Growth Do You Guard your Thoughts Carefully?

[Sandy Zalecki]

“Casting down argument and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 10:5) NKJ

Something we rarely think about (no pun intended) is who in control of our thoughts? When we control our thoughts they tend to get out of control, but if we allow the Lord to control our thoughts they will under His control and therefore we will be much more productive for Him and the rest of the world.

We have a responsibility to control what we see and hear. What kind of music are you listening to? What kind of television shows are we watching? What kind of books are you reading? Who are you listening to? All of these things will influence our thoughts and actions.

The Bible also says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) NKJ Our thoughts control our heart and our heart controls our actions. What you think about all day is what you will become. I know some people that are very angry because they think about how bad things are in the world. These people do have something to complain about because the world seems to be getting worse all the time. However, things in the world have always been bad. They aren’t going to get better until the Lord returns.

But if we let the Lord control our thoughts and not think on all the bad things happening, we will become what the Lord wants us to be. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) NKJ

When you renew your mind in Christ you become what He wants you to be. He wants you to be totally submitted to Him. He will lead you and guide you into the life He has planned for you. This life is an abundant life full all the great things He has for you.

So which life would you choose, one where you are depressed all the time because the world is going down hill, or the abundant life that the Lord has for you?

 

[Claudya]

The Bible also says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) NKJ

That's quite out of context. In most translations that verse is translated in a completely different wording. And even in the King James version the verse is about a different topic than thoughts. It's a warning of dishonest hosts (or envious dishonest people in general).
That's why I disliked Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind so much. She's quoting scripture out of context that is (in its original biblical context) actually entirely unrelated to her topic. For example Proverbs 23:7.

 

[iLOVE]

You have to say what Heaven says because that's the truth and the Word of God has enough power to replace facts. Until you learn how to receive from God, you will always be under the pressure of the world.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

That's quite out of context. In most translations that verse is translated in a completely different wording. And even in the King James version the verse is about a different topic than thoughts. It's a warning of dishonest hosts (or envious dishonest people in general).
That's why I disliked Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind so much. She's quoting scripture out of context that is (in its original biblical context) actually entirely unrelated to her topic. For example Proverbs 23:7.

I have never read the book "Battlefield of the Mind." But isn't it true that we become what we think. If we think on evil we will become evil. If we think on God, Godly things we will become good. If people tell us we are bad and we believe it that is what we will become. That is why Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, be be transformed by the renewing of you mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Our minds are very powerful. If our minds are not stayed on Christ who knows what we might come up with.

 

[Edward]

Even if the quote was technically out of context, the underlying premise is there and true. We are what we think, we become what we think. Anyone can have a bad thought. This is an attack from without. We know this by recognizing that what I just thought is not how I feel in my heart-from without. So we are to immediately take that thought captive, which is to reject it and not to give it place in our mind as a thing to consider. When we think about it and consider it, it will flow through our mind into our heart and become a part of us.

Reject it, cast it down, don't think about it, and think on heavenly things, the truth. Carry these thoughts with you, dwell on these things. Meditate on them day and night. Then this is what we become. The mind is the doorway to the heart. If you have to watch tv, watch spiritual shows. I don't think it's good to turn on the tv or radio and just let them play in the background while you do other things. Then you're taking thoughts in without considering them. They will flow into your heart. The subconscious mind will continue to pick up on the content even if you are not paying attention to it. That's why stuff grows on us. "I didn't like it as first, but I started liking it over time"...this is because it flows into our heart and we become it. That's not guarding your heart.

If you want background noise while you do chores or stuff, play scripture! Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, for it is who we are.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Even if the quote was technically out of context, the underlying premise is there and true. We are what we think, we become what we think. Anyone can have a bad thought. This is an attack from without. We know this by recognizing that what I just thought is not how I feel in my heart-from without. So we are to immediately take that thought captive, which is to reject it and not to give it place in our mind as a thing to consider. When we think about it and consider it, it will flow through our mind into our heart and become a part of us.

Reject it, cast it down, don't think about it, and think on heavenly things, the truth. Carry these thoughts with you, dwell on these things. Meditate on them day and night. Then this is what we become. The mind is the doorway to the heart. If you have to watch tv, watch spiritual shows. I don't think it's good to turn on the tv or radio and just let them play in the background while you do other things. Then you're taking thoughts in without considering them. They will flow into your heart. The subconscious mind will continue to pick up on the content even if you are not paying attention to it. That's why stuff grows on us. "I didn't like it as first, but I started liking it over time"...this is because it flows into our heart and we become it. That's not guarding your heart.

If you want background noise while you do chores or stuff, play scripture! Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, for it is who we are.

Thank you, very well said.

