The Giver of All Good Gifts

The Giver of All Good Gifts – Today’s Devotional – December 28, 2023

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:16-17

“The cerebral cortex carries out essential functions of your brain, like memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, consciousness, and sensory functions.”

One of our good and perfect gifts is that God has blessed us with a sound mind. What exactly is a sound mind? Humanity was created with the highest intellect of all living beings to love Christ and to depend on God for guidance and help in times of need. We do not act on instinct or emotional responses because we are recipients of a complex cerebral cortex.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” —Proverbs 3:7

To avoid self-harm and make wise choices, we were given the ability to exercise critical thinking and astute judgment before engaging in any activity or relationship. To avoid consequences, the sound mind does not solely rely on its thoughts because the future is unknown. One with a sound mind continuously prays for God’s divine guidance.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23

A sound mind does not rely on unstable emotions in decision-making. Nor does it practice risky behaviors by excluding God whether facing simple, complex, or unresolvable challenges. One who possesses a sound mind does not embrace every word or concept that appears to be the truth. The sound mind never considers involving itself in social or political factions that are not aligned with Biblical principles.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” —James 1:5-8

Although every human being was given the perfect gift of a sound mind, to clarify, only believers who rely fully on God have sound minds, clarity, and wisdom.

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:18-19, BSB

If you find this hard to believe, slow down and eliminate distractions from your life for a couple of days. Pay close attention to the voices of the social influencers, the politicians, local and world news, co-workers, friends, and family members. You will be astonished by their morals, values, and the concepts they have embraced and are promoting for you to also believe in.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Trusting in God results in living a joyful and peaceful life which is defined as living a faith-based life without anxieties, mistakes, or suffering consequences from using human judgment. Every day we face spiritual warfare presented so skillfully that without spiritual understanding, we will fall like the unrighteous.

Never forget our greatest enemy is a fallen angel who has intellectual powers that supersede our sound mind, therefore, we obey King Solomon’s advice given to his young son, do not trust your understanding!

Reflection: “What am I doing with my good and perfect gift of a sound mind?”

God desires to develop our minds beyond our human capabilities. Let your daily morning prayer include asking God for an increase in knowledge, for spiritual wisdom to make decisions that would honor Him, and the discernment to see clearly when facing the deceptions and temptations of the given day.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

By trusting in God, we opt into His perfect plans using our faith to remain obediently aligned with His will and plans. Only the Giver of all perfect gifts can provide us with a life without consequences. It’s time for us to use our sound minds and go to God, the only One who can give us peace and a hopeful future.

Prayer: God, we thank You for creating us in Your image and giving us a cerebral cortex that represents Your love and faithfulness to humanity. We repent for the times that we failed to include you in our decisions. We pray for the humility to come to Your throne and receive the knowledge, wisdom, and discernment to fully rely on Your thoughts and ways whether we face the routine activities of life or the complex and unresolvable matters. We honor and give You glory for the good and perfect gifts that we have received. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

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