2008 Woodie Awards
Think on these things...
Carrie and Kristin Long
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
THINK ON THESE THINGS
By the sisters Long
Philippians 4:8-"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."
What if someone said to you…"man, I can't stand my roommate, they blare that loud head-banging classical music! You know what else I don't like? The kitchen smells like formaldehyde, and that Campus Christian Posse wakes me up every Sunday morning for church. The only good thing on campus is the new student center going up, but I'll be graduated before it's finished!"
After that depressing display of discontent, I would be pretty unhappy. Now, what if everything in that statement were true, but the conversation sounded more like this…"You know, I'm so glad that the new student center is being built for us! Every time I pass by it, it looks better. I really hope it is finished before I graduate. Even if it's not, I'll come back and see it when I can!"
This conversation is much more pleasant. I know, it seems as though it didn't come as naturally as the first conversation. The second conversation seemed too thought out. Indeed it was, like the verse says, "…if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise THINK on these things." God is not na've, He new what He was doing when He wrote this verse. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21 that life and death is in the power of the tongue. James 3:6 says that the tongue is a fire. God knew these things; that is why He wants us to speak life.
God desires for us to think on good things because what we think about is what we talk about, and God is the One who created positive thinking. God desires for us to speak life with our tongue. There should not be even a hint of death coming out of our mouths. God says that the tongue is a fire; not a spark, not a flame, but a raging, burning fire. James 3:6 focuses on warning against letting that flame get out of control. However, a fire can be good. Any farmer knows that it is good for the soil, when the farmer burns a field after harvest.
For the Christian, this means that you have the God-given responsibility to make someone's day better. This kind of power, to be true, can only come from a relationship with Jesus. You should think and speak good things. Control that fire so that it can burn up depression, warm someone's lonely heart, and provide strength to call an end to bad choices.
For the college student, this means not complaining for 50 minutes about how awful class was. If you cannot say anything good, then there is nothing good to say. Think about the kind of conversation you want to hear, and speak that kind of conversation. Speak good things into your own life when you pray, and speak good things into other lives when you talk to them.
Life isn't perfect, bad things happen to everyone. But instead of burning up what is good, with bad conversation, you can speak life into lives and watch death fade, which will give way to a better crop of joy.
By the sisters Long
Philippians 4:8-"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."
What if someone said to you…"man, I can't stand my roommate, they blare that loud head-banging classical music! You know what else I don't like? The kitchen smells like formaldehyde, and that Campus Christian Posse wakes me up every Sunday morning for church. The only good thing on campus is the new student center going up, but I'll be graduated before it's finished!"
After that depressing display of discontent, I would be pretty unhappy. Now, what if everything in that statement were true, but the conversation sounded more like this…"You know, I'm so glad that the new student center is being built for us! Every time I pass by it, it looks better. I really hope it is finished before I graduate. Even if it's not, I'll come back and see it when I can!"
This conversation is much more pleasant. I know, it seems as though it didn't come as naturally as the first conversation. The second conversation seemed too thought out. Indeed it was, like the verse says, "…if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise THINK on these things." God is not na've, He new what He was doing when He wrote this verse. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21 that life and death is in the power of the tongue. James 3:6 says that the tongue is a fire. God knew these things; that is why He wants us to speak life.
God desires for us to think on good things because what we think about is what we talk about, and God is the One who created positive thinking. God desires for us to speak life with our tongue. There should not be even a hint of death coming out of our mouths. God says that the tongue is a fire; not a spark, not a flame, but a raging, burning fire. James 3:6 focuses on warning against letting that flame get out of control. However, a fire can be good. Any farmer knows that it is good for the soil, when the farmer burns a field after harvest.
For the Christian, this means that you have the God-given responsibility to make someone's day better. This kind of power, to be true, can only come from a relationship with Jesus. You should think and speak good things. Control that fire so that it can burn up depression, warm someone's lonely heart, and provide strength to call an end to bad choices.
For the college student, this means not complaining for 50 minutes about how awful class was. If you cannot say anything good, then there is nothing good to say. Think about the kind of conversation you want to hear, and speak that kind of conversation. Speak good things into your own life when you pray, and speak good things into other lives when you talk to them.
Life isn't perfect, bad things happen to everyone. But instead of burning up what is good, with bad conversation, you can speak life into lives and watch death fade, which will give way to a better crop of joy.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jane
posted 9/23/07 @ 7:47 PM CST
This was a really good article.
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