Bible Society of South Africa

Living with the right mindset – 16 August 2022

By Fanie Richter

(Di)temana ya Bibele

BAFILIPI 4

8Banabešo, ke fetša ka gore le dule le nagana fela ka tšohle tše e lego tša nnete, tšohle tše di tumišegago, tšohle tše e lego tša go loka, tšohle tše di hlwekilego, tšohle tše di kgahlišago, tšohle tše di dirago gore motho a retwe – a ke re tšohle tše di dirago gore motho e be mothomotho mme a tumišwe ke batho – tšeo ke tšona tše le swanetšego go dula le di nagana.

BAFILIPI 4:8NSO00Bula go Mmadi wa Bibele

With your thinking, you follow a path to a destiny – a conclusion, decision, solution, plan and action. It influences and determines your path of life and also determines your influence on those around you.

It reminds me of a friend who wanted to take a ‘possible’ alternative route back while on a mountain hike – not the only designated one. Suddenly, somewhere in the long grass, there was nothing left under his feet! His body was found 50 metres below. Many people had tragically been affected by it. But even though it would otherwise not have been a deadly height, it would still have had a negative impact on them for the rest of their lives.

Sometimes you are influenced to think a certain way – right or wrong, positive or negative. Perhaps negative thinking has already become part of your personality, with wrong conclusions. Your
direction in life is affected by it. By contrast, God illuminates the right route for you. However, you have to make choices and decisions about the route. Sometimes it is necessary to weed and cut out ‘thorns, other weeds and invasive plants’ on your route.

You can listen to good advice. Christ said that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, would guide us into all truth. In the Spirit and Light of the Lord, you can follow this path that Paul describes in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

How do you think this route will affect you and other people?

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, let your Spirit always renew and control my spirit and mind, that in everything I will think, make decisions, speak and act according to your light and truth. Amen

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