Romans 13 - 9.7.26
Scripture
Romans 13:12-14 NIV
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Observation
In Romans 13:12-14, the Apostle Paul urges believers to:
wake up spiritually,
abandon sinful habits, and
live in a holy manner
Why is the Apostle Paul encouraging us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not with darkness? Because Christ's return is drawing near!
(References: Google, Journeywithhope.com and Biblestudytools.com)
Application
Live our lives clothed with the light of Jesus Christ, knowing and believing that Christ is coming back for us soon!
I’m going to be honest and admit one of my guilty pleasures. Some of my favorite types of fiction books to read are psychological thrillers. I’ve always loved mystery books since I was a little girl, but psychological thrillers have more depth and always have some type of twist and turn that I never expected. They are fast paced reads and very entertaining to me! However, sometimes these books can get really dark and trigger past events in my life that I would rather forget. It causes me to live in the dark instead of the light, which means I have to put up boundaries around how often I consume these books.
I also have to ask myself what I want to feed my spirit with. Do I want it to be filled with the darkness of the world or the light of Jesus Christ?
I think this is the same way with sin. The Bible says that with every temptation, the Lord offers a way out. Are we looking for these outs or are we continuing to feed our sinful man with what it wants and desires?
Reading dark psychological thrillers is a gray area of sin because some people do not get affected at all by them (just like with moderately drinking alcohol), but if I’m personally feeling convicted about these gray areas because it causes me to go down a dark spiral, I need to listen to the Holy Spirit and put up boundaries.
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” -James 4:17 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I’m reminded of the verse that says that “All things are permissible, but not all things are helpful.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Please forgive me when I start to gravitate more towards the darkness than Your light. I want to desire You more above anything or anyone else. I truly am prone to wander and need Your help to clothe myself with You everyday. Thank You for being so patient with me and always convicting my heart whenever I start to stray from Your light Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi