When it Just Feels Wrong

Recently I shared my Negativity Detox story and like most things in life, negativity is a work in progress for me. However, I’ve caught myself several times lately engaging in something negative (or that will affect me negatively) when it just starts to feel wrong. And now I’m strong enough to stop myself!

I got a pretty good response on that Negativity Detox post, so this is more encouragement if there are any of you out there trying to eliminate sources of negativity like me!

In the Soul Detox plan I mentioned last time, 1 Timothy 6 was an included reading one day.

Do you ever have those days when you come across a scripture and it just speaks to you so deeply that you feel like you have to read it over and over and look at it in different translations?

When I come across a scripture that moves me like that, that’s how I really like to delve into it. Today I wanted to share different looks at Timothy 6:2-6 with you. It’s such a beautiful passage to me, and it really spoke to me in terms of negativity, its effects and what is truly important.

The most important thing for Christians to do is to follow Christ! I love the way The Message interprets 1 Timothy 6:2-6

These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.

A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.

The NLT version has a slightly different take that I’d like to highlight:

Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.