For me, you know what causes separation between me and God? My sinful thoughts. He knows men struggle with this because He addresses it in His Word. I have always struggled with trying to control my thoughts, it seems impossible to me. Let’s see what His Word says about our thoughts.
Mark 7:20-23 Then he continued, “It’s what comes out of a person that makes a person unclean, because it’s from within, from the human heart, that evil thoughts come, as well as sexual immorality, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, cheating, shameless lust, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these things come from inside and make a person unclean.”
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
I know these thoughts are from Satan. Listen, I have been in a church service and in walks a woman with way too much skin showing and immediately I have lustful thoughts. IN CHURCH!! This proves just how imperfect I am. Maybe other men do not struggle with this, but I do and I am 68 years old. “Lord, will I ever stop sinning?”
I rarely hear a preacher preach on this subject, but I think God views our evil thoughts as sin equal to a sin we commit with words or actions. These are all tied to our hearts. God knows our thoughts! Matthew 9:4: “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?'” This shows that Jesus, as God incarnate, was aware of the thoughts of those around Him, demonstrating His divine knowledge. Is there still stuff in our hearts we have not dealt with God about if we still struggle with these dishonorable thoughts?
Now what Jim? How do I address my sinful thoughts? Prayer and filling your heart with the Word of God by reading and studying your bible.
Heavenly Father, I come before You, feeling defeated by Satan, acknowledging my weakness and struggle with sinful thoughts. I humbly ask for Your divine assistance in overcoming these temptations that lead me astray. Please grant me the strength to resist the appeal of sinful desires and to focus my heart and mind on what is pure and pleasing to You.
Jim Everett
