Hatching Snake Eggs

Finally, there are those thoughts that end in sensual, lustful action. You know, drug addicts will usually testify that they can easily kick their physical habit...but not their mental habit, because their minds keep replaying those old thoughts.

Why is it that so many who get delivered go back to their old habits? Why isn't the grip of sin broken? Because when evil thoughts are later planted by lying spirits...they are not immediately cast down.

You let a single lustful thought stay in the mind for 30 seconds and it will take hold. Soon it becomes an egg, with a snake waiting to be hatched. And that is why God's Word literally screams, "Cast out the wicked thought!"

Don't flirt with it...don't give it an inch. Run to the Lord...run to His Word...cry out for a cleansing of the mind and let the fear of God drive out every evil thought.

You must be persuaded that if the evil though is entertained...if it's conceived and becomes an egg...it will hatch and the mind will be bitten and poisoned.

As soon as any wrong thought comes to mind, we must say, "This can kill me. This will destroy me. This is deadly. I could lose my life and my soul if I flirt with it.

We have to realize that this thought is not mine...it is not natural.. it is not my flesh...it's not just an old desire returning...IT IS SATAN HIMSELF. It is a lying spirit from hell sent to deceive and destroy me.

And the Bible promises, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" You must resist him in your mind by resisting the very first thought of evil or wrongdoing.

We have the provisions for eliminating these deadly thoughts..but what are the consequences of hatching these snake eggs? God clearly tells us what happens to those people who allow these wrong thoughts to rule them.

Look at verse 7 (READ)

Remember, Isaiah was speaking to people who had turned from their wickedness...people who rejoiced in their newfound victory and freedom. But when Satan returned and dropped the seed of thought into their minds...they didn't cast it out and the snake came forth.

And once this happens nothing can stop them...no friend..no argument.. not even the Bible...because they are set to do evil and they run to do what they've thought in their mind. They are on a path of waste and destruction...with many innocent people in their way.

(illustration worked at V.A. hospital...woman with throat cancer... still wanted a cigarette.)

„ªSecondly„« people who allow these thoughts to rule them will lose all sense of peace...and their discernment. Look at verse 8 (READ) These people become the most miserable people in the world, because nothing satisfies them.

Why? Because they once knew that peace but now that they are walking contrary to the will of God, the peace that we so desperately desire is something we just can't grasp...no matter how hard we try.

„ªThirdly„« the mind that continues to be ruled by these evil thoughts eventually become blind and full of horrible darkness. READ v. 9 10

The coldest, hardest hearts in all the world belong to those who were once loving, open and happy in their knowledge of the Lord. But now, because of their sin, they don't even want to hear about Him. They become strangers to God.