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~~~

Flashing Warning Lights

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

 

It is so frustrating to find yourself doing something
that you clearly do not want to do...such as letting your biases
dictate how your response in certain situations.

Paul has a way of writing from such a human perspective.
He is easy to relate to because he writes about things
that are relevant for us now.
Some may think the Bible is full of old customs and beliefs,
but the truth is along with them is this wonderful
living word...full of meaning no matter when it is read.

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.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.

When it comes to our bodies there are many
weaknesses and temptations.
God made our bodies to experience pain and pleasure.
We try to avoid pain when possible and experience
the pleasure when possible.
We struggle inside with these two opposite feelings.

It is too bad that we do not have internal flashing yellow lights
 when we are approaching danger.

Not only would it give us a warning sign,
but it would also alert those around us that we needed their assistance.
 

Almost every time I am driving on the highway I see the large signs
letting the public know of a missing elderly or child.
I get notices on my phone of accidents that would impact my route.
We get emergency messages along the bottom of our
television screens for severe weather.
 

 

 

 

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 

 

Apparently we are too physically weak to judge
between good and evil by ourselves. 

It is easy to understand Paul because we all
have the same internal challenges.
Paul gives us the best failsafe we could ever have....

Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

 We can always turn to Jesus for his help to avoid sin,
but sometimes we are too afraid or too ashamed.

Whether we are acting in grace or in sin God is present there too.
When we are arguing inside with ourselves God is present.
When we overcome our daily temptations
no matter how great or small
God is present.
When we fail and succumb to that which
we do not want to do....sin;
God is present inviting us to return to him.

Hide me Lord in the shelter of your wings.
Blessings come in admitting to ourselves
that we need God
every day in every situation.
I am on the lookout for the
'flashing yellow lights'.