Christian Lifestyle

The Power Of Words

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1 NIV

There is a lesson in this for everyone if we look past the religious elements. Every sentence starts with a word. The very reality that surrounds us is created by words, however, thoughts cannot become reality without words. We have been taught this throughout history, even as far back as the Bible. As an illustration, when God commanded, “Let there be light,” there was light. They must be our most potent instruments yet if our words and thoughts are the actual means by which we shape reality.

Thoughts have an impact on what we manifest in our life as well, however, some contend that words have more power than thoughts. We can boldly affirm our innermost thoughts with the language we use. They serve as confirmation for the way we perceive the world, other people, and ourselves. Our words act as a strong affirmation, and it is this affirmation that allows our thoughts to become a reality.

Below are two ways we can use words for our best interest.

Two Approaches To Word Use

Photo source: Prateek Katyal

Picking words carefully

We have conditioned ourselves as a culture to talk about our troubles and misfortunes. We create things by communicating to the world our interpretations of things, other people, and ourselves. By that admission, we are putting those negative thoughts out there for them to become a reality when we lament or complain about our lives to others. When we speak aloud, most of the time, our words become true not only in our minds but also in the minds of those we are speaking to.

Let us start being more mindful of the words we use to describe ourselves and our lives and work on improving our self-awareness. Let us avoid using any negative language since doing so prevents us from attracting the life we want. Our words are the paint we use to create the reality we see. To build a reality that is beneficial to us, let us carefully and positively choose the words we use.

Speaking truthfully

We frequently act out of anxiety when we grumble about life, speak nervously, or use hateful language. Therefore, improving our self-awareness of the words we are using is the first step we need to take to overcome this.

The next time we are about to criticize ourselves or others, let us stop and consider why we are doing it and how it will contribute to our happiness.

In conclusion, let us utilize our words carefully because they are the foundation of our world.

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Living a Chaste Life

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Many young couples earnestly adhere to the Church’s teachings that restrict having sex before marriage. They are aware of the many compelling arguments supporting the notion that fornication is fundamentally sinful. Even though these young couples have the best of intentions and a strong desire to maintain their chastity, they frequently encounter extreme temptation, and some give in to that desire, occasionally leading to pregnancies.

Chastity, therefore, is an attribute connected to temperance. According to their state of life, a chaste person abstains from either sexual conduct deemed immoral or any sexual activity. Chastity and celibacy are synonymous in some situations, such as when one takes a pledge of chastity.

Without chastity, the virtue that allows us to regulate our sexual urges rather than let them control us, it is almost impossible to have a happy marriage. Chastity is also a challenging virtue to grow in. It will be extremely challenging to develop after marriage if it is not fully formed before marriage. Therefore, achieving the virtue of chastity is something that should be done before getting married.

Ponder about some specific actions you can take to complete this wonderful mission, and keep in mind that you can still go back no matter how far you’ve already traveled in the opposite direction.

Avoid becoming too emotionally dependent on one another.

This could seem unusual because, after all, you are in love, but with a certain degree of “all-out dependency,” that love rapidly turns into an emotional attachment that hinders you from getting to know each other all that well. Such dependence is evident when you talk on the phone for hours on end and cannot wait for the next call; if the call does not come, you panic, believing your friend does not love you; when you believe you must do everything including studying together; and when you schedule your days so that you are in close contact. Undue sexual closeness is the logical conclusion of this immature reliance.

Steer clear of potential sinful situations.

This notion is frequently regarded as archaic and prudishly out of date today. It is a pearl of sensible advice that will be helpful to young couples with their unique endeavor. It means that you should not spend alone time when you are alone together. Spend time together in public places like parks and shopping centers. This is realistic, not conservative.

You can cultivate the virtue of purity, which purifies the mind and heart of lust, alongside the virtue of chastity, which is so intimately related to it.

Young people can get their heads “out of the gutter,” so to speak, by constant effort, working with God’s mercy, and with the aid of the graces. The freedom that comes from being free of dirty ideas is immense. One is free to treat people as people, and not as objects of emotion, for their own sake. And those who still have lingering habits of solitary sexual actions left over from a possible weakness in youth can rapidly and efficiently overcome them with the development of the twin virtues of chastity and purity.

One can only make an informed choice about marriage or celibacy when their sexual drive is under control. By adopting this mindset, many more people will enter religious life, many more marriages will be stable and happy, and many premarital couples will have far happier courtships.

