What God wants to dwell in us is the same type of peaceful environment that He wants us to cultivate, encourage, and also surround ourselves with. It can start with us, or it can start with someone else. But it’s that positive growth environment that has a way of promoting growth in others.
Hebrews 12:1: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” When I remembered this verse, and how it mentioned ‘a cloud of witnesses’, it made me think of our environment. Clouds are a part of the environment, but here, it’s a cloud of witnesses. The preceding chapter in Hebrews had just gone through and listed all the great heroes of the faith. This cloud is something that gives us encouragement and hope. If we remember these in history—that they were just human beings like us—it brings it down to a relatable level. It’s in this way that these believers from the past can become a part of our environment right now.
1 Corinthians 15:33: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” The kind of talk we surround ourselves with will eventually have an impact on us. It’s not something that we are immune from. The way other people talk can become a part of the way we talk. But even if we don’t begin to talk as they do, it can begin to affect our thinking. So many things begin with our thinking. That’s why it’s so important to keep a guard on our minds. Though challenging at times, it’s well worth the effort. Any polluting ideas we can keep out of our thoughts will only aid in our spiritual growth.
Philippians 4:8: “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.” In thinking about the environment surrounding us, it’s easy to miss the environment in our heads. If we were to be honest, sometimes, we would have to admit that it isn’t always a positive environment. Here, this verse urges us to think on these things because they are elemental to our spiritual growth. It determines the direction of our lives. And it determines our attitude while we go in that direction.
Matthew 10:13: “And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.” The peace we have as believers can be felt and sensed by others. Some are accepting of us; some aren’t. Jesus’ command to the disciples involved helping to create an environment of peace. The peace of God is available for everybody, but not everybody is open to receive it. Some may reject us and our witness, but in the process, they are rejecting God and His message. The end result is ‘no peace’. They don’t like the environment, and as a result, they suffer an unhealthy climate.
Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Those we spend time with—those other believers who become a part of our environment—are the ones who uphold us and give us those words when we need them the most. To ‘exhort’, means to ‘strongly encourage’. It’s a word we don’t use much today, but it’s a much needed thing in the Church. Sometimes even the simplest comment can help build somebody up.
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Hebrews 12:1: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
1 Corinthians 15:33: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Philippians 4:8: “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.”
Matthew 10:13: “And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.”
Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”