What
really gets to me in these verses is the part about being new in your attitude.
Most people who accept Christ into their lives know about the “big” sins that
need to go, but what about all those little habits or even the outlook we have
on life? 1 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”
(KJV, emphasis mine). As fallen creatures, we cannot become new on our own. We
must allow Christ in first, but it is still a daily struggle to live outside of
the ways of this world. One thing I’ve heard that has really helped me look at
it differently is that if you give something up, you need to replace it with
something else. Whatever that “something” is. It could be your attitude;
replace negative thoughts with positive. If it’s a negative thought about
another person, put yourself in their shoes and pray for them instead. It could
be a bad habit. It could be an idol in your life. When I was spending too much
time on Facebook, I finally decided to delete it from my phone for a while. I
got back into reading again and I replaced the Facebook app with Rosetta Stone.
By making these exchanges, we can help improve our lives and strive to be that new
person. I would recommend reading Ephesians 4:17-5:1 for a further explanation
of what that new creature looks like.Thursday, April 16, 2015
New
“You
were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV
What
really gets to me in these verses is the part about being new in your attitude.
Most people who accept Christ into their lives know about the “big” sins that
need to go, but what about all those little habits or even the outlook we have
on life? 1 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”
(KJV, emphasis mine). As fallen creatures, we cannot become new on our own. We
must allow Christ in first, but it is still a daily struggle to live outside of
the ways of this world. One thing I’ve heard that has really helped me look at
it differently is that if you give something up, you need to replace it with
something else. Whatever that “something” is. It could be your attitude;
replace negative thoughts with positive. If it’s a negative thought about
another person, put yourself in their shoes and pray for them instead. It could
be a bad habit. It could be an idol in your life. When I was spending too much
time on Facebook, I finally decided to delete it from my phone for a while. I
got back into reading again and I replaced the Facebook app with Rosetta Stone.
By making these exchanges, we can help improve our lives and strive to be that new
person. I would recommend reading Ephesians 4:17-5:1 for a further explanation
of what that new creature looks like.
I am currently participating in the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 Challenge. My theme is life lessons from the Bible. You can find more information about the challenge by clicking on the badge to the right or click here for a list of participants. It has been an interesting experience so far and I have enjoyed finding and visiting other blogs. If you are a fellow participant, thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!
What
really gets to me in these verses is the part about being new in your attitude.
Most people who accept Christ into their lives know about the “big” sins that
need to go, but what about all those little habits or even the outlook we have
on life? 1 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”
(KJV, emphasis mine). As fallen creatures, we cannot become new on our own. We
must allow Christ in first, but it is still a daily struggle to live outside of
the ways of this world. One thing I’ve heard that has really helped me look at
it differently is that if you give something up, you need to replace it with
something else. Whatever that “something” is. It could be your attitude;
replace negative thoughts with positive. If it’s a negative thought about
another person, put yourself in their shoes and pray for them instead. It could
be a bad habit. It could be an idol in your life. When I was spending too much
time on Facebook, I finally decided to delete it from my phone for a while. I
got back into reading again and I replaced the Facebook app with Rosetta Stone.
By making these exchanges, we can help improve our lives and strive to be that new
person. I would recommend reading Ephesians 4:17-5:1 for a further explanation
of what that new creature looks like.
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My husband and I learned that to get rid of a "bad" habit, or any habit that didn't work anymore, to not only find a new one to replace the old, but to also speak to "it" thanking it for helping us through when we needed it, and that it's time to move on. Habits don't want to be "broken" or let go, so they will fight back. It's up to us to remain strong in our choice to move on... Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteVery true, we have to keep strong in our decision. Thanks for visiting :)
DeleteI do like that to replace the old of what we want to give up with something new that will help us with the grace of God form a new habit like patience instead of impatience, kindness and mercy instead of gossip, etc.
ReplyDeletebetty
I sometimes forget that getting rid of something leaves a hole where it used to be, and if we don't fill it with something good, it may fill itself back in again, like Lisa said above about bad habits fighting back.
DeleteWe can do it! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete