by Ted Robertson on May 21, 2011
Our thoughts are a reflection of who we are "for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23: 7
The Lord knows our thoughts, and therefore, our hearts
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Psalms 94:11
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again,
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 1 Corinthians 3:18 - 20
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21: 2
Foolish thoughts are actually sinful
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. Proverbs 24: 9
In fact, instruction in the commandments points to sin as beginning in the mind with the thoughts and not just a behavioral manifestation
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. Exodus 20: 17
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5: 27 - 28
As a call to repentance, the Lord through His prophet Jeremiah asks how long will His children cling to their vain thoughts?
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Jeremiah 4:14
God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 6-9
If we commit ourselves to God, then our thoughts will become reality
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3
The Psalmist prays for cleansing from secret faults and that the meditations of the heart are acceptable to God
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me:
then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14
The Lord can bring true and right thoughts to us
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalms 94:19
There is a contrast noted between the wicked and pure thoughts
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. Proverbs 15:26
God destroyed the Earth by flood because the thoughts of men were only evil continually
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. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:5-8
In our time prior to the Second Coming, the same condition will prevail.
(Thought/discussion: Do we see such degeneration of the thoughts of our society in our popular culture?)
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24: 36-37
We are instructed to think good and pure thoughts
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. Philippians 4:8
From the Pen of Inspiration
More precious than the golden wedge of Ophir is the power of right thought. We need to place a high value upon the right control of our thoughts; for such control prepares us to labor for the Master. It is necessary for our peace and happiness in this life that our thoughts center in Christ. As a man thinketh, so is he.
The merciful shall find mercy, and the pure in heart shall see God. Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims to spiritual vision, so that men can not behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but tho forgiven, the soul is marred. All impurity of speech and thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.
Evil thoughts destroy the soul. The converting power of God changes the heart, refining and purifying the thoughts. Unless a determined effort is made to keep the thoughts centered on Christ, grace can not reveal itself in the life. The mind must engage in the spiritual warfare. Every thought must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. All the habits must be brought under God's control.
We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts and the damaging influence of evil thoughts. Let us place our thoughts upon holy things. Let them be pure and true; for the only security for any soul is right-thinking. We are to use every means that God has placed within our reach for the government and cultivation of our thoughts. We are to bring our minds into harmony with Christ's mind. His truth will sanctify us, body, soul, and spirit, and we shall be enabled to rise above temptation. Ellen G.White, Signs of the Times – August 23, 1905.
More from the pen of inspiration, phrases about 'Thoughts'
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