 

[DesertDesperado]

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) NKJ

Even though the Proverbs quote may, and again may, be out of context the Romans verse is spot on target with the point being made. I have noticed that when I start complaining and pick everything around me apart I am not a very nice person. I've seen griping, complaining, and angry people and they are not pleasant to be near. Renewing our minds doesn't mean having our heads in the sand it means acknowledging what is wrong and thinking on how to improve or solve the issue.

 

[Deborah13]

For me renewing my mind by thinking about what is wrong and right, etc. is not what comes first.
There have been times that what I knew in my heart to be true, my mind tried to rationalize into something different. So for me it is about God's grace in my life. So when I read or think or hear God's grace it tells me of the amazing goodness of God and this is what leads me to a change of heart and my mind must follow or be a house divided.
For me walking in the Spirit means walking in God's grace.

 

[Claudya]

Actually my mind is really dark and angry.

Sorry for the needlessly adversarial post I made yesterday. It was a pretty bad day so I was just feeling hostile to anyone.

I have never read the book "Battlefield of the Mind."

Well it's a very overrated book. Basically she says the same things you said in this thread, just way more verbose with a lot more out of context Bible verses. But the book in all its length doesn't go much deeper than your post did.

But isn't it true that we become what we think.

Gosh I hope not. Because I keep thinking that I am worthless and unlovable. No matter what I try I can't stop those thoughts.
Of course our thoughts have a great influence on how we feel and behave, but they aren't necessarily the truth. What if someone keeps thinking s/he is good and perfect... would s/he be perfectly good because of that? Or will an overweight person be normal weight again just because they think that they are normal weight?

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Actually my mind is really dark and angry.

Sorry for the needlessly adversarial post I made yesterday. It was a pretty bad day so I was just feeling hostile to anyone.


Well it's a very overrated book. Basically she says the same things you said in this thread, just way more verbose with a lot more out of context Bible verses. But the book in all its length doesn't go much deeper than your post did.


Gosh I hope not. Because I keep thinking that I am worthless and unlovable. No matter what I try I can't stop those thoughts.
Of course our thoughts have a great influence on how we feel and behave, but they aren't necessarily the truth. What if someone keeps thinking s/he is good and perfect... would s/he be perfectly good because of that? Or will an overweight person be normal weight again just because they think that they are normal weight?

We all have bad days so I understand. I was trying to point out that our thoughts are very powerful. You are not unlovable and worthless. The Lord loves you very much and you have great worth in Him. That is also what I was trying to point out. We need to think of ourselves the way God things we are and meditate on His words for us. A person that thinks they are perfect will become proud because we are sinful people. We are to be humble and allow the Lord to lift us up. I wish I could think myself thin. I have so much trouble with my weight. I can't think myself thin but I can have determination and will power so I become thin. In my case that takes a lot of prayer and submission to the Lord.

 

[Gary]

Do we become what we think? Not necessarily. I believe that it is only when the heart makes a connection with the mind and accepts those thoughts as plausible goodness that we begin to become what we think.

Jesus said: "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". (Matthew 12:34)

The contents of the heart. The heart would be empty if not for the mind. Everything the heart contains has it's roots in the mind. Who we are starts out in the brain. The heart and mind work in conjunction with one another to form beliefs, likes and dislikes, the very essence of who we are.

Paul tells us in Romans we should become a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. How do we do that? Simple. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. When the mind absorbs data, either through images or words, it isn't automatically accepted as truth. The heart has to make a determination as to the authenticity of what the mind is receiving.

The first great commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.". Jesus makes a distinction between the heart, the soul, and the mind. It is required that all three work together in unison. Does that mean the brain is out of sync if something dark passes through it? No, of course not. All it means is something dark passed through it. Now if the heart holds onto that darkness, then we have issues that need to be addressed.

This is how see it and I hope my explanation is understandable. It is just my opinion.
.

 

[Gary]

Now as for guarding our thoughts. Paul has this to say.

1 Corinthians 15
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”


In idle times, our thoughts keep us company.


Something to ponder.
.

 

[Gary]

Something i find interesting is how so many people claim to be led by the HS, yet not many can ever agree on a single thing, being scripture or in general, and all have different thoughts and opinions. Why if so many people are given the spirit of truth they all claim different things to be correct?

Sometimes i just dont get it.

My theory. The ones who actually are led don't boast about it.

Just a theory.
.