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Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

“But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to as well.” – Matthew. 6:33

Unlike Abraham Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs, which places physical needs at the bottom of the triangle and self-actualization at the top, as Christians, we must place our need for God at the apex of the triangle, and the triangle must then be reversed so that our need for God becomes our most basic needs. All other requirements will be addressed later if this basic need is fulfilled.

The accomplishment of God’s will on Earth is hence the kingdom of God. Only by obeying God’s commandments as Christians can we fulfill God’s will on earth. God lives in us in this manner. “And when he was demanded o the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, the kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” -Luke. 17:20-21

It’s critical to remember that, as Christians, we must first seek God’s kingdom, not just when we are in trouble but because life is meaningless without God. The exceeding righteousness that comes from placing our trust in Him and emulating Him, Jesus makes clear, is required for the kingdom. When we perform religious devotions and obligations, our motives must be pure.

Furthermore, the Bible is dedicated to recounting the wonderful story of Jesus and how His followers can seek and find fulfillment in Him. The first and most important way we can seek the Lord is to read the Bible. Here are two other practical methods in which we can seek the Lord.

We must admit and repent of the other.

We are to worship only one God, according to the Bible. The command to cast off idols is repeated from beginning to end. If there is something in our lives that we value more than Christ, that item has become a lord and an idol, preventing us from finding satisfaction in the King.

Submit all our emotions and worries to the Lord.

We must not only repent of the sin that so easily arises in our hearts, but we must also bring our emotions to the Lord daily. We must make God the King of our emotions to seek first the kingdom of God.

Finally, it is expected of us as Christians to seek God’s kingship first in every matter and moment of our lives. We don’t need to be concerned about anything if we believe in our heavenly Father’s kingship.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple – Psalms 27:4

How else can we actively seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness? Let us know in the comments below.

What is Confession?

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs. 28:13

All Christians strive to live their lives by the teachings of Jesus Christ. He calls us to imitate God, practice righteousness, and live a life that pleases Him. As humans, we stray, fall short, and succumb to sinful temptations. Christ introduced the mystery of confession to combat this sickness of the soul. As the sole creator of this world and the ultimate judge, we must show our regret to God through confessions whenever we disobey His commandments, just as we do when we hurt our family and friends. God is a forgiving God, therefore when we call on Him, He is always ready to listen.

What is Confession?

Confession, therefore, is the public or private acknowledgment of sinfulness, which is regarded as necessary to receive divine pardon. It is a way for us to encounter God in all His glory on our planet. When we sin, we end up alienating ourselves from God, our fellow humans, and our genuine selves, which damages our relationship with Him.

As a result, we should confess our transgressions to God whenever we sin, because He despises sin, which separates us from Him and leads to death as stated in Romans.6:23.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

How can we confess our sins to God?

Here are some guidelines for confessing our sins.

Invest time in God’s presence.

To begin with, we should spend time with God and in His Word regularly. The Lord can make us aware of specific sins while we fellowship with Him in prayer. We do not have to examine ourselves or worry about whether we have made a mistake. God is light, and when we spend time with Him, He reveals our sins. We may see what we need to confess right away when He shines. We will become more sensitive to the Lord’s light shining on us as we allow Him to shine on us. This is one of the reasons why having daily time with the Lord is a good idea.

Confess everything the Lord puts His light on.

Whatever the Lord Jesus shines on us, we should confess it. We may believe that some things do not matter, that they are insignificant, but if we let what we think are little transgressions accumulate, we will find it is all too easy to let even a major transgression go unconfessed and suffer the repercussions in our relationship with the Lord.

Take considerable time in the presence of the Lord for extended lengths of time.

We can spend long periods with the Lord particularly to be under His glory, in addition to our daily time with Him. We can spend an additional thirty minutes or an hour with the Lord once a week to give Him more opportunity to reveal our hearts. We’ll have more time to respond to His instructions, and revelations and to confess more profoundly and finely as well. We can start these moments by praying or singing a hymn to the Lord using Bible scriptures. Then we might simply beg the Lord to shine on us and confess whatever He shines upon us. By devoting extended periods to fellowship with the Lord, we not only restore our fellowship with the Lord but also strengthen it.

As Christians, we are expected to live righteous lives so that we may enjoy eternal life in Christ Jesus. As a result, living a moral life entails confessing our sins when necessary.

Remember, the Bible promises to set us free when we confess.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9

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Are You in An Abusive Relationship?

Abuse in a relationship can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, or all three, but it always involves aggression, contempt, cruelty, injury, or force.

