"Finally, brethren, whatever
things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these
things."
Philippians 4:8
All sin starts off as a thought. The enemies most
effective attack area is on our mind. Daily we are bombarded
with hundreds (maybe thousands) of ungodly thoughts. Should we choose
to linger in an inappropriate thought, we sin. No sin, beloved, is to
"small" to be unimportant. If you've looked at that married woman, thought
on how lovely she is and how you wish she was yours - you've entertained a
sinful thought which is a wedge, for Satan, into the door of your mind.
And when you meet with your friend and you "discuss" how Sally Jane and her
husband aren't getting along, and how one of your co-workers is having
an affair, and so on... this is called gossip, plain and simple, and it is sin,
beloved, and thus it must be confessed as 1 John 1:9 tells us. All
sin starts off as a thought. You thought on how lovely that married
woman was ... and you thought on how to tell your friend about
Sally Jane's marriage problems and your coworker's disgustingly sinful
lifestyle.
God, Himself, tells us (through the apostle Paul) that we are to
bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians
10:3-6) then He teaches us that we are to Philippians 4:8 the thought at the
door of our mind.
We can be prepared for these times of mental warfare by knowing
God and His ways. Bible teacher, Kay Arthur, narrows it down even more for
us in that there are two things that must be part of our life; we cannot survive
without them: "First, Regular, diligent study of God's word; this
includes memorizing Scripture. Second, a consistent quiet time alone with
God. Without these two basics of Spiritual gear, we cannot withstand the
constant assaults from the devil on our mind."
Sow a thought, reap an action,
sow an action; reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a lifestyle; sow a lifestyle,
reap a destiny. This is an old saying but, oh how true and
sobering it is. Beloved, starting right now, choose to call your thoughts
captive at the door of your mind, then think on only those things that are true,
noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, anything praiseworthy ... and
meditate on them.
Have a wonderful day in the
Lord!
April
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