Putting 5 Senses to Work

Jeremiah 17: ⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”

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Chocolate cake piled as high as the centerpiece was the decadent dessert placed before us. It was very tasty. As the conversation flowed, we discussed a person. The “stuff” about that person was juicy. My eyes spied the car I really liked and I said to myself “One day.” The car looked shiny. A person walked past me who could have used two showers and I was repulsed. They were smelly. When I got outside I grimaced because I got wet and felt cold. It was rainy.

• My senses can trigger my thoughts.
• My senses can start me on a path of thinking that many not be the best.
• My senses can kick off a sequence of opinions that could lead me to a not so good place.

Each day I am faced with the use of the five senses I am given. When I use my senses selfishly, pride, greed, lust, malicious envy, gluttony, wrath and slothfulness creep in. If I look at the wrong thing or touch the right thing I am sent on a path that is not pleasing to GOD. Is there any help?

• GOD says to me “I the LORD search the heart and I can cleanse it of all unrighteousness.”
• GOD says to me “I examine the mind and I can hold all thoughts captive.”
• GOD says to me “I will reward you for your conduct, not your thoughts.”

Just because a bad thought pops in my head does not mean I have to act on it. Now I can see why Paul says “pray without ceasing.” In the moment I listen to the gossip, I should be praying for the transmitter, myself and the person being spoken about who is not there. After the prayer, I can then excuse myself from the conversation.

Each time I use my senses for GOD I am rewarded. HE understands that I may sin, but HE is excited when I choose not to. As I mature in CHRIST I can make a choice to use my senses in ways that please HIM.

• Are you seeking pleasure?
• Do you think you “deserve” a break from being “good?”
• Can you hold a few more of your thoughts captive and ask GOD to have at least one more today?