I apologize in advance if anyone has heard this correlation before; it isn’t completely my original thought, but it has stuck with me since I first heard it and I hope to expound upon it further.
(I also apologize for not posting anything in February. Whoever decided that month should be so short must have really not liked it–probably had something to do with pronunciation…)
Anyway, I’ve been thinking an awful lot on what it means to take control of our circumstances as both Christians and human beings.
The analogy: A thermometer only tells us the temperature, but it has no way of adjusting it. A thermostat, on the other hand, gauges the degrees and can alter the temperature as needed in order to make the area more suitable.
Get where I’m going with this?
Many times we may find ourselves in a conversation with other believers that is less than edifying, perhaps even shallow.
Foul language and dirty jokes may not be involved, but you can still feel the atmosphere is spiritually lacking.
Chances are, you’re not the only one in the group feeling that way. Like Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) warns us, there are dark forces constantly at opposition with us, trying to keep our minds on anything but what will bring them under submission.
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| Columbia River Gorge area, Oregon |
So the question is, are you going to be the one to change the temperature?
If so, how?
Peer pressure is a real thing, I know it. No one wants to be the wet blanket to dampen the lighthearted fun.
But if our hearts are on fire for the Lord, shouldn’t we allow that to warm up an otherwise cold conversation?
Ephesians 4:29-30 (KJV): “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
I don’t believe it is a coincidence that the verse right before we are admonished not to “grieve” the Lord, the Apostle Paul tells us to maintain communication that is uplifting and encouraging to each other.
Too often, we fear what others think of us. We are concerned whether they will be offended, rolling their eyes, if we try to steer the conversation to a more positive and enlightening topic. But as Psalm 118:6 (KJV) states, “What can man do to me?”
If the Lord has commanded us to speak about what is pleasing to His ears, let’s do it.
Drop a few bombs like, “What did everyone think of the service the other day?” or “How can I keep everyone in prayer this week?” and see how the temperature rises.
Others will most likely be relieved someone was bold enough to initiate the discussion. Even more importantly, God is obligated by His Word to honor your action, as Matthew 18:20 (KJV) explains, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Don’t let the stifling carnality of life devoid an entire spiritual atmosphere of its passion when there is potential for a riveting, walk-deepening conversation centered around the Lord.
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute…dwell on these things,” Philippians 4:8 (KJV).
Well said sister