TEXT: Genesis 6:5
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
INTRODUCTION
What are you thinking of right now? Is it something good or bad, clean or dirty or in between? Can you let it out for all to see or will you rather keep it a secret? Do you know that the thoughts of your heart are known to God? "The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity" (Ps 94:11). Do you also know that every thought of man shall be judged, "in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ..." (Rom 2:16).
THE EVIL MIND OF MEN
David committed adultery and conspired to hide his sin but he could not cover it before God. His sin was laid bare by Nathan, the prophet. David confessed and pleaded for mercy and God forgave him but not without consequences. "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife" (2 Sam 12: 1- 14). Ananias and his wife did the same by lying to Peter but God exposed them (Acts 5:1-5). You cannot hide your thoughts from God. He sees and knows all.
The thoughts and imaginations of men lead to actions and when these thoughts are evil, wicked deeds become the order of the day. Jesus declared; "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt 15:18 - 19). We think and practise what we think. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Prov 23:7). Man is a sum of his thoughts. Jesus said: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).
TREASURES OF THE HEART
What do you treasure most in life? What are your priorities in life? Your thoughts will definitely be focused on the things that matters to you most. Jesus summed it up precisely in Matt 6:21: ^For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If the kingdom of God and His righteousness are our priorities, our hearts and thoughts will dwell on doing the will of God and loving our neighbours - the two pillars of God's commandments. Phil 4:8 tells us things to think about: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
For us to get to this level we must take heed of Apostle Paul's advise in Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Mind renewal through the word of God is what can lift us above the mundane things of this world. A heart filled with the word of life and the Holy Spirit of God can hardly entertain evil thoughts. It begins by surrendering our heart, body and spirit to God through his son, Jesus Christ, "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).
CONCLUSION
What's on your mind? Renew your mind through the transforming word of God.
PRAYER:
Father, I surrender my body, soul and spirit to you; purify my heart and help me to live a righteous life in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
My heart is in God's hands.
God bless you. Shalom.
