The Rigors of Christianity

It is easy for us who have been in church for many years to mold ourselves as religious people.  My pastor growing up would not dare set foot in a theatre, an establishment serving alcohol, or any such “worldly” places.  I’ve made light of Pastor Allen pointing out one of my youth (who is now a youth pastor’s wife) not tempting him in the area of lust.  Outwardly, it is easy to reflect what Christ-like is, but how do we look inwardly?

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

James 1:14-15  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Matthew 12:34 says, For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry and fear.

2 Corinthians 10:5b  we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

“Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny!”