The Replacement Principle (Part 2)

Season 3 Episode 7 -- In a previous episode from Season 2, I shared about a biblical principle which I call the Replacement Principle.  Ever since I discovered this principle in 2 Timothy 2:22, I have begun to see it in other places in the Bible as well.  Want to find out what this principle is?  Want to hear about other passages that reinforce this principle?  Listen to this episode and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast, where I share what I am learning about following Jesus, through applying eternal biblical principles to life, in practical ways.  Not religion, but RELATIONSHIP - relationship with Jesus!
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (because having more followers raises the podcast higher in search results).
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Worship Is My Weapon" podcast by Rita Springer:  https://youtu.be/RucXhr1zYGU?si=WeVTpssmUP4rMXlL 

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music

Transcript

In an episode of this podcast from Season 2, I shared about the principle that I call the Replacement Principle.  The most succinct statement of this principle that I have found in the Bible is this:

2 Timothy 2:22 ISV  Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.

Note in this passage that Paul did not merely say to run away from lust, but he also said what to run toward (godly character qualities) and whom to run with (other believers).  

To summarize:  The Replacement Principle states that we are to turn our focus away from what we are NOT to do, and turn our focus toward what we ARE to do (and who we are in Christ), and join with others who have the same focus.

In that same episode, I shared about the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon.  It is simply a recognition that our brains have a tendency to try to find patterns in the massive amounts of sensory data that we encounter each day.  When something catches our attention, then our brain raises that observation to a higher priority in its pattern recognition algorithm.  It is therefore not surprising at all that our brain begins to find matches to this new observation.  An example of this from everyday life might be when I buy a car, and then begin to notice how many of that same model car are on the road today.  They were there all along, but I am just now noticing them.

Well, I am experiencing a similar phenomenon.  I am now seeing this Replacement Principle in other places in the Bible.  They have been there all along, but I am just now noticing them.  For example, listen to how Paul instructs the believers at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:21-32 NLT  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  (22)  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  (23)  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  (24)  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  (25)  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body…  (28)  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.  (29)  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  …  (31)  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  (32)  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

This passage lists many examples of turning our focus away from doing something ungodly and instead replacing it with something godly.  Here are a few:

·         Throw off your old sinful nature (your former way of life).  Replace it with your new nature, that renews your thoughts and attitudes.

·         Stop telling lies.  Replace telling lies with telling the truth.

·         Stop stealing.  Instead, use your hands for good hard work, so you can give generously to others in need.

·         Stop using foul or abusive language.  Replace that language with words that are good, helpful, and encouraging.

·         Get rid of angry, bitter, and harsh behavior.  Instead, be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

In another passage, notice what Jesus said:

Luke 11:24-26 TPT  “When a demon is cast out of a person, it goes to wander in the waterless realm, searching for rest. But finding no place to rest, it says, ‘I will go back to the body of the one I left.’  (25)  When it returns, it finds the person like a house that has been swept clean and made tidy but is empty.  (26)  Then it goes and enlists seven demons more evil than itself, and they all enter and possess the person, leaving that one with a much worse fate than before.”

Jesus is making another application of this principle.  It is not sufficient to merely get rid of evil or sinful influences in our life.  Why?  Because if we do not replace those influences with the presence of Jesus and with faith-building virtues, attitudes, and actions that keep our focus on Jesus, then many more sinful influences will rush in to fill that void, and our spiritual condition will become worse than before.  

That is sobering.  Our spiritual condition could actually become worse, if we do not apply the Replacement Principle and preemptively fill the void left by removing bad influences.

Will you agree with me in purposing to not merely remove the bad influences from our lives, but to also replace them with good influences?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”