đź“– Read Time: 7 minutes
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV)
I truly believe that when we resolve to think, speak, and live differently, for the glory of God, and in loving obedience to His will, it is only then we begin to see the true depth of our brokenness. We are officially on day two of our 30 day Philippians 4:8 Challenge, and already I have heard just how difficult this intentional change has been. If you have resolved with us to take a break from social media, news media, podcasts, and truly begin examining your thought life Biblically, don’t give up! The Scripture reminds us this way: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
If you haven’t joined us on the journey yet, I am praying God would stir your heart to walk with us as we walk with Christ.
As we examine the things we are thinking on (meditating on, obsessing on, stewing on, marinating on, fantasizing about, or even spacing out on) we are reminded of the eight tests of Philippians 4:8: Is it true, is it honorable, is it just, is it pure, is it lovely, is it commendable, is it excellent, and is it worthy of praise. If not, we should not think on these things! Just a loving reminder, it is impossible to have unholy thinking and live a holy life. If we consume what the world consumes (movies, TV, music, social media, podcasts, games, etc.) when shouldn’t be surprised when we look more like the world than Christ.
Today, I simply want to challenge you with this reminder from 1 Peter 1:14-16: You are called to be holy! Strong’s Concordance defines the word translated holy as sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated. HELPS word studies simplifies the meaning this way: The fundamental (core) meaning of 40 (hágios) is “different” – thus a temple in the 1st century was hagios (“holy”) because different from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). In the NT, 40 /hágios (“holy”) has the “technical” meaning “different from the world” because “like the Lord.” Put another way, we are not called to be like the world or other people, we are called to be like Christ.
All your conduct is not limited to but absolutely includes both how you spend your time and what you spend your time on. Today, my prayer is that God would pull back the curtains of our mind and reveal to us the areas we’ve failed to sense and see the work of the enemy. As we continue on this 30 day challenge, may we spend more and more time walking and talking with Jesus (see John 15:4-5) and less and less time wasting the time God has gifted us on unholy things.
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 ESV)
Learning to live in vShoal Creek Baptist Church is located in Canton, Georgia, and serves families throughout Cherokee County, Waleska, Ball Ground, Holly Springs, Jasper, and the Lake Arrowhead community. Join us Sundays at 11:00 AM.
