Devotional Index

March Devotional

Have You Been Reprogrammed?

Have You Been Reprogrammed?

A computer really can't think for itself. It can only give out information that has been fed into it. Once in a while a computer will be given wrong information and will have to be reprogrammed in order to work properly. As long as it is operating on wrong information it will not be reliable on the information it gives out.

People are born with a sin nature. That sin nature corrupts man's thinking g and causes him to make wrong decisions and pursue wrong goals. When a person receives Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to abide in the believer's heart. However, this doesn't automatically cause the person to have his thinking reprogrammed. That is something he has to choose to do and concentrator on. Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Ephesians 4:23, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Each of us needs to take the time to reprogram our mind to determine to look at circumstances and decisions in our lives from a biblical standpoint. What would the Lord have me do in this situation (not what would Jesus do). I like to refer to it as "practicing the presence of Christ." What would I do if Jesus were here with me in person? (Because He is.)

As I mentioned earlier, this doesn't happen automatically when we accept Jesus Christ as Savior. This is part of the sanctification process. A pastor friend of mine once told me that it was 6 months after he was saved that his guitar got saved. What he meant was that his musical taste wasn't reprogrammed with the biblical guidelines, until he has been saved 6 months.

What area's of your life still need to be renewed or "reprogrammed?" Your driving, your thought life, your attitude, what you consider acceptable entertainment, your music, your goals in life? Typically our activity in these areas is based on what we like, or what our old sinful nature dictate to us. We need to take God's word, study and meditate on it, and prayerfully develop a biblical philosophy in each area.

A man was reminding a friend of his, about something another person had done to him, the friend replied. "I distinctly remember forgetting about that." He had determined to not let the incident affect his present relationship with the person. He had gotten his "forgiver" saved.

What areas of your life is most Un-Christ like? Your temper, your level of faithfulness? Why not make that your focus and determine to put that under the blood of Christ. Then, when you get that "saved" focus on anther area.

May you be transformed by the "Renewing of your Mind" in all areas of your life.

—Pastor Andrew K. Buhrow
Board President, Agape Women's Resource Center