The Promise Principle: A New Way to Encounter the Bible Sample

The Promise Principle Devotional

Day 1: Circumstances

Every person is born with a body, a soul, and a dead spirit. All people follow the same pattern of being led by their bodies and souls (Ephesians 2:1–3). But where do your body and soul lead you? They take you where your feelings and thoughts tell you to go. But what controls how you think and feel? Circumstances. 

Two types of circumstances usually rule your body and soul: troubles and temptations. Troubles can be financial problems, health issues, or relationship struggles. A doctor may give you a distressing diagnosis. Perhaps you can’t find a job, and you don’t know how you are going to pay your bills. Or maybe your relationship with your spouse, parent, or child is complicated or even broken. You may be facing one or multiple troubles right now. Troubles can dominate your feelings and thoughts, and if you allow them to do so, they will fill you with fear, anxiety, doubt, and other negative emotions. 

Temptations can rule your feelings and thoughts as well (James 1:14). They try to entice you to feel or think something is good at the moment, even if it will later be harmful. Temptations promise fulfillment, but if you yield to them, they lead to regrets and negative consequences.

Troubles and temptations rob us of peace. Peace is feeling complete, lacking nothing, being whole. Everyone wants to be whole—in health, finances, relationships, etc. If your circumstances changed, everything would be better, right? Actually, no.

The apostle Paul writes about this problem. He doesn’t want to do the things he does, and he cannot do the things he wants to do. Circumstances always drive his sinful nature. He feels frustrated and doomed.

Paul’s problem is a common one. Think about your own life. How often do you let your thoughts dictate your actions? How often do you stop following God’s Word because your circumstances change your feelings? 

However, there is hope! God’s heart is for His children to stop following the world's pattern. As His child, you can be transformed and learn to let the Spirit, not your circumstances, rule your mind.

Reading

Ephesians 2:1–3

Romans 7:14–25

James 1:14