Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
So, it should have been obvious to me but it wasn't. When struggling with sins it doesn't actually pay off to be dwelling on the sins. Constantly thinking "Oh why did I do that again?" and trying to figure out how to stop doing whatever the particular sin I'm worried about just seems to make things worse. It keeps that thing I am trying to avoid at the front of my mind. If it wasn't something I wanted to do it would not be a temptation now would it? So thinking about something that I actually want to do, whether it be lusts or angry outbursts or snarky expressions of superiority or disrespect to authority, just gives the devil an opening to work through.
But if I follow the injunction of Paul in Philippians 4 to think on good things, pure things and honorable things, then instead of the devil having an opening to keep me on the subject of sin I will instead have an opening for the Holy Spirit to lead me toward the result promised in Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Like I said, it ought to have been obvious but has not been. I have spent endless hours dwelling on how horrible my sins are and figuring ways to avoid them and thinking of what triggers them in my life, instead of focusing on the good. Well duh!
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
So, it should have been obvious to me but it wasn't. When struggling with sins it doesn't actually pay off to be dwelling on the sins. Constantly thinking "Oh why did I do that again?" and trying to figure out how to stop doing whatever the particular sin I'm worried about just seems to make things worse. It keeps that thing I am trying to avoid at the front of my mind. If it wasn't something I wanted to do it would not be a temptation now would it? So thinking about something that I actually want to do, whether it be lusts or angry outbursts or snarky expressions of superiority or disrespect to authority, just gives the devil an opening to work through.
But if I follow the injunction of Paul in Philippians 4 to think on good things, pure things and honorable things, then instead of the devil having an opening to keep me on the subject of sin I will instead have an opening for the Holy Spirit to lead me toward the result promised in Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Like I said, it ought to have been obvious but has not been. I have spent endless hours dwelling on how horrible my sins are and figuring ways to avoid them and thinking of what triggers them in my life, instead of focusing on the good. Well duh!
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