Disarming Conflict with Humility and Restraint

“Be humble when you correct people who oppose you . . . They have been trapped by the devil, and he makes them obey him, but God may help them escape.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (CEV)

When I face opposition because of my faith, I need to recognize its source.

It’s not other people. It’s not my coworkers. It’s not a political party. It’s not a competitor. The pressure I feel to cave in or be quiet or sit down when I should stand up—that pressure is not coming from other people. It’s really coming from Satan.

In Revelation 12:10 Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (NIV). In other words, he’s the accuser of Christians. His number one job is to put me down.

There is an unseen spiritual battle going on all around me. The pressure to keep me from doing the right thing is not really coming from other people. They’re just weapons. Most of the time they don’t even know they’re being used. The real issue is spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “We are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world” (GNT).

Satan knows it’s ineffective to attack Jesus directly, so instead he attacks Jesus’ followers. He uses the media, music, popular culture, and anything he can to ridicule those who belong to Jesus. He’s behind the voices saying, “Those Christians are out of date. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Here’s what the Bible says I should do: “Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God’s servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you . . . They have been trapped by the devil, and he makes them obey him, but God may help them escape” (2 Timothy 2:23-26 CEV).

God has given me the Holy Spirit to help me stand against the devil’s attacks. His Spirit gives me the power to grow in self-control, even over my moods. He helps me resist things like jealousy that Satan uses to tempt me. He gives me strength in seasons of depression and struggle. And he helps me overcome things like anger and rage.

I may think I'm strong, but I'm not strong enough to fight Satan’s attacks on my own. What I need to do is recognize the source—the devil, not that person—and treat the opposition the way Jesus did.

How did Jesus treat those who opposed him? Even on the cross he said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34 GW). 

The people who attack me—who put down Jesus and church and Christianity—often don’t know the extent of what they’re doing. 

That’s why, just like Jesus, I need to pray, “Father, forgive them,” so that I can show love even under attack. Then I'll have more energy to fight the real enemy.

In Summary:

This passage highlights that opposition to faith is ultimately rooted in unseen spiritual warfare rather than the people expressing it. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2, Ephesians 6, and Luke 23, the text emphasizes that critics and opponents are often unaware of the underlying forces influencing their actions. Rather than engaging in senseless arguments or viewing others as the enemy, believers are called to respond with patience, humility, and self-control. By recognizing the true source of opposition and extending forgiveness—just as Jesus did on the cross—I preserve my energy to stand firm through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than burning out in human conflict.

Bottom Line:

My opposition isn't the person in front of me, so victory requires replacing defensive arguments with Spirit-led restraint and active forgiveness.

Next Step:

Identify one specific relationship or professional interaction where I currently feel defensive or opposed, and consciously pivot my posture: before re-engaging, pray for them using the principle of Luke 23:34, then commit to responding with measured calm rather than taking the bait of a fruitless argument.

The Power of Positive Prayer

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

Paul didn’t just pray for the people in his life. He prayed for them with joy!

There are probably things in other people’s lives you’d like to change. I don’t want to change myself; I want them to change. I can’t make them change—but I can, however, pray and let God do his work in other people.

Positive praying is more effective than positive thinking. All the positive thinking in the world isn’t going to change my spouse, child, friend, or situation. Positive thinking might change me, but it won’t change somebody else. But positive prayer can make a difference in both myself and in others.

What’s the quickest way to change a bad relationship to a good one? Start praying for the other person! It will change me, and it may change them, too.

Paul even gave us an example of how to pray for others: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV).

From these verses, I can learn to pray for the people in my life in four ways:

Pray that they will grow in love: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight . . .”

Pray that they will make wise choices: “. . . so that you may be able to discern what is best . . .”

Pray that they will live with integrity: “. . . and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ . . .”

Pray that they will become like Jesus: “. . . filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Pray this for myself and for other people in my life. Then watch how God turns around even my relationships that have seemed hopeless.

In Summary:

In this passage from Philippians, the Apostle Paul models a profound shift from trying to force change in others to interceding for them through joyful, constructive prayer. The text highlights that while human willpower and positive thinking are limited in their ability to transform relationships, targeted prayer invites God to work from the inside out. Paul lays out a specific, four-fold blueprint for mentorship and relational growth: praying for abundant love grounded in insight, the discernment to choose what is best, uncompromising integrity, and a life visibly filled with the character of Jesus. Ultimately, the primary message is that building thriving, high-impact relationships begins by consistently bringing others before God with a focus on their spiritual maturity and character development.

