Imitating Christ

Right attitudes and thoughts must precede right practices. Only spiritual weapons will help in our warfare against the flesh (2 Cor. 10:4). By avoiding anxiety through prayer and making other such attitude adjustments, we can take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (v. 5).
Pure behavior, in turn, produces spiritual peace and stability. The Prophet Isaiah said, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever” (Isa. 32:17). Similarly, James wrote, “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.... The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17–18).
Paul said, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things” (Phil. 4:9). Paul exemplified the spiritual fruit of peace, joy, humility, faith, and gratitude. He clearly dwelled on what was true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. Therefore, he wasn’t embarrassed to tell people who knew him well to practice what they had seen in his life.
Today we have the New Testament as the divine pattern for our conduct. In no way does that mean, however, that those who currently preach, teach, and represent the New Testament are permitted to live any way they want. Even though none of us are apostles, our lives are to be worthy of imitation, or we disqualify ourselves from the ministry. Moreover, as believers we are all to prove ourselves “doers of the Word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:22). Never expose yourself to the ministry of someone whose lifestyle you can’t respect.
Finally, “The God of peace shall be with you,” said Paul, who ended on this note because he was addressing the issue of spiritual stability in the midst of trials. It takes us full circle to our original point of avoiding anxiety through prayer. When we follow that practice, “The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard [our] hearts and... minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). There’s no better protection from worry than that.
MacArthur, J. (1996, c1993). Anxiety attacked John MacArthur, Jr. "Personal and group study guide included"--Cover.; Includes indexes. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Wavering Trust

"The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are.

Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks."

Source: "The Imitation of Christ" (13th Chapter)