I woke up this morning and while I was still in la-la land I had some bad memories from my past dance in my mind's vision. Once my conscious mind realized this was happening I quickly took the thought captive.
We are to hear the voice of God and obey (Hebrews 12:25). We are to ignore the enemy (John 10:5) and the world, and our fleshly lusts (Romans 8:13). When our thoughts get off track we are to meditate on the good things.
The battle takes place in the mind:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
We are to focus our thought life upon good things.
Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) 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.
I used to think turning off the TV would handle a large part of this problem (Romans 12:2). This was further evidenced by hearing people slave over 'Dancing with the Stars' when I knew nothing about it (1 Corinthians 2:2). However, TV and media in all of its forms can be avoided and there still is a battle raging in the minds of men. Judas didn't have television.
Turning on the bible and listening to it or reading it I thought was a good way to wage this war. However, you could read the bible six hours a day and still have a battle in your mind.
Sin has a beginning.
James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: (14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
James indicates that the beginning of sin has something to do with lust. Our born again spirit does not lust against God, so this is a lust from the flesh. When this lusts rears its head and we can either entertain it in our minds or not. Lust is like the carrot on the stick leading the servant mule to destruction.
We need to consciously take our eyes off of this lust and not listen to it. We need to willfully look at Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and seek Him.
When I am in a constant mode of prayer, then I find that temptation is at bay. My thought life is less of a struggle.
I pondered on this and came to a realization. The times I do best in my Christian walk are when I am filled with the spirit. It is really difficult to sin or think about sin when I am in a mode of prayer and fellowship with Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Notice that if we do everything with prayer and supplication that the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds? Wow! So If we are doing everything with prayer and supplication, God protects our hearts and minds! He fights that battle for us!
The bible says that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded with temptation to sin. Things are thrown at us from all directions to trigger our lusts. Some of us have found coping mechanisms that get us by temporarily, but the aim is to be in the spirit and let God fight our battles for us.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(take a moment and meditate on that verse)
In closing, I leave you with some Scripture references that remind us to be continually in Prayer.
Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
A prayerful life keeps our thoughts right.
This is such a great post. I loved your point on "Judas did not have a television" So very true.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana... Judas didn't have the internet either. How did they survive back then? lol
ReplyDeleteThe answer lies in capturing that FIRST thought that leads you astray. It isn't the best method, but I have found that when I find my mind being pulled toward some dark thoughts, I just start saying,"Praise you Jesus, Praise You. Thank you for your mercies, Lord. Thank you for your Grace." I say those things or I might say the "Lord's Prayer" over and over. I know that isn't the real answer, but sometimes you might be driving and you can't do anything that really requires thought. It's just something that brings me back to reality. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteamen SJSchafer....
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther once said: “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair”
Those thoughts are going to come. That is good advice for when pounce on you! thanks!
I think the point of my post is, that being in prayer as much as possible is a way of God keeping our thought life. It seems to be less of a struggle the more i am in fellowship with Him.
Great post, Conrad!
ReplyDelete