Reaping the Harvest of My Wayward Thought Life
I find myself in familiar territory these days. Years ago, God dealt with me about my mind and the thoughts I would allow in. We walked through many hours of study and Scripture and overcame a lot of junk. Sadly, over time, I slowly let my guard down, and little by little let my thought life run rampant again–and now I am reaping the harvest of that mistake. My life of thoughts has brought me back to my knees.
I am so very thankful for the Blood and the Grace it brings. I am thankful that even though I have let my life become a mess, the Grace from the Blood that Jesus shed affords me strength. It also gives me the super natural ability to pick myself up, and clean out the muck of my mind!
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2
You see, any seasoned Christian knows that sin begins in the mind. What we fail to realize is that when we allow our thought life to run rampant, we become desensitized, and soon our standards are measured by this world rather than the Word of God.
My Thought Life
I have allowed myself to drift.
I have allowed my thoughts to convince me that I can watch a little more, listen to a little more, deserve a little more, and need a little more. Until one day, I woke up and realized the horrible harvest that was growing in the forest of my spiritual life. It has affected my whole life, my kids, and even my marriage.
I allowed thoughts like…
“He’ll never change…”
“I don’t ‘deserve’ this. I ‘deserve’ better!”
“One time wont hurt.”
“At least this movie wasn’t that bad.”
“One G** D*** is OK.”
“Things will never…”
“Things will always…”
“One is OK.”
These little phrases may mean nothing to you, or you may have just had a light bulb turn on. Regardless, we allow little seemingly insignificant lies to seep into our thought life, and before we know it, they become our standard of truth.
We all forget from time to time the fact that God’s Word tells us to…
avoid temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 26:41)
stay away from sin (2 Timothy 2:22, Colossians 3:5-10)
walk in forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:21-22, Colossians 3:13)
prefer others (Philippians 2:3, Hebrews 12:14)
have faith (Hebrews chapter 11, Mark 11:22-24, Romans 10:17)
guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23, Jeremiah 17:7-10, Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:7, Matthew 6:21)
guard/renew our minds (1 Peter 5:8, Philippians 4:6-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 10:17, Romans 12:1-2, Isaiah 26:3, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
watch our tongues (Ephesians 4:29 , Proverbs 21:23, James 3:1-18 , Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 18:21, Leviticus 19:16)
trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 91:2, Psalm 31:14-15, Hebrews 13:8)
love (1 Peter 2:1-25, Matthew 22:37, 2 Timothy 1:7, John 13:34-35, Colossians 3:14 , 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 Corinthians 16:14 )
cast our cares (1 Peter 5:1-14, Psalm 55:22, Philippians 4:6)
submit/obey God (John 14:15, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, Matthew 6:33)
We need to be alert and on guard, my friends. We must not deceive ourselves. We do not have an incompetent adversary. He is vicious and on the prowl–constantly, ever ready to pounce at the slightest show of weakness. Let’s repent of our sin, fill our minds with the Word, and walk the road less traveled.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 (amp)
Let’s pray:
Daddy God, thank You for Your life-giving Word and this important lesson about my thought life. Thank You that You never let me stray too far. Forgive me, Lord, for allowing sin to penetrate my life through my mind. Help me to guard my mind and renew it daily with Your Truth. Help me to let go of the things, ideals, and ways of this world, and cling tightly to Your Word. It is water for my weary soul, and strength for my weak mind. I love You, Lord. I want to walk in Your perfect will for my life. I want to be a light in this world–not an empty carcass that is consumed with the lusts and passions of a sinful world. Guide me, Lord. Thank You for Your forgiveness, mercy, love, and strength on this life journey! I love You, Daddy! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
This was good. I had this really bad habit of “playing out” situation in my mind, and day I realize that I was starting unnecessary strife in my marriage. Most of the time my hubby didn’t know what was going on. But because I played the situation out over, and over in my mind, I was stressing myself out unnecessarily and angry all the time. When these thoughts would try to come, I would put my MP3 on and listen to some gospel music. I decided that I was going to sit around and let the devil have anymore authority in my life. He is not the author and finisher on my life or my faith, God is! An idol mind us the devils playground. So I made and effort to listen to more of the Word of God. I downloaded sermons fromof my favorite ministers and the Bible on my MP3 so that I would continuously have the Word of GOD before me – like Carman said “Garbage in, Garbage out; Good in, Good out.”. We as Christians have to watch what we ut in out eye and ear gate. But know this, the devil is a liar and a defeated foe where are concerned, in Jesus name. And by putting it out there and sharing, the devil no longer has anything to hold over you. That’s one of the reasons I love to write; I love sharing the good and the not so good I ho through. I love you, God loves you. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU & SO IS GOD! Way to snuff out the devil’s plan. Ha devil, you still lose. Just laugh in the devil’s (do out loud so you can hear everytime he tries to remind you). Just laugh, hahahahahahaha! The devil is a big fat Loser with a capital L.
Like this page…Actually i like this whole site in your brutal honesty.. Appreciate it.. Thanks keep up the good work…
new wife & mother…