QuAcK!
You’ve heard it said, “If it looks like a duck, swims like a
duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” .... but what if it
says it’s a duck and it doesn’t look like a duck, swim like a duck or quack
like a duck???
Imagine, if you will, a
doctor. Well, he says he’s a doctor anyway. He offers medical advice to anyone
and everyone, solicited or not, but he doesn’t own or operate his own practice,
and is not employed by any health care institution. He drinks and smokes heavily
and every time you see him eating it involves junk food. Actually, truth be told, he doesn’t even have his doctorate. But he sits at home with his
laptop and sells his “medical advice” on the world wide web. So, what are we to
make of this self-proclaimed “doctor”?
Well I’ll say, if he’s a doctor, why doesn’t he act like one?
Shouldn’t a doctor be the first in line to take proper care of his own body??
How much do you trust a doctor to help you take care of your body if he doesn’t
take good care of his own?
Now I’m not here to say he is or isn’t what he says he is, but
let’s take a look at how we can apply this to our lives.
If I SAY I’m a Christian, but I go about in this world not acting
like one, then what do I expect others to make of me? If I swear like a sailor,
dress like a stripper & fill my mind with worldly smut ... how am I
portraying myself to the world?
Does it ever occur to you that what
you put into your mind will eventually work itself out in your attitude, language
and behavior? I don’t know about you, but this makes me want to be extremely cautious of what
content I allow my mind to absorb!
Here’s a quote from my favorite
author & speaker, Andy Andrews- “Wisdom can be gathered on your downtime.
Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read,
and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television. Of course,
bad information is gathered in your downtime too. Bad information that can
change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around,
the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or
television. One of wisdom's greatest benefits, is accurate discernment- the
learned ability to immediately tell right from wrong. Good from evil.
Acceptable from unacceptable. Time well spent from time wasted. The right
decision from the wrong decision. And many times this is simply a matter of
having the correct perspective. One way to define wisdom is THE ABILITY TO SEE,
INTO THE FUTURE, THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CHOICES IN THE PRESENT. That ability
can give you a completely different perspective on what the future might look
like... with a degree of intelligence and a hint of wisdom, most people can
tell the difference between good and bad. However, it takes a truly wise person to discern the oh-so-thin line between
good and best. And that line... gives you the perspective that allows you
to see clearly the long-term consequences of your choices.”
The way of the world is not the way of the wise!
Does scripture not say, “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but
let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you
will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Remember this quote?
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your
words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it
becomes your destiny.” –Unknown
And this scripture?
“...for
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” -Matthew 12:34b
And this one?
"My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My
ways,' says the Lord.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways
higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
How about these?
“Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear
them.” -Ephesians 4:29
“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects
the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own
body.” -1 Corinthians 6:18
Not sure what constitutes sexual sin? According to
the Bible it includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, incest,
prostitution, rape, and lust.
"For
all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is
passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides
forever."
1 John 2:16-17
"Enter
by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and
difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Matthew 7:13-14
So, who are you?
What defines you?
Do your choices
reflect what you claim to believe?
What do you “feed” your mind?
I’ll leave you
with another old adage- “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!”
Have a lovely day!
~
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final
thing.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right,
and pure, and lovely,
and admirable.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy
of praise.
Philippians 4:8
