Is your belief system so ingrained that it guards you against temptation? If so, then certain issues have already been settled in your heart. Think about how beneficial that is: When you face certain situations in which you must choose whether to obey God, you don’t have to struggle. Why? Because that decision has already been made.
A settled mindset makes decisions easy because you don’t have to debate the pros and cons of submitting to temptation. Because your mind is already committed to obeying God, it won’t matter whether yielding is more convenient or profitable.
We find this in the example of Peter and John. Threats would not stop them from doing what the Lord had commanded. That’s the kind of commitment we should have. Living according to our convictions requires:
Commitment to a cause greater than ourselves—namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Peter and John, we need to have a love for Christ that surpasses any self-protection or self-interest.
Clarity regarding our beliefs. We should not only be fully convinced that God’s Word is true; we should also be able to handle it accurately in order to properly handle temptations and deceptions.
Expectation of conflict. Others may respond negatively to our obedience.
Trust in God’s sovereignty. He is in absolute control of the situation and working for our good.
When you are committed to living by your convictions, God will both strengthen you to stand firm and comfort you in any suffering that results.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 23-27
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