“Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:13 NIV)

You were bought with a price

“you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20 NIV)

Offer yourself in obedience which leads to righteousness

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16 NIV)

Present your body as a loving sacrifice

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1 NKJV)

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of sin

“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Rom. 6:23 NLT)

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 NASB)

There are deceiving spirits

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1 NIV)

There are false prophets and teachers among you

“Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies that even deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1 NASB)

You can be lied to so be very careful!

“He said to him, "I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'" But he lied to him.” (2 Kings 13:18 NASB)

Some only speak a vision of their own imagination

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.” (Jer. 23:16 NASB)

“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20 ESV)

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream.” (Jer. 29:8 NASB)

They are wolves in sheep’s clothing

“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matt. 7:15 NASB)

Don’t be a simpleton

“Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.” (Prov. 14:15 NLT)

Examine the Scriptures carefully to see if things are so

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17 11 ESV)

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thes. 5:21 NASB)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16 ESV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 NKJV)

Set your mind on things above

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2 ESV)

Take refuge and trust in Him

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psalm 118:8 ESV)

Trust with all your heart

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)

You will abide under His shadow

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NKJV)

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1 ESV)

A wise person uses words with restraint

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (Prov. 17:27-28 NIV)

Speak using gentleness and respect

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV)

Show perfect courtesy towards all people

“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:2 ESV)

Be silent and the Lord will fight for you

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Ex. 14:14 ESV)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 15:15 ESV)

His commands are not burdensome

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (2 John 5:3 ESV)

Obey God rather than men

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 ESV)

Choose the way of faithfulness

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.” (Psalm 119:30 ESV)

You shall abide in Him and He in you

“Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” (1 John 3:24 ESV)

You shall eat the good of the land

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isa. 1:19 ESV)

You shall be blessed

“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalm 112:1 ESV)

You shall prosper

“And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.” (2 Chron. 31:21 ESV)

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14 ESV)

I have a super successful business friend who has made millions of dollars in numerous business ventures. He says one of the big reasons he is so successful is because he takes much advantage of his business friendships. In fact, over the years he has amassed a vast contact list made up of many successful business men and woman who he utilizes for advice and counsel. Before he completes any project or venture, he runs it past them for input. He said their valuable counsel has saved him numerous times from making serious mistakes.

Plans fail for lack of counsel

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov. 15:22 NIV)

Wise guidance brings victory

“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov. 24:6 ESV)

A wise man listens to advice

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15 ESV)

You will gain wisdom for the future

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Prov. 19:20-21 ESV)

“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20 ESV)

A few years ago a Christian friend got angry and swore at me over an issue we strongly disagreed about. I was shocked to hear what came out of his mouth and told him so. But he said he was justified because he was responding with “righteous indignation”. But, no matter what he chose to call it, his angry outburst of swearwords did NOT represent the righteousness of God!

Put away anger and obscene talk from your mouth

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (Col. 3:8 ESV)

A quick tempered man acts foolishly

“A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.” (Prov. 14:17 ESV)

A quick tempered man displays folly

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Prov. 14:29 NIV)

A wise man holds back his temper

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Prov. 29:11 ESV)

Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19 ESV)

Don’t let your anger give opportunity to the devil

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26-27 ESV)

Make no friendship with a man given to anger

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” (Prov. 22:24-25 ESV)

 “The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.” (Prov. 24:5 NIV)

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

He gives strength and increases power

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isa. 40:29 NASB)

You can do all things through Him who strengthens you

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

When Peter spoke to a lame beggar he made it clear that he did not have any silver or gold to give, but instead he had something much more valuable to him. He had healing in the Name of Jesus. He gave that to the beggar.

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (Acts 3:6-10 NIV)

The Words of the Lord are like pure refined silver

“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6 ESV)

God will be your gold and choice silver to you

“Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you.” (Job 22:25 NASB)