Day 11
Daily Spiritual Habits of Disciples
I used to think that as long as I didn’t watch or listen to anything that was overtly “bad,” then most things were okay to read, watch, or listen to. What I’ve learned, however, is that the more you grow and develop in Jesus, the less you desire to consume (watch, listen to, read, engage with) anything that doesn’t glorify God, promote the things of God, or advance the Kingdom of God.
Decisions aren’t about whether something is “good” or “bad,” rather the question is, “is engaging in this aligned with being a faithful steward of my time and a disciple of Christ?”
Many times media, in all its forms, fills space in our lives that has been allocated for God. The gift of the “dailies” is twofold–one, they help you to keep God first in your time, days, and schedule, and second, when they become a part of your lifestyle, they help you to become more attuned to what matters. Time spent with God helps you to see more clearly that the list of what is most important in life is shockingly short and much of what you fill your days with is futile.
Daily, we are to set boundaries on what we intake. As one scripture says, turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things.
What boundaries have you put in place to guard what your eyes and ears consume?
Scripture teaches us that faith comes by hearing by the word of God. How much of your consumption comes from the word of God?
Daily, we are to set boundaries on that small and deadly part of our body–the tongue.
How much of your time is wasted with the tongue? Putting boundaries on what you say and when you say it is another way to be a faithful steward and disciple. Consistently through scripture we are instructed to guard our mouth, bridle the tongue, refrain from speaking evil, be slow to speak, and shun idle speech.
Lesson 10: Placing boundaries on what comes out of your mouth and what goes into your eyes and ears (and directly into your heart and mind) daily is necessary for disciples of Christ.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Help me today to be slow to speak and when I must speak, give me the words to say. Help me to choose wisely when intaking any forms of media or conversation. Help me to set boundaries on my eyes, ears, and mouth this day. I ask it in your name, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture
Psalms 119:37 NKJV ”Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.“
Psalms 101:3 NKJV “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.”
James 3:8 NKJV ”But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.“
2 Timothy 2:16 NKJV “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.“
Proverbs 21:23 NKJV ”Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.“
Psalms 141:3 NKJV ”Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.“
James 1:26 NKJV “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.“
Proverbs 17:27-28 NKJV ”He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.“
1 Peter 3:10 NKJV ”For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.“
Romans 10:17 NKJV “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”