People were originally children of Light who had been formed in the image of God. However, they lost the image of God due to sin. They lived as children of darkness who belong to the enemy devil and Satan. For us, the God of love paid the price of a sacrifice by giving His only begotten Son Jesus as atoning sacrifice and saved us from Satan. Then, how are we now to recover the lost image of God?
Romans 8:13 reads, "For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." The deeds of the body include all deeds that are not perfected as well as evident sins such as stealing and acts of violence. Then, how can we manage the deeds of the body?
The way is to try to resemble Jesus who is the truth itself in all aspects. This Bible Study Book tells us the six aspects. They are what Jesus thought, saw, listened to, and said; what He harbored in His heart; and His attitude.
Jesus' thoughts: He only thought about God the Father and the ways to extend His kingdom. His thoughts were full of how He could give souls life and hope; the providence of His crucifixion to save mankind from death; and how He taught the truth to His disciples who were to be left behind.
Jesus' heart: He has a pure, clean, clear, blemish and spot free, sanctified heart. He has perfect goodness and love.
Jesus' eyes: His eyes are those of mercy towards souls. While looking up at the sky and praying His eyes are of faith in God and of spirit that see everybody with faith.
Jesus' ears: He did not overcome evil with evil even when He heard people judge and condemn Him. He accepted everything with goodness. He could discern between what He should listen to and what He had to let slip away according to the truth.
Jesus' lips: With His lips He spoke only the words of goodness, love, and life. His words glorified God. He never said careless words and taught the truth to people. He did not quarrel nor argue even if people could not realize His teaching.
Jesus' bearing: His walking posture and manner of conduct were perfect. He did everything in a serving and sacrificing manner without treating others thoughtlessly.
The Thoughts We Should Correct
When we are faced with a certain situation we must stop what flashes through our thoughts and check whether the thoughts are of goodness or evilness. We should check if they come from frustration or hatred which are untruthful feelings. We have to try to change the thoughts into thoughts that belong to goodness and truth. We should cast away self-righteousness, check ourselves based on the Word of God, and pray. Then, we can change our untruthful thoughts into truthful thoughts by the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Hearts We Should Correct
If we throw away things that God tells us to throw away and we obey His words telling us not to do something, we can root out untruthful things and cultivate our hearts into good soil. When we keep the words that tell us to keep and do the things that God tells us to do we can fill our hearts with goodness and love and we can completely obey and act in His Words. We can get rid of untruthful things quickly and achieve the heart of the truth if we receive the help of the Holy Spirit and receive the grace and strength of God upon our efforts.
The Eyes We Should Control
The lust of eyes refers to the attribute that is agitated to seek fleshly things through what we see and hear. If we want to have eyes of the truth we must block the lust of eyes and see the things of goodness and the truth. Then, we can fill our hearts with the truth.
The Ears We Should Control
We should listen to the words of goodness and the truth only. But if we hear someone slander, speak ill of others, and tempt us to react, we should quickly let the words pass from our ears and from our heart. Also, we must not judge others on a first impression or the manner of attire of an individual. We should not think within prejudice and bias. We should see everything in a fair, correct, and truthful way. We have to discern everything with the truth by listening to the voice of the Spirit. We have to discern what we hear by seeing the speaker's fruit, words, and actions.
The Lips We Should Control
In order to cast away careless words, before we say something we must stop and think for a moment. We should think whether it is of the truth and goodness. Even if it is the truth we must check if it is necessary. Even if it is necessary we should think about whether it carries dignity and grace for others.
The Bearing We Should Correct
The etiquette or public order comes from the heart of considering others and seeks others' benefits. Thus, if we take after the Lord, who showed the best example to serve others, we can become refined persons.
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