“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Movement doesn’t come out of nowhere. What happens with our body proceeds from what is happening in our spirit. When it comes to addictive behavior, obsession creates compulsion. This is why it is imperative for us to keep our thought life under the control of the Holy Spirit.
We can ask God to keep us from doing evil all we want, but He requires us to do our part. David prayed:
“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” (Psalm 19:13)
But David was also wise enough to know that what he thought upon was crucial to his preservation:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:13)
God has appointed every man to be a watchmen over his own soul. By His wisdom and strength He will alert us to those meditations that are unacceptable in His sight. We must know that sin does not have dominion over those who are in Christ and under grace. (Rom. 6:14) We can choose what we think on. If we are to not yield the members of our body to sin, we cannot yield our mind to thoughts that stir up sinful words and deeds.
Saint of God, the ball is in your court. You don’t have to be brought under the power of any controlling desire. Christ has set you free. But He calls you to learn how to possess your vessel in sanctification and honor. (1 Thes. 4:4) If you live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and the feet move. Freedom from compulsion begins with what we give ourselves permission to think upon. Let the mediation of your heart be acceptable in God’s sight. Let Him keep you from sin as His kingdom is established in your heart and mind.
“… For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)