Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 25, 2016
By Tripp Prince.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
“Passion” often gets mixed reviews. On the one hand, we have many verses in Scripture that tell us to put to death the passions and desires of the flesh. In fact, we’re told to flee worldly passions! Yet, on the other hand, Scripture seems to encourage in us passionate living. In the Psalms we see passion on great display, with the psalmist longing for the Lord “more than sentries long for the dawn” (Ps. 130:6).
The secret to understanding passion in Scripture is to focus on the object of our desire. Desire in and of itself is not a bad thing! When we’re told to put to death the desires of the flesh, this doesn’t mean we’re meant to live passionless and emotionless lives! The Christian life is never simply the turning away from sin and death, but is always at the same time the call to turn towards that which is good, holy, and true.
Jesus wants you to live a deeply passionate life, but he wants to help shape what you’re passionate about. He knows that our worldly desires will leave us empty, hurt, and broken. Though sex, power, and money may initially seem attractive and promise great happiness, these carnal desires only add fuel to the fire of self-indulgence and self-satisfaction. Listen to the words of Scripture and flee these desires. Don’t believe the lies they tell you. Don’t for a second think you’ll find satisfaction in anything less than faithfulness to Jesus and his plan for your life.
Passion separated from God’s plan always leads to pain. Passion submitted to God’s plan always leads to a life of purpose.
As you turn away from sin and evil, don’t let it shut down your passion and desire. As Christians we are meant to open ourselves up to passionate living, but it’s a particular kind of passion- passion for God. We say “no” to worldly desires so we can create room in our lives to say “yes” to God in greater and deeper ways. We turn away from certain passions so we can turn fully to God and once again make him the greatest and deepest desire in our lives.
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1).
Prayer: Father, may we passionately turn away from lesser desires and fully seek you in every area of our lives.
Application: How can you grow today in your passion for Christ?
Related Readings: Psalm 42:2; Romans 6:12; Colossians 3:5; 1 Peter 1:14-16
Post/Tweet this today: Our passion submitted to God’s plan leads to a life of purpose. #WisdomHunters #passionate
Worship Video: 8 minutes – United Pursuit: Since Your Love
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