Abuse, in whatever form, has a tremendous impact on one’s emotional stability, and because emotional health is so crucial to one’s well-being, it is critical to recognize the signs of an abusive partner and avoid them while guarding your heart.

“Above all else, guard your heart,” Proverbs 4:23 says, “because everything you do flows from it.” By guarding your heart, you end up taking care of yourself and obeying the Word of God, which in turn enables you to be discerning of dangerous associations rather than always looking for faults in yourself to justify the other party’s behavior. Here are some indicators that you may be in an abusive relationship.

Disrespect

An abusive partner ridicules you in front of others, insults and calls you names, never respects your requests, and dismisses your viewpoint. While disrespect can take many forms, including physical, sexual, and mental abuse, it is vital to remember that you can only be treated in a certain way if you allow it to happen. While there could be times when you can only control so much, do ensure that you speak up when disrespected and maintain your assertiveness.

Lies

One of the most fundamental cornerstones in any great relationship is trust. A spouse who does not respect you enough to always tell you the truth is likely to abuse and gaslight you.

Isolating you from loved ones

Isolation is key tactic abusers use to make sure other people do not realize their victims are being abused. They do not necessarily need to use threats or violence to keep you at home.

“The abuser discourages contact with others in subtle and manipulative ways, preventing loved ones from being able to detect changes in mood or well-being,” Genovese says.

Controlling behavior

An abuser may try to keep you under control by restricting your freedom to leave the house, seizing control of your funds, and monitoring your online activity, to name a few. This may start small, such as constantly calling or texting you when you are away from them, but it can escalate quickly.

Physical and, or sexual abuse

A physically abusive partner may attack you at any time, resulting in emotional and mental instability or even death, while a sexually abusive partner may force you to have sex, resulting in long-term health difficulties.

Given this, you should avoid the effects of abuse by saying no to abusers and seek professional help if you find yourself in such a situation, keeping in mind that your mental health is crucial to your growth. Abuse is not a form of power, therefore do not support it. If you know of an abuser, speak to a professional about it in the hopes that they too can get help. Oftentimes, abusers struggle with unmet needs which can be addressed clinically.

Above all else, prayerfully think through every association, especially romantic associations and do not entangle yourself with anyone who hinders your ability to grow in Christ.

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Overcoming Addiction as a Christian

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God’s” – 1 Corinthians 6: 19- 20 NKJV

Addiction impacts toddlers and teenagers, young people, and elderly men and women alike, and affects people of all ethnicities, demographics, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It varies from person to person since some people battle with addiction more than others. While addictive behaviors share similar neurological and psychological processes and produce pleasurable feelings and sensations, persons attempting to cure an addiction frequently replace such behaviors with other alternatives that may not be healthy.

Addiction, therefore, is a relationship between a person and an object, substance, or activity. The object or activity becomes increasingly important as the addiction progresses, whereas formerly important activities become less important. In the end, addiction is about a complex conflict between acting on an urge and resisting it. The condition has existed since the dawn of time, and society has been trying to develop various remedies for it for nearly as long. As one might expect, some of the previous methods of addiction treatment were less than pleasant, making it even more fortunate that we now live in a society where compassionate care is available. While we do not know everything about how it was treated in the past, there are enough accounts of treatment procedures from the last 300 years to give us a good idea.

It is also worth noting that the recovery process only works if the individual battling addiction acknowledges the problem and the challenge that comes with it.

According to the transtheoretical model of behavior change, any change requires a process that begins with pre-contemplation and progresses to contemplation. You may be in denial about the impacts of your battle with addiction in the early stages of treatment. You may experience feelings of doubt as you become more conscious of the issues you’re dealing with, even as you become more aware of your need to conquer your addiction. However, once you have decided to change, you may start planning your next steps. The length of time it takes to recover varies from person to person based on the severity of the addiction, and it requires a certain amount of consistency to get the desired result, therefore addiction is not a hopeless situation.

Recognizing and accepting the warning symptoms of addiction can be frightening, especially as a Christian living in a society where many are ostracized for the same. Starting to seek addiction treatment is a far more difficult task, however, it is important to mention that there is nothing wrong with seeking help from addiction as a Christian.

Seeking counseling and therapy is one approach to get started with the process as outpatient or inpatient programs are both available. These programs also help you develop and strengthen (healthy) life 樂威壯
skills, as well as provide structure and support for long-term recovery.

Here are some of the approaches or ways you might come across:

Behavioral therapy

This comprises dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing (MI), which are often done one-on-one. They are designed to change people’s behavior, emotions, and attitudes. They assist you in taking responsibility for your recovery and abstinence. Through this therapy, you can also improve family and close relationship communications and dynamics.

