Bible Society of South Africa

A new beginning … with new thoughts – 19 January 2023

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

(Di)temana ya Bibele

DIEMA 4

23Se bohlokwa go feta tšohle ke go itota go tše o di naganago,

gobane ke tšona di laolago bophelo bja gago.

DIEMA 4:23NSO00Bula go Mmadi wa Bibele

2 BAKORINTE 10

4Dihlabani tše re lwago ka tšona ga se tša lefaseng, ke tša Modimo tše maatla, tše re di filwego go pšhatlaganya dibo ka tšona. Re fenya ba ditshele ka dipolelo, 5le ba go ikgantšha ba go gana molaetša wa Modimo. Re leka go dira gore batho ba nagane tše di kgahlago Kriste.

2 BAKORINTE 10:4-5NSO00Bula go Mmadi wa 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

In December, a day after André de Ruyter, CEO of Eskom, resigned, someone tried to poison him with cyanide. A small amount was poured into his coffee. After he drank it, his face turned red, he started vomiting and he had trouble breathing. His security personnel rushed him to the hospital which saved his life.

Cyanide prevents any absorption of oxygen in our bodies. One capsule is enough to kill us within minutes if we don’t get emergency treatment.

This shocking news of De Ruyter made me think of how Satan also tries to “poison” us on a daily basis. He does not use cyanide, but negative thoughts. Initially we might not see the danger in that. Yet, if we do not stop negative thoughts, they turn into bitterness, offence, hatred, blame and even depression. In the same way cyanide prevents oxygen absorption, negativity prevents us from “absorbing” hope and beauty in our hearts.

In Proverbs 4:23 we read: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)

In Ephesians 6 we are reminded to wear the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts daily as armour of God. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 we read: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds … we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

And in Philippians 4:8 we are reminded of what we should be focusing on: “… 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. (NIV)

Cyanide can cause our death – so can negative thoughts. Let’s ponder what we think about and capture any negative thoughts before they ruin our lives. God bless.

Prayer: Father God thank you for giving us weapons to fight against the enemy. Please help me to intentionally keep my mind pure. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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