Applying Scripture to our lives is not as difficult as it may seem, but it can be unpleasant.

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9

We began yesterday looking at Psalm 139:23-24, which said,

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

In these verses, we used two exercises to help us apply them to our lives,

1. We looked at several different translations;
2. We used synonyms for many of the words;

Today, we will apply the exercise of substitution. “Substitution” is when we find other words that are not synonyms, but are still applicable to the verse. Let’s look at the word, “offensive.” We are asking God to search and know our hearts and thoughts; we want Him to find anything that is offensive; the conclusion of the last line is that we want God to help us overcome these offensive attributes in our lives as He leads us in the Way of His Truth, which leads to eternal Life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). What are some other offensive attributes?

• Stubborn,
• Willfull,
• Doubting,
• Hateful,
• Irritating,
• Misdirected,
• Insincere,
• Selfish,
• Arrogant,
• Sinful,
• _______ (fill in the blanks)
• _______
• _______

In all of these, we need the help of the Holy Spirit in order to get beyond them. He wants to help! It’s not like He’s going, “I wish he’d hurry up and grow up.” His whole goal is to help us mature. It’s a process called “sanctification.” He enjoys the process–even if we don’t. Why? Because He’s doing it WITH us. We are His kids and He loves us.

Let’s remember that it is Him in us that makes us like God. Here is a passage to remember,

²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, teaching and admonishing everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I labor, striving with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me [through the Holy Spirit]. Col. 1:27-30

Abba, I know You are in me working. The first thing You changed was my desires; I now want what You want, which is holiness and righteousness and peace. You want love to be first and foremost in our lives; so do I. Now, Father, bring to completion what You have begun in us (Philippians 1:6). Amen.