Romans 5:17

For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in (eternal) live through the One, Jesus Christ.

The devil will try to remind us of our sins and failures constantly. The barrage of criticism is a way to keep us feeling unworthy and unable to move forward spiritually. Paul reminds us that we were made righteous, our sins removed, and we are to reign through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must stand on our faith, remind ourselves we are not the downtrodden sinner and move forward and leave the past behind. 

Isaiah 64:4

For from the days of old no one has heard, nor has ear perceived, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who works and acts on behalf of the one who (gladly) waits for Him.

As Christians, we know the love God has for us. We understand and experience God working on our behalf. Our perspective towards God is one of expectation because God is a rewarder for those who wait for Him. No other God is like our God, who loves and cares for His people!

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be angry (at sin-at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior) yet do not sin; do not let your anger (cause you shame, nor allow it to) last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity (to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness).

Anger is more than an emotion. It is a gateway (if not controlled) to enter into sin. Nothing peaceful ever grows in an angry heart. The seed of peace can’t take root and gets dug up by offense, resentment, and bitterness, producing anger that gives an entryway for the devil. We have a choice to thrive in peace or get stuck in anger. Choose peace.

Psalm 34:13-15

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous (those with moral courage and spiritual integrity). And His ears are open to their cry. 

We control our peace in this life by our attitude, actions, and what we speak. Doing good is more than just an action. It is what God calls us to do. As we stay in line with the word, we remain righteous, and the Lord hears our cry when we call because we keep ourselves from sin and speaking deceit. 

Psalm 119: 28-29

My soul dissolves because of grief; renew and strengthen me according to (the promises of) Your word. Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness and graciously grant me Your law.

Grief comes when we are mourning an ending and are powerless to stop the outcome. Grief will be felt for relationships, death, loss of jobs, and changing circumstances, and God is there to fill in the gap and remove the sadness from our hearts. God will strengthen and preserve us in times of need and release us from falsehood and unfaithfulness that may surround our lives. 

Psalm 119:17-18

Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word (treasuring it and being guided by it day by day). Open my eyes (to spiritual truth) so that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.  

We can never stop learning and moving forward in our faith and keep it as a treasure worth more than Gold as we pray to God to open our eyes to the truths from the word to expand our foundation and grow our spirits. One word from God and the word will change everything in our lives.

1 Timothy 4:1-2

But the (Holy) Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in the later times some will turn from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, (misled) by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron (leaving them incapable of ethical functioning).

Sin is increasing on this earth, and people are choosing to turn away from the faith. Our job now is to keep our focus on Jesus and the Word so we don’t become downtrodden by what we see. Jesus is still in control, and our hearts need not be troubled; this means we must turn away from the negative news and toward the positive power-filled word of God. 

2 Timothy 2:15

Study and do your best to present yourself to God-approved, a workman (tested by trial) who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the Word of truth.  

If we keep attentive to God’s Word, we won’t be ashamed and feel lacking in faith when trials arrive. We are more able to keep our focus and handle the situation. God will show us where to turn in the Word and what to speak to the problem. When we speak our faith and study the Word, our foundation in God will prove invaluable.  

Hebrews 12:11

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose).

Children to adults all require discipline because there are many alternative ungodly options. God shows us in His Word where the pitfalls exist to tempt our thoughts and try our flesh. It may not feel comfortable, but it will help us avoid future mistakes and problems. We will find peace through discipline, and what used to bother us now has no effect.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof and correction is stupid. 

Instruction and discipline keep us away from sin, and sin will take us a long way from God. When God corrects us, He loves us and is trying to keep us safe. We cannot harden our hearts to God, turn to sin, and expect our lives to go well.