Bottom Line:

True relational transformation and leadership do not come from striving to control or change people, but from consistently lifting them up in purposeful, positive prayer that aligns their character with Christ.

Next Step:

Identify a key relationship in my life—whether a peer, family member, or someone I am mentoring—where I have recently felt tempted to force an outcome or manage their behavior. Commit to a disciplined, week-long practice of pausing my advice-giving and instead spending five minutes a day praying Paul’s four-fold framework over them. This shift anchors my identity as a supportive leader rather than a controller, fostering sustainable growth in the relationship while training my own heart in patience and trust.

Relational Resilience through Humility - Hear the Hurt Behind the Words

"Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)

What people say in a conversation is not nearly as important as what they are feeling. Many times, someone is saying one thing and feeling another.

If I'm going to be a great listener, then I need to look past people’s words, even when what they're saying is offensive. Hurt people hurt people, and words are an effective weapon. When people lash out or get defensive, it’s often because they're afraid, insecure, or frustrated.   

Once I recognize that, it becomes much easier to focus on listening to what they’re really trying to say. It’s much harder to be sympathetic when I think they’re being unkind just because they’re spiteful or mean.

Words don’t always give me the whole picture. I need to look for the open nerve. I have to look at what the person has experienced. I have to ask why this issue may be a big deal to them. I listen for the pain, understanding that sometimes the pain doesn't have anything to do with me. Some pain is so deep it clouds every interaction someone has. The words may just be a mask for pain.

Learning to listen with love means looking past the things people are saying to what they might be feeling.

"Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude" (1 Peter 3:8 NLT).

When I'm humble, I'm open to new ideas. When I'm loving and sympathetic, I don't bite back. If people get angry with me, I know to look past their anger and ask, “What are they afraid of? What are they anxious or fearful about? What has hurt them?”

I won’t always know people well enough to understand exactly what’s pressing on their nerves. I may not be able to figure out what’s going on with their emotions. When that happens, I just have to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have to choose humility and kindness over getting the last word. I have to give people grace instead of getting even or making my point.

Even when faced with harsh words, a great listener always chooses love.

In summary:

In 1 Peter 3:8, the Apostle Peter outlines a blueprint for relational harmony rooted in sympathy, brotherly love, and humility. This passage serves as a foundation for "listening with love," a practice that requires looking past the surface level of offensive or defensive language to identify the underlying emotional pain. True biblical listening recognizes that "hurt people hurt people" and shifts the focus from winning an argument to addressing the "open nerve" of fear, insecurity, or frustration in others. By adopting a posture of humility, a believer chooses to offer grace and the benefit of the doubt rather than reacting to harsh words with equal force.

Bottom Line:

Masterful listening requires looking past the mask of words to address the heart of the speaker’s pain with humble grace.

Next Step:

In my next difficult or tense conversation, consciously pause for three seconds before responding to a perceived slight; use that silence to ask myself, "What unstated fear or pain might be driving these words?" and respond to that need rather than the offense.

Leading from What Lasts

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33 (NIV)

Sometimes it’s hard to know if an idea is an instruction from God, a deception from Satan, or just something I want to do. I need to learn to recognize the difference and know how to discern God’s voice—because it can have eternal consequences.

A lot of evil gets blamed on God. People will even do bad things and then say, “God told me to do it!” The Living Bible paraphrase says, “Don’t always believe every message you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is” (1 John 4:1).                                                             

God’s will will never contradict his Word. So I can ask myself, “Does this idea in my mind agree with the Bible?” God doesn’t say one thing and then change his mind and say another thing. If he said it, it’s true, and it will always be true.

Truth doesn’t change. Opinions, scientific discoveries, and technology all change. But God’s Word doesn’t change. Truth never changes. In fact, if it’s new, it’s not true. What do I mean by that? If it’s true, it’s been around forever. It’s just that sometimes our discoveries catch up with something that’s always been true.

God is consistent. He isn’t moody. He doesn’t change his mind. He will never tell me to violate a principle that he’s already given in his Word.

So the first question I need to ask is, “Does this thought line up with what God has already said?” If what’s in my mind contradicts something he has already said in the Bible, then I know it’s wrong.

