[ ] 10/21/2012 #1002
THOUGHT CONTROL
Proverbs 23:7
INTRODUCTION: Do you ever have a problem with bad thoughts? Where do those bad thoughts come from and why do we have them? Should we be concerned about bad thoughts that enter our minds? The answer is: Yes! Our thoughts affect our attitude and our behavior. The Bible has much to say to us about our minds. An anonymous person once said, “Every thought is a seed. If you plant a crab apple tree, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious.”
The word “heart” is mentioned some eighthundred times in the Old Testament, and more than twohundred times it refers to the thought life. The basic New Testamentequivalent of the heart would be the mind. It is extremely important for us to guard our hearts “for out of it are the issues of life.” (Pr. 4:23)
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.” 1Chron. 28:9
Since our thoughts have a positive or negative effect on us, we need to make a habit of thinking about good things.
I. CURSE OF EVIL THOUGHTS
Entertaining evil thoughts is a curse. Our thought life has a profound effect on the way we live our life. Your thoughts can change the way you see people and how you interact with them.Your thoughts determine how you view the world and your goals in life.
A. SOURCE OF EVIL THOUGHTS.
Jesus said that “evil thoughts proceed” from the heart. (Mark 7:21) It is from man’s depraved and sinful nature that evil thoughts originate.
"Every outward act of sin is preceded by an inward act of choice; therefore Jesus begins with the evil thought from which the evil action comes." (Barclay)
Unbelievers have their minds set on things of this world.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8)
B. SERIOUSNESS OF EVIL THOUGHTS.
As Christians, we must understand the seriousness of evil thoughts.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Gal. 6:7-8)
”The thought of foolishness is sin.” Proverbs 24:9
1. Evil thoughts distress the heart.
Our thoughts can harm us spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Worry is stressful to the heart. Hatred is stressful to the heart. Envy, jealousy, and bitterness will distress the heart. Harboring an unforgiving spirit distresses the heart.
“The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” Psalm 94:11
2. Evil thoughts darken the heart.
The habit of dwelling on evil thoughts will darken the heart of man. The spirit of jealousy and anger that Saul had toward David led him to try to kill David. Saul’s heart was darkened to the point that God removed him as king of Israel.
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” (Rom. 1:21-25)
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Rom 1:28-32)
3. Evil thoughts destroy the heart.
The wicked thoughts of the people before the great flood of Noah’s day led to their destruction. Genesis 6:5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
II. CONTROLLING OF EVIL THOUGHTS
Our thoughts can lead us away from our devotion to Christ.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” John 2:15
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2Corinthians 11:3
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” (1 Pet. 1:13-14)
An unknown author said,
“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.”
A. CONFESS EVIL THOUGHTS.
The mind is the seat of the soul. It is the battlefield between the Spirit and the flesh. We must control this battlefield to be able to function spiritually and fulfill God’s will in our lives.
Harboring evil thoughts will lead to evil acts. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
If King David had confessedhis lustful thoughts for Bath-sheba, he would have avoided the consequences of his sin.
If Achan had confessed his covertness, he would have saved his family and himself from the consequences of his sin.
Our first line of defense against evil thoughts is to confess themquickly to God.
B. CULTIVATE GOOD THOUGHTS.
1.Feed on the Word.
Feeding on the Word of God will renew our minds with godly thoughts.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Ps. 119:11)
2. Faithful to pray.
We cannot pray in the Spirit if our minds are filled with evil thoughts. A daily prayer life will keep us from having bad thoughts dominate our life.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23- 24
Amy Carmichael prayed this prayer, “Holy Spirit, think through me till your thoughts are my thoughts.”
3. Filled with the Spirit.
We need the Holy Spirit to be in control of our lives. In Ephesians 5:18,the Scriptures command us to “be filled with the Spirit.”
The Spirit’s ministry in us is to transform us into the image of Christ. When we submit to Him, He will fill our minds with thoughts of the things of God.
4. Focus on the person of Christ.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
A mind filled with evil thoughts is not at peace. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isa. 57:19-20)
Lessons for Life:
Our thoughts today will have a profound effect upon the kind of person we will be in the future. We must be determined by the aid of the Holy Spirit to think godly thoughts. As we worship this morning, let our prayer be as the Psalmist: “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psalm 26:2
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7