VICTORY PT.1

TURNING POINT MINISTRIES

What a day in which we live. All around us are messages in newspapers, magazines, television and the internet telling man to give in to what he see’s, to indulge himself as much as he wants. But is this the way God wants His children to live? Are our lives to be that of unrestraint, to do what we wish, as we wish, when we wish? In this short series we will examine Victory in all areas of the Christian life.

Does the Lord care about our thoughts? Does it matter what we think? What if we don’t physically act on the thought or desire? In Genesis 6:5-6 the Bible says that it “grieved” the Lord because the thoughts of man during the days of Noah were only evil and these thoughts materialized into corruption and violence on the earth (Gen 6:11). The Bible also explains that our words and actions begin in the mind (the heart) with the thought, and are then revealed outwardly (Matt.15:18-19). Every evil deed, word, every sin began with the thought. Jesus, in bringing the 10 Commandments to their fullest meaning explained that by looking at someone with lustful thoughts (desires), was the same as committing adultery (Matt 5:27, Exodus 20:14 ) and those who hold anger and hatred in the heart risk Hell fire (Exodus 20:13, Matt 5:21-22). The evil we see in the world today began in the mind as sinful thoughts and are now manifested as murder, incest, adultery, theft, rape, etc (Gen 4:2-8, 2 Timothy 3:4). It is the result of what we allow into our minds and what we allow to go on in our minds.

Friends, through Christ we can obtain victory, not only in our marriages and finances, but even in our thought life! “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). God expects those who bear the name of Christ to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. Their thoughts are to be pure and their words and deeds noble and uplifting, drawing those around them nearer to the Savior. {HP 166.2}” This begins by spending time with God through prayerful study of the Scripture and walking in obedience and surrender to what is revealed. Remember, the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32) the Word of God. Next, Christ instructs us to think on things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and virtuous (Phil 4:8). Are the Soap Operas pure and true? Are the murder and crime shows vitreous and lovely? Do the gossip papers and magazines pass the honesty test? Satan knows his time is short and he is doing all that he can to distract, weaken and draw men away from Christ (Rev. 12:12). Friends God’s Word is clear that we must cast down those things which lead to vain imaginations (2 Cor. 10:5), we must keep the mind free from everything that would lead it in a wrong direction and this is apart of the self denial that all who follow Christ must undertake (Matt 16:24). Secondly, 1 Peter 1:13-14 tells us that we are to secure and protect our minds and not follow/adapt to worldly lusts. This must be done by not partaking in them, by setting no wicked thing before our eyes (Psalms 101:3) for if by beholding we become changed, we must then make every effort to stay away from those things that are not of God and will corrupt us. It is then that the Holy Spirit can work within us in “transforming” and “renewing” of our minds (Romans 12:2). Finally brethren, let us not leave our minds void, but fill them with those things which are pleasing to God, set your mind on things above that the Lord may direct your path (Colossians 3:1-2, Deut 6:5-6, Psalms 1:2, Hebrews 12:1-2). “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11). Remember, when we cooperate with Christ and obey the principles in His Word, we will obtain victory upon victory and all to His Glory.