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Answer
Taking control of our thoughts is essential. Proverbs 4:23 states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The “heart” includes the mind and all that proceeds from it. It has been said that every sin we commit, we commit twice, once in our thoughts and again when we act upon those thoughts. It is easier to rid our lives of sin if we address it at this foundational thought level rather than waiting for it to become entrenched in our lives through our actions and then attempting to uproot it.
There is a distinction between being tempted (a thought entering the mind) and sinning (dwelling on an evil thought and indulging in it). It is crucial to realize that when a thought comes into our mind, we should evaluate it based on God’s Word and decide whether to continue on that path or reject the thought and replace it with another. If we have allowed a habit to develop in our thought lives, it becomes more challenging to redirect the course of our thoughts, just as it is difficult to move a car out of a deep rut and onto a new path. Here are some biblical recommendations for managing our thoughts and eliminating improper thoughts:
1. Immerse yourself in God’s Word so that when a sinful thought enters your mind (a temptation), you can identify it for what it is and know how to respond. Jesus, in the wilderness (Matthew 4), countered each of Satan’s temptations with Scripture that guided Him in the direction He knew His mind should follow instead of entertaining the sinful thought. When tempted to satisfy His physical need (turn stones into bread), He quoted the passage emphasizing the importance of relying on God. When tempted to serve Satan for the glory of the world, He referenced the passage that emphasizes serving and worshiping God alone and acknowledging the glory that belongs to Him and His followers. When tempted to test God (to see if God was real), He responded with Scrip
When faced with doubts about Thomas’ faith (whether he would be physically there and would keep His promises), Jesus responded with passages that emphasize the importance of believing in God without needing to see Him demonstrate His presence.
Using Scripture in times of temptation is not a magical charm, but rather helps to focus our minds on a biblical path. However, we must be familiar with the Word of God in advance to achieve this. Therefore, establishing a daily habit of engaging with the Word in a meaningful way is crucial. If we recognize a specific area of ongoing temptation (such as worry, lust, anger, etc.), we should study and memorize key passages that address those issues. Identifying what we should avoid (negative) and how we should respond appropriately (positive) to tempting thoughts and situations—before they confront us—can greatly contribute to our victory over them.
2. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, primarily by seeking His strength through prayer “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”, (Matthew 26:41). If we depend on our own strength, we will stumble (Proverbs 28:26;Jeremiah 17:9;Matthew 26:33).
3. We should not expose our minds to things that encourage sinful thoughts. This aligns with the concept in Proverbs 4:23. We must protect our hearts—what we allow in and what we dwell on. Job 31:1 declares, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman” (NKJV). Romans 13:14 advises, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Therefore, we should avoid magazines, videos, websites, conversations, and situations that could lead us astray. It is also wise to avoid spending time with individuals who might steer us towards these harmful paths.
4. We should earnestly seek after God, replacing sinful habits with godly pursuits.
- Replace sinful thoughts with godly pursuits and mindsets. This is the principle of replacement. When tempted to hate someone, we replace those hateful thoughts with godly actions: we do good to them, speak well of them, and pray for them «But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; », (Matthew 5:44). Instead of stealing, we should work hard to earn money so we can look for opportunities to give to others in need «Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. », (Ephesians 4:28). When tempted to lust after a woman, we turn our gaze, praise God for the way He has made us—male and female—and pray for the woman (for example: “Lord, help this young woman to come to know you if she does not, and to know the joy of walking with you”), then think of her as a sister «the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. », (1 Timothy 5:2). The Bible often speaks of “putting off” wrong actions and thoughts but then “putting on” godly actions and thoughts (Ephesians 4:22-32). Merely seeking to put off sinful thoughts without replacing those thoughts with godly ones leaves an empty field for Satan to come along and sow his weeds (Matthew 12:43-45).
5. We can use fellowship with other Christians the way God intended. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some areIn the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Fellow Christians who will encourage us in the changes we desire (best if of the same gender), who will pray for and with us, who will ask us in love how we are doing, and who will hold us accountable in avoiding the old ways, are valuable friends indeed.
Last and most importantly, these methods will be of no value unless we have placed our faith in Christ as Savior from our sin. This is where we absolutely must start! Without this, there can be no victory over sinful thoughts and temptations, and God’s promises for His children are not for us, nor is the Holy Spirit’s power available to us!
God will bless those who seek to honor Him with what matters most to Him: who we are inside and not just what we appear to be to others. May God make Jesus’ description of Nathanael true also of us—a man [or woman] in whom there is no guile «Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! », (John 1:47).