For instance, the Bible tells me to pay our taxes. Jesus said in Luke 20:25, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (NLT). If all of a sudden I get an idea that God is telling me to not pay my taxes, that idea isn’t from God. Since God has already said to pay your taxes, he’s not going to contradict it.

The Bible says that even if an angel shows up and says something like, “By the way, I’ve got some stuff to add to the Bible. The Bible is good, but this is new and revised information.” God says don’t believe it! In fact, Paul said it like this in The Living Bible paraphrase: “Let God’s curses fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about; yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Jesus said in Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (NIV). God’s Word is eternal, because truth never changes. If something was true 5,000 years ago, it was true 1,000 years ago, it is true today, and it will be true 5,000 years from today.

People might say, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” No! God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!

So if I wonder if an idea is from God, the first question to answer is this: “Is this idea in line with the truth of God’s Word?”

In summary:

God’s Word is the ultimate and unchanging standard for truth, and it never contradicts itself. While it can be difficult to discern whether an idea comes from God, personal desire, or deception, the Bible provides the test: if a thought or instruction aligns with Scripture, it can be trusted; if it doesn’t, it must be rejected. God’s will never violates His Word, and truth never changes—what was true thousands of years ago remains true today and will be forever. Unlike shifting opinions or trends, God is consistent, steady, and faithful. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33). Therefore, discerning God’s voice begins with knowing and measuring everything against His eternal Word.

Bottom Line:

I need to anchor every decision, idea, and direction in God’s unchanging Word. His truth is steady when everything else shifts—and by testing what I hear and think against Scripture, I'll stay aligned with His will and avoid deception or distraction.

Next steps:

To deepen my discernment through daily Scripture reflection and prayerful listening. Make it a consistent rhythm to pause, read, and ask, “Lord, what truth here applies to my next step today?” Then act on that truth with confidence. This anchors my leadership, coaching, and decision-making in what never changes: God’s Word, not opinions or emotions. Over time, this will strengthen my clarity, credibility, and spiritual authority as I guide myself and others.

Building Your Life on God’s Truth

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

We all have a worldview—a set of beliefs we build our lives on. And that worldview affects absolutely everything: relationships, work, how we spend money, and how we handle suffering. So how can I strengthen my worldview to live the life God has planned for me?

1. Learn the truth. Jesus told a story about two men who built themselves houses—one on a shaky foundation of sand and the other on a solid foundation of rock. When storms came, the house on the shaky foundation collapsed, but the house built on solid rock stood the test of time.

The point of the story is this: I'm going to build my life either on popular opinion or on God’s unchanging truth. If I build my life on eternal truth, I'll be able to stand up under the most difficult circumstances.

The Bible says, “Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23 NCV). I can learn the truth by studying God’s Word, reading good Christian books, and being part of a church family.

2. Discern what is false. The Message paraphrase says, “Don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world” (1 John 4:1). Even people who claim to be speaking God’s truth sometimes aren’t. But when I know the truth of God’s Word, I'll be able to discern false teaching when I hear it.

3. Turn from the world to the Word. The Bible tells me to not be part of the world’s value system or, in other words, to not take on the world’s worldview: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV). I have a choice: Will I get my advice on life from God’s eternal Word or from a world that is filled with constantly changing opinions?

4. Concern yourself with God’s agenda. Jesus promised this in The Living Bible paraphrase: “[God] will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (Luke 12:31). I can have only one “primary concern.” God wants to be number one—and for my other interests and goals to be secondary. He promises that if I put him and his agenda first, he’ll take care of everything else in my life.

All over the world, people are looking for meaning, significance, and purpose. If we build our lives on shifting sand—on things like power, pleasure, and wealth—we’ll never find what we’re looking for. Instead, we should build our life on the truth of God’s Word and concern ourselves with God’s agenda. We'll find ourselves with a clear worldview and a consistent, purposeful life that stands up to all of life’s storms.

In summary: 

A solid worldview built on God’s unchanging truth shapes every area of life and enables me to stand firm through challenges. Strengthening that worldview means learning truth through God’s Word, Christian teaching, and community; discerning falsehood by comparing all messages against Scripture; and choosing to turn from the world’s shifting values to God’s eternal principles. When I make God’s agenda my top priority, he promises to provide for my needs. Building life on the rock of truth—not the sand of popular opinion—leads to clarity, consistency, and a purpose that withstands life’s storms.

