May 4, 2023 -- Hebrews 3:12-13 -- The Sentinel of the Soul

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us…
Titus 3:3-5a NIV

Recently I have been reading Kris Lundgaard’s book “The Enemy Within”. I am doing this for my work with Redemption Prison Ministry, as one of the men I write is taking a correspondence course which studies this book. I know this quotation will be a great blessing and warning for those who heed it.

   If you want to overthrow a fortress, start by knocking out the
   watchman--if he can't warn the others, you will easily breach
   the wall and carry the day. The flesh plies deceit to knock
   out the watchman of your soul: your mind.
   Each of the faculties of your soul has duties before God. The
   mind is the sentinel, commanded to watch carefully over the
   soul by questioning, assessing, and making judgments: "Will
   this please God?" "Is this according to God's Word?" If the
   mind determines that an action is right, the affections should
   then fall in line and desire, long for, and cling to that which 
   the mind said was good. Last, the will puts the soul into action,
   carrying out what the mind said was good and the affections
   hungered for. When each does its job, you obey God from 
   the heart.
   Lundgaard, page 55 -56

Our Father in heaven hallowed and ever-blessed be Your Name! By Your Spirit's work within help us to perform a penetrating performance review of our mind, affections and will, so that our souls will be renewed in the best and most perfect work of desiring and obeying the Triune God from the heart. Spirit of God keep us from the wiles of deceitfulness. Give such holy, penetrating discernment that deceit will be exposed wherever it has been making headway in our head or heart so that it can be rooted out. Spirit of the Living God, thank You for the cleansing work of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the depths of forgiveness and salvation brought to believers which make that obedience possible. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless the Triune God of Glory. Amen.

 https://youtu.be/sgIZx6j2Ca8 In Sweet Communion, Lord, with You

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