LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: Week of December 11 to 17, 2023, “May our thoughts demonstrate that we are complete”, Analysis and Responses.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: December 11-17, 2023, “May our thoughts demonstrate that we are complete,” Analysis and Responses.

“May our thoughts demonstrate that we are whole” (5 mins.): Analysis with the audience.

We demonstrate integrity not only by what we do and say, but also by what we think (Ps 19:14). That is why the Bible tells us to think about things that are true, serious, just, chaste, that inspire love, that have a good reputation, that are virtuous and that are worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). Of course, we will not always be able to prevent some bad thoughts from coming to us. However, self-control will help us remove it from our minds and replace it with one that pleases Jehovah. If we demonstrate our integrity even with our thoughts, it will be easier for us to continue demonstrating integrity with our behavior (Mark 7:21-23).

Under each text write what type of thoughts we should avoid:

Rom 12:3

If this text shows us that we must avoid unbalanced thoughts about ourselves, we do not want to give ourselves so much importance that we become conceited, but we also do not want to go to the other extreme and conclude that we are worthless, rather our objective should be to form a realistic concept of ourselves and for that, we have to take into account both our strengths and our limitations.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In this passage, the apostle Paul is exhorting the brothers to have a balanced perspective on themselves. He warns them against arrogance or excessive pride, reminding them that each has God-given gifts, and that they should use them humbly and for the benefit of the Christian congregation.

This text urges us to show balance and not think that Jehovah's love gives us the right to feel superior or to become self-centered. For this reason, let us enjoy the affection of our heavenly father, but at the same time let us remember that his love is not something we have earned or deserve.

Jehovah's servants are humble and obey his rules, because we understand that he always knows what is best for us. Humility leads us to put his will above our own and to think that others are superior to us. And the result will be that we will have a good relationship with Jehovah and with our brothers.

For this reason we must be careful of the proud and selfish attitude of the people of the Satan world, since if we do not it could influence us, and therefore we could act and reflect the thoughts of the people of this world.

In conclusion, we should not overvalue ourselves, but rather recognize the gifts and abilities that we have as a gift from God, and use them in service to others, without boasting or arrogance. It is a call to maintain a balanced attitude and respect towards oneself and towards other members of the congregation.

Mon 12:15

Well, we must avoid greedy thoughts and this would include materialism, for example.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jesus warns his followers about the trap of greed, pointing out that the true fullness of life is not determined by the number of material possessions one has. Greed or avarice is the excessive desire to possess wealth or goods. And it can lead to a selfish mindset, focused only on accumulating more without taking into account the needs of others or the purpose of our lives.

Jesus encourages us not to let the pursuit of wealth or material possessions rule our lives, as true wealth and fulfillment come from deeper values, such as kindness, generosity, compassion, and relationships with God and others. It is a powerful reminder about the importance of prioritizing the spiritual over the material.

The warning is against greed and the idea that the possession of material goods is equal to true life. We must avoid greed and focus on what really matters.

As we very well know, Satan wants people to think that money and material things will make them happy. But the servants of Jehovah know that this is just another lie. We keep in mind that money cannot make us truly happy, it cannot give us true friends, peace of mind, or eternal life. Sure, we need some material things and we want to enjoy life. But Jesus taught us that what makes us happy is having a good friendship with Jehovah and putting worship of him first.

If we focus on serving Jehovah and reject what the world thinks about money, our lives will have true meaning. We will be happy with what we have and we will feel inner peace. We will not worry so much about material things. In addition, we will enjoy the happiness that comes from giving. We will be able to spend more time with the people we love. And we could even sleep better.

Greed is more than a simple desire to possess money or other things, which could have usefulness and correct purposes. According to several dictionaries, it could be defined as a distorted desire that focuses on material or immaterial goods, whether they belong to another person or not.

Greed sometimes manifests itself in an insatiable appetite to get things we don't need, just for the sake of having them, regardless of whether one needs them or how this will impact others. The greedy person allows the desired object to monopolize his mind and actions to the point of becoming his God.

Matt 5:28

If Jesus was not talking about an immoral thought that could occur to someone, rather he was highlighting that continuing to look is a very serious matter because it often arouses immoral sexual desires and the person could end up committing adultery.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Our Lord Jesus Christ goes beyond the physical act of adultery and points out that thoughts and desires are also important. This urges us to not only worry about our external actions, but also our internal thoughts and motivations. He teaches that the fight against temptation begins in the mind and heart, and not just in outward behavior.

The idea of ​​this text is that controlling our thoughts and desires is essential to living an upright and moral life. Jesus is exhorting us to be aware not only of our visible actions. Him but also of our inner thoughts and desires, and to strive to maintain purity and righteousness at every level. This highlights the importance of cultivating purity not only in our actions, but also in our innermost thoughts and motivations.

This verse warns against adultery in the heart, which includes impure thoughts and desires, and also highlights the importance of purity of our heart as essential to our lives.

Jesus himself made it clear that the heart must be kept clean and that it is not appropriate to entertain improper thoughts and desires. Furthermore, he is highlighting that continuing to watch is a very serious matter. Well, it often awakens immoral sexual desires. The person could end up committing adultery if the opportunity arose. Therefore, it is very important to know how to control yourself, to avoid any type of behavior or action that may awaken these impure thoughts.

Phil 3:13

Well, I was thinking about nostalgia, for example, when you look back and think about when you were younger, stronger, more capable, had more money, and were happier, or also thinking about those things that we did wrong and that Jehovah has forgiven us, but we continue Thinking about them, all that has been left behind, we must continue moving forward and leave the past behind.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The text encourages us to avoid thoughts of discouragement, for having left a life of luxury and instead of concentrating excessively on the material goods accumulated in the past, the text suggests directing attention towards the relationship with God in the present and our dedication of serve you. This means not putting priority on material possessions, but on serving God and following his will.

We must avoid complacency or self-satisfaction. For this reason we should not think that we have reached spiritual plenitude, there is always room for growth and to continue improving. Complacency can slow down our spiritual Progress.

The apostle Paul did not allow himself to be distracted by his past achievements or the mistakes he had made. In fact, he said that forgetting the things that are behind were essential in order to stretch for the things to come, that is, successfully finishing the Christian race.