A Day-by-day devotional

April 20, 2023

Nest

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 23-26

Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In my former flat, I used to have a balcony that draws the attention of pigeons. When spring approaches, a pair of pigeons would often build a nest in my balcony. I have tried various measures to deter them from living in my balcony – plastic birds of prey, spikes, reflectors – but to no avail. They still always come back.

Martin Luther said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Just like birds trying to build nests for themselves wherever it is they find as good ground, the enemy would always try his best to whisper thoughts in our ears. We cannot keep him from doing that. That is what his life’s mission is about. However, it is up to us if we give him the opportunity to build a nest in our thoughts.

Every sin starts with a thought. Satan tempts us in our minds. Temptation enters by way of our senses but what we do with it is conceived in our mind. Once conceived, the response gets into our heart. For this reason, Paul admonished that we take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

It is not only sin, however, that starts in the mind. Our perception of ourselves and others is also generated from our thoughts. Through our mind we could think highly of ourselves and others secondary, and vice versa. This conflict in the mind determines our actions and how we deal with life. If we feed our thoughts with rubbish, it should not be a surprise that we would also in time feel as though our life is rubbish, or that we are rubbish.

Lies after lies can come through our mind. Hence, we need to carefully guard it. That way, it would be harder for the enemy to get hold of us! Let us feed our minds with that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable instead (Philippians 4:8).

Reflection: What thoughts have you been struggling with? Instead of you being enslaved by your thoughts, why do you not bring it at the feet of Jesus? Ask Him to take your thought captive.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, take my mind captive. Forgive me for the wrong things I feed my mind with. Enable me to think of things that honor you instead. Amen.