Group psychotherapy

This method, which is facilitated by at least one therapist, creates a space for you to relate to other patients who are dealing with similar problems. This allows you or a loved one to share knowledge and assist other patients. You can use this to create healthy and loving relationships.

Support groups

These provide a secure place in which to discuss personal challenges and addiction issues. After finishing therapy, these organizations provide support and follow-up care. However, they cannot be utilized in place of a strategic, well-planned treatment.

Prayer

Above all, it is important to maintain and continuously work on your relationship with God as a Christian. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 admonishes us that we should care for our body as it is the temple of God. This means avoiding, at all costs, anything that destroys our ability to connect with God. Prayer is one way we can ensure we walk in alignment with God’s purpose for our lives. It is important to constantly study His Word too. You can read more about How to Understand the Word of God Better

No Christian is perfect. Every Christian is battling with something. One of those things could be an addiction, and if that is the case, feel loved, and feel heard. Explore some of these tips and we hope you recover soon.

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How Much Caffeine is Too Much Caffeine?

Caffeine is a stimulant found in several foods and drinks like tea and coffee. Caffeine can also be found in kola nuts and chocolate-flavored snacks. It is quite popular in everyday meals because of its ability to help people regain mental clarity when tired.

An overdose of caffeine can cause a variety of symptoms and side effects such as dizziness, headache, sleeplessness, and fever, among others, which may not appear as serious as vomiting, chest discomfort, and convulsions. Some of these serious symptoms may require urgent medical attention. Caffeine in high dosages may also increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight in expectant mothers. It should be limited or avoided entirely during pregnancy.

Coffee and coffee beans. Source: Pexel Photos

However, avoiding caffeine can be difficult because it is a common ingredient in many foods and drinks. According to Mayo Clinic, most healthy persons may tolerate up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Four cups of brewed coffee, ten cans of Coca-Cola, or two “energy shot” drinks have about the same amount of caffeine. Important to mention that caffeine concentration in beverages varies significantly, particularly in energy drinks.

Given this insight into caffeine education, we must take care of our bodies and monitor the amount of caffeine we ingest regularly. However, caffeine affects each individual differently, hence not a one-size-fits-all. It is, therefore, important to learn how your body reacts to it.

Has caffeine consumption ever affected you negatively? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Understand the Word of God Better

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” – 1 Peter 2:2

1 Peter 2:2 serves to remind us that just as every little child needs milk to grow, every believer should crave spiritual milk to grow in the faith. Believers are encouraged to make the Word of God a priority and must live by it thereby. Furthermore, when believers do this, the Word becomes a lamp unto their feet and a light for their path (Psalms 119:105). How can believers, therefore, better understand God’s Word and reap its blessings and promise of guidance?

By having an intimate relationship with God through His Word. As John 1:1 puts it:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” – John 1:1

While introducing God as the Word, John’s first verse establishes numerous essential truths, including the Word’s existence from the beginning of creation and the Word’s presence with God, as well as God Himself being the very Word. This means that when we connect with the Word of God, we are connecting with God Himself. This sets a beautiful opportunity to interact with God daily. There are various steps believers can take in their daily lives to ensure they are interacting with God, and building an intimate relationship with Him through His Word. Such include:

1. True repentance

“…but what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. – Romans 10:8-11 NKJV

It is critical to profess true repentance because the Bible repeatedly states that sin leads to death and destruction. There are consequences to going against God’s design on how believers should live and obey Him, and destruction completely separates believers from Him and leaves them in disharmony with Him. True repentance allows believers to live in harmony with God and acknowledge His sovereignty in their lives. Additionally, it is only through true repentance that believers can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit which will lead them into all truth and guide them in the way that they should go, and how they should interact with God’s Word.

2. Having dedicated study time.

The Bible is a spiritual textbook that necessitates time spent studying it. Believers should make bible study regimens just as they make study regimens for academic endeavors. This helps edify the soul and ensures that the believer meditates on the Word day and night.

3. Spending time in prayer

Each believer needs to spend time in prayer before reading the Word of God, asking the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth as promised in John 16:13. Furthermore, prayer brings the acknowledgment of the fact that scripture is inspired by God Himself. “For the prophecy did not come by the will of man in old-time, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:21

4. Being diligent.

Believers must be diligent in their study of the Bible. The same diligence practiced in areas of work, education, and daily activities must be applied in greater measure when studying the Word of God. Diligent study and dedication to God’s Word is one way a believer can learn about God’s will for their lives.

