On television and in movies and even on the radio, entertainment often takes the form of human beings speaking unkindly about or to each other. It is not uncommon to hear people make comments or remarks about other people in the home, in the workplace and even in the church. Much of this happens because many of us don't understand the powerful effect of words upon our own lives. Even if the words spoken about someone are a true description of that person, unless the purpose is for the good of the speaker and the one spoken about, it can result in positive harm. Speaking about the personality issues or character flaws of others is not healthy for the mind and not in any way uplifting to the listener. As we continue reviewing the principles that assist in obtaining the victory over sin and selfishness, let's look at how we should relate to the flaws that we see in others and our own character weaknesses.PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY
TURNING AWAY FROM HUMAN IMPERFECTION TO GOD
a) When a person turns away from human imperfections and beholds Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in his or her character.
b) Everything that causes us to see the weakness of humanity is in the Lord's purpose to help us to look to him, and in no case put our trust in man, or make flesh our arm. It is not intended that these weaknesses should be the theme of conversations.
c) The soul does not become more and more like Christ by beholding evil, but like the evil which it beholds. When we allow our minds to dwell upon the imperfections of others, our own souls become filled with the leaven of evil. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. Love cannot exist where the conversation is largely upon the errors and mistakes of others.
d) If we allow the mind to dwell upon the imperfections and moral deformities of others, we ourselves shall become depraved in character, and mentally one-sided and unbalanced. But if the mind dwells upon the perfect life of Christ, and the thoughts and conversation are centered upon him, we shall be changed to the same image.
e) We darken our lives by talking of our own imperfections or of the imperfections of others. The victory over sin and self is not gained by focusing on our imperfections and sin. It is obtained by focusing on and reflecting the beauty of Christ's character as God supplies the grace.
f) The more we dwell upon our own imperfections, the less strength we shall have to overcome them.
g) It is not praiseworthy to talk of our weakness and discouragement. Let each one say, "I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are so feeble, my faith so weak. I have no excuse to plead for being dwarfed in my religious life. But I am seeking to obtain completeness of character in Christ. I have sinned, and yet I love Jesus. I have fallen many times, and yet He has reached out His hand to save me. I have told Him all about my mistakes. I have confessed with shame and sorrow that I have dishonored Him. I have looked to the cross and have said, All this He suffered for me. The Holy Spirit has shown me my ingratitude, my sin in putting Christ to open shame. He who knows no sin has forgiven my sin. He calls me to a higher, nobler life, and I press on to the things that are before."
h) God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.
The principles given to Christians in the Bible are often very different from the principles at the foundation of conduct in this world. And why shouldn't they be ? The Christian life is to be a preparation for eternity in the world to come; a world completely different from this world. Hence, the relationships which we have with other human beings must be governed by principles which more fully reveal the love of God in the character of Christ. Needlessly exposing or conversing upon the flaws and faults of others just gets in the way.
Jeremiah 17:5/Hebrews 12:2/Isaiah 45:22/Psalms 34:4,5, 1:1-3, 118:8, 19:14/Micah 7:7/Philippians 4:8/1 John 2:1, 1:8,9/2 Corinthians 3:8, 4:18/Galatians 6:1/Proverbs 17:9
© 2011 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
You have just been reading from page 10 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts...
