| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Renewed hope” Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in s snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Avoid nattering nabobs of negativism” Today I want to continue our thinking from yesterday about avoiding the emotional monkey traps in life (or getting out of one once you’re in it). In yesterday’s devotional we thought about the guidance from Psalm 42:5, Philippians 4:8, and other passages like them which teach us to fill our minds and hearts with uplifting, positive things that promote Godly virtues and Biblical thinking. That’s all about putting good things in. But sometimes the answer is to take bad influences out (and then replace them with good). Bad influences and toxic people pollute our minds and hearts. They poison our thinking and often lead us into those emotional monkey traps we thought about yesterday. Worse, as Proverbs 22:24-25 warns, over time we can become like those we associate with. The Apostle Paul taught this as well in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character.” Sometimes there is negative stuff that has to be dealt with and removed so we can have a positive attitude and a sense of peace. The presidential speech-writer for Richard Nixon, William Safire, once coined the phrase “Nattering nabobs of negativism” to describe critics who constantly found fault with everything the President did. The word “nabob” has been around for hundreds of years, dating back to the 1600s in England. It described snooty rich people who looked down upon and were critical of everyone they considered to be beneath them in social standing. They were arrogant, unkind, and incessantly critical. They were nabobs and they were constantly nattering. Nattering nabobs of negativism are a toxic presence in our lives and we need to remove them, or at least counter their influence on us, for the sake of our own sanity. If you don’t, they will drive you crazy, steal your joy, and perhaps even lead you to be like them. So, first, don’t be a nattering nabob of negativism yourself. Second, pray for those who are. And third, take the steps necessary to mitigate their influence in your life. It’s hard to be upbeat, positive, and hopeful if somebody keeps blocking your sunny day with their dark cloud of despair. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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