Eliminating impure thoughts
1. Launch a war you intend to win, like WWII
not Vietnam. Not to
just control or negotiation.
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the
portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of
the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Dan 1:8
We have cultivated many weed in the Garden of our thought live. In our
imagination and daydreams. Satan tell you that it is hopeless and enjoyable and God will
forgive. Someday maybe when life is easier less pressure.... We must put our will to the
strain, to purpose to win. God will combine his power with our effort. Begin the weeding
-repenting. Plant ground cover (i.e. meditate on God's word). We don't weed our thick
ground cover.
We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ
by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every
thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is
given without measure.
2. Our prayer should not be to take a our desires, for God gave
reproductive instincts. Our Prayer is to take away impure thoughts and desires.
Pray that God will cleanse our Imagination.
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Psa
51:2
3. Make an agreement with our eyes. Look away from seductive pictures and
people.
"I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?" Job
31:1
4. Satan is Manipulating people or circumstances to ambush us. Be aware
lest we wonder near the tree of Knowledge of good and evil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places." Eph 6:12
Have you ever been caught off guard? Satan doesn't sleep. It was about 9pm and I had work
all day despite a bad sore throat. I felt my forehead and estimate my temperature to be
102. I had just been call to the ER ( It was my turn to admit the Guam Memorial
Unassigned patients). I was called to see a patient in the ER , with pneumonia, when I arrived there
was another patient to see also. I muster my reserve put on my happy face and began my
work. The ER MD then came to me an said that Dr. G's patient came in with a stroke needing
admission, but he denied knowing the patient and want me to admit the patient. It was
clearly Dr. G responsibility. In my condition I was barely able to do the 2 admissions I had
let alone another's work. The ER MD who had failed to persuade Dr. G to come in handed me
the phone and I said with all the politeness I could muster that the patient say you are
his Doctor and the ER MD feels this patient should be admitted by you, He said he did not
remember the patient and would I admit the patient -at that point I hung up the phone and
finish my two patient's. Latter that evening I when to the office preformed a strep test,
it was +. I found some samples of an antibiotic and went to bed. After 3 months of
wresting with a guilty conscious and the embarrassment of apologizing I wrote a letter of
apology to Dr. G.
5. Remove from our environment that which contributed to our defeat.
worldly music, TV etc.
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfil the lusts thereof." Rom 13:14
6. To win the war we must fight many battles.
"If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst
thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they
wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" Jer 12:5
Someone may "spit in you brain", at work dirty stories are
frequently told. We must communicate that they are not appreciated or it will continue and
haunt you for the rest of the day or for a lifetime.
7. Live in the fear of the Lord.
."And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to
depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28 God is here always the angels
are here. Less tempted with the brethren around
8. Claim the victory
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the
lusts thereof." Rom 6:12