In our Bible study together this week, we have seen how the things we allow into our hearts directly impact the words we say. As a result, we must guard our hearts and take very seriously the content that we let into our hearts and the people we allow to speak into our hearts. After all, the world is constantly trying to fill our hearts with unwise, ungodly content. We must guard our hearts by looking to Christ rather than the things of this world.
The apostle Paul encouraged followers of Christ to focus on the things of Christ and His kingdom instead of this world in Romans 12. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world" (verse 2). This was a call to Christ followers to live differently from the rest of the world, which is full of selfishness and sin against God. Instead of copying the world, Paul wrote, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (verse 2). If we want to live for Christ and not like the rest of the world, we must change the way we think. How do we do this? We change the way we think by focusing on Scripture, praying, listening to worship music, and having conversations about faith with the people around us. When we purposefully meditate on the things of Christ, thinking about Christ and talking about Him becomes a habit. Speaking in a way that honors Him also becomes a habit. To those who follow this instruction, Paul promises, "Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (verse 2). When we focus on Christ and His kingdom, we begin to understand God's will for our lives, and we honor Him with our lives, including the way we speak.
What do you find yourself focusing on? Are you focusing on the things of this world, or are you meditating on the things of Christ and His kingdom? When you focus on the things of the world, the words you say and the things you do will reflect the world and the things of this world. When you focus on Christ and the things of Him, you will find yourself living and talking in a way that reflects Him. Set your mind on Him today.
Set a timer for 10 minutes. For the next 10 minutes, pray. Bring your requests and concerns to God the Father. Talk to Him about what is on your mind. Ask Him for His guidance and direction. This short time focusing on God will help you set your heart and mind on His kingdom and what He is doing in the world.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
