Making provision ∙∙

Making provision ∙∙

Don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. – Romans 13:14

Galatians 5:16-17

 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces constantly fight each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

The Origins of a Powerful Motto

“Be Prepared” is the timeless motto of the Boy Scouts of America, originating from the insights of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the global Boy Scout movement. But what do these simple words truly mean? Baden-Powell stressed that a scout should always be ready to fulfill their duties and face dangers when necessary. This readiness involves three key dimensions: physical ability, mental sharpness, and moral strength. Through scouting, young people gain essential skills, including wilderness survival, first aid, leadership, and community service, that equip them to handle life’s many challenges.

Beyond the Campfire: Universal Applications

The wisdom of being prepared goes far beyond the principles of scouting. At its core, “Be Prepared” embodies a philosophy of proactive living. It encourages us to develop adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence in response to life’s uncertainties.

This principle urges us to anticipate potential challenges and opportunities, ensuring we equip ourselves with the necessary resources, skills, and mindset to handle them effectively. It’s about building our capacity before we need it and strengthening ourselves before facing tests.

When the World Wasn’t Ready: Lessons from COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 highlighted a global lack of preparedness. Although pandemics have occurred throughout history, neither the United States nor the world was equipped for what happened.

As Ed Yong noted, “The coronavirus is not unlike the Y2K bug, a real but invisible risk.” Unlike hurricanes or earthquakes, where danger is visible and the aftermath obvious, viruses operate beneath our sensory perception. We can’t easily see when to take shelter or when it’s safe to come out.

The pandemic exposed key weaknesses in our modern society. They encompassed unmatched air travel, underfunded public health systems, fragile supply chains, healthcare tied to employment, the rapid spread of misinformation, questionable expertise, and marginalized elderly populations. Ed Yong observed that we had “built a world that was prone to it but not ready for it.”

The Dark Side of Preparation: Making Provision for Harm

Preparing for unexpected challenges demonstrates wisdom, but there is a troubling counterpart: making provisions for behaviors that can only lead to harm.

Take the Romans of the first century, who were famous for their extravagant parties and indulgent excesses. These gatherings involved the overconsumption of food, excessive drinking, and immoral behavior.

The key insight is that such indulgences required careful planning and preparation.

Modern Parallels: The Preparation for Excess

Today’s version of this destructive preparation looks different, but it follows the same destructive pattern. Engaging in these behaviors has become socially acceptable, even among those who should know better.

Before we overindulge, we prepare for excess. We fill our pantries with surplus food and drink, gradually adapting to indulgent lifestyles while accepting the “collateral damage” of a few extra pounds and declining health.

The statistics reveal a concerning trend regarding global weight issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, 2.5 billion adults, or 43% of the worldwide adult population, were classified as overweight. Among these, 890 million adults, representing 16%, were obese. This marks a significant rise from 1990, when only 25% of adults were considered overweight.

In 2024, approximately 35 million children under the age of 5 were identified as overweight, with nearly half of these children residing in Asia. Furthermore, for children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, the prevalence of being overweight (including obesity) saw a dramatic increase from 8% in 1990 to 20% in 2022. This change includes 160 million young obese individuals.

The Health Cost of Poor Preparation

These numbers represent more than statistics; they reflect serious health implications. Obesity serves as a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The provision we make for indulgence becomes provision for suffering.

REFLECT & PRAY

Take a moment to consider: Where in your life are you making provision for the flesh rather than preparing for strength? What practical steps can you take to redirect your preparation toward life-giving rather than life-draining choices?

Father, encourage me to exercise discipline and self-control. Help me make no provision for the flesh, but instead prepare my heart and mind for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Grant me wisdom to distinguish between helpful preparation and harmful provision.

INSIGHT

A Call for Healthful Preparation

How often do we fall into destructive patterns because we plan for them? We know we should avoid certain places, but we still go there. We recognize personal weaknesses in specific areas, yet we continue to tempt ourselves.

The challenge becomes clear: instead of making provisions for harmful desires, we need to focus on building strength, discipline, and self-control.

Make No Provision for the Flesh

How often do we fall into destructive patterns because we plan for them? Paul’s guidance in Romans 13:14 is direct and blunt: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” This verse serves as a call to action, urging believers to resist the temptations of the flesh and instead embrace a Christ-centered life.

What Does “Make No Provision for the Flesh” Mean?

The Greek noun translated as “provision” is pronoia, derived from the verb pronoeo. It conveys the idea of “thoughtful planning, preparation, or taking care to meet a need.” In modern terms, it could be expressed as “plan ahead,” “be ready,” or “be prepared.” However, in this context, Paul warns against planning or preparing in ways that cater to the sinful desires of the flesh.

The Ever-Present Temptation of the Flesh

In our fallen world, temptation is a constant reality. The “flesh” here refers to “our old, corrupt nature, which craves comfort, luxury, illicit indulgences, worldly pleasures, and materialism.” As MacDonald explains, “We make provision for the flesh when we buy things associated with temptation, make it easy for us to sin, and prioritize the physical over the spiritual.” Even small indulgences can lead us astray, which is why Paul emphasizes giving no opportunity for the flesh to “have its fling.”

A Proactive Approach: Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul’s instruction goes beyond simply avoiding sin. He encourages believers to take a proactive stance by “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.” This metaphor can be likened to putting on clothes, just as we carefully choose our outfits for specific occasions, we should consciously choose to “wear” the principles and teachings of Christ in our daily lives.

What Does It Mean to “Put on Christ”?

To “put on” Christ means to align ourselves with His character, teachings, and way of life. It involves:

• Personal Discipline: Controlling cravings and resisting the desires of the flesh.
• Lifestyle Choices: Prioritizing spiritual growth over physical indulgence.
• Spiritual Nourishment: Feeding the inner self with the things of the Spirit, as opposed to indulging the flesh.

As Warren Wiersbe notes, “If we feed the flesh, we will fail, but if we feed the inner man the nourishing things of the Spirit, we will succeed.”

This daily decision to clothe ourselves with Christ transforms our actions, thoughts, and priorities, helping us grow in faith and live a life that reflects His example.

The Transformative Power of Romans 13:14

The impact of Romans 13:14 is not only theoretical; It has changed the lives of many, including Saint Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.). Despite his intellectual brilliance, Augustine struggled with temptation and indulgence. He described himself as overly self-indulgent and fleshly, battling his own sinful desires. But when he surrendered to the Lord, his life was utterly transformed. Augustine’s story is a powerful example of the redemptive power of embracing Christ and rejecting fleshly desires.

A Daily Reminder: Clothe Yourself with Christ

Romans 13:14 offers a clear and actionable reminder: “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And do not let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” By intentionally choosing to “wear” Christ each day, we can resist the pull of the flesh and lead a life that honors God.

The motto “Be Prepared” urges us to deliberate, wise preparation that strengthens rather than weakens, that builds rather than destroys. In a world full of endless choices, may we select to prepare for what truly matters.

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© Dr. H 2025