Bottom line: 

Build life on God’s unchanging truth, reject the world’s shifting values, and make His agenda the top priority. Commit to daily renewing my mind through God’s Word so my beliefs, decisions, and priorities align with His truth.

Be Led by Truth, Not by Feelings

“From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires.” 1 Peter 4:2 (GNT)

What are human desires? They’re my emotions and my affections. Once I become a Christ-follower, my life should be controlled by God’s will, not by how I feel.

When I'm angry or upset or frustrated—whatever I'm feeling—I need to consider these three questions:

“What’s the real reason I’m feeling this?” Maybe the answer is fear or worry. Maybe it goes back to something parents said years ago. Or maybe someone hurt me last week, and today they’re the target of all my pent-up anger.

“Is it true?” Is what I'm feeling at that moment true? There’s a point in the Bible where Elijah got so discouraged that he went to God and complained, “God, I’m the only one in the entire nation of Israel left serving you.” And God challenged him, essentially saying, “Are you kidding me? I’ve got all these people who are still serving me! You’re acting like you’re the only one trying to do the right thing in the whole world! No. That’s not true.”

“Is what I’m feeling helping me or hurting me?” Will I get what you want by continuing to feel this way? A lot of feelings I have seem natural, but they’re actually self-defeating.

If I go to a restaurant, the service is extremely slow. I wait a long time to be served, and then a couple walks in 15 minutes after you and gets their meals before you do. I become increasingly irritated until I feel something welling up inside.

When something like this happens, consider each question: What’s the real reason I'm feeling that way? I'm hungry! Is it true? Yes. I'm frustrated because the service is slow. Is what I'm feeling helping or hurting? Getting angry with the server never works. When somebody tells me all the things I'm doing wrong, does it make me want to change? No! All it does is make me defensive.

When I ask yourself these three questions, I'll get a better grip on why I feel the way I do and what I need to do to help the situation.

That’s called managing your emotions.

In summary:

1 Peter 4:2 reminds me that once I follow Christ, my life should be guided by God's will, not by my human desires— emotions and affections. Managing my emotions means not being controlled by how I feel in the moment, but by seeking truth and alignment with God’s purpose. When emotions rise, I can pause and ask three key questions: What’s the real reason I’m feeling this? Is it true? Is this feeling helping or hurting me? These questions help me uncover deeper causes, challenge distorted thinking, and evaluate whether my emotions are leading me toward or away from God's will. This intentional process leads to greater emotional self-awareness and Christlike self-control.

I need to live by God’s will, not by my emotions, by pausing to reflect on the truth behind my feelings.

Taking Back My Time

“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you.” James 1:5 (GW)

God wants his children to get their proper rest. If I'm burning the candle at both ends, I'm not as bright as I think I am. I'm going to burn out!

Often I'm given more opportunities in one week than I could possibly take on in one month. I need to learn to manage my opportunities—because if I don’t, I'm going to drown in them. There are plenty of things I can do with my life that may not be worth doing.

When I'm faced with an opportunity, I need to take three steps.

First, ask, is it worth it? Is that opportunity worth my time, energy effort, reputation, and money? Is it worth my life? Every time I give myself to an activity, I'm exchanging my life for it. Why? Because my time is my life.

Second, understand what I'm going to have to give up. What will I give up in order to do this new thing?

Most of us know how to make a to-do list. The challenge is to make a what-matters-most list for my life. I need to decide what’s most important by asking God what matters most to him. This won’t just help me know what to put on my to-do list. It will also help me know what to take off my list. I recently encountered a trusted resource who talked about a "Stop Doing" list in which you learn to give some things over to others or just don't need to do. 

James 1:5 says, “If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you” (GW).

Third, learn to say “no.” I’ve become addicted to today’s speed of life, and it’s costing me my health, relationships, and my walk with God. I need to slow down by saying “no” to the things that don’t make the what-matters-most list. This is much like my "Decision Matrix" I developed a few months ago. I need to make sure I'm using it to decide how to spend my time so that I'm not wasting my life.

I know how to fill my time, but I'm not as good at taking it back. I don’t have time because I don’t make the time. And I make time by asking if it’s worth it, understanding what to give up, and then learning to say “no” to what hurts me in the long run. Only then will I have the wisdom to know what action to take with each new opportunity I face. 

