Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV /
A magnet is any object that produces its own magnetic field that interacts with other magnetic fields. Magnets have two poles, a north pole, and a south pole. Magnets are surrounded by an invisible magnetic field that is made by the movement of electrons, the subatomic particles that circle the nucleus of an atom. The hyperactivity of these electrons gives magnets their ability to attract and repel. Magnets attract when a north pole is introduced to a south pole.
Each believer of Jesus Christ has a spiritual magnetic field that interacts with other believer’s magnetic field in the body of Christ. That magnetic field is created by the Holy Spirit to keep us protected as we do the will of God. The Holy Spirit is the spiritual subatomic particle that circles the nucleus of our soul, thus giving us the ability to repel sin and attract holiness. For as long as we abide in Christ, we attract godliness. However, when we walk in disobedience to the will of God we attract sin and repel righteousness.
God wants us to be a magnet for his abundant favor. As we walk in the renewal of our minds, we become surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses that pushes us toward glory. But, we must walk by the spirit so we do not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Our prayer and focus should be to develop such a thirst for holiness that only the Holy Spirit can quench. Such a thirst will make us a magnet for divine power and authority as we do the work of the kingdom.
Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Our entanglement with sin makes us a magnet for evil and wickedness. Many Christians are frustrated in their spiritual walk because they seem to be a magnet for drama and dysfunction. They often blame the devil or assume it is bad luck. I do not believe in luck. I also know that the devil cannot penetrate our spiritual magnetic fields because it is guarded by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have to be intentional in attracting whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy we have to attract these things (Philippians 4:8). That also means we have to repel adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, and arrogance, and folly so we do not weaken our spiritual magnetic field.
What does that look like in day-to-day living? Be a magnet for love and repel selfishness. We have to be a magnet for success and fruitfulness through hard work and by cultivating a spirit of excellence. We can be magnets for generosity through acts of random kindness. The Bible exhorts us to be magnets for harmony and unity by forgiving those that have sinned against us. We should all desire to be magnets for justice and equity by resisting and overthrowing systemic racism in this country.
Let us not forget that laziness is a magnet for mediocrity and failure. Lust of the eye and lust of the flesh are magnets for adultery, pornography, and fornication. Greed, envy, and jealousy are magnets for murder, thievery, and slander. We must resist the temptation to impugn other people’s reputation with or without cause so we do not become magnets for gossip and backbiting.
During this pandemic, let us strive to be magnets of hope and benevolence by sharing our blessings with others. Jesus wants his Church to be a magnet for salvation through the living word of God. The message of the gospel is a magnet for reconciliation and restoration for every sinner. Then the world will see our light and know that we are magnets for holiness.
Questions For Discussion?
What would it take for you to become a magnet for holiness? In what area of your spiritual walk do you find it more challenging to repel the sin that so easily entangles? What change can you make today for your magnetic field to become visible to the world?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for the magnetic field that you provided for believers to walk in the renewing of their minds. Please give us the spiritual intelligence and discipline to repel sin as we attract holiness.