I know I'm guilty of cognitive distortions, where I get stuck in patterns of unhelpful thinking. It happens to everyone, but if left unchecked, can lead to problems. I like to think it as wonky thinking. Imagine you're trying to ride a bike with a wonky tyre (I've included a video below in case you're having trouble imagining it). You will still get around, but it will be a lot harder.
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One of the Ten Commandments says, You must not use my name to make false promises. If you do that, you will show that you don’t respect the name of your God.
Jesus expanded on this command in Matthew 5:33-37. He said, You have also heard that people were told in the past, ‘Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.’ But now I tell you: do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’—anything else you say comes from the Evil One. The New Testament church was still swearing on their lives, by heaven, the temple and other sacred things. When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear someone say, "I swear to God," to emphasise how serious they were about their promise. I have even caught myself saying that I swear by something when I am explaining how great something is. But Jesus said that we shouldn't swear by anything. The Bible says our words are important and we will have to give an account to God for them (Matthew 12:36). There are three things I took away from these verses: 1. Don't make promises you can't keep. 2. Don't swear by anything. 3. Make sure your words are respectful towards the God who made you. Matthew 5:29-30 says,
So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell. These verses are part of Jesus’ teaching about lust. They are not literal! However, if something is causing you to sin, you should cut it out of your life. For example, when I was a teenager and young adult I read a lot of popular magazines. Some of the content was great, but a lot of the content was sexual in content and not helpful. Sex is great - God designed it. But his perfect plan was for it to be part of a marriage relationship. I didn't gouge my eye out, but I did stop buying and reading those magazines. Is there something in your life that you need to cut out of your life because it's causing you to sin? Maybe it's a type of book or magazine, certain movies, tv shows or music. Matthew 5:27-28 says, You have heard that it was said, ‘You must not be guilty of adultery.’ But I tell you that if anyone looks at a woman with lust, he has already committed adultery with her in his mind.
These verses are talking specifically about lust. But it is the same as other temptations - thoughts lead to action. Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, said, Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. Here are some more Bible verses about your thoughts: Philippians 4:8 Brothers, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Romans 12:2 Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. In Matthew 5:21-22 says, You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone. Any person who commits murder will be judged.’ But I tell you, don’t be angry with anyone. If you are angry with others, you will be judged. If you are angry with others, you will be judged. And if you insult someone, you will be judged by the high court. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.
One of the Ten Commandments says, you must not murder anyone. Jesus went over and above this and said, that you shouldn't even be angry with anyone. He went on to say that you would be judged if you are angry with anyone and that you would be in danger of hell if you insult someone. These are pretty serious warnings. It seems like everyone is angry these days. Jesus was characterised by being patient, loving, kind and compassionate, not by being angry. Here are some other Bible verses about being angry: Ephesians 4:31 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Colossians 3:8 But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. Colossians 3:13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. So, next time you feel angry, talk to God about it and forgive, just like Jesus forgave you. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus says, I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. Before Jesus came, God's chosen people, the Israelites, were living by the books of the Law the Prophets. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the book of Leviticus is full of rules and regulations on how to fulfil these commandments. The problem was, they couldn't keep them all.
One of the purposes of the Law was to demonstrate our need for God. We can't be righteous on our own. The Israelites had to offer animal sacrifices regularly to cleanse themselves from sin. When Jesus came, he made us righteous through his death and resurrection. The Enduring Word Commentary explains four ways that Jesus fulfils the Law and the Prophets:
Matthew 5:14-16 says,
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. In John 8:12 Jesus said that he was the light of the world. Jesus is no longer on the earth in the form of a human. We are now called to be the light, just like he was. Jesus was known by his good deeds. He was a friend to the lonely, healed the sick, provided for the poor, and taught the Good News of the Gospel. Jesus said we would be known by our good deeds too. We should be the light in our households, friendship groups, schools, work places and community. Matthew 5:13 says, You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing. It must be thrown out for people to walk on.
It is written to all Christians, not just the disciples, or teachers, or people over 25. You are the salt of the earth. Salt adds flavour. Chips are great, but chips without salt? Not so much. Christians should add flavour their local communities - flavours like love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, hope and joy. How can you be the salt of the earth this week? |
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