To add some clarity and stimulate your introspection, here's a quick, in-exhaustive list of "highest", "higher", "lower" and "sinful" pursuits. When you make decisions in pursuit of the higher things over the lower things, you have disciplined your body (1 Corinthians 9:27). When you find joy in the higher things, you glorify God (John 15:7-11).
You'll notice a veritable mine-field of links in these lists. Think of them as a treasure hunt of additional resources.
Highest
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22.37-40)
Higher
- Prayer
- Study of the Bible (BibleArc.com, Reader's Version of Greek and Hebrew, "Six Study Essentials" from theresurgence.com)
- Family discipleship (investing in the spiritual health of the family)
- Vocation (productively adding value to the creation)
- Worship (in spirit and in truth)
- Fellowship (where faith is shared, Philemon 1:6)
- Gospel communication and defense of the Truth
- Service
- Hospitality
- Exercise
- Reading (that deepens your understanding of God, your compassion for the world and your joy in the Gospel)
Lower
- Cash
- Sleep
- Reading (that doesn't build... you probably already know what I am talking about)
- Companionship with fools (Prov. 13:20 - I'm not condoning self-righteous cloistering, but there are times you need to walk away...)
- Entertainment (gaming, movies, watching sports, etc)
- Bling
- Hobbies
- Affirmation
- Comfort, ease, etc.
Sin
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Galatians 5.19-21)
0 comments:
Post a Comment