5. Practicing the Word.

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:23-25

James 1:23-25 explains why we should not only be hearers of the Word, but also doers, for it is through practicing the Word that we become like God.

Each Believer should, therefore, first accept Christ as their personal Savior, pray before reading His Word, endeavor to be diligent in Bible study and finally, practice what the Word of God says. Through this, believers can understand God’s Word better, increase in faith and find true joy in fellowship with God.

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Finding Completeness in the Absence of Children | Nosisa’s Story

“Women can be complete without children” – Nosisa Doe

Women deserve to be recognized for their significant contributions to society, great victories, and unrivaled bravery. Despite gender disparities in many fields, women continue to flourish and succeed. As a result, women must be encouraged, motivated, and inspired to keep fighting, rather than being ostracized due to a lack of biological children.

Nosisa is an example of a woman blessed with a child at God’s own time, and an excellent role model for aspiring mothers because she kept loyal to her faith and never gave up on God despite her prolonged waiting period. She believed that God’s timing was always optimal, and therefore, she let go and let God.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 6 to 12 percent of women of reproductive age worldwide. According to research, successful therapy resulting in pregnancy is more likely to occur in the first three to four months of treatment. Several women have shared their tales of childbirth after being diagnosed with the condition, making each birth and conception story a unique one.

Nosisa’s was one very unique story; a tale that every aspiring mother battling with PCOS needs to read. Nosisa, a Zimbabwean, migrated to Ghana at the age of thirty-one after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome in her twenties and being informed by three different doctors in three different countries that she would be unable to bear children. She also recounted her difficult time growing up as she never felt good enough. This phase further intensified her feelings, prompting her to doubt her husband’s affirmation of her occasionally.

Before moving to Ghana, Nosisa had a dream where she saw children in a white car; children who belonged to her. However, it remained a dream. She sobbed and questioned God several times following the dream, asking why she could not have children like Hannah in the Bible. Nosisa recalls being stigmatized on several occasions, by various society members asking “Why don’t you try In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)”, or “has your husband explored other options?.”

Such remarks only intensified Nosisa’s displeasure, making her question whether she did something wrong. She felt incomplete. However, this did not shake her faith in God. She grew more vocal with God, citing Isaiah 1:18:

“Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Even though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, and even if they are red as crimson, they will be as wool” – Isaiah 1:18

These words consoled Nosisa during her difficult moments and kept her faith alive. She recognized that no matter what she thought she had done wrong, God was willing to forgive her. As a result, she made positive declarations throughout those trying moments which edified her spiritually and affirmed Christ’s love for her, childless or not.

Aside from consoling herself, she also took the initiative to advise young women in similar situations not to blame themselves for their inability to bear children, teaching them that women can be whole without children and that God does all things perfectly in His own time.

“Have faith and surround yourself with people who proclaim life rather than death,” she would encourage other women.

Her family played a major role in helping her grow past her pain and demonstrated that “family is everything” by being there for her during her most trying period.

“My husband, mother, and mother-in-law were all very supportive. I recall a time when my mother-in-law kept me away from those who made it seem like my husband made a mistake by marrying me” she says.

Nosisa finally gave birth to her first child, a girl, in 2014 at the age of 34, and her second child, a boy, two years later at the age of 36, which she believes was God’s plan. This testimony reaffirmed her faith in God’s will for man, which she described as “perfect” and “perfectly timed.” Interestingly, the children Nosisa gave birth to looked exactly like the children she had seen in her dreams right before moving to Ghana.

“Do not tell people how deep the valley they are in is. Tell them how beautiful it is to be on the tallest mountain.” Nosisa Doe

Nosisa’s words set out to encourage aspiring mothers and women battling with polycystic ovarian syndrome is that there is hope especially when faith is anchored on God.

Are you a young woman who is battling with or has battled with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? What is your story? Let us know in the comment section. Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T LISTEN TO SECULAR MUSIC

I haven’t met a person with an aversion to music. The right combination of instruments, voices and lyrics birth a masterpiece that lingers in our minds for hours and days. It is comparable to food; the right recipe produces remarkable taste. What’s worth noting, however, is that the quality of food isn’t solely dependent on its taste but its effect on health. I opine that good food should have good taste and have positive effects on our health. The same reasoning applies to music; true musical satisfaction can only be the effect of a great sound and a message healthy enough for our minds.

