Becoming Skillful in Thinking. Proverbs 23:6-8/ Philippians 4:8

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1 Proverbs 23:6-8/ Philippians 4:8

2 RECAP WISDOM (Working Definition) We ve identified WISDOM as. LIFE SKILLS FOR LIVING LIFE SUCCESFULLY. The Fundamental Element Of Wisdom The Fear of the Lord The fear of the Lord is wisdom! Job 28:28(GW)

3 RECAP Life Encounters Life Encounters involve unpredictable challenges, situations, problems and issues that occupy our lives on a daily basis. These are contrasting occurrences that constantly confront us while challenging us to make the right godly decisions. Examples: People Encounters People Encounters consist of the wide assortment of people with character disorders we come upon every day of our lives. These are people with contrasting dispositions that we constantly confront as challenges that place us in position to make godly decisions.

4 RECAP The Unskillful An unskillful (unwise) person usually makes choices according to the INCLINATION to their present encounter (whether a life encounter or people encounter) The Skillfull The skillful person usually makes choices according to the INCLINATION toward the Word of God/Fear of the Lord

5 RECAP A. How do we develop Life Skills for Making Right Choices? 1. We must be committed to renewing our thinking! a. by consistently acquiring the right knowledge about God/Christ 2. We must train ourselves in the Fear of the Lord. 3. We must be willing to obey God & His word at all cost

6 According to scripture THINKING begins in the HEART For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts. Matthew 15:19 (NKJV)

7 A.We have defined the HEART: 1.καρδία (kardia) -The heart: the central core to a person. 2.In Hebrew psychology the heart is the center of moral consciousness and the seat of the affections 3.The heart consists of the inner self that thinks, feels, and decides.

8 THE HEART can only think, choose, react or respond according to what is inside THESE BEHAVIORS REFLECT The True Nature of a Person

9 2 Scriptures that validate this point Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. Proverbs 14:33 Main Verse Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. Proverbs 23:6-8 (NKJV) Barnes Notes Interprets the 7vs correctly: What he s been thinking...(as he is) all along in his heart, so is he (at last) in act(ion)

10 ESTABLISHING SKILLFUL THINKING 1.Don t Fear the Lord The fool has said in his heart (what he thinks), "There is no God." (It shows in their behavior) They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good. Psalm 53:1 (NKJV)

11 ESTABLISHING SKILLFUL THINKING 2. Fear the Lord Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want a long, good life? (Their Behavior) Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin Spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. Psalm 34:11-14 (TLB)

12 ESTABLISHING SKILLFUL THINKING 3. Fear the Lord, BUT We live on our own terms They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods. 2 Kings 17:33 (NKJV)

13 DEVELOPING SKILLFUL THINKING 1. I must be willing to acquire a changed Heart Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 18:31 (NKJV) 2. I must be willing to let God change my Heart Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) 3. I must be willing to let God examine my heart & test my thoughts Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 (TLB)

14 DEVELOPING SKILLFUL THINKING 4. I must be willing to let the Word of God judge my thoughts and heart For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 5. I must be willing to think differently (repent) Don t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants what is good, pleasing, and perfect Romans 12:2.

15 Practice Thinkning And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Philippians 4:8 (TLB)