Last night, I asked my 24-year-old daughter, "What is the best book you have ever read?" What I wanted to hear was the Bible, of course. Instead, she told me it was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
The Four Agreements is a humanistic book, published in 1997, and has been a global bestseller and international sensation. Why? I believe it is because it is founded on four very sound principles, even though I totally disagree with its premise. Based on an erroneous Toltec philosophy that is the epitome of humanism, this belief system contends that our perception of reality—and therefore the way we think, feel, and behave—changes based on what we believe. While the underlying premise is wrong, the four agreements which are the subject of this widely-read book are sound. They are:
Following are the Four Agreements. I have provided three scriptures for each Agreement, letting God speak for Himself through His Word. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV "But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words, you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 NIV DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 NIV “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:23 NIV DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13 NIV “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 NIV ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." CONCLUSION The world is filled with humanistic thoughts and beliefs that are very popular. Satan and his demons do not mind man believing in himself and his own power. The war occurs when man starts worshiping his Creator. That is what threatens the evil one. 99% truth is still a lie. Let us help others to see where all wisdom comes from Christ, and the only Agreement we need is the New Covenant as laid out in great detail in the New Testament. Now, if we could simply get people to read it for themselves. It is also by a best-selling Author. I will close with one of my all-time favorite passages: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. December 20, 2023 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Comments are closed.
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