Week 35
Obsession
If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.
Romans 8:6
An obsession is a strong persistent desire that preoccupies and intrudes the mind. I am ashamed to say I am obsessed with my phone. I can’t go anywhere without my phone, not even into another room in my home. Another obsession of mine is food. I think about what I will eat a lot. Other things people are obsessed about can be looks, money, sex, social media, games, shows, travels, news analysis/opinions, and even work. David’s son, Amnon, was obsessed with his half-sister, Tamar and ended up raping her and later hating her. Obsessions can be destructive. How do we overcome our fleshly obsessions? First, we need to recognize and acknowledge our obsession. What mostly occupies your mind? Where do you most spend your time? Second, we need to stop feeding it. Maybe, lock your phone away for a day? Maybe stop buying a lot of food! Maybe turn off the news in the evenings! The best way to overcome obsession is to allow God to turn the mind ruled by our fleshly desires to the mind ruled by the Spirit. We do this by surrendering our obsessions to God and abiding in Him through reading the scriptures, praying, and choosing God’s will each moment.
God, please free our mind from our obsessions and rule our mind. In Jesus, Name, I pray. Amen.