How can we control sinful thoughts?
Proverbs 4:23 says, āAbove all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.ā Here are five strategies to accomplish that: 1. Be in Godās Word! In a time of temptation, quote Scripture that deals with the issue directly. When Jesus was tempted by satan in the desert, what did he do? The God of the universe quoted Scripture! If we donāt read His Word, we wonāt know it and canāt memorize the Truth that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy. āBe transformed by the renewing of your mindā¦ā. Romans 12:2. āAnd we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.ā 2 Corinthians 10:5 2. Live in dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Rely on Him throughout each day by seeking His guidance and insight. Jesus sent us the āHelperā after He ascended to heaven. He knew we would need help. Seek the Holy Spirt relentlessly. 3. āMake a covenant with your eyes.ā We guard our hearts by not feeding our minds with the things that promote sinful thoughts. Avoid videos, websites, periodicals, conversations, and situations that will set us up to fail. Delete those apps on your phone and on your tvās that open up the portals of the enemy. 4. Principle of Replacement: If we donāt replace the sinful thoughts with godly ones, we leave an empty field for satan to fill. Example - When we see a woman we are tempted to lust after, turn our gaze, praise God for the way He has made us, and pray for that same woman. 5. Meet together (Iron Sharpens Iron!): Hebrews 10:25 says, āLet us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one anotherā¦ā Fellowship is a boredom killer and boredom is not a good place to hang around. Fellowship promotes accountability. Fellowship encourages. Jesus saw the value in fellowship and small groups after all. He chose 12 disciples to hang with. When we meet together and prepare for meeting together, there isnāt time for idle thoughts. āFinally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.ā Philippians 4:8