EACH THOUGHT AND EACH MOTIVE

BENEATH HIS CONTROL

Beth Johnson

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Pet. 1:15).

The English word conversation used in this passage is not generally used today.  What is the meaning? It comes from the Greek #391—behavior.  You may like to have a list of the passages that use this word (2 Cor. 1:12; Gal. 1:13; Eph. 2:3 and 4:22; Php. 1:27 and 3:20; 1 Tim. 4:12; Heb. 13:5 & 13:7; James 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:15 & 18; 2:12; 3:1-2, 16; 2 Pet. 2:7 and 2 Peter 3:11).

Again we turn to a definition to find the meaning of behavior—actions, speech, thoughts, the way we dress, our choice of companions, etc., which everyone uses to judge morality.  The following scripture describes it well:

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:  and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say (1 Cor. 10:6-15).

My hope today is to edify you to be holy in mind, body, action, motive, speech and dress—everything.  Remember that older women are commanded to teach the younger (Titus 2:3-5). Before they can teach the younger women, they must maintain certain qualities first:

• Holiness first
• Not false accuser
• Not given to much wine
• Teacher of good things

We can encourage and teach these qualities in others directly and by EXAMPLE. Christian women everywhere may also teach an unbelieving husband by her chaste example [behavior] (1 Pet. 3:1-4).

As we begin, note particularly the line in vs. 4 of the song, “TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY”, which says, “Each thought and each motive beneath His control.”

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with the Father alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

W. D. Longstaff

Public Domain

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