Day 34 – Issue 18

Be Still Know

Colossians 3:5b NLT

‘Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.’

Psychologists tell us that humanity has two basic needs, survival and reproduction. Any quick Google search will reveal pages of advice on how to manage these needs, usually by giving them a measure of free reign in our lives. These basic instincts tend to operate at the level of our subconscious, and the subsequent actions may not therefore be as premeditated as we would like to suppose.

We are not likely to be able to self-manage our instincts and the actions they give rise to. Theologically this has been labelled as sin from which I need to be rescued. Hence, St Paul initially lists the internal passions that can dictate our behaviour. Behind every decision lies a choice.

God invites us to live by the choices we make and to embrace the consequences of those choices. He allows us to be adults taking responsibility for our lives. God doesn’t leave us without guidance or support from the Holy Spirit. Yet, basic instincts are strong and need to be acknowledged. Like Adam, an inability to accept responsibility for wrongdoing will erect a barrier.  In collaborating with God, I choose to live from the inspirational rather than my natural instinct. The benefit will not meet my instinctive human need for survival or reproduction, but will enable me to choose how I will live in a conflicted world.

Growing up, I instinctively lied to protect myself. Truth was sacrificed if it secured my survival or advancement. Meeting Christ began a journey where first I faced the reality that I was a liar by instinct, then learning uncertainly to tell the truth where such truth might get me into trouble or, from my perspective, interrupt my attempts at what I saw as self-preservation.

QUESTION: Do you embrace or run from the consequences of your choices?

PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, that you have set me free from the law of sin and death.