The atmosphere you create around you will dictate the manner in which you will live. If you fill it with things that are pleasing to God, your life will reflect His beauty. If you fill it with things opposed to His will, your life will be shallow, ineffective, and virtually useless for the Kingdom. The choice certainly seems easy, but what exactly does it mean to “create the atmosphere” around you? Everything we allow into our minds adds to the atmosphere around us. The words we choose to speak add to it as well. The actions we take are the final element that goes into creating the atmosphere that surrounds us.
Cleaning the Atmosphere
Before attempting to create the atmosphere around us, we should first clean up the one that already exists. There are three simple questions we can ask to clarify where we need to begin:
- What actions do I need to stop doing?
- What words do I need to stop saying?
- What thoughts do I need to stop allowing into my brain?
We all have things we do that we know do not honor God. As long as we are engaging in them, He will not be able to pour His full power into our lives. Habits can be extremely difficult to break, but you must ask yourself what is more important to you: maintaining the habit or living for Christ?
The words we speak can be horribly damaging not only to our representation of Christ but also to those on the receiving ends of them. Ephesians 4:29 tells us that our words should all be pleasant and encouraging to others. We should never tear down, only build up; after all, the person to whom you are speaking has unsurpassable value to God.
What we allow our eyes to see floods our mind. What are the movies or television programs you watch pushing into your brain? Is it honoring to God? What about the words of the music to which you listen? Do they inspire you to work for the Kingdom or tempt you with behaviors you know are contrary to the teachings of Christ?
Creating the Atmosphere
Once you have cleaned the atmosphere around you, you can go to work creating your new healthy surroundings. To do this, ask the same three questions you did to clean the atmosphere, but with a slight twist:
- What actions do I need to start taking?
- What words do I need to begin speaking?
- With what thoughts do I need to start flooding my brain?
The answer to each of these questions can be found in God’s Word. We need to care for the broken and hurting, restore relationships with those God has placed in our lives, and fill our minds with everything that is good, true, and morally excellent (Philippians 4:8).
If you want the fullness of God’s love and power to consume your life, you must build the proper atmosphere. God will not dwell amidst sin and rebellion. Create a place in your heart and mind that is worthy of your Lord and King.