Here are some questions to ponder today: What happens when I apply these three steps to the things that already fill your calendar? When I understand that my time is my life, how does it change my perspective on activities and opportunities? Of the opportunities I’ve been given, what do I think matters most to God?

In summary:

It's important for me to seek God's wisdom when making decisions, especially in a fast-paced world filled with endless opportunities. James 1:5 reminds me that if I lack wisdom, I should ask God, who generously gives it. Without proper rest and intentional decision-making, I risk burnout by overcommitting. Instead of simply filling my lives with tasks, I need to pause and evaluate whether each opportunity aligns with what truly matters. Time is a limited and valuable resource—essentially my life—and I must manage it wisely.

To do this, I can take three steps: first, ask if the opportunity is truly worth the investment of my time and energy. Second, understand what I will have to give up in order to pursue it. And third, learn to say “no” to things that don’t align with what matters most to God. Creating a "what-matters-most" list and even a "Stop Doing" list can help me filter out distractions. By applying these steps and using tools like my personal decision matrix, I can reclaim my time and live intentionally, focusing on what truly counts in both my life and my walk with God.

Learn to Be Wise and Wait for the Whole Story

In Proverbs 18:13 I read, “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!" (TLB)

To be wise in today’s information saturated society, I need two vital qualities: sound judgment and discernment. That means I learn God’s wisdom from God’s Word and then apply it to everything. I filter information and make decisions through what God has told me to do in Scripture.

Too many gullible Christians are willing to believe anything they hear or read on social media, whether that’s a news story or gossip about a friend. They don’t stop and question; they just automatically accept anything that fits within their bias.

I shouldn’t throw away my common sense. I shouldn’t be gullible and believe everything I hear. That causes conflict.

Proverbs 3:21 says, ”Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion” (NIV).

Just like it’s important to get an accurate picture of things I see or hear online, I also need to get an accurate picture in my relationships. Without all the information I need, jumping to conclusions leads to quick tempers and arguments. To lower the anger factor and have harmony with others, I must learn to reserve judgment until I know all the facts and understand the whole story.

Instead, choose to “preserve sound judgment.” Hold onto it. Don’t quickly throw it out or get rid of it. Keep a firm grip on it, as if the health of your relationships depends on it—because it does!

The Bible says, “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!” (Proverbs 18:13 TLB)

Don’t be quick to condemn or criticize. Don’t assume I know people’s motivation, because I probably don’t. Don’t decide before knowing all the facts.

When I wait for the whole story, I develop the compassion to love well and become more like Jesus.

In summary, its a shame and stupid to decide before knowing all the facts. In order to be wise in today’s information saturated society, I need two vital qualities: sound judgment and discernment. I learn God’s wisdom from God’s Word and then apply it to everything. I filter information and make decisions through what God has told me to do. Too many (including myself at times) are willing to believe anything they hear or read on social media. I don’t stop and question; I just automatically accept anything that fits within my bias. But this verse reminds me that I shouldn’t throw away my common sense, be gullible and believe everything I hear. Just like it’s important to get an accurate picture of things I see or hear online, I also need to get an accurate picture in my relationships. Without all the information, jumping to conclusions leads to quick tempers and arguments. I need to learn to reserve judgment until I know all the facts and understand the whole story. Instead, choose to “preserve sound judgment.” Hold onto it. Don’t quickly throw it out or get rid of it. Keep a firm grip on it, Don’t be quick to condemn or criticize. Don’t assume I know people’s motivation, because I probably don’t. Don’t decide before knowing all the facts. When I wait for the whole story, I develop the compassion to love well and become more like Jesus.

So I need to get the facts before making any decision. Seek additional information. There are three basic principles for making sound decisions: (1) Get the facts before making any decision; (2) be open to new ideas; (3) make sure I hear both sides of any story before judging. All three of these things center around seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice, judging before getting the facts. 

Not Everything I Hear Is True

In review this morning of Proverbs 14:15 I read that, “The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.” (The Message)

Only a fool believes everything they’re told! While someone who is wise and prudent will carefully consider their steps and think about what they do.

When I spend time on my phone or watching TV, I’m going to get a lot of information from a lot of different sources. So it’s important, now more than ever, to remember that not everything I hear is true.

Proverbs 14:15 says, "The gullible believe anything they're told; the prudent sift and weigh every word" (The Message).

Not everybody who speaks on the Internet, social media, TV, or radio knows what they're talking about. Not everybody who's talking about the coronavirus crisis is worth listening to. I need to be selective!

