Everyone needs to be careful with their thoughts. People can let their egos get the best of them.

Paul wrote a warning concerning this idea. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” (Romans 12:3-4). Again in the letter to the Galatians, he said, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3).

Those who manifest this idea do not show forth the mind of Christ. When this kind of thinking is seen in Christians, it warms the heart of Satan.  

Attitudes toward enemies should also be guarded. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Jesus is teaching to seek good for all, even your enemies. Failure to do this can lead to sin.

Paul taught how to deal with enemies. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.’ Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21). This way of dealing with enemies is foreign to the world, but should be a standard in the lives of Christians.

All human beings, from time to time, have differences. This is seen in God’s word several times. The herdsmen of Abraham and Lot had problems. Paul and Barnabas had problems. Even Peter and Paul had differences. Many times, the world’s answer to differences between people is malice, bitterness, lack of a forgiving spirit, fault-finding, etc. God does not want his children acting like the world — in any matter!

Paul wrote some great advice about anger in Ephesians 4:26. One must not hold grudges and bitterness in their hearts toward others. These thoughts can and do affect worship to God. “Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). In Paul’s description of love, he spoke of the attitude Christians should have in dealing with each other especially. “Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Christians must be able to bear some things, talk out problems and work together in love for each other and the Lord.

In the words of Paul, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus …”