THOUGHTS ON THINKING!
I. DARE WE ALLOW GOD TO SEE WHAT WE ARE THINKING?
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.[NIV]
Psalm 139:23 O God, let the secrets of my heart be uncovered, and let my wandering thoughts be tested: [BBE]
a. OUR THOUGHTS ARE KNOWN TO THE LORD
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.
Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
b. OUR THOUGHTS DO NOT PLEASE GOD
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
c. OUR THOUGHTS CAN PLEASE THE LORD
Proverbs 15:26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
II. THE LORD KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS
Matthew 9:4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Luke 9:47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him.
III. WE CAN CONTROL OUR THINKING
a. WE CAN SHUT GOD OUT
Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Psalm 55:2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
b. WE CAN BRING GOD IN
Psalm 92:5 How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
c. WE CAN FOCUS OUR THINKING
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
IV. THE WORD OF GOD WILL REVEAL OUR THOUGHTS
a. THE WORD PENETRATES BEYOND HUMAN SIGHT
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
b. THE WORD DOES NOT SHOW FAVOURITISM
James 2:4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
V. WE CAN CHOOSE OUR THOUGHTS
a. WE HAVE A CHOICE
Philippians 4:8 brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things [NIV]
Philippians 4:8 My friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. [CEV]
b. OUR CHOICE REVEALS WHAT WE ARE
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: [AV]
Proverbs 23:7 What he thinks is what he really is. [GNB]
VI. THOUGHT CONTROL INVOLVES A SPIRITUAL BATTLE
a. WE NEED TO DOMINATE OUR THINKING
II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [AV]
We fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ. [JBP]
b. WE NEED TO DIRECT OUR THINKING
II Corinthians 10:5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. [Message]
