Receiving Spiritual Enlightenment - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (January-24-2024)

John MacArthur (January-24-2024) Daily Devotional: Receiving Spiritual Enlightenment

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Eph. 1:18).

Spiritual enlightenment doesn’t come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through God’s Holy Spirit.

Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. Now we are drowning in a sea of false religions and New Age philosophies.

True enlightenment continues to elude many because they have denied its source and have turned to gurus and teachers who have no light to give. They propagate self-effort and introspective meditation, but spiritual enlightenment doesn’t come through such means. It comes only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-16). That’s why Paul prayed that God Himself would enlighten the hearts of the Ephesian believers (Eph. 1:18).

We might expect Paul to pray for enlightened minds rather than hearts, but that’s because we associate the word heart with emotions rather than with thought. But in Hebrew and Greek thinking, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding. For example, Jesus said that evil thoughts come out of the heart (Matt. 15:19). Emotions are important, but they must be guided and controlled by an enlightened mind.

How does the Spirit enlighten you? As you pray and study God’s Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. 12:2) by filling you with “the knowledge of [God’s] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9). He teaches you to recognize and uphold what is excellent so that you will be “sincere and blameless” before God (Phil. 1:10). He implants biblical truth into your thinking so that your responses become more and more like Christ’s.

How wonderful to know that each moment of the day God is working within you in such a way. Be diligent to pray and spend time in the Word so that your spiritual progress will be evident to all (1 Tim. 4:15).

Suggestions for Prayer

  • Thank God for the Spirit’s transforming work within you.
  • Reaffirm your love for Him, and express your willingness to be changed by His Spirit in any way He sees fit.
  • Be alert for attitudes or actions that need to be changed. Rely on His grace and strength in doing so.

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Receiving Spiritual Enlightenment - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (January-24-2024)
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2 comments

  • Comment Link Su Y Knapman Thursday, 26 January 2023 02:05 posted by Su Y Knapman

    Thank you again pastor John; I as I am certain, need and appreciate you and your teaching/preaching! Your delivery of our Holy Almighty Triune God’s Holy breathed Word!
    Although there are many pastors who teach the Holy Word such as Sinclair Ferguson, Steve Lawson, Paul Washer, Vodie Buchanan, Alister Begg, Mr Ryle, Charles H Spurgeon, and RC Sproul; for me and my ears, a particular narrator of Charles, RC and you have a special gift from our Holy Almighty God, and that is your ‘delivery of the Holy Word’! I must make you aware of this gift because I like other brothers and sisters in Christ appreciate this gift so much! It sinks deep into my soul, so clearly stated and truly understood!!
    So many thanks, and blessings to you, and to your family with much love and gratitude 🙏❣️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧.

    All the Glory belongs to our Holy Almighty Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit💗

  • Comment Link Su Y Knapman Thursday, 26 January 2023 02:05 posted by Su Y Knapman

    Thank you again pastor John; I as I am certain, need and appreciate you and your teaching/preaching! Your delivery of our Holy Almighty Triune God’s Holy breathed Word!
    Although there are many pastors who teach the Holy Word such as Sinclair Ferguson, Steve Lawson, Paul Washer, Vodie Buchanan, Alister Begg, Mr Ryle, Charles H Spurgeon, and RC Sproul; for me and my ears, a particular narrator of Charles, RC and you have a special gift from our Holy Almighty God, and that is your ‘delivery of the Holy Word’! I must make you aware of this gift because I like other brothers and sisters in Christ appreciate this gift so much! It sinks deep into my soul, so clearly stated and truly understood!!
    So many thanks, and blessings to you, and to your family with much love and gratitude 🙏❣️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧.

    All the Glory belongs to our Holy Almighty Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit💗

John MacArthur

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry.

After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church in 1969. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, ...

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