Week 6 | Day 3 | The Way of Guidance

Command:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matt 6:13 NIV

Read:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 NIV

Reflect:

According to “Psychology Today”, the average person makes approximately 35,000 decisions per day. When I have time to ponder a decision, I can research, pray, ask others to pray, read my Bible and get input from trusted friends. However, it’s often quick decisions that I struggle with the most. 

C.S. Lewis said, ”Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.”

My split second responses in all of these seemingly insignificant situations, have the potential to be life changing both for me and those around me.

• How do I react to someone’s unkind words directed at me? 
• How do I respond to others when I am under pressure, tired and frustrated? 

When I’m tempted to quickly respond in worldly ways,I often give a knee-jerk reaction. But that’s not the person I want to be. My deepest desire is to be a reflection of my heavenly Father. In order to be able to quickly provide a godly reaction in the future, I need to be prepared ahead of time. 

Jesus’ response to Satan in Matthew 4 demonstrates a powerful weapon in fighting temptation. He uses words straight from the Bible, to put Satan in his place. I can prepare for battling temptation by knowing God’s word and memorizing verses that will set my heart in the right direction.

The Holy Spirit lives in us and faithfully guides us. The more I pray and am aware of the Spirit in me, the better I can recognize his voice. Regularly, asking for God’s guidance and being aware of his leading helps me develop a habit of walking in the way of guidance.

I’m still a work in progress. Thankfully, when I react in negative ways, I know that Jesus will faithfully extend forgiveness to me. His presence in me and around me will continue to supernaturally guide me.

React:

Memorize a Bible verse this week. 

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5

Pray:

Thank you Jesus for giving me heavenly tools to fight temptation. Show me the way of guidance. Help me to hear your voice and walk in your ways.