“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Setting: The Garden of Eden.
Today’s target: Eve.
Consequences: Potential fatality for all humanity.
Satan slithered up and spoke with a simple, soothing voice, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”
For the human race that has had thousands of years to consider the consequences and ponder the ‘what-if’s’ it is easy to point out what Eve should have done:
Run,
Refuse to Listen,
Refuse to Engage.
But Satan can act craftily.
And although answers are easy to point out for others, they can be oh-so-difficult to identify and practice ourselves.
When Eve naively engaged with the not-so-simple snake, she had no idea where he was guiding her, to a spiritual death: separation from God. A life that would be oh-so-far-more-difficult! If she had not listened to, or engaged with that question…
But would we do any better?
Do I ever allow him to construct barriers to my blessing and slowly slay my spirit?
Do I ever let him speak negative thoughts into my mind and permit him planting rights? Maybe he planted, but it is I who chooses whether to water and fertilize them. And it is I who determines if they ever get transplanted from my mind to grow and thrive within my heart.
One thought. Maybe not straight out of Scripture- but really- what’s the harm, he whispers.
Like Eve, we can’t fathom where Satan is trying to take us, or just how he hopes to undo us. But as history indicates, he has his own agenda for human souls, and it’s nowhere we want to go.
So, how do we thwart any of his planted negativity from growing roots?
Philippians 4:8-9 tells us exactly what the measuring stick is: If it’s not true, righteous, noble, pure, admirable, or lovely- we must weed it out.
Letting it linger secures the roots. The moment we notice it’s there, pull it out! I’m not talking about a mere weed-whacker here. We need to get down on our knees and wrestle it out by the roots through prayer, and a constant renewing of our minds using Scripture.
If we notice certain people, places, or situations make it challenging to remain godly and positive we should: RUN– don’t go there, or if we have no choice, go in strengthened through prayer and the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Refuse To Listen – Refuse the thought any space, any time to prod through your mind.
Refuse To Engage – Refuse to respond, whether audibly or mentally to the thought. Don’t leave any room for argument back and forth. When we pause, the enemy pounces!
Eve was snared just as we often are. Thankfully each day dawns anew with opportunity to become better stewards of our thoughts and better gardeners of weed-like negativity.
We must refuse to listen, refuse to engage by pulling them out, and then run from the enemy’s zone.
Reflections:
When I consider Eve’s reaction to the infamous snake, do I ever relate to her choice to stand there, listening to and engaging with a voice of deceit?
Why are we instructed how to think in Philippians 4:8-9? What are the possible consequences when we don’t?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your clear guidance on how to take control of my thoughts. I don’t need to fall victim to them. Please give me discernment and rapidity recalling Scripture as I go through my days. Help me see clearly how to implement your instructions in Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.