Humans like to define and categorize things to ease the complexities of selection. The music industry is one of the victims of the said categorization. The industry denotes its categorization by the word ‘genre.’ Usually, the definitive feature of a genre is its sound and instrumentation, and R&B, Hip-hop, soul, and rock are a few examples. Gospel or Christian music is one of the few if not the only genre defined by its message. The problem this creates for Christians is that it splits the industry into two: gospel and secular. This phenomenon is only problematic because of the tendency for Christians to limit Christian music not just by its message but by its sound too. The apparent segregation of gospel and secular music results in the Christian community associating a particular sound with gospel music, thus neglecting all other music without this sound even when the messages are Christian.

For the sake of clarity, when I refer to Christian music in subsequent paragraphs, I’m not limiting it to music that is sung in church by a choir. I am also not referring to Christian music as music with Christian references and words like ‘Hallelujah, Amen, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Savior, etc. Christian music is music whose message conforms to Christian values, message, and direction. The lack of Christian references isn’t what makes a song secular. Secular music draws you further away from Christian virtues with its message. Songs that promote misogyny, racism, violence, indiscriminate sex, lust are not healthy for consumption.

WHAT CAN WE LISTEN TO

Phi 4:8 KJV

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.

As said earlier, music affects the mind. Songs can influence your thoughts and change your perspective on life. Therefore we need to be our own judges of what we can listen to. We shouldn’t categorize songs as gospel just because it is sung in church nor should we write off a song we heard on the street as secular just because the lyrics did not mention God or Jesus.

Our decision on what we can and should listen to must stem from what the word of God says. From what we see in Philippians 4:8, we must endeavor to listen to music that will influence us to think about things that are lovely, pure, virtuous, and of good report. It is safe to listen to music that will influence our thinking in such a manner. Any form of music that does not induce positive thoughts and actions should not be entertained.

THE INFLUENCE

There’s a reason why adverts, rallies, political campaigns, funerals and other programs employ music is to set the mood. Music has the power to make you act in accordance to whatever mood or message the song is propagating. The more you listen to negativity, the more you allow yourself to be engulfed in a negative atmosphere. Listening to music that supports sex, drugs, violence and other vices would in time slave you into practicing the same. Ensure that you listen to positive music, to maintain a positive mentality and the energy necessary for your spiritual well-being to go about your day. Wondering where you can have access to such quality music? Right here on Dominion Tv.

Author

Kobina Oduro Korankye

1 2 345 6

Christian Lifestyle

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1 NIV

Two Approaches To Word Use

Picking words carefully

Speaking truthfully

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Avoid becoming too emotionally dependent on one another.

Steer clear of potential sinful situations.

You can cultivate the virtue of purity, which purifies the mind and heart of lust, alongside the virtue of chastity, which is so intimately related to it.

Liked this article? Follow our blog for more content on inspired and empowered living. Do not forget to share this with a friend who may need it.

“But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to as well.” – Matthew. 6:33

We must admit and repent of the other.

Submit all our emotions and worries to the Lord.

How else can we actively seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness? Let us know in the comments below.

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs. 28:13

What is Confession?

How can we confess our sins to God?

Invest time in God’s presence.

Confess everything the Lord puts His light on.

Take considerable time in the presence of the Lord for extended lengths of time.

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Abuse in a relationship can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, or all three, but it always involves aggression, contempt, cruelty, injury, or force.

Disrespect

Lies

Isolating you from loved ones

Controlling behavior

Physical and, or sexual abuse

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“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God’s” – 1 Corinthians 6: 19- 20 NKJV

It is also worth noting that the recovery process only works if the individual battling addiction acknowledges the problem and the challenge that comes with it.

Behavioral therapy

Group psychotherapy

Support groups

Prayer

No Christian is perfect. Every Christian is battling with something. One of those things could be an addiction, and if that is the case, feel loved, and feel heard. Explore some of these tips and we hope you recover soon.

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Caffeine is a stimulant found in several foods and drinks like tea and coffee. Caffeine can also be found in kola nuts and chocolate-flavored snacks. It is quite popular in everyday meals because of its ability to help people regain mental clarity when tired.

Has caffeine consumption ever affected you negatively? Let us know in the comments below.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” – 1 Peter 2:2

1. True repentance

2. Having dedicated study time.

3. Spending time in prayer

4. Being diligent.

5. Practicing the Word.

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Are you a young woman who is battling with or has battled with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? What is your story? Let us know in the comment section. Dominion TV; Africa’s Christian Lifestyle Network for Inspired and Empowered Living.

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