Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Knowing what good thoughts are is one thing, but putting them into our brain and choosing to focus on them is another thing entirely. So, how do we do that consistently. There is a three-step process. The first step is to recognize the wrong. In order to do that, we must know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, or what is acceptable and unacceptable in the eyes of God. Have a clear vision of right and wrong, with only a very few grey areas in our Scriptural thoughts. If we can point out the wrongs in the world around us or in the conversations that we are involved in, then we also have to practice this discipline with ourselves. Focus on, identify and see our own negative thoughts for what they are, then put them to the side.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
God desire to not just to use His Word to encourage us, but to encourage others also. Our words are either going to build constructively somebody up and encourage them or destructively tear somebody down and destroy them. We naturally put our focus on something that distracts us. If you have been searching for a sense of peace and getting it back, then recognize what has stolen it in the first place. The second step in this 3-step process is to rediscover the replacement. Countless time in Scripture, we see that Jesus does not just have the desire to take things away from us (like sin and struggles), but intends to put something better in their place. If we let Him, He does. The same is true in our thought-processes. Do not be weighed down by negativity, but meditate on the positive things that are true, noble just, pure, whatever lovely, and whatever things are of good report.
Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His Law, he meditates day and night.”
Sometimes when you hear the term “God’s Law”, people think of the ten commandments from Exodus 20, yet there are 613 Laws in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "Law" is Torah. The Law is the revealed mind of God. His Will is His commandment, and His commandment is His Law. Thus, the Law is Divine since it comes from a Divine source. It is also perfect, as God Himself is perfect. God's Law supersedes all other laws. It transcends all other law, making it the Supreme Law of the entire earth. The Law of the Lord is throughout Scripture teaching us how to think and live holy and righteous lives. The good things listed by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 only come by knowing the Word of God. Get immersed into the Word of God and the Word of God shall get into you. Bible meditation in your life leads to transformation of your life into the likeness of Christ.
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
God’s desire is to replace negative thoughts with positive, but the deciding factor is the amount of time spent in reading in, studying of, and meditating on God’s holy Word, allowing Him to transform us day-by-day. Trusting God by faith, knowing God’s Word and following Jesus is the key to finding the “abundant life” we long for and seek for spiritual growth. As flawed humans, we tend to become comfortable in our progress and stop or take a step backwards when we need to take another step forward.
The third step in this 3-step process is to accumulate accountability. The body of Christ (the people of God) was not meant to do life by themselves. God has gifted His children with the church family of trusted brothers and sisters in Christ to hold us up in support and hold us accountable to the Lord for spiritual growth in faith, maturity as Children of God in life, ministry and the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven as disciplined disciples. Christians genuinely what the best for each other in everything that they do. Many people may say that they what to see you grow, but don’t do anything to help you take steps of growth. They are quick to advise you, but few are willing to help you, show you or encourage you; maybe even holding you back from progressing. Entering into accountability requires honesty.
The reality of accountability is that you may not like what people are telling you, but once you hear what a loving brother or sister tells you about yourself, then you can use that to change the things in your life that need to be changed. People close to you can recognize and point out negative thoughts to help you to change them or work your way past them. But, you have to be willing to let people do that for you and you for them as well. It is one of the greatest relational situations that you can find yourself in to have a trusted member of the body of Christ within the church truly interested in your growth and checking on you regularly to see how you are doing, listening, advising, guiding, challenging and helping in your walk and your focus on your close relationship with Christ and how to strengthen them. A focus that requires a deep dive into the Word of God, not surface level dips. This has to be done on a regular basis in order to realign our focus from the distractions of the secular world to the things of God. Once we are able to exercise that discipline, we are going to see and experience some amazing things take place in our lives. Focus on the good.
In Christ, Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment