NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Romans 14-16
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV); Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus described how easy it is for us to look at others and call
out their faults while ignoring the blaring issues in our own lives. The enemy loves to distract
us from dealing with our own shortcomings by directing our focus towards the faults of others.
Pride quickly follows and molehills turn to mountains.
Therefore, it is essential that we take time to listen about ourselves. “Grace” “holiness” and
“righteousness” are not words magically spoken over us, making sin a non-issue in our lives.
These things are only activated when we reverently repent of our sin and work with the Holy
Spirit to turn from our wickedness. We will never grow to be mature in the faith if we do not do
this. Our ears will not grow keener to His voice if we do not allow Him to speak about our own
areas of offense and wrongdoing.
Paul said, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” As Christians we
are to live rightly by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If we are actually allowing Him
to work in us, we will walk with Him through the practical, moment by moment. We can label
ourselves whatever we want, but if we are not allowing the Spirit to work in our lives, we are
not living by Him. Do you want to live by the Spirit? Do you want to hear Him direct you? Then
the place to start is with repentance.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Read Psalm 139:23-24 as a prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and point out
your motives, anxious thoughts, offensive ways and other sinful thoughts and attitudes. Spend
time in repentance: confess your sin to the Lord, ask for His forgiveness and determine how
you can go out and do the opposite of what you’ve been doing.
2. Ask the Lord to point out times during the past few weeks when you have been obedient to
him despite difficulty. Ask Him to help you continue to walk obediently, and to remain humble.
3. How can you keep in step with the Spirit today? How can you keep your ears tuned to His
direction?
