The last risk factor for our spirit hearts is found in how we entertain the thoughts that often invade our minds.
I had a really difficult time falling and staying asleep the other night. I just could not shut my mind down. One thought after another floated through. It was tough to sort through everything.
Our thoughts can come from several sources. Sometimes they originate from our own rebellious desires or anxieties. Our dead sin nature often forgets that it is dead and tries to lead us back to old ways. It wants us to abandon the new creation and move back into the old.
The enemy of our soul is also adept at shooting those fiery darts our way. We can also succumb to the world’s propaganda and attitudes that are aimed at us continually.
Finally, our thoughts can flow from the Holy Spirit in us leading us, providing wisdom, and showing us what God would have us be and do.
We need to identify who is talking to us … and if it is not the Holy Spirit, we need to make sure that we are not entertaining the thoughts that come from the world, our flesh, and the devil. Entertaining means we allow those unholy thoughts to progress and take root. 2 Corinthians commands us to take “every thought captive to obey Christ.” [vs 5b HCSB]
LORD, keep our minds pure and clean. Give us discernment to recognize the origins of our thought life and the spiritual power to take authority over everything that is not of you. Amen
