- Ephesians 4:22-24 - That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
- Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Matthew 16:24 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- Matthew 22:37-38 - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
If we want to be strong servants of God, we must first decide what will direct our lives: the values of God or the values of this world. Before salvation, a person usually lives according to their own desires. But the Holy Scriptures call us to live differently: to put God above all else and to consider others better than ourselves. Jesus teaches that putting God above all else means loving Him with all our heart, denying ourselves, and following Him. How can we know that we are growing spiritually? Our interest in sin and lifestyles that do not glorify God will diminish, and we will want to become more like Christ. We will begin to gradually replace habits that do not please God with behaviors that glorify Him. We will better understand the deeper truths of the Holy Scriptures and apply them to our lives. Our ability to discern spiritually will develop, and we will be able to distinguish God's will more clearly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do you want to be spiritually strong? Then read the Holy Scriptures regularly and learn what is important to God. Ask Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be. As you align your life with His will, you will experience the power and purpose that God gives more deeply.
Reflection
What values prevail in your life today: the will of God or the desires of the world? What specific step can you take today to become more like Christ?