Many people take advantage of a crisis and will have their own agenda. There will be some who try to use these uncertain days for their own political or financial advantage. They will start price gouging and using fear tactics and conspiracy theories to scare people into making rash decisions. Don’t fall for it!

The Bible says in Proverbs 14:8, "The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won't face facts" (TLB).

The Bible repeatedly says that, especially in a crisis, I should always base my decisions and actions on the facts, not faulty statistics, fads, fear, or feelings.

God has given me everything I need to be wise and prudent in a crisis. I can test everything against his Word and have the confidence that it will always steer me in the way of wisdom. As a follower of Jesus, I have the Holy Spirit to give me discernment. And, I’ve got good sense! It is a gift from God, and now is an important time to use my reason and caution.

As disciples of Jesus, I should not just be people of faith. We should be people of facts.

"Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get" (Proverbs 23:23 TLB).

In summary, only a fool believes everything they are told. Someone who is wise and prudent will carefully consider their steps and think about what they do. I'll get a lot of information from a lot of different sources. Not everything I hear is true, and not everybody is worth listening to. I need to be selective. I should always base my decisions and actions on the facts, not faulty statistics, fads, fear, or feelings. God has equipped me with everything I need to be wise and prudent in a crisis. I can test everything against his Word and have the confidence that it will always steer me in the way of wisdom. I have the Holy Spirit to give me discernment. I've got good sense. So, get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense I can get. 

Father I do pray this morning for the discernment that the Holy Spirit can give me. Help me to use my good sense and seek out facts before making a decision. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.

Managing My Mind

In review of Psalm 119:112 it says, “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (CEV).

Today's passage is Psalm 119:112. In Psalm 119 the psalmist explains how God's word is true and wonderful. I should stay true to God and his word no matter how bad the world around me becomes. Obedience to God's laws is the only way to achieve real happiness. Therefore, I should be determined to keep God's decrees to the very end.

To walk safely in the woods at night I need a light so that I don't trip. In this life, I will walk through dark forests of evil. But God's Word can be my light to show me the way ahead so I won't stumble as I walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. I need to study God's Word so that I will be able to see my way clear enough to stay on the right path.

I’m reminded today that the reason why most people are ineffective in life is that they’ve never learned how to fight the battle of the mind.

If you want to learn to manage my mind, I have to be delivered from destructive thoughts. That isn’t easy, because there are three enemies that keep me from fulfilling all my good intentions of changing my life.

The first enemy is my old nature.

Paul says in Romans 7:23, “There is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me” (NLT). I find myself doing things that I don’t really want to do? That’s the battle in my brain between my old, sinful nature and my good intentions.

The second enemy is Satan.

Satan cannot force me to do anything, but he can make suggestions, and those suggestions are incredibly powerful. He is constantly planting negative thoughts in my mind. He’ll use other people or he’ll use the TV or he’ll just throw a thought in my mind.

The third enemy is the world’s value system.

Does anything in our society encourage self-discipline? Not much. Advertisements tell us, “You deserve a break today. Have it your way. We do it all for you.” The Bible says in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (NIV).

With enemies like that, no wonder I struggle with discouragement and despair.

So how do I fight this battle? I’m reminded to look at what 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says: “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

I have a choice. My mind has to listen to me. God didn’t give me just a mind. He gave me a will! The best time to win the battle with temptation is before it begins. “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what” (Psalm 119:112 CEV).

Bottom Line:

Be determined to keep God's decrees to the very end.

What this means to me:

Given what I know it is my desire to obey God's laws forever, no matter what I face or what happens.

In summary, God's word is true and wonderful. I should stay true to it no matter how bad the world around me gets. Obedience is the only way to achieve real happiness. Be determined to keep God's decrees to the very end. I will walk through some dark areas, but God's Word can be my light to show me the way. I must learn to manage my mind. To be delivered from destructive thoughts. Here are three things that keep me from getting there. The first is my old nature, the second is the Enemy himself (planting negative thoughts in my mind.) The third is this worlds value system (which doesn't encourage any self-discipline). To battle these I can go to the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. The choice is mine. Therefore I can make up my mind to obey God's laws forever, no matter what.

This morning Father I pray for your discernment, wisdom and guidance for my life and how I conduct my work, lead those who work for me and interact with those I work with. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!