a thought while i was reading Ephesians yesterday.
Ephesians 5:3-4
"But sexual immorality and all impurity or coveteousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among the saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving."
As i was contemplating Ephesians, yesterday, a thought came to mind. Isn't it interesting that Paul tells the Ephesians that instead of being immoral, they ought to be thankful?
Were i to give advice to a guy tempted by porn, my first piece of advice would be "Ask God to change your heart," instead of "Be thankful."
So, i thought to myself, "What do sexual immorality, impurity, coveteousness, filthiness, foolish talk or crude joking have in common?"
Self-indulgence.
This is why Paul's remedy is thanksgiving! Because thanksgiving lifts our eyes off of ourselves and sets them on God!
When i'm tempted to sin in any way, i need not beg and plead for God to change my heart (although that might be necessary).. because even such begging focuses my attention on my own self.
"God, please change MY heart."
"God why didn't you answer MY prayer?"
"Why do i still struggle with this?"
"You didn't change MY heart, so i am justified in my sin."
NO!
When it comes to thanksgiving, there is no "ME" involved. My eyes are brought to God. And, in a sense, my prayer for a changed heart, can't help but be answered, because as we genuinely thank God for who He is, the blessings He has given us, and what He has done on the cross, we aren't able to wallow in our sins for long.
interesting, eh?
