Ultimately, God wants to sanctify your desires so you want what He wants. Nothing like living out of holy desire. But most desires start out as disciplines. And if you discipline yourself long enough, the discipline becomes a desire. I think the goal for all spiritual disciplines is that they would become spiritual desires.
I think the best analogy is the physical disciplines that result in physical health. Going to the gym starts out as a discipline, but if you keep going it becomes a desire. If you get out of the habit, it goes back to being a discipline again. That is the way spiritual health works. You don't always feel like reading the Bible, and that's when it's a spiritual discipline. But if you keep reading, it'll become a spiritual desire again. Then, if you get out of the habit, you've got to make it a discipline again.
I love the resolve in Psalm 119:16: "I will not neglect your word."
You can't read Psalm 119 and come to any other conclusion than this: the Psalmist loves the word. He delights in the word. He desires the word. But part of that desire is buried in this discipline: "I will not neglect your word."
I think the best analogy is the physical disciplines that result in physical health. Going to the gym starts out as a discipline, but if you keep going it becomes a desire. If you get out of the habit, it goes back to being a discipline again. That is the way spiritual health works. You don't always feel like reading the Bible, and that's when it's a spiritual discipline. But if you keep reading, it'll become a spiritual desire again. Then, if you get out of the habit, you've got to make it a discipline again.
I love the resolve in Psalm 119:16: "I will not neglect your word."
You can't read Psalm 119 and come to any other conclusion than this: the Psalmist loves the word. He delights in the word. He desires the word. But part of that desire is buried in this discipline: "I will not neglect your word."
5 Comments:
That's right on. Thanks. I have an elderly friend who, a year ago, began waking up early (before his disabled wife awoke), starting a fire, and spending 2 hours with his Creator every morning. He now talks about this time like a newlywed talks about the honeymoon.
Mark awesome thoughts...Brian I think that is beautiful how you described it as a newlywed speaking about a honeymoon...
Hi Pastor Matt,
I came across your blog and has been reading it daily! OH WHAT A BLESSING! I love the way you write! God has used your words on these pages to inspire and instruct me! THANK YOU!
This is so crazy. I just spoke these exact words to my 16 year old son on the way to school today. He struggles with reading the Word. I am going to show this to him as a confirmation that this is what God wanted to say to him. Thanks so much for confirming that I heard from God this morning!!
and also because true love is an act of the will...in my relationship with God, I love because He first loved me. THAT changes my actions that lead to a deeper love relationship with the greatest lover of all! Thank you God!
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