12/27/21 BE SURE TO READ BOTH PARTS OF THIS POST

12/27/21 BE SURE TO READ BOTH PARTS OF THIS POST

Part One...
I have often said that Christians must control (by the power of the Holy Spirit) every thought that they entertain (referencing 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, which says,)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Spiritual warfare for Christians involves, requires the tearing down of strongholds of sin and Satan and also requires us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Not only should we shut off the flow of sinful thoughts, anti-Biblical thoughts, we should shut off the flow of negative thoughts when we can. We should think on, focus on the things that are good and wholesome and give no opportunity for the devil to mislead, capture, pollute our minds.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Part Two...
What I have just said, in reference to individual Christians is also applicable to a corporate body of believers, whether it is a couple, a family, a church, a ministry group.

God gave us relationships to help us think the way He wants us to think, to speak the way He wants us to speak, to live the way He wants us to live. Husbands and wives need to bring good thoughts, positive thoughts, victory thoughts to each other.

When a spouse focuses on, or even serves as a reminder to that which is burdensome, draining, discouraging, then that spouse has sided with Satan to destroy the husband or the wife. It doesn't matter if you say you love your husband or wife, you are destroying your spouse and your marriage with your negative words, prejudicial words, doubting words, defeatist words, complaining words, angry words, suspicious words, critical words. Your negativity does not need to be aimed at your spouse, it only has to be shared with your spouse to destroy him/her. Feed your loved one the dark thoughts and you will reap the dark thoughts... UNLESS you are married to a very strong and deeply dedicated person who is able to withstand Satan's attacks and supported by your words and attitude. EVEN THEN you will be robbing, injuring your spouse, yourself, everyone else, and the work of God. A dark spirit of negativity keeps everyone from reaching their potential.

Now, take this thought and adapt it to parent and child relationships; sibling relationships or other family relationships. Don't be the messenger of doom and gloom. Your words are the torpedoes that Satan uses to sink your family.

Again, take these thoughts and apply them to the household of faith and fellowship of believers. One gaping hole in a local body of believers can sink an otherwise successful church.

Above all, your negativity is an offense to God ON MANY LEVELS. Regardless of everyone else's attitude you should be the one with the faith, love and joy.

On the other side of this issue is the fact that a person with a faith outlook, a love filled heart, a joyful spirit can buoy up a sinking person or group. Imagine what it would be like if an entire group had a unified commitment to constantly bring positive, faithful, joyful, loving, peaceful, encouraging words to one another.

How sad it will be to find out that your negativity, your whining, your complaining, your focus on the world, your love of the world was the added weight of despair that dragged you loved one down to a destruction.

God gives all that is needed for life and godliness, but those who addicted and in love with a negative worldview and impact on other people are the enemies of the purpose of God.

Hebrews 10:19-27
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.