How to control thought life?
By Dr: Mrs: Lilian Stanley.

Few of us give attention to our thought-life as much as to our outward life. When God sees a man He does not first see what he is doing rather what he is thinking.God understands our thoughts afar off before it escapes out of the heart in visible form (Psa: 139:2,4, 1Chr 28:9) We have a wrong notion that thoughts are not as bad as actions. But God weighs them equally in His balance. He deals with attitudes as strictly as with our actions. As a man think in his heart, so is he (Prov: 23:7) Our actions are the outcome of our attitudes.

God does not wink at our thoughts. Our thoughts will be judged on "the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ" (Rom 2:16) "O Lord of hosts, you who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart" (Jer: 11:20, 11Sam 6:16-23, Lk1:51, Psa 41:1) Some thoughts are not sinful but unnecessary. These could be thoughts of food, clothes or life. God commands us not to worry about these, for what can we achieve by worrying? (Mt 6:25-28) God knows our needs.

Our life is in God's hand. He is the prince of life. So even in times of distress or fatal illness quit worrying and relax in His hands. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these shall be added to you (6:33) When your thoughts are troubled and you are confused, remember the voice of the Lord which proclaims, "My thoughts are not your thoughts. For as the heaven are higher than the earth, so are My thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isa 55:8,9) Calm down . And there is the vain thought. It is useless imagination which consumes our precious time. David hated vain thoughts and spent his time reading

God's Words (Psa. 119:113). Vain thoughts include assumptions and guesses which spoil our mind. Do not allow your mind to think beyond proven facts. Let me illustrate how misleading our imaginations could be. A man took shelter in the verandah of a house on a cold and rainy night. He heard a voice from inside, "Let's cut the neck." And another gruff male voice, "No, let's cut the hand first." The man, scared to death, brought the police only to find two tailors cutting a blouse! "Do not curse the king even in your thought…..a bird in flight may tell the matter".

We keep struggling to control or discipline our thoughts and always (or so it seems) end up as failures. Let me encourage you by saying that you do really very well as long as you keep struggling. A time comes when you become frustrated with and all your failure(!) methods to discipline your unruly mind and whisper to yourself, "I have tried hopelessly for many years to no avail. What is the use of going on like this without victory? This must be natural for everyone. Never give up the reins lest satan takes hold of it . Keep on struggling- and you are safe. There are some measures to develop a mental discipline. We must train our conscience to acknowledge evil thought as sin (Prov: 24:9). Realise that we must repent even of our thoughts, confess it and seek forgiveness.

" Peter said to him, your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!… Your Heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thoughts of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:20:22) God is a thought reader . Ask Him to reveal your thoughts and intents to you. "He declares to man what his thought is" (Amos 4:13). Pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. " Now do you understand why David was a man after God's own heart? God's Word is the discerner of our thought and intents (Heb: 4:12)

Test with the help of help of scriptures if your thoughts are right or not. Face it honestly. Train up your mind to think according to the scriptures as you grow up in God. When you were a child you thought as a child (1 Cor 13:11) But when you grow up to be a man to the stature of Christ think as Christ. Let the mind of Christ be in you.( Phili: 2; 5) Graduate in love. Love thinks no evil. ( 1Cor 13; 5). Keep God in all your thoughts. I remember how when I was a student the moment I felt left home for college, God would slip out of my mind. Once back home, suddenly I would remember Him. I tried hard to keep God in my thoughts throughout the day. So in every note and book I had a Bible verse written to switch my mind back to God. " The wicked…..God is in none of his thoughts."( Psa 10; 4).

Make a covenant with the members of your body not to Violate their code of ethics. :I have made a covenant with My eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"( Job 31' 1) Forsake evil thoughts ( Isa55; 7).God does not give impossible commandments. If He has asked you to do it He will also give you the grace to do it. Never be discouraged. It is literally a warfare. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself again the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (11 Cor: 10; 4, ,5) Do not allow the world to pour its filth into your mind through your eyes and ears. Avoid such books, TV programmes, and conversation. Do not express your evil thoughts( Prov 30: 32). That way you can prevent the full growth of sin. Take note while listening to sermons whether you need it or not. Carry good books or a pocket New Testment to read during waiting hours of journey. Be busy. Never be idle. Let your everyday prayer be that of David, " Let the words of my mouth and the Meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord" ( Psa 19: 14). God will rightly guide your thoughts if your motive is Pure( Acts 10: 29' Mt: 1: 20).. In the multitude of your thoughts within you God' comforts shall delight your soul.( Psa: 94; 19).A good formula to be memorised to help rectify your thought process is Phil: 4: 8 " Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise-worthy- meditate on these things;"

Are you discouraged thinking at this seeming impossibility?

Take heart. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please write to us today. We would like to pray for you and help you in your spiritual growth.


Wishing you peace and progress - John Sebastian

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