What goes through our minds usually finds a way to be expressed physically. Are we paying attention?

2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.

What we do begins in our minds. From our past right up to the present, we lay the groundwork for every deed we do, be it good or bad. For this reason, God wants us in His Word and in His presence daily. As we are washed by the Spirit in the water of the Word (see Ephesians 5:25-27), we set our minds on the right course; our deeds then follow.

The problem arises when our physical bodies try to control us through our desires through chemical processes released in the brain and body that create these desires. They seem overwhelming at times, but we have this promise:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear [endure]. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it [and escape]. 1 Corinthians 10:13

So, how do we beat our bodies at this game called, “DESIRE?” The apostle Paul tells us how he did it:

I beat [discipline] my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27

For gals, this verse can apply to what happens when you focus–or choose not to focus–on your physical bodies. Some may not like the way they look, so they use makeup and other means to make themselves look “better.” Some may not care what they look like and “let themselves go.” We are all custodians of our bodies, therefore, it is important for us to take care of ourselves for ministry-sake; at the same time, we must remember that these bodies are NOT us, but are costumes that we will eventually take off at the “Great Reveal.”

For guys, this verse is particularly pertinent concerning what we see. We must be extremely careful to not “gaze upon” anything that leads our minds down the dark path, particularly concerning sex. Pictures, movies, drawings, cartoons–they all take our minds to places they shouldn’t be. If followed long enough, they will destroy your marriage or any chance of marriage. They will also keep you from becoming the man of Christ I hope you want to be.

We can take a lesson from Jesus in John 8:1-11 when Jesus was confronted with the woman caught in adultery–btw, where was the guy? “Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.” Jesus said more in this gesture than any sermon: He protected His eyes, He safeguarded her modesty (later, when it was just Him and her, he addressed her personally), and He drew the attention away from her. Guys, let us “go and do likewise.” When we are confronted with something that is inappropriate (or someone who is dressed inappropriately), LOOK AWAY! Look up; look down, look anywhere but at what’s in front of you. Cry out to Jesus to help you focus on Him and NOT on what has been presented to you. By all means, DON’T go looking for it! Jesus gives us POWER to win at the game of DESIRE:

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We can do this in His power and His might, “‘Not my [our] might and not by [our] power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD.” Zechariah 4:6

Abba, may we draw on Your strength as we place ourselves totally and completely in Your hands. We know we are built for eternity; help us to not get so engrossed in this world that we miss out on preparing for the next world: Your Kingdom! Amen.