One incident can cause a spontaneous emotion, a natural response. The bigger problem begins when the emotion or response is nurtured by our mind dwelling on the incident. The one incident escalates and infects others through our words and actions. This is the trend that causes sin. I think Satan loves these times.
We are warned in Ephesians 4:26, 27
“don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.”
And in 1 Peter 5:8
“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.”
However, as He always does, God supplies a way to defeat the attacks of the Devil.
Paul says in Philippians 4:8
“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
This suggests that we can control what we think about. So, what are the things that are True, Honorable and Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent, and Worthy of Praise?
- True means genuine and real.
- Honorable means noble and morally attractive.
- Right means in accordance with what is good, proper or just.
- Pure means untainted with evil or guilt.
- Lovely means of a great moral or spiritual beauty.
- Admirable means worthy of esteem or regard.
- Excellent means possessing superior merit or remarkably good.
- Worthy of Praise means deserving of admiration or approval.
These are the things of God. They are God's word and God's works and creation.
Psalm 119:15,16 says
“I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.”
And Psalm 145:5
“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.”
To put this to use try this simple exercise.
Begin each day by reading a Bible passage to remind yourself of the things of God. This can be as short as one passage.
Then, end each day by asking yourself "What is the best thing that happened to me today?" Reflect on that thing, talk about it with your family, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
This is God’s method of ‘attitude adjustment.’ Begin now, establishing the habit of thinking about what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise.
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