Labeling everything as positive or negative trap

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A Biblical Evaluation of the Subjective Psychological Trap of Categorizing Everything as “Positive” or “Negative.”

Institute of Biblical Discipleship Bible Study #70 Level IV - Deviations from the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints

by Nolan McFadden While enduring a time of difficult circumstances in his life, the apostle Paul wrote to encourage Christians at Philippi. Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.’ (Philippians 4:8) This is great counsel to help us keep the right perspective in our journey of faith while living in a fallen world (Genesis 3, Romans 1-3). Notice that Paul taught that we should think on things that are: 1) “true” 2) “honest” (or honorable) 3) “just” 4) “pure” 5) “lovely” (or beautiful) 6) “of good report” 7) of “virtue” 8) of “praise.”

However, the apostle Paul did not instruct believers to categorize everything in contemporary psychological terms as either “positive” or “negative.” There is a big difference between these two views of life. While it is true that a person’s attitude and mental health are improved by thinking on good things and not dwelling on evil or harmful things, it is equally true that a person will begin to live in a false reality by disregarding or rejecting vital truths, facts and precautions by labeling them as “negative.” Let us consider the fact that, as Christians, JESUS is our “Master,” “Teacher” and “Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 23:8-10, John 13:13-17; 15:20). We will find no better counselor or counsel than that counsel which comes from our eternal “Counselor” as revealed in the counsels of His eternal Word – the Holy Bible (Psalm 119:9; 119:101; 119:127-134; 119:160-163, Matthew 4:4, John 17:6-17, II Timothy 3:16-17).

I. The practice of categorizing experiences and things as either “Positive” or “Negative” is merely subjective judgment. It is an unreliable basis on which to make life decisions.

A. What is considered “positive” for one person may be considered “negative” to another. It all depends on one’s opinion/perspective.

B. Human feelings and opinions differ regarding varying subjects. Human subjective judgment is often found to be inaccurate. Therefore, we conclude that even the action of classifying experiences and things as “positive” or “negative” is non-verifiable and highly inaccurate.

II. Consider the destructive outcomes of learning to categorize things and experiences as either “positive” or “negative” on the basis of a person’s own sin-distorted human reasoning.

A. There are at least four great errors that occur thereby. They are: 1) We learn to view things very differently than our SAVIOR did. Our LORD JESUS never categorized things as either “positive” or “negative” in His teachings.

Rather, JESUS viewed things in terms of “good” or “evil” (Matthew 7:11; 12:3435, Luke 6:45); “righteous” or “sin” (Matthew 5:6; 6:33; 15:19; 23:27-35; 25:37, Mark 2:5-11); “truth” or a “lie” (John 8:31-46; 14:6; 16:13; 17:17); “of God” or

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“not of God” (John 8:47); according to the “will of the Father” or not according to His “will” (Matthew 18:14; 26:42, Luke 22:42, John 8:29; 17:14). Moreover, Christians are instructed to have the “mind” (perspective) of “Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). The practice of categorizing experiences and things as either “Positive” or “Negative” does not have its origin in the Christian worldview found in the teachings of JESUS and His first century apostles. Rather, this subjective and erroneous practice of contemporary psychology is consistent with a worldview based on eastern religion and/or western occultism. Notice that the biblical categories of JESUS CHRIST and His apostles are very different than the models found in eastern religions, western occultism or contemporary psychology.

2) This perspective results in people creating and living in a “false reality.” It disables them from learning to cope with many real issues of life labeled as “negative.”

3) A person learns to label significant truths, facts and precautions which he or she personally dislikes or disregards as “negative.”

4) A person fails to receive vital truths, facts and precautions which are actually from God for his or her benefit because they are presupposed to be “negative.”

III. Let’s look at some important biblical truths which may be falsely labeled as “negative” according to the sin-distorted reasonings of the human mind.

A. They are: 1) Hell (Lake of fire - eternal perdition) – Matthew 25:46, Luke 12:4-5, 16:19-31, II Peter 3:7, Revelation 14:9-11;20:10-15 2) Rebuke – Luke 9:55-56; 17:3, Timothy 3:16; 4:1-2 3) Christ’s command to repent of sin – Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32, Acts 3:26; 17:30-31 4) Christ’s command to forgive – Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:37 5) Christ’s command to reconcile – Matthew 5:23-24 6) Christ’s command not to divorce – Matthew 19:5-6, Mark 10:7-9 7) Christ’s command to love your enemy – Matthew 6:44-48, Luke 6:35 8) God’s command not to use His name in vain – Exodus 20:7, Matthew 15:18-20, Colossians 3:8 9) God’s command to honor your father and mother – Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-3 10) God’s command not to lie – Exodus 20:16, Romans 13:9, Colossians 3:9

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11) God’s command not to covet – Exodus 20:17, Romans 13:9, Colossians 3:5 12) God’s Judgment of sin – Acts 5:1-11, Romans 1:18, I Corinthians 11:26-32, Colossians 3:6, II Thessalonians 1:4-9, Revelation 14:9-11; 20:10-15 B. One may disregard or reject any one of the biblical truths listed above by classifying them as “negative” and subsequently unworthy of consideration. Yet, the life consequences of doing so will be harmful and destructive. Thus, we find the practice of labeling things and experiences as either “negative” or “positive” as being based on mere human opinion and/or what is often erroneous human subjective judgment. It is a dangerous and unworthy endeavor for Bible-believing, Christ-centered Christians.

IV. There is a better way. It’s known as biblical, Christian counseling.

A. In biblical, Christian counseling, God’s counsels and opinions as revealed in His eternal Word – the Holy Bible, are presented. God’s counsels are always true, righteous and trustworthy (Matthew 4:4, John 17:17).

B. God’s counsels are based on His righteous character and His righteous will for our lives. They are revealed in His eternal laws found in the Holy Scriptures (Psalm 119, Romans 6-12, I Thessalonians 4:1-7).

C. Concerning the counsels of unsaved, ungodly people, the psalmist observed, “BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD: and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper…”

(Psalm 1:1-3) D. Regarding the false philosophies and counsels of the world, the apostle Paul warned the true followers of JESUS CHRIST, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:8-10)

© 2015 Nolan McFadden