Devotionals

Thoughts

Thoughts can be a dangerous thing, but they can also bring us closer to God. With our flesh conflicting with our Spirit on a regular basis, it can be hard to dwell on God as the world closes in around us.

It's incredibly easy to sit back as our minds fill with rampant thoughts that drive us crazy. Sometimes anxiety and depression take hold, and other times we're thinking of sinful desires of the flesh. We must remember though that God gives us the ability to control our thoughts.

It's difficult to control what you think sometimes, especially when it comes to the desires of your flesh, but it can be done.

We're told that, "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" in Galatians 5:24 (ESV). If our flesh has been crucified with Christ, we have been allowed the power to control the flesh. If the flesh is dead, how can it control us?

Well, because we live in a flesh-filled world (I know that sounds silly, but bear with me!). This world isn't full of very spiritual people, but rather wicked people who seek to gratify the flesh. We can see this in the greed, envy, jealousy, lustfulness, etc. of the world that is present in the media worldwide.

We also have the power of free will. So, though we can control our flesh and have the ability to put our wicked passions and desires to rest, we also have the ability to allow such things to permeate our minds.

Back to Galatians 5.

16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

In other words, this passage confirms what I said earlier about the flesh and the Spirit being at arms with one another. Paul experienced this first-hand, as he wrote in Romans 7:19, 21-25 (ESV).

19 "For I do not do the good I want but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,

23 but I see in my members (flesh) another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."

Wow, right? A Biblical figure going through something that we as Christians face all the time: spiritual warfare.

Paul wrote in the next chapter of Romans about a mind fixated on the Spirit compared to a mind fixated on the flesh.

Romans 8:6 (ESV) says, "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

Romans 8:13 (ESV) says, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

There is much more advice on Paul's behalf throughout the entire book of Romans, so definitely check it out!

Anyway, moving on. We can control the desires of our flesh that permeate our minds. While it may seem that you can't control it, by the Spirit you can! You see, a tactic of Satan is to make us feel as though we are powerless.

God doesn't want us to be run over by sin, and He certainly doesn't want us to sit on the sidelines as sin breaks into and destroys our minds. Whatever you do, don't listen to the lie that is, "I can't control what I think about."

By the power of the Spirit, you can and should!

I've struggled with this a bit myself, but I have made stunning improvements. Here are some things I have learned:

If something triggers you into wanting to sin, put it away! For example, if you have a pornography addiction, you might want to stay away from television shows that feature heated kissing scenes, as this might be a trigger for you. Similarly, if you have a problem with telling lies, you might want to avoid compromising situations in which you would want to lie (don't do things you'll have to cover up for!). The same is true for pretty much every other sin.

Put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV): "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

The armor of God: read your Bible and pray! The best defense you have against evil and the desires of your flesh is your relationship with Christ. How can you be ready for spiritual warfare if you aren't prepared with the armor of God? Spiritual warfare doesn't come at any particular time, it can happen spontaneously. Prepare yourself now so you don't slip up later!

If you do slip up, know that God knows that you are human and He never expected you to be perfect. He knew that you would sin, and He knows that you were overcome by the desires of your flesh. Confess and repent, and grow in your walk with God.

Remember these verses! Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

1 John 1:9 (NIV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

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This devotional was inspired by the "Mastermind" Bible plan on the YouVersion Bible app by Life.Church. If you have the app, check it out! I'm on day 5 of 7 but it has been wonderful so far!

If you read this, what devotional ideas do you have? Do you have questions about how to handle certain situations, want to learn more about a certain topic, etc.? Let me know in the comments! Be sure to tag me (@NBNiar) so I will see them.

God bless!

NBNiar