When you entertain thoughts in the privacy of your own mind you may be tempted to excuse yourself by saying, "What harm will it do?" What harm? More than you know! Ultimately you become whatever you dwell on. Paul writes, "Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ" [2 Corinthians 10:5]. Take control of your thoughts or they will take you places you do not want to go.
Again Paul writes, "Put off your old self...put on the new self." Now you may not want to admit that you are still wearing some of those old clothes. But the truth is, you cannot put on the new man till you first take off the old one. Furthermore, you cannot hang those old clothes in the closet for a rainy day, or leave them on the floor to be tripped over. You have to get rid of them!
Read these words carefully: "Stop telling lies...tell your neighbors the truth...Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing...use your hands for good hard work...give generously to others in need. Do not use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be...helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" [Ephesians 4:25 - 29]. Because God's Spirit lives within you, you do not have to:
- lie in order to advance your position;
- cheat to be prosperous;
- deceive to achieve;
- use your anger and your moods to control others;
- engage in foul talk.
Those are old clothes - get rid of them!
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