How To Be Truly Happyনমুনা

Day Six – Crushing Coveting With Contentment

Jesus was teaching the principle of replacement when He said that if a demon were cast out but the Holy Spirit did not take its place, then seven more demons would fill the gap. This is why Paul tells us not only to “take off” certain mind-sets and desires but also to “put on” others. It is not enough to simply cast out or take off coveting.

It’s not enough to give away everything that doesn’t “spark joy” or to move into a tiny home. Contentment has nothing to do with your stuff and everything to do with your soul. Like Jesus, who was equally content whether rich in heaven or poor on earth, we have to welcome in and put on contentment. Just as light drives out darkness, so contentment drives out coveting.

Contentment is based upon what we have in our relationship with God, because He meets our deepest needs and is our greatest treasure. A content person can be ruling from a lofty position or serving from a lowly position with an equal amount of peace in his or her soul.

This is the example of our Lord, who was content to sit on a throne and be worshipped by angels as well as to hang on a cross and be mocked by enemies. A content person can be rich in possessions or reeling in poverty while having the same quality of character and life of love as Jesus. This is the example of our Lord, who is today bountiful and blessed in the kingdom and was equally content while homeless and hungry on the earth. The key to contentment is trusting the Father heart of God.

Was this plan helpful to you? It was adapted from our book Win Your War: For in the Realm You Don’t See For Freedom in the One You Do.