Scriptures to Live by
Power-Packed Passages
1.“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1, NKJV
I’ve tried it both ways and, believe me, the Bible’s way is the right way.
Here’s a confession. I have never been criticized more than I have been since I have been here, at Today’s Pentecostal Evangel. When you publish a magazine every week, there are a lot of things that people can disagree with. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they’re not.
I have found it much better to answer softly than to become defensive. Though people may still disagree with me, we do not become enemies. No two Christians should ever be enemies.
We have two options as I see it: agree, or disagree agreeably.
“A soft answer turns away wrath” is a great Scripture to live by.
2. Think about good things.
We have all heard the positive thinking slogans.
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.”
“Talk your dreams into reality.”
“You live what you say.”
None of these is true. But there is an element of truth in them.
The psychological mind-over-matter philosophy is wrong, as is the speak-truth-into-reality positive confession doctrine. But there is a biblical version of positive thinking that is 100% right on — and Christians should practice it every day.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
This is some of the best advice for solid Christian living to be found anywhere. Get into the habit of thinking about good things.
Fill your mind with thoughts of things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report … anything virtuous or praiseworthy. This is God’s Word’s version of positive thinking. It’s not trying to convince yourself; it is filling your spirit with the best possible thoughts.
Try living in Philippians 4:8 for a few days. You will find this is one habit you won’t want to break.
Though the verse does not promise you wealth or prosperity, if you heed it, you mind, spirit, body, even your future will be more positive, promising and filled with the good things of God.
Why not try positive thinking, Bible-style?
3. “Do it heartily, as to the Lord”
This has been a life verse for me. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV).
There have been times in my life when I did not excel because I did not give it my all. There are also times that I didn’t do too well simply because I was doing it for myself, not Jesus.
This verse will cure a multitude of sins. Christians can even do God’s work selfishly, for their own glory or even out of a sense of obligation to someone else.
As I get older I realize I need to pour every ounce of energy into everything. This means that even in the “non-religious” things you need to do them as unto Jesus. This soon eliminates some things. If it can’t be done as unto Him, it shouldn’t be done.
Recreation, time with friends and family … all of these things can be done as unto the Lord, just as much as the more spiritual things.
The key is, we need to give everything our all … and do it for Jesus.
4. Put spiritual riches first.
“He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
Proverbs 11:28, NKJV
Things are not important; people are. Material possessions pale in comparison to spiritual possessions. You will flourish if you make spiritual riches your goal. see Colossians 3:1-3.
The Message puts Proverbs 11:28 this way:
“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.”
God wants us all to flourish. Putting Him first is how to do it.
5. Bring your sins to God.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
We often use this as a salvation text, and, yes, there is an application there. However, this passage was written to Christians. It has been called “the Christian’s bar of soap.” When a believer yields to sin, he or she has this wonderful promise. Even when a child of God sins there is this wonderful promise that a loving Father stands ready to forgive that sin … if we are sincere in our repentance.
6. Memorize Scripture
It’s one of the first verses small children learn in Sunday School. It’s short and simple. Yet it is profound and carries one of the deepest, most important truths in the Bible.
It’s Psalm 119:11: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” I learned it in the KJV: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Here’s the simple, profound truth: Scripture memory will make sin less likely.
I have three degrees—a B.S., M.A., and D.Min. But, though I treasure my education, none of it has impacted my life as significantly as my decision to make Scripture memory an important part of my devotional life. When your heart and mind are full of God’s Word, it inclines you to a holy life and disinclines you to sin. It doesn’t make you perfect—that’s still future—but it certainly makes you a better Christian.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). If God’s Word is your treasure, your inner life, and your outer behavior will be spiritually strong.
