Passions

How do we follow the God-given passions we have verses the ones that will undercut us?  Seeking spiritual discernment is an important answer to that question.

When the Spirit is on the move, it's characterised by:

• Christ-centred spirituality in every aspect of life;
• rejection of all prejudice, class/ethnic/educational barriers, exclusiveness, and denominationalism. When it follows the Spirit, the Body of Believers knowingly chooses to counter-model prejudices by living without regard to them.
• bringing attention and worship to Jesus Christ, and awareness of God's/Jesus'/Spirit's work.
• an unusual level of passion, energy, or impact.

 Look deep into my heart, God,
    and find out everything
    I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways,
    but lead me in the way
    that time has proven true. You have looked deep
into my heart, Lord,
    and you know all about me.
 You know when I am resting
    or when I am working,
    and from heaven
    you discover my thoughts. - Psalm 139:23-24, 1-2

 How do we escape the bondage of conflicting desires?

Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong.- Romans 7:19

In Israel's history, the practise of circumcision became a spiritual metaphor for faithfulness.

 You and your descendants are stubborn, but the Lord will make you willing to obey him and love him with all your heart and soul, and you will enjoy a long life. - Deuteronomy 30:6

 This was so much so that uncircumcision was a metaphor for impurity and unfaithfulness.

Paul picks this up in his letter to the Romans arguing that true circumcision is not a matter of a physical nature.

 To be a real Jew you must obey the Law. True circumcision is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans. - Romans 2:29

 Envision your future with an emphasis on your personal strengths following your passions, do not focus on your weaknesses. This shift in focus will empower you to leverage your strengths and build upon them to eventually see past impairments and concentrate on the lifelong benefits your strengths provide. When you are able to change your attitude, you will be in control of your life and this enables balance and affirmation in your abilities.