You know how with a typical word processing program you have the option to “find” the term you are searching for and then “replace” it with a better term? Well, as I was thinking about this very useful computer editing tool, I began considering its parallel to our spiritual lives.

There are key conditions that God wants us to find in our own hearts (He calls those sins) so that we can replace those foul feelings and behaviors with ones that are holy and pleasing to God.

Ephesians 4: 22-24 tells us, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (NIV, emphasis mine).

Note that in the above Scripture, we are to “put off” our carnal sinful selves and then “put on” our sanctified selves, which are continually being renewed in Christ Jesus. There it is in plain light: find and replace.

Further in the chapter, we learn what exactly constitutes good and bad behavior.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (vs. 31-32).

Using our computer tool above, this is how we could interpret the above passage from a techie perspective if we were to do a search query:

Find these terms: “bitterness, ” “rage,” “anger,” “brawling,” “slander,” “malice”.

Replace with these terms: “kindness,” “compassion,” “forgiveness.”

Let’s always be on watch for those sneaky behaviors that displease the Lord. If He asks us to rid ourselves of our caustic tongues or our ferocious road rage behavior, let’s be willing to rid ourselves of those stinky behaviors in favor of ones that give God glory.

– Laura J. Bagby