“Be of the same mind as one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” (Rom 12:16)

Paul says a lot here. He has just told us to pay attention to the emotions of others —rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Clearly, we are to care about our fellow man and not just ourselves.

Paul cautions us not to set our mind on high things but to deliberately associate with the humble and not be wise in our own opinion.

Our culture feeds just the opposite of this. I can share my opinion and immediately get hundred of likes on social media. I can elevate myself and be called an influencer —wise in my own opinions. I can replace my love for God and others and place myself on a precarious throne —if I’m not careful.

Oh friends, our flesh is strong. Our hearts are deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9) and we’ve got this world and the evil one influencing us all day long. We have to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7) with the upmost urgency.

We have to learn to use the Bible as the sword that it is!

We do this by surrounding ourselves with the truth of the Word and godly friends who have permission to speak truth in our lives—even and especially hard truth.

We all have the capability to get off course, to go our own way, and be deceived. But God’s mercies are new every morning (hallelujah!) and we can get right back up and do the next right thing, as defined in the Bible, even if we’ve blown it.

His Word is so good. Let’s read it. His guidance so true! Lets’s heed it! Where else would we go? Where else would we turn? (John 6:68)

readRomans12

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