What we behold really does strongly effect our minds and lives. What we look at, read, listen to, and behold in any way, can stick in our heads, and show in our words and actions and can even effect our health. What we behold has an influence on us and changes us as we are beholding them. People who choose to behold certain things are more likely to talk and think and do according to what they are used to beholding. What we choose to behold really does have a big impact on our eternal interests. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:34. Words, thoughts, actions, and what we behold, ALL go together. What goes into our minds must come out.
When someone watches or reads something vile and degrading, or just something that isn’t good, they accept what they watch or read as something worth watching or reading. Then, because it pleases their sinful human nature, and they like it, they say that it is ‘good’. Thus, in one way, is seen the truth found in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” If one makes a point to choose to absorb evil things into one’s mind, and if one chooses to behold people lying, cheating, stealing, bribing, or doing anything else that is ungodly and un-Christlike to fulfill their earthly, selfish purposes, how can one allow God to fulfill His great, high, and holy purpose in one’s life? How could we know the truth, the wonderful works of God, His wise principles, Jesus’ precious gems of heavenly, high and holy knowledge, and all the infinite wisdom found in His holy word, and then turn around, choosing to read, watch, look at, or listen to ANYTHING(even something you don’t feel like giving up now, just confide in Jesus about it, and fully give it to Him) that we would be ashamed to behold if Jesus Himself was visible in the place where we choose to behold these things? For that matter, how could we ever choose to think, or do, or say ANYTHING that we just couldn’t think, do, or say if we saw Jesus and His holy angels in our presence? If this is the case with us, that we are still beholding anything sinful and un-Christlike, and liking it because of our flesh and sinful nature, then what is the difference between us who know the truth, and those who do not know the truth? We all act similarly, talk similarly, and think similarly, but some of us profess to be Christians, and some of us do not make that profession (partially because they see the hypocrisy, formalism, inconsistency, dullness and emptiness of “the church”). The only reason we could still choose to think, or do, or say selfish, un-Christlike things, would be because our human flesh is weak, (“we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”) and we are too weak to overcome, without a true, strong, close relationship with God. But, we can choose to die to the flesh and sin and self, and LIVE in Christ. Paul said, “For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus can give us the power and grace to die to sin, and live, truly live, in God. Completely surrendering to Jesus, we will be dead to the flesh, and “alive unto God.” So now, let us fulfill our commission given us by Jesus Christ, our dear, loving Saviour, Who says, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?[how will the earth be salted with Jesus’ words that are a savor of life unto life if the salters have lost their savor?] It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men[ if we lose our savor, and do not truly have the fruits of the Spirit, and ‘though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge...I am nothing’. So then we are ‘trodden under the foot of men’, even though we know the truth, and what we could do through the vivifying power of the Holy Spirit, is cast out, and trodden under the foot of men, because we are not dead to sin, living in Christ (no matter what ‘good things’ we might do sometimes) and we have nothing better and have no better life than those in the world who have not known the truth nor found God]. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house [When we truly serve God and our candle is lit by the Holy Spirit, then we don’t hide away, and we don’t just do whatever and say whatever those around us are doing and saying, but instead of doing whatever we would naturally do in the flesh, Jesus leads us to be like Him! And Jesus, through us, shines forth, and through our words and actions, leaves behind us a clear, bright path leading to heaven. Everybody around us, by God’s grace and power and love, can see Jesus shining through us, and God will truly be glorified].
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, [we don’t teach just by preaching, but also by living the truth, having the fruits of the Holy Spirit, having the character of Christ in us and shining through us] the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:13-19. Jesus words really are powerful!
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” This being true, why would we choose to watch, read, listen to, look at, or BEHOLD IN ANY OTHER WAY, people manifesting, through their words and what they do, the works of the flesh and of foolishness and of sin, especially when we know the truth that “...we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
I really hope and pray, that we will all know this truth, not merely theologically, but by experience, by the true power of the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and renew a right spirit within us! Seriously, it dishonors God to selfishly choose to have pointless, purposeless, sinful, selfish, mean, and foolish thoughts, words, and actions. It dishonors our dear Redeemer, Saviour, Friend, and King, to be thinking, saying, and doing selfish things that we would never do if we had God’s glory ever before us; if we would but let Him work in us and through us, to reveal HIS character an ALL(big and little) situations and circumstances, as we go about the day!
God wants, and longs to put in our hearts, minds, and daily lives, the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...” I used to read this verse too quickly to really have time to think about these words. But now, as we read these words, let us remember that God wants to speak to us through His holy word, and let us remember that He is right now watching us. Let us prayerfully open our hearts, minds, and ears, to listen to our dear Saviour’s call, His call to really reflect His image, and do what He would do in every circumstance(at home, at work, in school, everywhere and in everything) honoring and glorifying our Heavenly Father. Let’s ask Him to show us how we can personally, individually, have the fruits of the Spirit manifested in us, “Love...joy...peace...longsuffering...gentleness...
goodness...faith...meekness...temperance”. Galatians 5:22-23.
