From Impulse to Intention // 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Today’s passage really speaks to me. On one hand I’m guilty of thinking that all this cultural corruption is a new phenomena. It isn’t. As we see from The Message’s rendering of 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, there are forces that have been trying to distort reality, warp truth, and erect barriers to right living throughout human history. This goes back to Satan’s original temptation when he asked Adam and Eve, “Did God really say?” Something as simple as sowing doubt can go a long way to corrupt people striving to do the right thing. Then, once we succumb to the arena of the mind, we are more prone to acting out of impulsive emotion than thinking through what God would have us do and how He would have us do it. The Apostle Paul said that the gospel of Christ helps to control our wayward thinking and stabilize our emotional lives in Christ. This brings about obedience to God’s way and helps us develop spiritual maturity. So what are we to do when we go awry? Well, I’m glad you asked, because that’s important, too. Obedient maturity should direct us to a place where we acknowledge our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and find our lives strengthened in reconciliation. The dog-eat-dog world will try to get any Jesus follower to go his or her own way. Fight that impulse and commit to using your powerful God-tools of grace, mercy, and truth to build up others as opposed to tearing them down. Moving from impulse to intention will make a difference for living, beginning with yourself.