Ministering: Evang. Murphy Amos Topic: Focus Your Mind on What is Right. Text: 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. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) Every believer is endowed with the mind of Christ at new-birth; at the moment when that believer receives Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and personal Saviour, that believer receives a (new nature), a nature in which the life of the believer is expected to reflect the character of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.KJV. Although spiritually, new birth offers a new nature and makes the believer a new creature, and also effects forgiveness and sanctification, yet the physical manifestation of the life of Christ in the believer is not automatic but rather systematic as it grows through the believer daily walk with God, through his or her meditation and obedience to His Word and through the prayer altar. Before now, I never quite understood the working of the new nature Apostle Paul spoke of in 2 Corinthians 5:17, I taught been a new creature automatically brings a new character, in which our lives will automatically reflect the character of Christ. Perhaps, you also have such expectations and perception. It baffled me; I mean why would a believer who publicly surrenders his or her life to Jesus Christ, because he or she is tired of living a sinful lifestyle and who is impacted with a new nature at the new-birth experience, will in several cases and times go back (backslide) to the very sins and sinful lifestyle he or she has rejected and renounced. I was a victim of these circumstances and experience myself; several times I gave my life to Christ but still find myself going back to do those things I am renouncing as sins, until I came to a place of understanding. In such moments of my struggle I discovered these truths amongst others, that; it wasnt because my heart was not jealous for God, it wasnt because I am not a new creature with a new nature, it wasnt because I enjoyed committing those sinful acts without my conscience pricking me, but the truth was that, I didnt develop new godly characters, that would replace the old sinful ones, so my old man (character/lifestyle) keep appearing and pushing me to my old ways. Sin is a Satanic - Influences - Nurtured. This was the definition the Holy Ghost gave to me. A nurtured negative influence will certainly build a wrong character, and this influences from the devil often corrupts and addicts. To get rid of an addiction, there must be the development of a new set of program (positive influences) with a timely execution plan and with commitment, so as to nurture and develop the new program that will [in time] or [no time], depending on the level of understanding and growth of the believer phantom and replace the old addiction influence. We all still struggle with negative thinking at new-birth and afterwards; its a common experience in the battlefield of the mind, where we daily generate and experience both positive and negative thoughts that determines and develops our character. And thats why its important to recognize negative thought patterns and learn how to uproot and replace them with the positive; and the good news is we can have control over what we think. When were down, sad or hopeless, when our heart thinks on our old sinful ways, rather than been dogs, who would always go back to their vomit because they dont see or reason another way out, lets take inventory of our thoughts. When we find ourselves jumping to conclusions, doling out guilt trips on others or replaying arguments in our mind, lets consciously change our thinking. There is only one way to sustain a rejuvenated heart or godly lifestyle and that is building a new character with the nature of Christ that the believer receives at new birth. And we must follow the admonition of Apostle Paul in the light of Gods Word in which we are admonished: 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. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) Scripture promises that when we align our thoughts with Gods, His peace, which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and mind through Christ Jesus. Where the devil fights to corrupt us is in our mind, where the Holy Spirit is reviving us to be Holy is in our mind, we must therefore guide our minds to the leading of the Spirit in meditating only on what is right before God. Lets Pray! Lord, give me Your ability to bring every thought captive. Help me to refute negative thoughts with truth. Thank You for answered prayers in Jesus Name, Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:01:58 +0000
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