Let us choose now to separate from ANYTHING that will take us down to the degradation of sin caused by the evil prince of this world. Let us choose God, the fair and just and almighty, loving Creator and Ruler of this universe, that we are tiny little specks in. Why would we react to circumstances as though we can’t do God’s will? We ARE NOT powerless, when we are fully surrendered to the Almighty King: “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” Psalms 24:8.
2 Chronicles 15:2-7 says, “...The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, and He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel Israel
“...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10. I know from experience that life is miserable when not fully surrendered to God, and I remember getting distracted by exciting things, and sometimes I would laugh (“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” Proverbs 14:13), but I wasn’t truly happy until I gave all that I had and all that I was to God. Before, I thought too much about what I wanted, and I wouldn’t obey God for many reasons, plus, I thought I was too weak. After, I saw that throughout each day, whether in the position of prayer or not, my thoughts could still go upward to the Lord, and I could have His glory EVER before me. I found that I didn’t need to have His glory sometimes before me, and then other times,[ like: 1.when talking to friends; 2.when tempted to talk frivolously and foolishly; 3.during hard times; 4.when I was disappointed; 5.when I was just so confused about what was really going on with certain people; 6.when things happened that would almost make me mad; 7.when I went through things that I would really be scared of alone (without God); 8. when I thought I couldn’t climb any higher;] have His glory not before me, by choosing to forget and forsake Him and lean on my own understanding, relying on myself. But, He showed me that I can have His glory ever ALWAYS before me, with everything in my life. With JESUS, my loving, always watching Savior, Who is constantly taking care of me, always by my side, leading me in all things of life, I can now: 1. glorify God when talking to friends, talking about things that matter, and rather than being discouraged and sad, I can have peace and be an encouragement to them; 2. think about Jesus when I’m tempted to say pointless, foolish, or selfish words, and choose to let HIM guide me in what I say; 3. instead of giving into despair in hard circumstances, I choose to “in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning” me (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and I can get through the hard times doing His will, and He will carry me through; 4. when disappointed, I am Comforted by my compassionate Savior, and He gives me more peace and strength through it all; 5. when confused about what’s really going on with people, I now confide in Jesus, and pray for people, and I sometimes see some evidence of Him answering prayer for them (and it can be really exciting sometimes, as it increases my faith and can make me more thankful to God as I trust Him in sweet surrender); 6. Instead of getting angry or being dismayed, now I can think of what would honor God, and do what Jesus would do. Things that really try my patience don’t make me mad anymore(it’s a choice to get mad, and it’s a choice to let Jesus give us true charity, which “suffereth long and is kind, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” 1 Corinthians 13). Also having victory over temptation strengthens me and causes me to go to God about these issues, and He renews my strength; 7. when I was scared to do the right thing, instead of giving into temptation, I prayed and prayed and prayed for God’s strength and power and love and grace, to always do His will, and He answered and now I am freed from the bondage of fear(“for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:15-16); 8. climb to the highest mountain summits, by His love, grace, power and strength, and on the upward journey He will lead me to the end.
All the things mentioned above are evidences that God is working in me and through me, renewing my mind, helping me to always trust Him, changing my life, and giving me deep, true peace. He has done and He is doing so much more than I can remember or mention here now, or ever, because He does so much as He leads me on that I don’t even know about. And He is doing a lot for you that you don’t even know about as well. He lived here on this earth, and He passed the test, and won the victory, that we may be set free from sin, that we may honor and glorify our Father in heaven. He cares for us and loves us more than we love and care for Him, so the least we could do is give Him our all. He can humble us, and enable us to climb to the greatest heights, and cause us to honor and glorify Him, all at the same time. His purpose will be fulfilled, and His great work will be done; it’s just up to us, as individuals( we are not saved in groups, we must not trust our fellow men, but first trust in God, “...in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men...” Ephesians 6:5-7, and He will cause everything in every area of our lives, including our relations to others, to fall into the right place and), to CHOOSE whether we will be a part of it or not. Will we choose to let Him refine us in the Refiner’s fire, that we may in the end, instead of being found living for this world and self, be found with the Spirit’s fire? Will Jesus our Saviour find us prepared for His return, or will He find us content to stay on this sinful earth? Will we choose to let Him fulfill His purpose in us? “The cross of calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His Life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection. Yea, more, it was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror...” MS 56, 1899.
Let us choose God, seeking Him earnestly for His character, and for the fruits of the Spirit, that, by His power and grace alone, will be revealed in our thoughts, words, motives, and in all that we do, for “what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I WILL RECEIVE YOU, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
For further studying in God’s word on the points that were brought out in this article, you may also want to read the following: 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:24, 25; Romans 8:28(the called, according to HIS purpose); Colossians 3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13-17; Ezekiel 36:22-38; 1 Corinthians 13; Isaiah 43:1-19; Isaiah 12; Micah 7:7-9; Zechariah 3; Revelation 3:7-22; Revelation 14:1-12; 1 Peter 5:6-11. Pray earnestly to the Lord as you study His word. Ask Him to help you dig deep into the words, and He will show you deeper meaning in them. Verses that you have already read many times before will shine forth with brighter light than before, as Proverbs 4:18 says, “...the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
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