The older I get the more fascinated I am with the abilities of the human mind. It can take us places we have never been before just by thinking. Have you ever read a book about a place you have been to and you are immediately transported back and can see everything in vivid color? Or, just by using your imagination, you can visit places you have never been to. I just find that to be amazing… a full-color video for memories and thinking…all on board…
Keep in mind though that like most things on this earth, the enemy has warped it into something that can be really bad. The enemy provides things for you see that can cause your mind to drift into places it shouldn’t.
I will be blunt-
Did you know that you can have sex with a woman and never even have met her? All inside your mind. Of course you know this…and you know I am telling you the truth.
You have the choice to take your thoughts in any direction you want.
John MacArthur, the acclaimed pastor says it this way, “If you truly want to exercise self-control, you have to start by controlling your thoughts.”
I saw a quote the other day that resonates with this as well, ”your strongest muscle and worst enemy is your mind. Train it well.”
The Apostle Paul recognized this same issue and wrote about this in Phillippians 4:7b when he told us to “guard our hearts and our minds.”
Honestly, the best way for the enemy to attack you is through your thoughts. You are vulnerable there because you think you are alone. I wrote a post a few years ago called “God will Judge Men’s Secrets” after reading the verse, Romans 2:16 where it says just that. You and I will be judged on our secrets. The things we assumed were hidden.
My point is this, we need to protect ourselves by controlling our thoughts from going in the wrong direction. More importantly, don’t think that because your thoughts are personal and ONLY your thoughts, that no one knows. God knows and we will be held accountable. God will judge men’s secrets…your secrets and mine.
Finally, I am not leaving you without a solution. Paul gave us the answer, we just have to execute. It requires self-control and consistency, but it can be accomplished.
In verse 8 of Phillippians from above, Paul says this;
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.
The quote from above referred to your mind as a muscle. Paul is telling us to exercise your mind muscle by dwelling on good things and by resisting the temptation to dwell on the bad.
Stay in control…It is really up to you-
Until next time Guys-
