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Spirit Controlled Thoughts and Words

via TJC

Every word which men shall speak which has no legitimate work, which is inoperative and therefore morally useless and unprofitable, they shall give account of at the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words shall you be condemned. - Mark 12:36 WEGT


For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12 NASB

The aim for today’s DBO is ‘Can my thoughts or words, actually be sinful, separating me from the love of God?’ Being skilled at controlling our thoughts should naturally produce the ability to control our mouth. The former allows us to control the latter. Surely Jesus was not jesting when He said we all will give an account for every ‘useless and unprofitable’ word we speak. This charge should give us a moment of pause to consider ‘What am I practicing?’ Is what I am practicing sin based or Spirit based? From what Jesus is saying, we WILL ‘give account’ for ‘every word’ which we speak that is illegitimate, inoperative, useless and unprofitable. Those adjectives are sinful. They describe a misused life and the exact opposite of what Kingdom men should be. The division between soulishness and spirit presents another way to evaluate our thoughts. It explains in plain words, that the word is able to ‘judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart’. While our society today wants to have us believe that ALL ideas and beliefs are equal, this is very far from being accurate or truthful. For men who wish to claim they are Kingdom men, that is not an option. NO! Not all ideas or thoughts are Godly. We will be evaluated by the Lord for the words we speak. Now, as to those thoughts that roll around in our heads: Jesus stated that as a man thinks, so he has done. He used this in reference to lust, but it can effectively be applied to any sinful thoughts we have. Hatred towards those who hurt us, envy towards those who have more or simple idolatry. It is idolatrous to choose not-God. Not-God are the thoughts we choose for our own hedonistic pleasures...not wanting to let our minds concentrate on ‘whatever is true, right and pure’...but instead chose to worship our own base thoughts. In Matthew 5:28 Jesus plainly says that if a man ‘looks at a woman with lust for her’ he has sinned; that man has committed adultery with her in his heart. His thoughts are judged as lacking self-control. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. - Matthew 5:28 Lastly, in Colossians 3:15, Paul provides us with another measuring rod for evaluation of our thoughts. ‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.’ I especially appreciate the word “rule” in this verse. It is from the Greek word brabeuo, which in ancient times was used to describe the umpire or referee who moderated and judged the athletic competitions. In reverse of allowing The Umpire to make the call regarding our thoughts, would have this read: If we do not let the ‘peace of God’ rule in our hearts...we are resisting the call of The Umpire. That would be sin gentlemen. Self-control begins with controlling our thoughts, which then leads to overseeing our actions and words. So how much practice do we put in allowing the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts and words? Kingdom men who are faithful in little, will be faithful in much. Daily Battle Order:

Am I actively overseeing my thoughts? Am I maintaining my relationship with the Lord or do I invest more time in World of Warcraft? God created us to commune with and hear Him. Let us resolve to intentionally take time to lean into Him, knowing He wants to speak. This way, as we control our thoughts, we can then have more success in controlling our words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control. Against such things as these there is no law. And they who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the evil nature with its dispositions and cravings once for all. In view of the fact that we are being sustained in spiritual life by the Spirit, by means of the Spirit let us go on ordering our conduct. - Galatians 5:22


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1 Comment


Kyle Gentner
Kyle Gentner
Nov 01, 2021

Amen! It is not enough to merely NOT think/say/act sinfully. We must undergo "thought-replacement" to transform the mind to be Christ-focused.


A couple Scriptures that come to mind:


"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."

–Hebrews 3:1, NIV 1978


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

–Romans 12:2, NIV 1978


"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to…


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