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Eight Suggestions to Make Us Better
Several folks commented on the eight suggestions we offered to make us better in the new year. I thought it might be useful for us to have the list. So, here are some things we can all do this year–and every year for that matter–that will help us be better and less vulnerable to the attractive things out in the world.
I. Stand up straight.
To put on the armor of God, you have to stand up straight. To stand straight calls for spiritual concentration. It takes effort. Spiritual slouchiness makes us vulnerable to attack. It doesn’t take much energy to slouch. Stand up and be counted. Even if it’s hard. Read Ephesians 6:10-18.
II. Watch where you're going.
To determine where you’re going you have to determine where you are. That’s hard. Once you honestly determined where you are, you can then set a goal and press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Read Psalm 119: 1-2; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 4:13-15.
III. Be careful what you let in. Life is all about thinking. And what you thin, what you allow residency in our mind– what you allow to come in–determines the choices you make, how you live. Worldly thinking produces a worldly life. Worldly thinking brings carnal living. Spiritual thinking is the predicate for a spiritual life–one that points toward God. Read Philippians 4:6-8; I John 2:15-17.
IV. Guard carefully what you say. Tongue -control is hard business. It calls for great care and considerable patience. It’s amazing just how many of our difficulties in life have to do with improper use of the tongue. We have to be careful that we say the right things at the right time, who we say what to, and–perhaps the hardest of all–when to say nothing at all. Read Proverbs 12:23; Colossians 4:6; James 3:1-11.
V. Be cautious about what you decide.
The year ahead will necessitate new decisions–some seemingly large, some only relatively significant. Be careful about how you decide. One way is to ask the question, “How will this decision affect my relationship with God?” And it’s good to “be wise small,” even regarding the seemingly insignificant decisions you have to make. To be wise about the small stuff is a good habit to form because the habit tends to affect the big stuff when it comes. Read II Corinthians 10:3-6.
VI. Know why.
It is very important to know why you decide what you intend to t do–the cause. The word of God is emphatic about the ideal motive for our actions–love. Jesus taught it as being the basis for all relationships–with God or with our fellows. It is imperative that we make sure we know why we’re doing what we’re doing. It affects our relationship to God, to the church, and to our neighbors. It takes an honest heart of love to determine to go in a right way. Read Matthew 22:37-39; I Corinthians 13; Colossians 3:12-14.
VII. Take out the trash. Talk to God about your junk. Repent of sin. Implore Him for forgiveness. Don’t let garbage accumulate in your mind–it will rot and become worse and worse. Take out evil thoughts. Take out illicit and immoral desires. Don’t let bad germs grow in good soil. Remember–when you sow to the flesh you reap corruption. Take out the trash! Read Colossians 3:1-10.
VIII. Start Today.
How do I do it? One day at a time! Start. Right now. Procrastination robs us of our diligence, stops our progress, diminishes our effectiveness. Intentions are not enough–you have to get on with it. How about you? When will you start? Read Hebrews 3:12-13.
Conclusion:
"Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” is what the new year–and every year–is all about. Make the new year a good one. Maybe this little piece will help a little.
