Thought. Action. Reaction.

"He is our example of sound judgment."

YOUR THOUGHTS can lead you astray or you can disregard them. Not everything we think leads to action. Some things pop into our head, and we toss them out. It is WHAT we consider and hang onto that we must know. When the Bible says, “Keep sound wisdom (Proverbs 3:21),” there is mental debate about what that is, but there shouldn’t be because true wisdom comes from God. “What would Jesus do” is cliché to many but should, instead, be our most-answered question. Our best-answered one. He is our example of sound judgment. He shows us humility and kindness, when to reply and when not to speak at all. In His greatest hour of suffering, He said only what was given Him in the Spirit. Where He was weak, the Father was strong. Only God could have done what He did. This is the victory, that our heavenly Father loved us to that extent.

Jesus is the Word, the Maker of all things, yet He gave His human will to God and walked in His plan. He knew who He was when tempted by the devil. He told His disciples, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven (Luke 10:18).” So we know He wasn’t fooled by Satan’s appearance. We hear His words to His parents when at age twelve they found Him in the temple, after several days’ search. “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49)” He recognized the temple as His Father’s house, something emphasized when He turned over the tables of the moneychangers, years later. He confirmed Peter’s words that He was the Christ, a revelation which founds the church. Knowing who He was, He knew why He was there and what He’d been sent to do. We don’t like to make the comparison to ourselves, yet we must because our self-will, giving into thoughts and behaviors which aren’t God’s is what damages our relationships, holds back God’s desire for our jobs and careers, and keeps us frustrated and constantly at the will of sickness.

The Hostile One will always think he has the advantage. Every devil and unclean spirit became one by making bad choices. Created by God, by Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and the Father who is Greatest of all, they only exist in their barest forms today because God gave them life. But notice, Satan didn’t recognize Jesus when face-to-face with Him (Matthew 4:3). He was searching Jesus’ actions and words for an entrance place, not caring how low it might be. Anger is an entrance. Lust of the eyes, what we see and desire, what we crave, is an entrance. Now, it’s not as easy as it sounds for devils to get in, and yet, when we keep thinking on it, what we’re thinking about becomes real to us, and Romans 1 says it can go so far that we’d dive off a spiritual cliff, not caring where we land. Or if. Which is how fallen angels got into the place they’re in. Death becomes that consuming.

“Although they know God’s righteous law—to love others before oneself—and realize their lifestyle leads only to death, they not only persist in their self-destructive ways, but throw parties and give awards to others who practice them.” (Romans 1:32, Remedy)

God’s life is greater, and Jesus’ mind was filled with the Spirit to the point He could walk on water without fear. The disciple Philip was translated from the desert into town without traveling because he submitted his thinking and his doing to the Spirit of God (Acts 8:39). It’s more than simply making right choices. God enable Jesus to die in what was extreme physical suffering, while having a peaceful heart and peaceful thoughts. What consumed Him then was love.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

The Spirit asks us to make Him Lord of everything, every word we speak, every thought we form, every action resulting from it. When we see people and our reaction is to complain, God’s isn’t. He doesn’t think that way. He isn’t touchy or fretful or easily angered (Psalm 103:8). We can actually become like Him and love those who act like the devil, with sincere hearts choosing to be at peace and show compassion where it’s needed. I don’t want that angry person to be me and so today, I lay all that I am at His feet. Psalm 23 says He’s restored my soul. More and more, I see the fullness of it.

He's healed my mind, restoring clarity of thought. He’s healed my will. I “will to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).” He’s healed my emotions. I heard Minister Andrew Wommack say his grandchildren have never seen him mad because he’s worked through the Spirit to be calm in everything. I am closer to this today than I’ve ever been and can see it as possible now. This doesn’t mean I don’t feel things but that they don’t make my choices for me, and that’s exactly where Jesus was on the road to Calvary. It’s where He is today as King of Kings, not angry, even at those at war with His people. He is justice. God the Father isn’t wrathful. He is truth. He is mercy.

“Peace is my bequest to you, and the peace I will give you is mine to give; I do not give peace as the world gives it.” (John 14:17, Knox)

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com

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