Given July 9, 2011
We’ve all heard this phrase and it brings to mind doing something over and over again until we master it. We may not be perfect at it but we can control the outcome. In order to become skilled at something, we have to practice it. Right?
Oswald Chambers said, “If we fail, it is because we have not practiced.” He’s talking about failing spiritually, and it’s true. We must practice spiritually in order to become skilled in the things of God just as we practice physical and mental things. Practice makes perfect.
We are made up of flesh and Spirit and these two powers are constantly at odds vying for the top spot in our lives. 1 Peter 2:11 says, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” These evil desires come from our in-born flesh, our human nature we were born with because of the sin of Adam, and are constantly battling to gain control of our soul. However, if we are “born again”, we have the Spirit of God living in us striving to gain control as well. This is where the practice comes in. We study God’s word, we pray, learn the ways of God and when a crisis comes, we have an option to practice what we’ve learned and use it against our flesh. Each time we do this, our Spirit becomes a little stronger, we gain a little more skill, and our flesh gets a little weaker. As we become stronger in the Spirit, our reactions to a crisis will be from our Spirit and not our flesh. Eventually, it will be an automatic thingjust like driving to a familiar place, shooting a basket, or using the multiplication tables. That is perfection. The Spiritual choice comes out and we don’t even have to think about it.
Let’s think of how we react to situations. Godly or worldly? Spirit or flesh? Don’t be discouraged if you see that your reactions are mostly fleshly, we are all a work in progress. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). Read and study your manual, (the Bible), have regular talks with the Master, (prayer), and practice, practice, practice. Can we do it? Let me hear your comments, please.
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