"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23: 7
Have you ever given this Scripture much thought? Sometimes we just skim through our Bible-reading without really chewing on what's there. But this verse, like countless others, has so much more to it than just a casual reading will reveal.
"You are what you eat." We all know that one! But here God is telling us, "You are what you think." A wise lady once said something like this, "Thoughts and feelings become actions, actions repeated become habits, habits form character, and character determines destiny." So, what are you thinking? Do you allow your mind to dwell upon anything Satan tries to put there, or do you seek, like the apostle Paul said, to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"?
Unkind, judgemental thoughts become gossip. Covetous thoughts lead to murmuring and complaining. Hateful, angry thoughts turn into cruel, cutting words. Rebellious thoughts produce disobedience and defiance. And yet the opposite is also true! Kind, patient thoughts become encouraging, edifying speech. Contented thoughts lead to thanksgiving and praise. Submissive, humble thoughts make for obedience and peace. Which picture is more attractive?
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Armour
My Armour:
Girdle of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Preparation of the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the spirit
Prayer
Twice in Ephesians 6 Paul entreats us to put on the WHOLE armour that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and stand in the evil day. So how do I put on my armour before each day starts?
First and foremost, I need to gird myself with truth. The interesting thing about this is that it says to gird my loins. Why the loins? After much study, and the help of my father, I came to realize how important the loins actually are. The loins are the procreative power. This is where birth takes place, where a new being comes from—the fruit of the body so to speak. Spiritually, if I don't have truth girt about the loins, how can I bear pure fruit? I need to start my day by spending time with Christ. Once I've done so, and committed myself to Him, then (and only then) can I start to bear fruit for Him. As I've put on the girdle, everything else starts to fall into place. Once I surrender to Christ in the morning, He gives me His righteousness. It protects my heart, which is also my mind. It prepares me to meet Satan's attacks, and gives me an answer for every temptation. "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4).As I am prepared to withstand the devil's attacks, I am also given a mission: to take the gospel of peace to everyone around. I protect my feet with that. Then, once I know what I am doing, I am not tempted to stray from the straight and narrow path. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7).Then, after these preparations, I take the shield of faith, and step forward, seeing through the eyes of faith the way the Lord has prepared. I can stride with faithful confidence as I prayerfully act out the maneuvers that God has directed and placed in my path.
Now I am excited! "Let's go!" I shout. But wait! I cannot leave without my helmet, my sword, and prayer. So often, as I think back on my life, I see that I have done that. I've rushed out the door, thinking how fully equipped I am. Then I have to come running back like a beaten puppy, tail between my legs. The helmet is so important. I can have all the other armour on, but without my helmet, it is a lost cause. I will die. This is my salvation. My mind must be fully Christ's. Then I can take the sword: His Word. When my mind is completely Christ's, it is one with Him—and with my mind in tune with His, I can know how to wield the sword in battle. Under His commands and guidance, I can learn to block attacks, and to plunge my sword into the devil's falsehoods.
But before I leave, I must communicate with my Commander. And it won't do to just talk once, before I head out. I may forget what His specific commands were. I must have full access to Him all day. I must send up inquiries of how to overcome specific temptation as they come along. I need His strength to guide me all the day long, and so I need to keep checking in with the headquarters through prayer!
"Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my fellow warriors in Christ.
~So be it.
Girdle of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Preparation of the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the spirit
Prayer
Twice in Ephesians 6 Paul entreats us to put on the WHOLE armour that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and stand in the evil day. So how do I put on my armour before each day starts?
First and foremost, I need to gird myself with truth. The interesting thing about this is that it says to gird my loins. Why the loins? After much study, and the help of my father, I came to realize how important the loins actually are. The loins are the procreative power. This is where birth takes place, where a new being comes from—the fruit of the body so to speak. Spiritually, if I don't have truth girt about the loins, how can I bear pure fruit? I need to start my day by spending time with Christ. Once I've done so, and committed myself to Him, then (and only then) can I start to bear fruit for Him. As I've put on the girdle, everything else starts to fall into place. Once I surrender to Christ in the morning, He gives me His righteousness. It protects my heart, which is also my mind. It prepares me to meet Satan's attacks, and gives me an answer for every temptation. "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4).As I am prepared to withstand the devil's attacks, I am also given a mission: to take the gospel of peace to everyone around. I protect my feet with that. Then, once I know what I am doing, I am not tempted to stray from the straight and narrow path. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7).Then, after these preparations, I take the shield of faith, and step forward, seeing through the eyes of faith the way the Lord has prepared. I can stride with faithful confidence as I prayerfully act out the maneuvers that God has directed and placed in my path.
Now I am excited! "Let's go!" I shout. But wait! I cannot leave without my helmet, my sword, and prayer. So often, as I think back on my life, I see that I have done that. I've rushed out the door, thinking how fully equipped I am. Then I have to come running back like a beaten puppy, tail between my legs. The helmet is so important. I can have all the other armour on, but without my helmet, it is a lost cause. I will die. This is my salvation. My mind must be fully Christ's. Then I can take the sword: His Word. When my mind is completely Christ's, it is one with Him—and with my mind in tune with His, I can know how to wield the sword in battle. Under His commands and guidance, I can learn to block attacks, and to plunge my sword into the devil's falsehoods.
But before I leave, I must communicate with my Commander. And it won't do to just talk once, before I head out. I may forget what His specific commands were. I must have full access to Him all day. I must send up inquiries of how to overcome specific temptation as they come along. I need His strength to guide me all the day long, and so I need to keep checking in with the headquarters through prayer!
"Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my fellow warriors in Christ.
~So be it.
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