Being successful requires living with intentionality. Even the most talented athlete has to work at his sport to be successful. In order to graduate, students have to discipline themselves to go to class, complete projects, and pass exams. Careers are built with effort. Few of us can gain much without really trying.
Being successful in spiritual growth and maturity is no different. It requires effort and discipline. Paul tells us that in order to live the way God wants us to live we must have our minds set on what He desires. There is a sense of focus and intentionality. Our minds naturally go toward our human desires. Without any effort in the other direction, our thoughts go toward lust, greed, envy, fear, hate, selfishness, etc. If there is to be a change, we must intentionally set our minds in a different direction. It is a lifelong struggle about which Paul writes later in this chapter. It is the struggle to break the hold of our sinful nature on our lives.
So how do we accomplish this? First, we must recognize we cannot do this alone; we need the Lord’s help. So we acknowledge the difficulty of the battle and ask for His help. Secondly, we begin to shift what we are putting into our minds and filter what does come in through the truths of God’s Word. Thirdly, when we are unable to prevent ungodly thoughts from entering our minds, we follow Paul’s instructions (II Corinthians 10:5) and take them captive and give them over to the Lord.
Is this a lot of work? Of course. If you think following Jesus requires little or no effort, you are badly mistaken. We face an enemy that seeks to destroy us. When we change sides, do not think he will merely give up and let us go. He will pursue us and harass us. We will have to fight him.
Today, recognize if you want to grow and be successful spiritually, you are going to have to be intentional about it and work at it. The Lord will help you, but you first have to set your mind to it.
© Jim Musser 2014
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