We tend to not recognize or at the very least we underemphasize the effect that our physical choices/actions and minds/thoughts have on our spiritual being. But nothing could be further from the truth. God made us as whole beings, not disjointed, separated pieces. That is likely one reason why our minds and bodies are included in the sanctification process along with our hearts and souls. There is more of a ripple effect than we realize.
1 Peter 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
So, what we do in the flesh affects our souls. The ripple effect in full force, waging war. That does not sound like little ripples from a pebble, it sounds more like crashing waves from the wake of a reckless speedboat.
1 Peter 4: 7 “The end of all things in at hand: therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
For the sake of our prayers…there is definitely a spiritual effect. Our actions, ingestions, etc. affect our prayers! Imagine that! I am totally sure that when we get to heaven and we have all knowledge, we will see things that totally explain these verses in ways that our earthly minds and bodies can’t comprehend now. For now, we will have to trust him, take His word for it. And in light of these verses, we will need to be willing to stay surrendered to him completely so that every affection, every thought, every word and every action will be in step with his perfect love.
Prayer: Lord, help me be mindful of the fact that my choices, my actions, my thoughts, all of what my earthly body and mind attend to, have a serious impact on my spiritual being. Help me to continually surrender all to you. Help me walk in the new direction that you are leading me and thank you that you did not leave me to my own ways.