My thoughts were spiraling this morning. Thoughts of blame and shame and ridiculousness poured on thick as i sipped my coffee and Bible open. I decided I should look up the Greek word for compare and here’s what is funny, found the word, went to 2 Corinthians 10, but went to a different section of text. And found where I needed to be today.
I start with writing out my memorizing. This still is what is helping to fall back asleep at night. Control my thoughts and train derailments. For instance, right now, I literally had some intrusive thoughts invade. Oy.
These verses in 2 Corinthians 10 are treasures. Let me share them with you now.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NASB1995
Now lets do some cross referencing. First, let me say, Paul is addressing problems and people within the church, I do not want to take these verses out of context. So, when I am only quoting a portion of the text, please go to the word yourself and see the letter. What Paul is saying here does not only apply to the church, this applies to our hearts.
What we think is just as important if not more so as what we say. Our thoughts dictate our actions. So, when my thoughts are towards scripture, it’s a whole different landscape.
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Romans 6:12-14 NASB1995
When I am allowing my mind to wander in comparing my life to others, or wondering why this or doom scrolling on social media I allowing this to be my master. Hence, the full stop. Start a puzzle. Read a book. Change laundry. Go for a walk. (Have you ever tried to walk a dog and be on your phone? )
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:10-17 NASB1995
I’ll continue more tomorrow. Scripture truly does change my focus.
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