I know you've heard lots of people say that. So have I; but that is just not so! The truth is, you can help what you think. Just because a thought comes into your mind does not mean that you have to own it, or act it out, or even dwell on it.
The arena of the thought life is very critical to living a Christian life. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7(a) KJV. That verse tells us we are what we think. So, maybe we should guard our thoughts so we can become more than the random thoughts that do so often enter our minds.
Actions always spring forth from thoughts. Thought patterns can become habits. We can choose to form good habits or bad ones. Don't let the devil fool you into believing that you cannot help what you think. There are too many places in God's Word that tell us the opposite. When we were saved, Jesus changed our hearts. Now let us change our minds. Romans 12:2 KJV, "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."
Let me explain just a little. As Christians we are "in Christ". 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new".
We are born again "in Christ", that is, our spirit is brand new. It is not the spirit we were born with--the old sin-nature; but it is brand new with the new nature that Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead to give us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV says, "For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, (Jesus) who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Jesus)." (emphasis mine)
We are new creations gifted with the righteousness of God in Christ. We are completely saved-body, soul, and spirit; but we have a lot of stuff in our minds that just don't line up with the new creation that we now are--"in Christ" and as a result we do not always act like Christians.
Remember that your righteousness is in Christ. When God looks at you he sees Jesus because you are in Him. That takes all the pressure to perform off of you and me. Christ already did it all. He already conquered death, Hell and the grave. He is our righteousness, and we are in Him. We do not have to do anything but believe that he loves us and that he has already done it all. Good works will spring from a regenerated heart. We cannot work for our salvation. Jesus has already done everything we need to save us.
So how do we change our thoughts, renew our minds. let's look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV, "All scripture is is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Read the Bible daily. Start with the epistles of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. Regularly attend a church where they preach about Jesus. Listen to the sermons. Read good Christian Books. Ask your Pastor for reading list recommendations.
Here is advice from the Apostle Paul to go along with that, "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. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:8-9 KJV.
Pastor Joseph Prince of Singapore says, "Right believing leads to right living." Check out his new book, The Power of Right Believing: http://josephprince.org/newbook/ . I know he can shed a lot of light on what I have just said.
Have a great day; and remember who and Whose you are.
Brenda Quimby Smith
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24-25
Image courtesy of watcharakun at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
No comments:
Post a Comment