 

[iLOVE]

Jesus says in John 18:36 NKJV, “My kingdom is not of this world." If your prayers aren't being answered, your thoughts and words you speak are not in line with the "kingdom of God". When Christians mix worldliness (man thoughts) with the "kingdom of God" the Kingdoms enter into conflict. This is why Jesus tells us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." If things are not being added your thoughts and words are in conflict with the "kingdom of God.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36 NKJV

 

[iLOVE]

Jesus says in John 18:36 NKJV, “My kingdom is not of this world." If your prayers aren't being answered, your thoughts and words you speak are not in line with the with the "kingdom of God". When Christians mix worldliness (man thoughts) with the "kingdom of God" the Kingdoms enter into conflict. This why Jesus tells us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." If things are not being added your thoughts and words are in conflict with the "kingdom of God.

You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4 NIV

James 4:4 is talking about Christians. James 4:4 is telling us that we are disconnected from the Cross.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Something i find interesting is how so many people claim to be led by the HS, yet not many can ever agree on a single thing, being scripture or in general, and all have different thoughts and opinions. Why if so many people are given the spirit of truth they all claim different things to be correct?

Sometimes i just dont get it. Maybe there self pride gets the better of them as the HS is humble yet powerful.

As long as we are attached to flesh we will probably not see eye to eye on everything. God also made us all diverse people. We can see scripture and it means different things to different people. That is why the Bible is called the "Living Word." Paul and Barnabas got into a huge fight over Mark. It even split them up, but they were both strong Christians.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Life was hard enough in general before i found Christ, then i find Christ and have to deal with double the trouble and haters for my belief. The last thing i can be bothered with is arguing and debating over scripture and non believers questioning my faith, and other faiths attacking me over my personal belief.

I was over it before it begun.

I'm sorry that you feel that way. I apologize if I have done anything to make things worse for you.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

Sandy Zalecki . My post was not meant to sound negative, and you have said nothing wrong. All i was saying is as a 'seedling' in Christ its a hard road.

Well, I would like to say that it gets easier, but it doesn't. At least it hasn't for me. But with all the stuff that Paul went through, he said he counted it as nothing and pressed on toward the prize. When we get to heaven it will all be worth it.

 

[iLOVE]

Jesus says in John 18:36 NKJV, “My kingdom is not of this world." If your prayers aren't being answered, your thoughts and words you speak are not in line with the "kingdom of God". When Christians mix worldliness (man thoughts) with the "kingdom of God" the Kingdoms enter into conflict. This is why Jesus tells us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." If things are not being added your thoughts and words are in conflict with the "kingdom of God.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36 NKJV

Question: "What is spiritual adultery?"

Answer: Spiritual adultery is unfaithfulness to God. It is having an undue fondness for the things of the world. Spiritually adultery is analogous to the unfaithfulness of one’s spouse: “‘But like a woman faithless to her lover, even so have you been faithless to me, O house of Israel,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 3:20; see also Isaiah 1:21; 57:8; Ezekiel 16:30).

The Bible tells us that people who choose to be friends with the world are an “adulterous people” having “enmity against God” (James 4:4–5). The “world” here is the system of evil under Satan’s control (John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19). The world system, with its contrived and deceitful scheme of phony values, worthless pursuits, and unnatural affections, is designed to lure us away from a pure relationship with God. Spiritual adultery, then, is the forsaking of God’s love and the embracing of the world’s values and desires (Romans 8:7–8; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15–17).

Spiritual adultery includes any form of idolatry. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel tried to mix the worship of other gods such as Baal with that of God (Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 16:31–33; Jeremiah 19:5). In doing so, Israel became like an adulterous wife who wanted both a husband and another lover (Jeremiah 9:2; Ezekiel 6:9; 16:32). In the New Testament, James defines spiritual adultery as claiming to love God while cultivating friendship with the world (James 4:4–5). The person who commits spiritual adultery is one who professes to be a Christian yet finds his real love and pleasure in the things that Satan offers. For believers, the love of the world and the love of God are direct opposites. Believers committing spiritual adultery may claim to love the Lord, but, in reality, they are captivated by the pleasures of this world, its influence, comforts, financial security, and so-called freedoms.

The concept of spiritual adultery against God is a major theme throughout the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:15–19). This theme is illustrated especially well in the book of Hosea. The prophet’s wife, Gomer, symbolizes the infidelity of the children of Israel (Hosea 2:2–5; 3:1–5; 9:1). Hosea’s commitment to Gomer symbolizes God’s faithful, patient love with His erring people.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). The Bible exhorts us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15–16). Believers must echo the words of the old hymn: “The world behind me, the cross before me; no turning back.”

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14–16). Spiritual adultery is like trying to straddle the fence with one foot in the world and the other heaven. We cannot have both. As Jesus warned the church in Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16).

The love of the world is primarily an attitude of one’s heart, and we can cast away worldliness by cultivating a new affection. To avoid spiritual adultery, “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2, KJV).



Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-adultery.html#ixzz2smvYE74T

 

[Edward]