Devotion: Five Habits of Highly Spiritual People

“Humble yourself…cast all your anxieties on him…
be sober-minded…be watchful…Resist the devil…”
(excerpts from 1 Peter 5:6-9)

If God were to select from the entirety of God’s Word to make a shorter volume of instruction, I think these passages from First Peter would surely be included. At Sheridan Lutheran Church, we’ve called these scriptures, “Five Habits of Highly Spiritual People” and they are very much worth acquiring.

First, humble yourself before God. The New International Version of the Bible translates this as “Be content with who you are.” You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Before the world began, God decided you would be. There is only one of you. Be content, but also seek to be the best “you” possible.

Second, cast your anxieties on Him – let God do your worrying. Trust that God is bigger than any problem you can encounter and remember that Jesus walks with you ALL THE WAY.

Third, be self-controlled. Make good choices. Consider the needs of others – those close to you and those who are not. We are all God’s children and God made us to be in community with others.

Fourth, be watchful – be alert to temptation. It’s everywhere. As one saying goes, “Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.” It does. Resist it – Turn your back on it, don’t go where it lives, get it out of your house, have distractions ready, plan ahead, make a commitment to yourself and God. And pray. In fact, prayer should be our first line of defense.

Fifth – resist the devil by standing firm in your faith. Remember that his promises are empty. He may seem to be promising good, even noble, things, but only God is the source of goodness. Look back on a time when you took your eyes off God and surrendered to evil. We’re sinners, we’ve all done it – how did that work out for ya? When the devil comes calling, send him away by focusing on God.

2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that “God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him.”

We come to know God – have a relationship with God – when we devote time to spiritual practices including prayer, worship, Bible study, meditation, Christian fellowship, service and more. It is these practices that will help us form the good habits God wants to see in us.

Gracious God, help me to want more time with you so that I can form the habits of Godly living you desire for me. Amen.

This devotion was written by Cheryl Stubbendieck.

If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Patty Forsberg.

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