When I see negative thinking or emotions like the one�s described above � I quickly identify them as death or things which produce death. It does not take much effort to avoid drinking poison and we should look at these negative thoughts and emotions as poison, determine what type of lust or problem is at the root of it � and the spiritual truths from God�s word which we need to embrace to be free from that desire or negative form of thinking. In the long run just being committed to staying in God�s word on a daily basis will accomplish this.
As soon as I see that my thinking is focusing on or producing any of these things I work at quickly putting a stop to that thinking and replacing it with it's opposite in "spiritual thinking".
Whenever I am reading the Bible and I experience fear, doubt, condemnation or shame - I have found that it is always a result of wrong thinking and almost always, upon thorough investigation and reading my trusted experts comments, turns out that I am misinterpreting scripture � and it is something which is confirmed by peace.
EXAMPLES OF SPIRITUAL THINKING
Thinking which is or which produces :
God-centeredness (being focused on God�s word) Putting God & others first Humility Being Thankful Faith Love Forgiveness Longsuffering Charity Giving Peace Joy Happiness Contentment Spiritual, mental, emotional & physical health
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
James 3:16 says, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Envy and strife are open doors to anything the devil wants to bring in our lives. This verse reveals that envy and strife come from pride, ignorance of God's Word, and unhealthy cravings for controversies. No one will ever get free of envy and strife if he doesn't deal with these other issues.
1 Tim. 6:5: The word "perverse" means, "directed away from that which is right or good, perverted. 2. Obstinately persisting in an error or fault" (NAHD). This describes arguments that
are common today over such issues as gay rights, sex education, what is politically correct, and a multitude of other things that are perverse and would not be topics of discussion in a normal society.
1 Tim. 6:5: The word "corrupt" was translated from the Greek word "DIAPHTHEIRO" which means "to rot thoroughly" (Strong). If you eat something that is rotten, it will make you sick. Likewise, if you swallow what people with corrupt minds say, you will become spiritually sick. Christians who have the mind of Christ don't have any business listening to those who have corrupt minds. "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners".
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
A great example of "foolish questions" and the worst type are those which are asked by people who are attempting to give validity to their carnal beliefs or desires which oppose the word of God. They are not even interested in the truth. They attempt to bring us into agreement with their carnal way of thinking.
People who are carnally minded in this way, whether they are believers or not, often like to ask such foolish questions which lead to quarreling and strife.
I think Paul is saying is that we should warn them about what's wrong with their thinking and/or their approach twice. Then if they persist we should walk away and leave them to God.---BTR
This is the only time the word "heretic" is used in Scripture. It is a transliteration of the Greek word "HAIRETIKOS," and its only definition is "a schismatic" (Strong's Concordance); i.e., one who causes schisms. This is a continuation of what Paul was saying in
NOT SPEAKING EVIL HOW TO AVOID - GOSSIP, SLANDER & HYPOCRACY
Titus 3:2 (KJV)
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
To speak evil of no man. Gr., "to blaspheme no one." Doddridge renders it, "Calumniate no one." The idea is, that we are not to slander, revile, or defame any one. We are not to say anything to any one, or of any one, which will do him injury.
It may be necessary, when we are called to state what we know of his character, to say things which are not at all in his favor, or things which he has said or done that were wrong; but
(1.) we should never do this for the purpose of doing him injury, or so as to find a pleasure in it;
and
(2.) where it is necessary to make the statement, it should be so as to do him no injustice. We should give no improper coloring. We should exaggerate no circumstance. We should never attempt to express ourselves about his motives, or charge on him bad motives-for we know not what his motives were. We should state every palliating circumstance of which we have knowledge, and do entire justice to it. We should not make the bad traits of his character prominent, and pass over all that is good. In a word, we should show that we would rather find him to be a good man than a bad man-even if the result should be that we had been mistaken in our opinions. It is better that we should have been mistaken, than that he should be a bad man.
�Barnes' Notes on the New Testament
Titus 3:3 (KJV) 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. This verse completes Titus 3:2 and would seem to indicate that we are supposed to show mercy - since whatever wrong a man has done we have done ourselves. You might say in today's language "Don't be a hypocritical gossip - or a slanderer.
These scriptures are not saying that we should never expose evil or take action against a wrong deed. But when we have to do this we should do it in meekness, with compassion and without malice.
Titus 2:3-4 (YLT)
2 of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome--gentle, showing all meekness to all men,
3 for we were once--also we--thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving desires and pleasures manifold, in malice and envy living, odious--hating one another; 4 and when the kindness and the love to men of God our Savior did appear
There are times when we have to say things about people that they don't like, such as when an employer fires an employee. But it's not speaking evil of that person unless the things said are untrue. However, just because the things being said about a person are true, we have to make sure we aren't saying them with malice, which means intent to hurt. All things, including what we say, should be said for constructive purposes. That's what the next verse goes on to emphasize. We should not enjoy causing strife, which is what a brawler would do. We should be peaceable and gentle, displaying humility in our speech.
Titus 3:3
In the previous verse Paul had admonished us to not speak evil of others. In this verse, he reminds us of how bad we were before coming to Christ. Remembering our own foolishness will help us to have mercy on others.
Prior to conversion we all were dominated by lusts and pleasing self. We had malice towards anyone who displeased us. The word malice means "the desire to harm others or see others suffer; intent to hurt." We were angry and hateful. Remember what we were like before we judge someone just like we were.
Titus 3:4
As Romans 5:8 says, "But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God loved us while we were sinners. We need to extend that same unconditional love to others.
