What kind of pressures do we face today? There are three kinds of pressures :
1) one that shapes us
2) one that breaks us
3) finally one that is sweet yet fatal.
A little of the first kind of pressure is good because it means we are being shaped into the likeness of our Saviour eg. Pressure to complete datelines or to be in places on time would force us to plan well ahead. Pressure to meet people and mingle in their company for long periods would teach us to be understanding, compassionate, non-judgemental and forgiving. Pressure to get well, would teach us to eat healthily, moderately and live healthy lifestyles. These, I would deem are good pressures. All we have to do is surrender to God completely, in humility and remain pliable in His hands so that He can mould us and use us to bring His Kingdom into the lives of people of this world.
Pressures of the second kind occur through no fault of ourselves. It happens when others pressurize us to do something not right. This kind can be overcome or even avoided through constant prayer and meditation. Whenever we are pressurized by others to do something we know is not right or something against God's will for us, we have to constantly remind ourselves of the following words of God, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13) Then we must make the bold step of rebuking binding, casting out and praying against the principalities and powers in Jesus'mighty name. We must also not let these pressures weigh us down but have faith in Him who has promised that no weapon forged against us will ever prosper...Isaiah 54:17. After praying we must confidently pursue what is right and just, without fearing and without yielding to such pressures.
Finally the third kind of pressure is the most sweetest but deadliest. It is the pressure to fulfill one's pleasures without thinking of the consequences. We see in the Old Testament that Esau traded the lasting rewards of his birthright with the immediate pleasures of food. He showed complete disregard for the spiritual benefits that would have come his way, had he kept his birthright. He acted on impulse without considering the eternal consequences. Like him we may be pressurized into following our own impulses to satisfy the immediate needs of our flesh like food, sex etc. When we see sumptuous food the health aspects may not seem important to us. Some even say, "I will die eating, what I want to eat!" When we feel sexual pressure, the pressure to fulfill sexual urges, a marriage vow may seem unimportant and for those already married, adultery will seem all too permissible. Therefore to avoid falling into the trap of being pressurized into fulfilling our pleasures, Jesus tells us to watch and pray.
Matthew 26:41 NIV
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He also teaches us how to pray in the 'Lord's Prayer,'
Matthew 6:13 NIV
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’
We are constantly reminded to humbly submit ourselves to God and resist the devil. Only when we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. Until then he will pursue us and be on our heels.
King James Bible
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7
When the Word of God tells us to renew our minds, it means constant renewal, to do it constantly and consistently, not once, not twice and not even three times, but all the time. How do we do it? Well, we are to read and meditate on God's Word everyday and be soaked, marinated, fully immersed in His Word and let His Word transform our thinking. we are to bring our every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Then we are to dwell on pure, lovely, righteous, reputable, excellent and praiseworthy thoughts at all times. Below are the four key Scripture references for the renewal of the mind.
First Verse for Renewing the Mind
2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Second Verse for Renewing the Mind
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Third Verse for Renewing the Mind
Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.
Fourth Verse for Renewing the Mind
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Therefore my sisters and brothers in Christ, let us pray for Wisdom and do what we are told to do in God's instruction manual (bible) to avoid falling into the trap of acting on our impulses to fulfill our immediate and fleeting pleasures while disregarding the consequences and losing our eternal rewards in heaven.
God be with you always.
Mary Augustine.
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