You must not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14 NLT
The power of the human mind is incredible. When we reflect upon human achievement against all adversity, we recognise the human capacity to persevere and accomplish great things. However, there is a sting in the tail. Human creativity and endurance can equally lead to harmful outcomes. As scripture warns us from the off in the story of Cain and Abel, the mind, if not carefully managed in direct obedience to God, will drive us to acts that are unacceptable and of which we shall be ashamed.
The mistake we often make in work, relationships and every sphere we operate in is to assume our thoughts are the only and the best in a situation. Of course, this is foolishness. No one is seeking to have the mind of Einstein but is in pursuit of the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NLT). It is remarkable that we are invited to access the greatest mind of all, omnipotent and infinite. This is the reason that God invites us to resist temptations to dehumanise ourselves through objectivising another of God’s image-bearers and realising our own satisfaction at their expense.
Sin starts in the mind. We all too often entertain the thoughts, and we know just how powerful sexuality is when nurtured and then released. It’s interesting to recognise that God is neither male nor female for scripture declares that humanity is equally, male and female, made in the image of God. So when a couple engage in sexual intimacy it is the closest approximation to the Godhead afforded to our mortality; hence, God’s instruction to avoid carnality, lust and its fruit, adultery. We are to treat the dignity of each human being, no matter age, ethnicity and so-called ability with the dignity God affords every one of his creations. We are an expression of the holiness of God. How we each live out that holiness is a matter of personal choice.
That choice begins with my willingness to submit my mind to God and accept his way as the route to a life worth living. It is my responsibility to live as God invites me to, not just to satisfy him but to realise my own greatest happiness.
QUESTION
In what ways have you experienced unfaithfulness in yourself or from others?
PRAYER
Lord, create in me a faithful spirit as you have been faithful.
SSBaroqueVilnius.jpg