Don’t Keep Scratching the Itch, Kill the Mosquito. Looking back at the last four weeks,I feel like I have just begun to notice the effects of an eternal itch. Something I have been subconsciously scratching and scraping at for years, but never finding relief. It has been so long, that I stopped noticing the irritating sensation and simply scratched automatically. I’m talking about the annoying desire to zone out to the world and get lost for hours in mindless TV and shows. It is always there and for a moment or two I desperately want to give in and scratch that pesky “mossie bite”. But that never fixes the problem. I will need relief in another 10 minutes. The Spirit isn’t about quick fixes. He doesn’t want to just cover up the desire to zone out with a band-aid. Yes, it will stop you from scratching, but the itch remains. What the Spirit does is attack the “mosquito” itself. But how does he do it? Well, this month I have been able to experience it a little. 2 Cor 10:5b - “...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NLT) 1 Cor 6:12 - “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. (NLT) 1 Cor 10:23 - “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. (NLT) Phil 4:8 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NLT) The Spirit reminds us and strengthens us to be aware of everything we fill our mind with. Spiritual disciple is so important–I have experienced the benefit from just one small change of behaviour. He prompts me and it has become automatic now. Everytime I start reading I subconsciously start timing and consequently I take note of when I start watching TV (netflix). The Spirit has begun to show me how to take hold/control of what I am filling my mind with. He fends off the “Mosquitos” by equipping and training our minds to close the windows, shut the fly screens and find rest under “mosquito nets”. We must be aware of not only what we are letting into our minds, but the very dwelling place of God. I encourage you to take note of what you spend your time on. I haven’t cut myself off from TV or netflix, I have simply made sure I balance that with listening to God. And it has been a very healthy and helpful habit I hope to continue. WEEK four results of SAMEtember: Mon 21st - Mon 28th. TV Time - 3 hours 10 minutes Reading Time - 6 hours 35 minutes. SAMEtember Month Total
TV Time - 25 hours 38 minutes Reading Time - 23 hours 45 minutes |
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