Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
That’s a completely different Peter, from the one we observed before Calvary, for he didn’t have to think twice, or pray about it before he forgave. So let us reiterate again: The mind could be trained, through the power of The Holy Ghost to the point where all righteousness can become second- nature, without persons having to think about it first.
Sadly, the opposite is also true, because the mind is also capable of being trained to choose evil, to the point where it becomes automatic. In other words, one’s aggregate choices over a period of time could culminate in sinful actions bypassing one’s freedom of choice, so that the very thought process becomes automatic or second nature.
Decision, repetition, and memory all play a major role in persons reaching this point where the mind becomes programmed to self-pilot mode. When the saints of God are doing affliction of soul, a good way to assess and measure where you and I stand in our relationship with Christ, is to observe spontaneous reaction when provoked suddenly.
Leviticus 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!