Living in the Spirit
June 29, 2017
Scripture Reading: Romans 6:12-23
Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. –Romans 6:12-14
Civility starts with me. We choose whether we get caught up in the improprieties of our society even in the heat of the moment. I find myself ignoring articles that not only express a different way of thinking from mine but are peppered with words that denigrated people, like me, who share my opinions. I must say regarding any materials; I am disappointed when I see offensive labeling and descriptors that shed no light on the subject under discussion but disparaged those with a different viewpoint. Personal attacks deliver the message that the speaker does not have evidence to support his or her ideas. I now filter out material with which I probably agree, if the author feels it necessary to destroy the source rather than address the content.
Paul speaks to this issue in our scripture today. We are responsible for self-examining our hearts and minds so that we do not get caught in the hurtful and non-productive ways of the world that reduce our ability to be good disciples of Christ, following his way.
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. –Psalm 51:10