write stories about you, Jesus? Wouldn’t others label me a “super saint?” You wasted no time reprimanding my inner man.
Stop this nonsense, big boy. Read that passage again, slower this time.
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls,”—Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
A thorough examination of my actions exposed my spiritual flaws. Certainly, there are areas in my life and behaviors that, through discipline, I control. I make a habit of spending time in your Word daily, even if it is only five minutes. I avoid situations that could lead to temptations to compromise my values. I strive to treat all folks with Christlike respect and civility, but I will not hang out with judgmental, biased people. And Lord, I cannot tolerate any bigotry.
But the closer I examined myself, your “nonsense” comment made sense. As a self-confessed political junkie, am I putting my absorption with toxic political websites and talk shows before you? Where is my tongue’s self-control when I hear rumors and juicy gossip? Where is my self-control when it concerns my temper and driving? Or food? How about TV? Hobbies? Am I an impulse shopper? Do I fall for enticing advertisements? Is my self-control to pray for my enemies AWOL? Lord, you revealed more self-control deficiencies than I can list here.
Lord, strengthen my spiritual self-control, so I won’t be a “city with broken walls,” giving the enemy of my soul easy access to my spirit. Help me become a strong fortress that my spiritual enemies are unable to penetrate. Amen, Jesus.
THANKFUL 
Leave a comment