“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:13
Mushy minds are much like flabby bodies… with little exercise, they become lazy, unable to function with efficiency and purpose. Living in a push-button world makes it easy for the mind to follow the lines of least resistance playing video games, or watching TV, or getting all your news from headlines or Facebook memes. Exercise of the body can strengthen weak areas. The same is true of the mind.
God created you as an intelligent being, capable of deliberation and learning. Sometimes life’s burdens over an extended period of time cause your capacity to think to weaken or become stoic. The New King James Version of 1Peter 1:13 says, “gird up the loins of your mind.” Just as people in Biblical times drew up their long garments and secured them at their waist so they could move easily and quickly, so you should do whatever it takes to focus your mind on those things that allow you to serve God successfully and eliminate thoughts that would trip you up. That means spending time in Scripture – time that allows you to soak in all that He reveals to His children of faith.
Author Paul David Tripp wrote: “We should never be content with a study of God’s Word that allows us to develop a big theological brain while living with a diseased and unchanged heart.”
Allow His Word to travel the 18 inches necessary to make a difference in you. He will guide you to know right from wrong, fallacy from truth. Be discerning. Intercede for those in leadership positions that they speak truth. Then ask God to give you sound judgment and understanding in your decision-making.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Titus 2:7-8, 11-15, 3:1-8
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
