Have you ever just been mindin’ your own business, when, all of a sudden, a horrible thought pops into your head?
And it’s even worse if it happens during your quiet time with the Lord—while you’re studying your Bible!
You can’t help but wonder, Where in the world did that thought come from? (You’re actually not too far from base in asking that question.)
And then you might hear a thought like this: How could I be a Christian and have such a terrible thought!
God must be super disappointed in me … I wonder if I’m really even saved.
And it’s all downhill from there.
If you have ever been plagued with ungodly thoughts, thinking you must be a horrible person for experiencing them, I believe you will be greatly encouraged by the following words from your Beloved about the different sources of the thoughts you experience:
“My lovely one, it is important for you to understand where the thoughts you experience come from.”
“They either originate with you or outside of you.”
“Let’s start with the thoughts that originate with you.”
“There is a common misconception that man’s thoughts are generated in the brain, but My Word describes them as being formed in the heart.”
“You are a brand-new heart—a new spirit united in holy union with My Spirit.”
“My Spirit is the Spirit of truth.”
“Therefore, thoughts that issue from you will always reflect the righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”
“Thoughts that originate outside of you are coming from the flesh or the environment in which you live.”
“The flesh comprises the habit patterns stored in your physical brain that are rooted in Satan’s deception and interfere with your dependence on My indwelling Spirit.”
“Clearly, thoughts that issue from the flesh will always reflect the unrighteousness and unholiness that comes from lies.”
“Satan is the father of all lies.”
“Information (in the form of thoughts) from your environment enters your brain through your physical senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.”
“These thoughts will reflect either truth or lies, depending on their original source.”
“This is where your discernment and choice come in.”
“I am your wisdom and I have entrusted you with the incredible ability to choose which thoughts you will accept (own and believe) and which thoughts you will reject (disown and disbelieve).”
“Your ability to choose is the most powerful gift I have given you.”
“When you reject the truth and accept the lies, you will experience discontentment, forfeiting your enjoyment of life and peace on this earth.”
“However, when you accept the truth and reject the lies, you will experience the refreshing transformation that comes from the renewing of your mind.”
“You will enjoy the happy harmony that comes from walking in the truth, by My Spirit.”
Inspired by Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 1:51; Hebrews 4:12; Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:17; John 14:6, 17; 15:26; 16:13; 17:17, 19; Ephesians 4:24; John 6:63; Revelation 12:9; Galatians 5:16–17; John 8:44; Hebrews 5:14; Deuteronomy 30:19–20; Joshua 24:15; 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; James 1:17; Song of Songs 2:15; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 10:3–5; Romans 8:6; 2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3–4; Galatians 5:25.
(The above words from your Beloved and Scripture List is an excerpt from my newest book, Fifty Days in His Pursuing Love Devotional.)
If we are going to enjoy peace and contentment, then we have to be good thought managers.
As a believer in Christ, the most important thing to remember is that an ungodly thought cannot originate in your new heart—who you are in Christ. Ungodly thoughts cannot come from the new you. (See Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 1:51; 2 Cor. 5:17, 21; 1 Cor. 2:16.)
And remember, there is no such thing as the old you. But there are habit patterns stored in our earthly brains that have not yet been renewed with truth. This is what the Bible calls “the flesh.” (See Gal. 5:16–17.)
The flesh is rooted in Satan’s deception and these patterns interfere with our dependence on Christ’s indwelling Spirit.
Thoughts that issue from the flesh reflect the unrighteousness and unholiness that come from lies. John 8:44 tells us that “Satan is a liar and the father of lies.” Satan is the original source for all lies.
We also have outside information coming into our brains through our physical senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. These thoughts reflect either truth or lies, depending on their original source.
As a believer in Christ, our responsibility is to accept the truth and reject the lies. The more we fill our minds with truth, the easier it will be to discern the lies. (See Song 2:15; Rom. 12:1–2; 2 Cor. 10:3–5.)
People who are trained to spot counterfeit money don’t train by studying the counterfeits. They train by examining the real thing.
The more we keep our minds fixed on Christ in us and the truth of our brand-new, pure, righteous, and holy identity in Him, the easier it will be to discern and reject the outside garbage that enters our minds. (See Col. 3:2; Phil. 4:8; Heb. 12:2.)
In this post, you learned the different sources for the thoughts you experience.
In my next post, “What to Do with Rogue Thoughts,” you’ll learn how to deal with the ungodly thoughts that you hear in your mind.
Want to watch my Facebook Live where I share what’s in this post?
Please take some time to meditate on the Scriptures in today’s post in order to get your mind renewed with truth. You will love the transformation that takes place in your life when you are walking in truth (Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:16; 3 John 1:4)!
*If you enjoyed this post, then I think you would enjoy both of my books where I share the undiluted, unpolluted love and grace of God.
This was wonderful. I understand how much time goes into this kind of research. And I want to say thank you. This really helped to confirm what I have found in scripture as well. Thank you ❤️
Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m happy to hear that this helped you. It’s always my pleasure to share the best news ever!