As a man thinketh in his heart...

With all that's going on in the world today it can be very discouraging and a feeling of desperation can set in. Our Lord doesn't want us to be brought down by the world but to come out of it and separate ourselves from it. We are to put our trust in Him and not in man. After spending what I later discovered was too much time analyzing some of the evils of this world I searched for solace in the cleansing word of God. I found it in Phillipians chapter 4.

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Php 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) 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.
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I wondered why are we instructed to "think on these things"? Maybe these are the seeds that must be 'planted' in order to grow the nine fruits of the spirit!

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Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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Gal 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
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So we must be careful what we 'sow' in our minds (hearts), for out of the abundance of the heart we bring forth either good or evil according to what resides there.

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Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
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Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
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Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
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For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Prov 23:7 )

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Ref. The Fruit of the Spirit - Bible Study Course
Teaching Values to Your Child: How to Make Wise Media Choices
The Battle for Your Mind
The Bible's Keys to Mental Health