Right Thinking

Have you ever been visiting with an old friend or relative and got to jaw-boning about old times, old experiences and old war stories? And then later you think back on the visit and remember things you said that you wished you had not said, or stories you told you wished you had not told. Stories about things you should have been ashamed of back when they happened, and even more embarrassed to re-tell now? I wonder what makes us this like this? I suppose its ego or pride or one-upmanship, trying to best a story told by someone else. It’s happened to me more than once, and every time I promise myself that it won’t happen again; I’ll not drag out my dirty linen and wave it in the air boastfully; then it happens again. It’s like the old competitive spirit comes out and you have to try and best the last story told.

Proverbs (23:7) says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. James (1:14&15) says that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed; then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Our thoughts lead to actions; sin starts as a thought. It’s important that we put more effort into “right thinking”, and into keeping our mind on the right things. Paul told the Philippians(4:8) to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. That would sure tone down the war stories, wouldn’t it? He also told the Philippians(3:13&14) to forget those things that are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before; to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. There should be no room for glorying in the past, good or bad.

I Timothy 4:12 tells us that we are to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. It’d be hard to tell a raunchy war story while meeting this requirement.

I need to line up my lips and life, I need to walk the talk, I need to concentrate on right thinking; Maybe you do too………………