This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh – Galatians 5:16
A tale is told of a young boy seated in an untidy room, watching television, when his teenage sister walks in. “You do know the room won’t clean itself,” Margie declared. “Yep, I know. I’m testing to see what’s needed to get me to feel like doing what I don’t want to do,” Alex responded. “Possibly having faith in Mommy, who is leaving work early, to punish will help your contemplation.” “Whoa, I suddenly feel motivated,” Alex said, scrambling to his feet.
Reacting obediently doesn’t mean you don’t want to react resistively. It just means that the decision to be faithful dominates every other emotion. This is my introspective summation of a decision that began yesterday by examining the lives of Jonah and Esther. They were presented with critical tasks, and their reactions demonstrated their prevailing emotions.
In my quest to behave in a manner that pleases God, I can’t rely on my emotions to agree with my decisions. I must be guided by faith, trusting it will govern my resistance and obedience accordingly.