Change Your View
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23 NLT
Hey Sis, Have you ever been driving down the street about to get on a major highway and you have to cautiously merge into the traffic while the other cars are flying, all because they have the right away? Now, up until then you only needed to keep looking out of your front window. Well, since you're driving and you are the one that needs to merge into oncoming traffic, in order to make certain the coast is clear you need to use the side view mirror and even your rearview mirror if necessary. This changes your view. You can no longer simply look out the front window to get to where you are going. You need a different viewpoint to get you safely on the highway without any damage to you or anyone else. Verse 23 starts off with the word "Instead" which tells us that something needs to be altered or changed. It goes on to say instead of what you were doing or how you were viewing something you need to make an adjustment. That side view mirror brought a different perspective on how to merge with caution. Allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and attitudes assures us that we are changing our personal views to align with Christ. This is one of the things the Holy Spirit does in the life of a follower of Christ according to John 14:17. He leads us to Truth and being led to Truth will sometimes cause us to change how we view things. Now Sister, if you don't drive you still have to cross the street looking to the left and to the right which changes your view as well. Merging safely and going in the correct direction is how we want to walk in the ways of God. The Holy Spirit's view is always pure, perfect and will never lead us in harm's way. So following the instructions of the Spirit of Truth as He directs us in our thoughts and attitudes is a no brainer. Sister, it's imperative that we live life by the Word of God and through the mirror of Scripture in order to have the right view in life and as we interact with others. We live in a world where all views are seen as equal. However, the only view that counts in the end is the view we take that agrees with Jesus Christ. So, let's allow the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts, our attitudes and change our view by studying the Word of God that always leads us into that safe, clear direction.
Prayer Focus:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Holiness and your love towards me. Please help me to look at things through the light of your Word. Also to be led by Your Spirit to renew my thoughts when I'm wrong. Forgive me for the times I continued in my own way ignoring your caution. Thank you for Your great Grace and Mercy.
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Application Exercise
Sister, I would like you to grab two different size mirrors- one small mirror maybe a compact or handheld mirror. The other a much larger mirror. Maybe stand in front of a long wardrobe mirror or one in your bathroom. Just make sure one is much larger than the other. First, look at yourself through the smaller mirror. What did you notice? Did you notice how small your view was? You couldn't see everything there is to see. Now look at yourself in the much larger mirror. Your view is much different because you changed your view. We must be very diligent to always look through the correct view so that we can see all there is to see through the lense of scriptures and the guidance of God's Spirit. We will be praying for you as you strive to change your view.
The Team of Push Pause & Pray
