Be A.L.E.R.T. Ser. Scott Alan www.eccl.org © 2013-2021. All rights reserved.
We could rephrase this acronym as become alert or stay alert. You can lock it in however it works for you. We just offer it as a helpful tool for your daily battles. First, memorize your need to be Aware of Lusts, Emotions, Resentments, and your Tongue. Repeat those few words until they start etching their way into your long term memory. Now let’s break them down.
Aware of every thought and bring it into subjection to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Is it worthy of your calling or is it of Satan?
Lusts, likes, and loves can replace our attention to God by over-stimulating our pleasure centers to the point of addiction. They can promote idol worship of self, others, or things, to the point they take control of you.
Emotions can lower us to an animal state if we allow them. We are created for something much greater and must maintain that higher calling (Proverbs 29:11).
Resentments are evidence of our failure to completely forgive others, which means we are not yet forgiven either. See our article: Forgive and Reflect.
Tongues expose the heart’s health. These two robust muscles share such a strong bond in spiritual health and disease, we can benefit by first comparing some physical traits. When we’re exposed to a cold or flu virus, we can become carriers before we feel the symptoms. Likewise, we can spread spiritual illness before it comes to our attention.
Whether by murmur, gossip, deceit, or any other diseased transmission, we can have an adverse effect on everyone we contact and their subsequent contacts (Proverbs 30:32). Please remember that of all those who have mastered speech, they include pathological liars and other evil minded folks. They know exactly what to say to get what they want.
People who realize they’ve come down with something and are growing spiritually can at least cover their mouths before they cough, sneeze, or speak any ill, mindful of their potential infection of others. For this reason, we emphasize spiritual heart health first, as we see how the mouth will eventually follow (despite an occasional hiccup along the way). Consider your tongue as a sort of meter for your heart’s health. If you think or speak ill of anyone, including yourself, you need to fight off a spiritual type of infection. It can come from different sources, including Satan and his minions. Resist him and allow God’s spirit to heal and strengthen.
You’ve probably heard of hair replacement therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Please consider continuing on your lifelong road to spiritual health with heart replacement therapy. It's interesting how the words valve and value share elements of control and strength. Consider your valuation of everything and how it compares to God’s values or Satan’s devaluation.
So which spirit will we follow? How do we change our selections and our destination? We’ve posted a simple Replacement Therapy chart you can print out and consult frequently. There is some white space on it for you to write in verses, your own notes, or additions. You might notice a type of circular flow on both sides of the ledger and some cross reference from side to side. The neutral space in between reminds us of a future when Satan is bound, yet there remains a possible Godless void. The chart doesn’t list every possible challenge, habit, or addiction, but it can be adapted on the go for your personal growth and renewal. God bless! (Click on GoodNewsClips™ for the 2018 Replacement Therapy chart PDF download, scriptural support, and MP3 audio notes.) |