Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating
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Philippians 4:8-9

Introduction: Have you tried to change into a better person? Do you find it difficult or nigh to impossible to change? The Bible shows that it is not only possible to change, it is essential for us to change. How does this happen? Matthew 12:43-45 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” Jesus illustrates the principle of making changes. How can one under the influence of evil change? The nation of Israel was like a man demon possessed. The demon was cast out & wandered as it looked for a new home. He came back to the man out of whom he was cast & found the house/body empty although it had been swept out. But there was no new furniture in the home. It’s not enough just to get rid of the old; we must replace it with new things. To overcome evil habits, we must replace them with godly habits.

Paul spoke of change in Phil. 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

This Old House

This New House
Making the Change.

a. If you want to know what a person is like, listen to him talk. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 15:8-9). Whatever men pour into their minds, that is what comes out. Garbage in-garbage out.

b. We dwell on how others have hurt us. Now a day passes by where we don’t recall some painful moment from our past. This results in a bitter spirit & it paralyzes our ability to develop new friendships & relationships. We cannot love others if we allow the past to control us.

c. Our lack of discipline works destruction in our lives. We have dozens or even hundreds of unkept promises & unfinished projects. Like a bird moving from limb to limb, we skip from one deed to the next as we struggle to finish each task. We are controlled by our boredom.

d. True, αληθη, what is unconcealed & real instead of what is counterfeit & fake. Many things in this world are deceptive and nothing more than an illusion. They make promises that they can never perform. They offering a peace and happiness but bring only disappointment & suffering. A man should always set his thoughts on the things which will not let him down.

e. Honest, σεμνα, or as some translations have in their margin, honorable. There are things that bring honor to a man & there are things that bring dishonor. The word was originally used of the things that pertained to the gods. When applied to people, it means dignified & serious (instead of flippant). This applies to our habits, speech, dress, & hobbies. Christianity makes men great citizens.

f. Just, δικαια, describes what is rightfully due to our fellow man. Christians not only submit to the law of the land, we are called to live be a higher standard of justice. A thing might be legal, but it would not be right. Christians do what is right because we meditate on righteousness.

g. Pure, αγνα, means what is morally pure & clean. A Christian must be cautious what comes before the eyes & mind. We must be careful how we interact with the opposite sex. This eliminates obscene words, gestures, or acts.

h. Lovely, προσφιλη, means what is acceptable to men. The word could be translated winsome. We act in such a way as to win the admiration & hearts of others.

i. Think on these things. The word means to make a list. Give these things careful attention and study, so as to practice them. Think what they are; think on the obligation to observe them; think on the influence which they would have on the world around you. Meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into practice.

j. A number of Scriptures address how we can change:

i. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

ii. Colossians 3:1-3 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

iii. Ephesians 4:20-24 “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

	a. If you want to know what a person is like, listen to him talk. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 15:8-9). Whatever men pour into their minds, that is what comes out. Garbage in-garbage out.
	b. We dwell on how others have hurt us. Now a day passes by where we don’t recall some painful moment from our past. This results in a bitter spirit & it paralyzes our ability to develop new friendships & relationships. We cannot love others if we allow the past to control us.
	c. Our lack of discipline works destruction in our lives. We have dozens or even hundreds of unkept promises & unfinished projects. Like a bird moving from limb to limb, we skip from one deed to the next as we struggle to finish each task. We are controlled by our boredom.
	d. True, αληθη, what is unconcealed & real instead of what is counterfeit & fake. Many things in this world are deceptive and nothing more than an illusion. They make promises that they can never perform. They offering a peace and happiness but bring only disappointment & suffering. A man should always set his thoughts on the things which will not let him down.
	e. Honest, σεμνα, or as some translations have in their margin, honorable. There are things that bring honor to a man & there are things that bring dishonor. The word was originally used of the things that pertained to the gods. When applied to people, it means dignified & serious (instead of flippant). This applies to our habits, speech, dress, & hobbies. Christianity makes men great citizens.
	f. Just, δικαια, describes what is rightfully due to our fellow man. Christians not only submit to the law of the land, we are called to live be a higher standard of justice. A thing might be legal, but it would not be right. Christians do what is right because we meditate on righteousness.
	g. Pure, αγνα, means what is morally pure & clean. A Christian must be cautious what comes before the eyes & mind. We must be careful how we interact with the opposite sex. This eliminates obscene words, gestures, or acts.
	h. Lovely, προσφιλη, means what is acceptable to men. The word could be translated winsome. We act in such a way as to win the admiration & hearts of others.
	i. Think on these things. The word means to make a list. Give these things careful attention and study, so as to practice them. Think what they are; think on the obligation to observe them; think on the influence which they would have on the world around you. Meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into practice.
	j. A number of Scriptures address how we can change:
	i. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”