Engaged Minds Filled with Joy

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

It is not natural to look for the joy when we find ourselves in the midst of trouble. I can remember years ago when my business was failing it was hard to think of anything but the mess I was in.  I obsessed about what to do next and never considered rejoicing.

But Paul wrote his joyful letters while in prison. We might wonder how he could write about rejoicing while he was in chains; but it is worth noting that he says rejoice, he doesn't say be happy! He also isn't saying to rejoice in your situation, but rejoice in the Lord.

We all experience times of great trouble when we are anything but happy.  There isn't a lot to laugh about when faced with a serious illness or when we find ourselves in over our heads in debt. But, I know from personal struggles that, while I am not giggly or bubbling over with joy, I do have a sense of peace and delight when I turn to God for direction or comfort.

Engaged minds, focused on Jesus and seeking His Word for direction and clarity, will find joy in all things. 

John 17:13-19 

Satan and God's Word

Matthew 4: 1-11

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!” - William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare was biblically literate, and he must have been familiar with today's passage.  We see  Satan quoting scripture to Jesus (v. 6).

Quoting scripture and understanding scripture are two different things, and as we seek to become Christians who have minds fully engaged, we need to be aware of the danger that can lull us into a false sense of security:  I'm a churchgoer/I read my Bible/I have memorized some verses so I will be okay.

I Peter 5:8 warns us to keep our minds engaged appropriately:  

Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

Remember that that 'roaring lion' may look like a villain with a smiling cheek, or a goodly apple rotten at the heart, as Mr. Shakespeare so aptly describes him.  And remember that Satan is always prowling around, looking for someone to devour.

How can we resist temptation and, for that matter, recognize it when it is disguised as God's word?  How do we recognize the tempter, when he willing to use any means available to twist God's message?  We can be in the word daily.  We can share our temptations with others and ask them to pray for us, and we will covenant to pray for them.  We can trust God daily and take all our cares and worries to him.  He loves us with a love that is beyond measure, and he is worthy of our trust.  

The verse right before the one in I Peter that encourages us to be 'clear-minded and alert' is worth repeating:

Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Lord, I know you care for me, and you are enough.  Help me to resist Satan's call, even when it seems right and good.  Help me to be wise and to come to you for every need.  Amen.