I'm not listening! I'm not listening!

I’m not listening, I’m not listening

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.  Romans 6:12-14

“I’m not listening, I’m not listening”, says Smeagol to Gollum in Lord of the Rings, 2002.  This is a duel conversation that Smeagol is having within his own schizophrenic self.  He is both Smeagol and Gollum.  Gollum is ruled by the effect of owning a cursed ring.  It has held mastery over him, until he lost it.  Everything evil and dark surrounds the possession of the ring and Gollum wants it back.

The reason so many love this interchange of dialogue in the movie, it sounds so much like the unspoken conversations within our own minds.  We know to do right, but we have so many thoughts of doing wrong.  Getting even, taking what we think is ours, inflicting pain through words or actions to others are all examples of the inner struggles that occur in our mind throughout the day.

All of these thoughts and actions are the residual effect of sin that ruled and reigned in our lives before we became Christians.   For many those voices are still shouting loud in your mind and you seem helpless to be free.

It is not enough to just resist the devil.  Although telling him to go away from your thoughts is the place to start.  Paul says that we need to “DO NOT” and then we need “TO DO”.  Do not let sin reign and do not offer parts of your body as instruments.  The first action that you need to take is to identify what parts of your body are contributing to sin.  Is it your eyes?  Seeing unholy things opens the mind to start mediating on evil thoughts.  Smells?  How many start eating or drinking in a damaging way, just because of a familiar smell.  Ears to hear?  We take up an offense that we may never forgive, because of something we heard.  Tongue?  Oh! the lives ruined through lies and gossip are too numerous to count, and how many potential victories are thwarted through murmuring and backbiting.  Hands and feet?  Paul said it is better not to touch a woman.  How many affairs and lustful behavior would have been averted if the hand had never touched?  Proverbs mentions feet that are quick to run to evil.  Guilt is found many times because we are physically present, because our feet brought us there.  Mind?  Romans 12:1-2 tells us that our mind can be transformed, but many have falling through the brooding and rehearsing of impure thoughts and vain imaginations.  It is our responsibility to DO NOT let our members engage in these activities.

Neutrality flows downward.  To say no to the members of our body toward evil is the right start.  But trying to stay neutral will not work.  Idle hands can become the devils tools. That is why Paul says that we need TO DO something.  All parts of our body need to submitted to righteousness (right and holy living). Eyes, ears, and tongue need to be retrained to pursue all that honors God.  We need to honor qualities like love, honor, respect, sacrifice, courage, peace, helpfulness, selflessness, and joy.  Thinking and acting on these qualities help keep us focused in the right direction. 

Father, thank you for setting us free from the mastery of sin.  Thank you for forgiveness that allows our hearts not to condemn us.  Help us walk in freedom.  You paid the price and we live in the benefits.  Help us to always live under the grace that you offer us as our master, savior, and king.