Behavior
Modification
The need to replace wrong behavior with right behavior.
    A mother steps into the living room to find her ten year old son glued to a cartoon show.  In concern, Mom declares, "Johnny, you watch too much T.V.  I want you to cut it off right now!"  About five minutes later, Mom hears a loud banging outside and discovers that Johnny is throwing his ball against the side of the house.  Mom, in frustration responds, "Johnny, you are making too much noise!  Stop throwing the ball against the side of the house!!"  Then about ten minutes later, Mom hear some screams from her youngest, Sally.  It is Johnny again!  This time he has pestered his sister until she has resorted to screaming.  Mom loses it and screams, "Johnny stop pestering your sister!!!"

    Now, what is wrong with the picture?   The problem is that Mom has not constructively told Johnny what he can or should do.  The Bible not only tells us what not to do, it also tells us what to do.

 1. We are not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
 2. We are not to curse others, but to bless them.
 3. We are not to hate our enemies, but to love them.
 4. We are not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Spirit.
 5. We are not only to put off the old man, but to put on the new man.
 6. We are not to fear, but to put our trust in God.
 7. We are not to be anxious, but to pray about everything.

 *** We are to replace the wrong with the RIGHT.

    Matthew 12:43-45 "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."

    What was the problem?  After all, the man had swept his house and redecorated it.  The problem was that it was that the man left his house empty!  There is always a need to replace the wrong with the right.  If we don't, it leaves a vacuum for more wrong to enter.

See if you can see the principle of behavior modification in the following Scriptures.
Proverbs 1:7  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 3:1 "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments."

Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

Proverbs 11:12 "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace."

Proverbs 13:20 "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."

Matthew 5:43-44  "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.   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."

Romans 12:2  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Romans 12:11  "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."

Romans 12:21  "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Galatians 5:16  "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

Ephesians 4:22-24 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Ephesians 4:28  "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

Ephesians 5:18  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"

Philippians 2:3  "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

Colossians 3:8 "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." Colossians 3:10  "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."

Colossians 3:22  "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God."

I Thessalonians 4:7  "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

I Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

I Thessalonians 5:15  "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

II Thessalonians 3:15  "Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

James 1:21  "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

I Peter 4:12-13  "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

I John 1:6-7   "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

I John 4:1  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

I John 4:18  "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

III John 1:11  "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

Philippians 4:6  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

    If you are struggling with some area of wrong behavior in your life, don't just commit yourself to stop it.  Look to see what the opposite of the wrong would be, then commit yourself to do what the right would be.
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