barry
06-04-2007, 08:53 AM
You do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked.—Rev. 3:17.
Though materially rich, the ancient Laodicean Christians were bankrupt spiritually. Instead of continuing to walk by faith, they allowed material possessions to blind their spiritual vision. Materialism has a similar effect today. It weakens our faith and causes us to stop ‘running with endurance the race’ for life. (Heb. 12:1) If we are not careful, the “pleasures of this life” can smother spiritual activities to the point that they are “completely choked.” (Luke 8:14) A key to spiritual protection is contentment rather than the use of this world to the full. (1 Cor. 7:31; 1 Tim. 6:6-8) When we walk by faith and not by sight, we find joy in the present spiritual paradise. As we partake of nourishing spiritual food, are we not moved to “cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart”?—Isa. 65:13, 14. w 9/15/05 8, 9
Though materially rich, the ancient Laodicean Christians were bankrupt spiritually. Instead of continuing to walk by faith, they allowed material possessions to blind their spiritual vision. Materialism has a similar effect today. It weakens our faith and causes us to stop ‘running with endurance the race’ for life. (Heb. 12:1) If we are not careful, the “pleasures of this life” can smother spiritual activities to the point that they are “completely choked.” (Luke 8:14) A key to spiritual protection is contentment rather than the use of this world to the full. (1 Cor. 7:31; 1 Tim. 6:6-8) When we walk by faith and not by sight, we find joy in the present spiritual paradise. As we partake of nourishing spiritual food, are we not moved to “cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart”?—Isa. 65:13, 14. w 9/15/05 8, 9