Brothers and Sisters who profess Christ, we must guard our hearts against that which is sinful. The Lord teaches that out of our hearts sin springs forth and defiles man.
Mark 7:
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
“Nothing is man’s fault,” says the world. “There is no fault to be found in our feelings - no matter what we feel,” says the world. “We can’t control our thoughts,” says the world. “We can’t control our behavior,” says the world. The voices in this world deem themselves experts on matters they know nothing about.
They make every attempt to disempower God. What could be more devastating than the world’s mentality? Many who profess to be a part of the Church are adopting these very same ideas.
Church, we cannot buy the lies the world is selling. We can’t afford to forget the Power that is found IN Christ Jesus.
Church, we cannot buy the lies the world is selling. We can’t afford to forget the Power that is found IN Christ Jesus.
The Word of God must be our Standard for Truth. We can overcome our thoughts (our hearts) through Jesus Christ. No matter what thought presents itself to us, we are not in bondage to act upon or to meditate upon that thought.
1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;imaginations - logismos - reasoning, computation, conscience, conceit - synonym thought
We are taught in the Bible that there is a special ingredient necessary in order for us to overcome this world and any deceitfulness presented within our minds/hearts.
James 1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
We can allow the Word of God (and the Power it surely holds!) to root itself deep within our hearts (our thoughts, our very being), and if we do permit the Word of the Lord to take root in our hearts, we will be transformed. Out of our hearts, we will see the goodness of God flow forth. We will see the fruit of the Spirit apparent in our hearts and lives. And we will see any sinful thought destroyed by the power of God’s Word. What hope the Gospel brings to those who cling to the Lord!
Read the Parable of the Sower:
Matthew 13: 18-23
Mark 4:14-20
The Word also teaches in Luke 6:43, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
We must not adopt the world’s mentality. Those who follow Christ are not in bondage to sin even when it presents itself in our very own hearts. Yes, we can expect to battle tempting thoughts. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Genesis 6
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Matthew 15
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Galatians 5: 19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 6: 7-8
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Brothers and Sisters who profess Christ, it is not optional to guard our hearts -- It is mandatory if we hope to endure unto the end, as the Lord admonished us. If our hope is to enter into the presence of the Lord eternally, all thoughts that are against what the Bible teaches us must be cast down and brought under the authority of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Lord will make every attempt to reach us and bring us to repentance by His Holy Spirit when our hearts/thoughts are contrary to His Truth. Yet, the Word also teaches that we must accept His teaching (His chastisement) in order to be transformed by Him.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:5
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Hebrews 3: 12-15
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
That which has been defiled cannot enter into eternity with the Lord:
Revelation 3:4
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Revelation 21:27
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
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Those who are not believers in Christ are in bondage to sin. They won’t be able to overcome the defiling thoughts that are nurtured in their hearts. I pray that you and I weep for them and cry out to the Lord on their behalf until they come to Christ, for only when a person is beckoned by the Holy Spirit of God can he or she then truly surrender all to the Lord, our Great Christ.
But for those of us who do believe, we are no longer in bondage to sin. No matter what thoughts enter our hearts, please know that Jesus Christ can deliver us from every temptation to sin. If you find strange thoughts entering your mind that are against the Word of God, cast them down. Even if you must cast them down 100 times a day, continue to do so and call out to the Name above all names: Jesus. I am living proof that the Lord will be faithful to deliver you from any and every thought that is against the Word of God. No matter what Satan attempts to bombard you with, the Lord is stronger. The Lord is Stronger! Do not succumb to that temptation. Fight the good fight of faith. Fast, pray, read the Bible. Do this until the Lord delivers you. He Will Deliver You! Glory to this Great Lord! Oh, how thankful I am for His Power and His love toward us. He longs to deliver us from anything that defiles.
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