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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Many Christians struggle with this issue, especially in our highly technological world, but taking control of our thoughts is essential. Proverbs 4:23 states, "Above all else, guard your heart, for...
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Andrew Osakue
Supporter
Taking control over your thoughts is also a spiritual warfare. Therefore, it should also be handled spiritually. Let's look at what Paul says to the Corinthians in 2Cor.10 : 3-6 " For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. V4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. V5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion that raised against the knowledge of God, and TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO OBEY CHRIST, V6 being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete. An evil thought is a stronghold, an argument and a lofty opinion trying to make you disobey God. Therefore, you can take it captive and bring to the obedience of Christ because at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee must bow. There are three steps to this warfare, 1) It demolishes what is opposed to CHRIST; 2) It leads captive; 2) It brings into obedience of Christ. (Rom 1:5, 16:26) The overall power in this warfare is however in verse 6. Your own obedience must be complete. True knowledge of God will make men humble.Where there is exaltation of self, there the true knowledge of God is wanting. Your readiness to obey God is the key.
D W
Supporter
Are you a Christian? If so, HE takes control of your thoughts as you yield to Him. If you are having difficulty in your thought life, then you need to spend more time with Him. The old sinful nature produces unusual, uhhealthy, difficult thoughts. As a Christian you have access to God through the Holy Spirit. Turn your thought life over to Him.
James Kraft
Supporter
First John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the TRUTH is not in us. We are going to have sinful thoughts until we die. It is part of our old sinful nature and it does not leave when the Holy Spirit comes in at the knew birth. Ephesians 1:13. As one women put it, the flesh sucks. We all have a sin problem in the flesh and it does do something for us that we can not do for our selves. It keeps us from pride the sin that God hates. The remaining sin that we struggle with over and over and over, keeps us looking to Jesus as the only way of salvation by grace, and not at our works. When we sin we can thank God for His mercy and grace. We just have to learn to depend more on Him than in anything we do; First John 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we call God a liar. If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But most of the time we do not even know when we have sinned. It is our second nature to sin. In other words, it comes naturally. Our old nature. If we say we have no pride, we have just admitted we do. About all we can do as saved believers is thank God for His grace and mercy for saving us sinners by grace. That it is a free GIFT from God and our sin debt is paid in full and we can no longer be condemned. John 3:18. The freedom we have in Jesus is grace upon grace. Where sin abounds grace much more abounds. God does not want us living in sin, and some sins He hates like homosexuality, he may chasten us to turn from it to get back into fellowship with himself. But, He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 John 6:37 He will never cast us out. Bad thoughts are going to come and no matter what you do, they are not going to leave. The only thing we can do is try not to dwell on them. If you keep thinking about your neighbors wife you may eventually act on it, and then you will reap what you sow. Bad news. Ask King David. But remember, our sin debt is paid. We can lose our rewards in heaven, but never our salvation which is a free gift from God. Paul said, forget those things that are behind, and press on toward the mark. Not for salvation but for rewards in heaven. Our sin debt is paid in full, and we can no longer be condemned, but we still reap what we sow and the chastening of the Lord is not fun. But all good fathers chasten their children if they love them.
Ocie Taylor
Supporter
I read once that your thoughts are just like the muscles in your body, and just as you train your muscles you can train your thoughts. The more you exercise control over your thoughts (using the Word of God), the more control you can have over them. I pray the same prayer just about every morning, and in that prayer I submit my mind, my thoughts, even my conscious and sub-conscious thoughts, to God. I give him complete control of my mind. On the days that I pray that prayer, hours will go by where I can't really recall anything (thoughts) being in my mind. On the days that I don't pray that prayer I find my mind full of thoughts and often drifting. The Bible is clear: "Be ye self-controlled and ALERT." You can't do that if you allow your mind/thoughts to simply "wander," and I don't believe that God would tell us to do something if it couldn't be done. The Bible tells us to "seize every thought and imagination that exalts itself against God, bringing it into captivity". You HAVE to learn to control your thoughts and not let your thoughts control you. The key is to daily submit your mind to God and to stay tethered in His word. On those days, I find my mind is at peace. Like a large still lake with no ripples or waves. Quiet, peaceful, and clear.
n.l. pearson
Supporter
I believe the Word of God has an answer for all we ask of HIM. Two scriptures come to mind for controlling our thoughts: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every THOUGHT [emphasis mine] to make it obedient to Christ." Every thought we have that's messing with our heads, we can bring captive, every time! This takes practice and repetition - I do this when my mind wanders off and I know there is no good in thinking such thoughts! The second go to scripture for me is 1 Peter 5:6-8: "6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We have to keep our minds together less the enemy will attempt to destroy - don't let him! We have the Holy Spirit living inside us and that makes up spiritually powerful (see Ephesians 3:20). There are other scriptures; like Philippians 4:6-7 that tells us how to stop being anxious. The Word of God is quick and powerful. Please try meditating on the above. It has many times help resolve my aniexty and random thoughts like you wouldn't believe. Don't give up - God has said His Word does not come back to Him void, but accomplishes the task! Hallelujah and God bless you.
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