We are not invulnerable to the devil – he is wise, he is crafty. Guard your heart! Do not flirt with trials. Have confidence that God gives us a spirit of self-discipline to handle the temptation that we struggle with most in our life. Father, please use Your power to block the paths of evil this day and every day. Amen.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you. (Romans 12:2 the Living Bible Translation)
We would like to be consumed all at once by the flames of pure love, but such an end would scarcely cost us anything. It is only an excessive self-love that desires to become perfect in a moment and at so cheap a rate. (Fenelon)
These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom – in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body. But [actually] are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh (Colossians 2:23).
The Ten Commandments were given for us to enjoy life better, not to make it worse.
But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life… (Roman 5:20-21)
The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us. Before, sin ruled over all men and brought them to death, but now God’s kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20-21 the Living Bible Translation)
Abounding sin is the terror of the world, but abounding grace is the hope of mankind. However sin may abound, it still has its limits, for it is the product of finite minds. But God’s “much more” introduces us to infinitude! Against our deep creature-sickness stands God’s infinite ability to care!
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression (Psalm 19:12-13).
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me. Lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).
Through the grace that I have been given I say this to every one of you: never pride yourself on being better than you really are, but think of yourself dispassionately, recognizing that God has given to each one His measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
Self-pity is of the devil and if I wallow in it, I cannot be used by God for His purposes. When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrances. Have faith in Him and His goodness!
Tears shed for self are tears of weakness. Tears of love shed for others are signs of strength.
Discouragement is not the fruit of humility but of pride. All our falls are useful if they strip us of a disastrous confidence in ourselves, while they do not take away a humble and saving trust in God.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18).
Don’t be ashamed of yourself; Jesus paid a high price for you.
Do you know where to find rest? Where you find a clean conscience? Where you find the ability to sleep at night and live with yourself? By living in the pleasure of the Father who made you.
Words of encouragement: God forgives first, then forgets.
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