Thermometer Or Thermostat (Align Your Thoughts With Christ) Series

Thermometer or Thermostat

(Align Your Thoughts with Christ)

Ephesians 6:10-18

Introduction: This is week six in our series “Eight Essential Exercises for Building a Better Body.” We’re continuing to explore the need to build healthy, God-honoring relationships because all of life is lived out in the context of our relationships.

The first exercise we considered was “Allocating Strength.” As we studied this exercise we examined our need to find our strength in the Lord. Without His strength, we can’t even complete the rest of the exercises and our relationships will suffer.

Secondly we explored our need to make certain that our relationships are supported by and grounded in integrity. Without that belt of truth strapped around us, we cannot stand and our relationships crumble.

We then considered the need to access the righteousness of Christ. We need to be right with God before we can be right in our relationships with others, and the way we get right with God is we allow the righteousness of Christ to be given to us. And then we ask him to fill us, to dwell in us and actually change our character so that we are truly a righteous people.

Next we looked at our need to be actively preparing to advance. If our relationships are going to be healthy, God honoring relationships, we must be prepared to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ into those relationships with our words and our actions. A lack of preparation leaves us susceptible to defeat by the enemy.

Last week examined the role that faith plays in our relationships. We must believe in the Word of God. We must trust Jesus enough to “Get into the Wheelbarrow,” and we must let that trust lead us to a life of obedience. When we trust God enough to obey what he teaches regarding our relationship, all of our relationships will be enhanced.

Today we’re going to look at the helmet of salvation. Let’s take some time and explore how the helmet of salvation, allowing Christ to change our mind will impact our relationships. You see, in every relationship you have you are either a thermometer or a thermostat. It is how your thoughts are aligned with Christ that will determine which you are.

Read with me from Ephesians 6:10-18 again.

Ep. 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ep. 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ep. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ep. 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ep. 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

Ep. 6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ep. 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Ep. 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ep. 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

It’s no accident that Paul associates salvation with the head. The head, or the mind, is very much the center of all that we are and all that we do. It stands to reason that since who and what we are flows, to a great extend, out of our minds that Paul would want to make certain that our minds also experienced the salvation of Christ.

Keeping that in mind let me begin this study today by asking this question. “How do I effect positive change in my relationships?” I’m not saying that every relationship you have is a poor relationship or that every relationship is in trouble. But, who doesn’t have a desire to improve every relationship they have. And in order to improve a relationship, you have to effect positive change.

(Note: I’m not talking about the psychobabble “positive change” the world would have us swallow. I’m talking about brining righteousness, holiness, joy, peace, love, kindness, etc. into our relationships. I’m talking about making every relationship we have a relationship that will honor God and draw others closer to Christ.)

Question: So, how do I effect positive, godly, change in my relationships

Answer: By becoming a thermostat.

Do you understand the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer?