Life And Death
By Harry W. Finn
"Death and Life are in the power of the tongue."
-Proverbs 18:21
If we think positive thoughts, we tend to be happy. If we think gloomy thoughts, we tend to be
sad. Fear can make a man behave like a coward. Positive thinking tends to prompt brave action.
Many persons feel very much at the mercy of circumstances. It is true that we suffer from every
kind of pressure, and negative suggestions shower upon us. Yet it is not the circumstance, but our reaction to it, that is
the determining factor. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.” Romans 8:1,2.
IF, THEN, thoughts tend to produce conditions, the conditions can be changed by changing the thoughts.
Indeed, only a thought can combat a thought. The only effective way to get rid of a negative thought is to supply a positive
thought. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought
unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13.
You cannot hold two different pictures in your mind at the same time. One will drive the other
out as sure as light drives away darkness, and you can choose which it shall be. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing
and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
James 3:10-12.
If you wish to eliminate thoughts of fear, sadness, or failure, replace them by thinking positively.
“For by they words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:37.
Here is the point where some persons have difficulty. If you have indulged a long time in negative
thinking, your old thoughts of negation will come drifting back.
But if you are quickly persistent, a time will come when the old habits will be broken and new
thinking will being to produce your new life. “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging
of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6.
Determine to reject the negative.
Those who have never seriously tried this before may be astonished at the number of negative thoughts
which they express in speech.
Notice how often persons say, “I'm afraid,” “I can't,” “I find it
difficult to,” and similar expressions. Work to root out from you conversation and thinking anything that expresses
such negative ideas.
The disintegrating elements of doubt, fear, and failure must be rigorously excluded. If they are
kept out of the mind, they cannot germinate and bring a crop of failure and unhappiness.
Determine to cultivate positive thoughts by constantly dwelling and meditating on the Lord.
Take time every day to wait upon the Lord. Read the best and most inspiring books. Be selective
and be sure you feed into your mind the seed of the crop you with to grow. Cultivate it and the harvest is certain. “He
that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.”
Proverbs 28:19.
Determine to speak only positively about everything and everybody.
Speech is expression, and expressing an idea reinforces it. Try making for yourself a positive
vocabulary.
Take your Bible and search out words which express positive truth. Take words like “success,”
“victory,” “joy,” “ability,” and “quality,” and apply them to your thought
life.
Peace and happiness of mind such as mentioned by Paul are difficult to beat: “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.” Philippians 4:8.
