Check It At The Door???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #351

I have a relatively brief word for you today, as I was thinking of one of my favorite teachers, Kay Arthur, entering into the “joy of her Lord” recently, I remember one of the most useful things I ever learned from her (and there are too many to list them all…)!  It’s a brief passage, but one of the most significant, practical and useful things that I know.  I hope you will find it helpful and that you will apply it to your living today!  I will give you the context as well as the specific verse, for remember “context is king”!

“Rejoice in the Lord alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:4-9

The thing that we must remember is that Satan will come to distract, misdirect, and try to cause you to stumble, but verse 8 is the antidote—when Satan comes knocking just check him at the door (of your mind, for that is where the battle roars—See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 for more help in spiritual warfare!). If the thought can’t pass the Philippians 4:8 test, then reject it and tell the enemy to “buzz off” (my term, not scriptural, but perhaps helpful to see the reality of our enemy).  If the thought, especially for harmful words and actions to others, isn’t ‘true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous or praise worthy’, then reject it and refrain from going down that wrong path.

I have always found it helpful, for you or I can usually justify through those first three tests (true, honest, and just) for we are using our human reasoning and retribution is the password of our day!  But when I get to “Pure…lovely…good report…virtuous …praise worthy…”, I have to shout ouch!  Even when others are pushing our buttons (maybe you don’t have any ‘buttons’, but I sure do…), we can stop the sin in its tracks and guard our hearts by rehearsing this 8-fold test and rejecting the temptation to react, rather than respond in “the spirit”; we can walk with grace and truth with The Holy Spirit’s power in our lives.  So, check those thoughts at the door, and refuse that which can’t pass the entrance exam.  Have a blessed day my friends and remember, by Jesus’ power and saving grace, we Win!  I encourage you to memorize verse 8 that you will have it at every need!

“…think on these things…”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!