THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
| Thoughts and Actions |
"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23).
The Lord can help us control our thoughts. Philippians 4:7 says, "And
God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your
hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus." Our thoughts please
God when they are clean and pure.
"In conclusion, my brothers, fill your minds with those things that are
good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure,
lovely, and honorable" (Philippians 4:8).
To keep our minds on that which is pleasing to God requires constant
discipline. As long as we are in this world we will be exposed to sin
and temptation, but with the Lord's help we do not have to yield. An old
proverb says, "The birds may pass overhead, but you don't have to let
them build a nest in your hair." In other words, "Temptation may be all
around you, but you don't have to let it become sin in your mind and
actions." The best way to control our thoughts, to keep our minds free
from evil, is to be careful what we see, hear, say, and do.
Be careful what you see. "The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your
eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light" (Matthew 6:22).
What we hear also influences our thoughts. Mark 4:24
says, "Pay attention to what you hear!" Are the conversations you enjoy
or the music you listen to helping you to love the Lord more? Are they
building healthy thoughts? If your answer is negative perhaps you need
to discipline your listening.
Listening includes hearing our own words as well as the words of others.
What we say can be a strong influence for good or for evil. If someone
wrongs us we can forget it more easily if we haven't answered the person
harshly. Proverbs 15:1 says it like this, "A gentle answer quiets
anger, but a harsh one stirs it up." Our goal could be the fulfillment
of Proverbs 25:11, "An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set
in silver."
A Christian should be careful of what he does because God requires him to do what is right.
"The Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to
do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship
with our God" (Micah 4:8).
Our response can be the words of the Psalmist who said, "May my words
and my thoughts be acceptable to you, 0 Lord, my refuge and my
redeemer!" (Psalm 19:14).
| Memory Verses |
The Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do
what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship
with our God.
- Micah 4:8
- Micah 4:8
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