Training Inclinations

(PRO 4:20 NASB)  My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

(Today marks the beginning of posts in which my normal Bible software stopped working.  As a result I will not be putting the words in italics that the original KJV has.  If I find a way around it I will adjust.  If you never noticed then ignore this.)

There are two levels of spiritual growth being described here.  First you have the deliberate act of paying “attention” (7181).  This is a matter of conscious choice, moment by moment.  The Holy Spirit will activate your mind and you must make a choice to be responsive.  If you have a choice of going to a mid-week service or watching Wheel of Fortune, which will it be?  If you have a choice of visiting a sick friend or playing golf, which will it be?  The question is real and consistent.  Which will it be?

The second level has to do with our inclination.  Which way have we trained ourselves to lean?  I don’t have any trouble with pornography on the internet because I early on trained myself not to click on certain types of ads.  I learned that they led in the wrong direction.  The first click may have been no big thing but each click took you another step toward sin.  I have learned to not buy salty snacks.  I can resist sugar.  I like chocolate and cobbler.  I have no problem passing on dessert.  I can’t start a bag of chips without feeling a moral compulsion to finish it. 

So?  Train your inclinations with your conscious decisions.  It may take time but it can be done.