Some of you may be thinking, "Oh, no... Another lonely Valentine's Day... All my friends have dates tonight, but here I am stuck home alone with nothing to do but think about my single status." Is that you this Valentine's Day? Do you wish more than anything that an admirer would send you a dozen roses(or that you had someone to send roses to)? Are you jealous of your friends and the relationships they have with their boyfriend or girlfriend? How can we change this agonizing holiday into a more enjoyable day of the year?
This week's scriptures: Romans 13:13-14, Galatians 5:19-26, and 2 Corinthians 11.
Romans 13:13-14, "Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." (NLT)
"Don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." That can be a tough one... If we are not going to concentrate or give into our evil/fleshly desires, what are we going to concentrate on or give into?
Galatians 5:19-26, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."(NIV)
There are lots of things out there with which the Devil tries to trip us up during our journey of life. (vs. 19-21) But God and His Word are more powerful than anything the Devil can throw at us. If we put the "fruit of the Spirit" into practice (vs. 22-23), this will make it all the more difficult for Satan to mess with us. If we love others, it will be much harder for us to hate or be angry with someone else... If we have self-control, it will be all the more difficult to be envious of another person and/or jealous of what he has. If we are patient, it makes it so much less annoying or aggravating when someone cuts in-front of us on the interstate or in line for our movie tickets... See what I mean? If we choose to have the right attitude, it is hard for us to lose the joy we have found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
So instead of being jealous of your best friend's boyfriend this Valentine's Day, be jealous with a godly jealousy... (2 Corinthians 11) while desiring to grow closer to God and following His plan for your life!
Blessings!
~ S*
Keep up the good work!!!
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