Sins of the Mind or Spirit
Whatever is constantly on your mind is what you become. To put it another way, you are what you think. Want to become a saint? Then read, study, and take to heart — the New Testament. Want to become a moral degenerate? Then read, study, and take to heart — pornography. We can’t help it. That’s the way we are made. Whoever we associate with, whatever we read, whatever we watch on television, whatever we allow our minds to dwell on, becomes, in time, our character and our destiny.
Paul understood this principle. “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.” (Philippians 4:8)
On the other hand, he cautions us: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
And finally he gives us this straightforward warning: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Here is what we must reject: anger, arrogance, bitterness, cowardice, deceit, envy, evil thoughts, folly or foolishness, greed, hate, hypocrisy, jealousy, lust, pride, rage, selfish ambition, and worry. If we give anyone of these sins of the mind or spirit, free reign, it will destroy us. Let’s briefly examine what Jesus and his disciples had to say on each of these sins.
Anger
We are to control our anger; we must not allow our anger to control us. Jesus put it this way: Anyone who is angry with his brother is subject to judgment. Anyone who says, “You fool!” is in danger of the fire of hell.