My pastor spoke this past weekend on “Stewarding an Atmosphere”. His premise was that you must be a good steward of your atmosphere to operate in the corporate atmosphere. Of course, he was referring to the body of Christ (corporate) and how important it is to maintain a positive, healthy atmosphere with our fellow believers. Although “atmosphere” is often referring to a scientific term it is simply a “surrounding influence or environment” (Google – Merriam-Webster) One of the questions asked was “Is atmosphere a feeling?” Google answers – “atmosphere refers to a feeling, mood or Stimmung (formal word for tone, mood, atmosphere) that fundamentally exceeds an individual body …” In other words, from our point of reference, our atmosphere reaches out beyond our physical body. Think of Peter’s shadow – as he walked around, his atmosphere created the perfect environment for people to receive healing.

The only time I have ever used the word atmosphere that I can recall is when I used the illustration from the Charlie Brown stories. Charlie’s friend Pig Pen carried an “atmosphere” around him which Charles Shultz illustrated as flies buzzing around his body! I assume that he brought an atmosphere similar to a few people I know who do not bathe often enough (or they wear the same clothes over and over) and who have a very distinct and unpleasant atmosphere (smell) that radiates out from them! I have suggested that some individuals with a negative mindset, which usually comes out of their mouths, also create an unpleasant and sometimes rather toxic atmosphere. No one wants to stay in that environment very long.

The scripture reference my pastor used is I Peter 3:8-12 NKJV. Because I think this is an important topic, I am going to quote the verses and then share a few thoughts on how to create a Kingdom atmosphere. Each of us as believers and citizens of that heavenly Kingdom should be making an effort to bring the atmosphere of heaven to earth. Jesus taught us to pray that would happen in His model prayer – “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’”

In those four verses are several instructions about how to create an atmosphere where the Lord’s eyes (or His attention) are upon His righteous servants who have positioned themselves to have their prayers answered. What would it look like in your church if everyone agreed? How could you express compassion for your brothers and sisters in Christ? What does it look like to love as brothers? How do we express tenderheartedness? I believe these admonitions are intended to be practical – outworking with tangible results.

One area where many of us have difficulty is setting a guard over our mouths and hearts. We must move in the opposite spirit – refraining from speaking those things that may originate from a heart that is offended. We must determine to become “unoffendable”. James 3:1-12 is a discourse on the tongue. He shares about how wicked and vile our tongues can be when they are not under the control of the Spirit. James asked the question “How can both bitter water and sweet water come from the same source?” We are told elsewhere by Jesus to “bless those who curse you”. This is not easy. It is impossible unless you cultivate a heart of love and compassion.

Over and over again throughout the scriptures, there is a contrast between light and darkness, good and evil. From the beginning of time, recorded in the Bible, we see this battle going on. Our adversary has been trying for at least 6,000 years (of Biblical records) to influence mankind and spread his dark agenda throughout the earth. He has been somewhat successful in spreading his evil atmosphere throughout every sphere of influence. He started by leading a rebellion in heaven – where there was and is a perfect atmosphere. When he decided to try and exalt himself above God he had to be thrown out of heaven. He brought his evil, toxic atmosphere to a perfect creation here on earth. Man chose to rebel against God, thinking that his way was better than God’s perfect plan. That is still our enemy’s plan.

Peter exhorts us to make some wise decisions that will bring the atmosphere of heaven to earth. These admonishments – to be of one mind, have compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, seek peace, and pursue it are all attitudes and actions that we can choose to obey (or disobey). When we obey them we cultivate the favor of God. He hears our prayers and inhabits our atmosphere.

Peter also tells us what not to do. We should not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling. We should refrain our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking deceitfully. That is very specific and practical advice that we can choose to obey or not. What comes out of our mouths originates in our hearts. (“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”.)

The promises for cultivating this kind of positive atmosphere are an inherited blessing where we will see good days of peace and prosperity. I think that resembles the atmosphere of heaven where there is no lack and there is an abundance of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. God’s desire and plan was for us to steward the earth in such a way that the same atmosphere that is in heaven would permeate the earth as well. And it will one day.