What Were You Thinking?

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

As we do the will of God, we really have to be on the up and up, as it relates to our thought life. Our great enemy Satan loves to plant negative or impure thoughts into our minds. However, the important thing to know here is that we do have a choice to kick it out. We don’t have to accept or entertain that junk. It’s totally up to us to take those thoughts captive and surrender it to the obedience of Christ. However, how many times has our thought life gotten us into trouble? When this has happened, have you ever wanted to ask yourself, “What were you thinking?”

I’ve been there before, trust me. The thought comes, and then you think about it a little bit longer, then suddenly you act upon it. Nooooooo! I’ve felt so bad when that’s happened. It’s that moment when you feel saddened in your spirit that you let the thought control you for that instant. Yuck! Yet, at that point, immediate repentance is in order!

Sis, when our thoughts begin to get out of control, the Bible tells us to “Cast 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.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) This is by far one of my life Scriptures as it relates to conquering the mind. It’s an immediate weapon used when negative, evil, or impure thoughts try to invade my mind.

The reason why this Scripture has so much power is because once it’s activated and heeded (key word), I believe we can conquer whatever the enemy is trying to plant in our minds. But again, we have a choice. We can either allow the thought to take full control and wreak havoc in our lives, or cast it down and think about things that please the Lord. No matter what, we have to consciously decide to choose God’s way over how we feel or what we think. No doubt, this is not always easy. Sometimes we fail. However, I’m a firm believer that the more we feast on God’s holy word, commit to memory Scriptures that will help conquer those negative or impure thoughts and obey what it says; then we’ll experience GREAT victory and be able to effectively help others. Amen!   

*I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the enemy is on a rampage right now to try to destroy all that God has in store for you (especially if you’ve got a great work to do for the Lord). Right now, there are so many Christians and leaders around the globe who are falling into sexual sin and temptation in the church. It’s true. That’s why you and I must be on guard. In this last hour, Satan will try tactics like greater temptations and impure thoughts to weaken our effectiveness for winning souls to Christ. Write this down! This is not the time to get caught up in the lust of the eyes, or the lust of the flesh, nor the pride of life. The Bible tells us in 1 John 2:16-17, “For the world offers only the lust of physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” (NLT) Do you see this? We have to do the will of God, but we must do it with pure hearts which pleases the Lord.

Listen, whenever you’re tempted to do wrong, remember that it starts from the heart, enters the mind, and then it can potentially become and action…if you let it. My advice to you today is to fight those negative thoughts with everything within you. Choose to renew your mind (See Romans 12:2). Don’t let it capture you or be the cause of your ineffectiveness or demise. If you’re thinking negatively about someone, cast it down, pray for them, and practice forgiveness. If you’re thinking about sexual immorality (i.e. fornication/sex when you’re not married, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, lust of the eyes or the flesh), cast those thoughts down and think on things that are pure and lovely (Philippians 4:8). We have to make a choice to replace our negative or impure thoughts with positive and pure ones. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” I don’t know about you, but I want to see God someday and spend eternity with Him forever. I want to eat from the tree of life. That’s why my thought life and actions have to line up with God’s Word.

I want to close this post by saying this. If you have allowed a thought to become an action in your life, I want to ask this question, “What were you thinking about at the time before it happened?” Trace it back. Examine the situation. After you’ve done that, then I urge you to confess it completely to God with every detail and repent right now. Meaning turn completely away from that thing and ask God’s forgiveness. It’s not too late. Secondly, if you’re currently battling with temptations or impure thoughts, you need to confess it to God, pray, and possibly talk to someone about it before it becomes an action (i.e. your husband, pastor, pastor’s wife, a trusted friend, or mentor). Jesus says in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Remember there is definitely a battle raging in our minds, but we can win if we follow God’s battle plan (the Word of God and prayer). I love you sis. But God loves you more. And it was Him, Who impressed this post upon my heart for such a time as this. Renew your mind, so you can be an effective witness for the Kingdom of God.

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye 

*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!