When I look back over my youthful, immature, unwise choices, my old nature dominated my thinking and controlled my mind. I chose my own path, led by my plans, based on my desires. God addressed my foolish choices, just as He did Israel.

He told the prophet: “I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life. I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I had given them.” He goes on to say that because they chose to sacrifice their firstborn children in the fire as offerings to the gods of their ancestors in Egypt, they would be defiled and unfit to worship Him. Devastated, they would be reminded that He alone is the Lord” (see Ezekiel 20: 25).

The Lord gives us free will. If we allow our sinful nature to control our minds, the results lead to death. He “gives us over” to what we want. Even the gifts He gives us become polluted. What we touch and what we produce will not lead to life. We even sacrifice our greatest treasure, our family, to appease the gods of our attachments and addictions. In Israel’s case, their children were physically sacrificed on altars. Surely, in the resulting devastation, we will be reminded that there is only One True God. 

He was always waiting to draw me back to Him. When I realized the stark contrast between living for Him or living for myself, He used my wounds and losses to my advantage. He turned my regret into conviction. When I repented, He turned my tears of sorrow into joy and wonder (see Psalm 30:5,11). And after all these many years, I can attest that there is no end to the depth and width and height of the wonder and joy of His love.

Paul wrote: “…letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (see Romans 8: 5-6).