How Should Christians Respond to Unwanted Thoughts? by David K. Bernard Podcast recording (no venue stated in the delivered transcript) Kind: teaching Scripture: Romans 8, Galatians 5, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Philippians 4:8 Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/david-k-bernard--how-should-christians-respond-to-unwanted-thoughts Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page. Free to copy and share with attribution. ------------------------------------------------------------ well first of all unwanted evil thoughts or Temptations are not sin but it's important how we address them how we deal with them so first of all uh we have sources of Temptation basically three main sources the world so our culture around us uh can implant thoughts in our mind just because of what we see what we read all the influence our co-workers fellow students uh their worldly life and beliefs will affect us so we have temptations from the world then we have the devil the devil and his evil spirits can attack us now if we're a Christian they can't possess us but they can oppress us they can come against us they can attack us so yes I believe the devil can put unwanted thoughts or Temptations in our minds you see how the devil tempted Jesus and that's a good example of Jesus Jesus was tempted but he didn't sin so even if the devil brings a direct thought to you that's evil just because you had that evil thought you're not responsible you're you you're not accountable in the sense you have not sinned and then of course we do have the sinful nature within us still uh and we will have until we're resurrected and glorified so we have what the New Testament calls the Flesh and Romans chapter 8 for example Galatians chapter 5 talks about uh struggle between the Flesh and the spirit but it's a struggle in which we can be victorious but these unwanted thoughts Temptations doubts can come from the world the devil or the flesh so they're they're not sin in and of themselves but if we dwell upon them entertain them desire them and fulfill them in our minds or fulfill them in our actions then they can become sin so the Book of James talks about that God doesn't tempt anybody to sin but Temptation can come from our own lust but when it's conceived the end result is going to be sin and then death so that indicates there's a process so how do you deal with those things well first of all a lot of the battle is what I've already said uh Temptation evil thoughts they're not sin and so don't accept guilt or condemnation that would be a trick of the devil as well there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Romans chapter 8 verse1 so the first thing is to realize no you're not uh you have not sinned you you're not characterized by that you don't succumb to that you don't give up to that then second I would say maybe the negative side of how to come against it let me read from 2 Corinthians chapter 10 uh new King James 4 4-6 for the weapons of our Warfare are not carnal But Mighty in God for pulling down strongholds casting down arguments and every High thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to The Obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all Disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled so we have aggressive Warfare not a physical Warfare we're not fighting against people but against ideas thoughts strongholds evil spirits so in prayer we rebuke these things um and so by developing a daily prayer Life by meditating and reading on God's word by going to church Faithfully by heeding Godly preaching and teaching by submitting to The Godly authority of pastors uh by sharing our personal testimony by giving generously to the church having fellowship with God's people so we can actively combat these thoughts take them captive and make them obedient to Christ so an evil thought comes don't dwell on it don't desire it don't give into it but rebuke it resist it and reject it uh I heard Bishop Mor Morris Golder say years ago and I've adopted as one of my slogans but he said you know everybody has doubts don't think you're unusual don't think you're bad but your your favorite preachers had doubts so here but he says the key is don't believe your doubts and don't doubt your beliefs so you have to have core beliefs and experiences you've established and they're not up for question or negotiation and when doubts come just recognize what they are they're human feelings and a lot of times when you're hungry you're tired you're lonely you're discouraged uh things haven't gone your way recognize I'm a human being my emotions or my spiritual condition has opened the door to these things but that's not who I am and I can close that door um and so my book anchor points is designed to establish here are some core beliefs and here are some answers to common questions so if you do have significant doubts you can do some reading and study and get some answers and resolve those doubts and so now let me SLP Swip uh switch to the positive side is not only can you rebuke evil thoughts and take obedience you know take them and and force them to be obedient to Christ and drown them out through prayer and so on but on the positive side you fill your mind and your reading with and your thoughts with good things and so Philippians chapter 4 talks about this so you have to be proactive and so sometimes this is not to bring guilt or doubt but if you're reading a lot of questionable stuff now I I like to read a broad spectrum even things I disagree with to try to learn something but if you're constantly filling your mind with negative accusatory condemning thoughts or you're opening yourself to all kinds of media movies Television Internet that just inundate you with lust or worldly thoughts or worldly desires well of course garbage in garbage out and so if your if your in your environment of thinking is filled with these things even some friendships and associations and activities uh if they're very worldly and oppressive you may have to limit or cut off some friendships or some associations with people um The Book of Proverbs talks about don't be a friend with an angry person because you'll become angry like them so yes it it will uh your close associations can influence you negatively so in Philippians 4:8 finally Brethren whatever things are true whatever things are noble whatever things are just whatever things are pure whatever things are lovely whatever things are of good report if there's any virtue and if there's anything praiseworthy meditate on these things so to summarize it's a matter of number one recognizing that Temptations and evil thoughts in themselves are not sin but they must be dealt with appropriately instead of yielding to them and acting upon them we must resist them second uh we come against them we attack them uh through prayer uh and resisting the devil but then positively we overcome them through through personal spiritual disciplines positive thoughts positive wholesome associ ations creating a spiritual environment that's conducive to our spiritual health and when we do that uh then we can uh submit our minds to the to the Lord Jesus Christ and we can live a holy life