Prayer Requests and Gratitudes

Friday, October 23, 2015

Mind-Body Struggle

~~~ Romans 7:18-25A ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 12:54-59 ~~~

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Jesus notices that the people were able to tell about the weather
 by observing the clouds and wind direction.
But when it came to more personal things
they were greatly deficient.

The letter to the Romans gives us a possible explanation.

I know that good does not dwell in me, 
that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, 
but doing the good is not.

Paul notes that even when he intends to do good
he fails miserably.
He cannot make his mind and his body cooperate.
Instead it seems to Paul that his mind and his body
 are at odds with one another.

Have you ever found yourself in the midst
of something you did not want to do?


God designed your body to respond to pleasure.
You have your incredible five senses.
Your senses are truly a gift from God.

Your sense of sight allows you to enjoy
the beauty of all of creation.
But your sight may also be a source of sin.
How do you preserve what you see for good?
Do you seek to view that which may lead you to sin?

Your sense of taste allows you to enjoy the many flavors
of herbs, spices, and sugar to name a few.
But your sense of taste may also be a source of sin.
Have you ever eaten too much?
Do you crave sweets?
Do you use food for comfort?

I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Your sense of touch allows you to feel
with every part of your body.
But your sense of touch can also be a source of sin.
Either pleasure or pain, hot or cold,
even this can be a source of sin.
Are you too concerned about your body?

Paul presents with this dilemma that we all face with hope.

Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Are there times when you feel like crying out to the Lord?
Are you feeling miserable too?
Does you body frustrate your good intentions?

Paul knows that it is only the Lord
that can come to our assistance.
He is the one who understands
this constant struggle that we have between
our mind and our bodies.

The gift of your body and its senses
can bring about goodness at times while at other
times be a source of distress.

Blessed to have a mind and body
wonderfully made by God.
~~~Peace~~~

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