BIBLICAL THINKING & CONFESSION Part 2 of 4.
Continued.
E. Finally, expect God to help you find a satisfactory solution.
It is your attitude of faith at this time which will often spell the difference between victory and defeat. If you will believe that a solution can be found, and if you will spend sufficient time before the Lord, expecting Him to give you the necessary help and guidance, then no problem will defeat you, regardless of how it may appear at present. Here is the vitally important principle that we must see: when we actually expect God to help us solve the problem, without doubting (James 1:5-7), then by virtue of this faith, we bring all things into the realm of possibility. As Jesus promises, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes" (Mark 9:23).
"But you just don't know my problems," says some depressed soul. "They appear beyond solution. I am at my wit's end. I'm already at the bottom of the heap!"
Is this your feeling, too? Then I would suggest that you begin praising the Lord, because if you are already at the bottom of the heap, the only way you can possibly go is--up! Start expecting things to improve. By your own admission they cannot get any worse. Your right attitude of faith will bring all things into the realm of possibility (Mark 9:23).
2. Saturate your thoughts with the promises of God.
Remember, your thoughts are the seeds you plant in the garden of your mind which will produce the harvest that you will reap. Your mind can only give back what you put into it day by day. Picture your mind as a garden which will reproduce either wheat or tares, depending entirely upon the kind of seed you sow in it. Just as there are two aspects to successful gardening, so it is with developing the habit of right thinking.
A. First, you must sow good thoughts.
Form the habit of saturating your mind with the precious promises of God as you start each day, even before you get out of bed! I have found that Satan defeats many Christians somewhere between the bedroom and the breakfast table. He is able to do this by implanting negative thoughts of fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, and defeat in their minds as they awaken. The first thoughts that impress themselves upon your consciousness as you wake up each day are of vital importance, because these "seeds" of thought will affect your thinking the entire day. Therefore, if you are tempted to be depressed when you awaken, then before arising let your mind dwell for a while on such promises as "the joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), or "this is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). If it is a time of trial and your enemies are opposing you, then allow the Holy Spirit to fill your mind and heart with the peace of God through such comforting promises as, "the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6). Reassure yourself with God's promise to His children which says, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him" (Psalm 91:15). When a seemingly impossible situation is confronting you, remind yourself that God has said that "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" Romans 8:37). Say in faith, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). If your trials seem particularly severe, and at times beyond your comprehension, let your thoughts rest on God's wonderful assurances in Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Remember, too, He has promised, "Fear thou not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.... When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when thou walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you" (Isaiah 41:10 and 43:2).
These first impressions that you willingly entertain in your mind upon awakening will precondition and affect your thinking for the entire day. So begin each day by rejoicing in the promises of God's Word, especially those that minister directly to the particular needs you may have at the time. Begin to put this in practice and watch the dramatic change!
B. Next, you must cultivate the garden of your mind.
You must cultivate your mind every day by deliberately choosing scriptural thoughts and weeding out all the "tares," such as idle, critical, impure, and doubtful thoughts, as well as all those of a negative nature. Every thought is a seed sown, and will eventually produce some kind of fruit. If it is a good thought, then this seed must be nurtured by prayer and faith, while tares must be uprooted immediately, and good seeds sown in their place. Such uprooting is often painful, and you may find the flesh resisting such pruning and cleansing of the mind. It is for this reason that some individuals would rather keep their doubts and fears, as well as their wrong ideas and mixed-up thoughts. The cost involved in changing their thinking habits and replacing negative or critical thoughts with wholesome thoughts of faith, hope, love, and joy is greater that they are willing to pay.
The Bible refers to this process of the cultivation of the mind as being "transformed by the renewing of your mind." Satan seems to have filled the minds of most Christians with thoughts of doubt, fear, inability, insecurity, worry, and defeat. This negativism must be flushed out, and the mind saturated with the precious Word of the Lord, before the Enemy can be forced to release his hold on the mind and thoughts.
3.Develop the ability to choose deliberately the thoughts you will allow into your mind.
Like everyone else, you have spent years conditioning your mind to accept wrong thoughts--idle thoughts, negative thoughts, unwholesome thoughts, thoughts of sickness, doubt, fear, and failure, to say nothing about a good deal of religious error. The mind cannot be renewed from such thinking habits and errors in a moment, not without determination on your part to allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of all your thoughts and beliefs. This is the significance of God's admonition in Romans 12:2: "Be transformed by the renewing [a process] of your mind."
As you begin to develop the ability to choose the thoughts that you allow into your mind, you will discover that you are actually engaged in spiritual warfare with the thought habits you have developed in your mind. At times your human reason or intellect may want to rebel, and Satan will accuse you of being a "hypocrite," or tell you that is all just "psychology" and "mental suggestion." But scriptural thinking is not mere mental suggestion; on the contrary, it means, just as medical science has also discovered, that "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." Christians who are walking in victory are those who are controlling their thoughts by emptying the mind of everything negative which Satan attempts to implant in it, and saturating their thinking with God's promises. The Word of God is clear on this point, admonishing us in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
To heed this admonition we must deliberately empty our minds of everything negative concerning the person, problem, or situation confronting us, refusing Satan to take control of our thoughts. Victory or defeat lies in our own hands according to Proverbs 23:7. What you think about a situation has a definite effect upon the actual situation. If you allow your mind to accept weariness or sickness, your body mechanism will automatically respond to such suggestions accordingly, because your mind has direct control over your nervous system, glands, muscles, heart, blood pressure, and so on. Thus, how you think you feel has a definite effect upon how you actually feel. Medical science has demonstrated that generally it is not long hours or hard work that drain our energy so much as our wrong attitudes concerning our work. Mental attitude plays an important part in a person' s physical condition, his life span, his success or failure in his chosen profession, and his productivity and total well-being. If we learn to govern our thinking, and refuse to confess weariness, anxiety, doubt, fear, defeat, or the dislike of some situation, then we will find that it really does not matter too much how seemingly difficult the task, or how long we work at it. If you grow weary during your work, instead of complaining or confessing weariness or boredom, take mental and physical "break" for a few moments and rejoice in the refreshing promise that "the joy of the Lord is my strength," and "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
It is not long hours and hard work that drain one's energy so much--it is wrong attitudes. Developing the right attitudes toward work and your circumstances, as well as toward God, yourself, and others is the key. This prevents that energy loss which causes most people to be weary and ineffective, or bored and disinterested, all because of their negative attitudes.
With God’s help, choose the thoughts that you will allow to occupy your mind. Empty your mind of all negative thoughts or suggestions the moment Satan seeks to implant them into your mind. Then allow the Holy Spirit to minister scriptural thoughts concerning the problem, person, or situation. As a result, you will find yourself experiencing the full joy of your salvation and walking in victory more and more, regardless of the circumstances.
4. Exercise total faith in God in every situation.
What is the relationship between faith and right thinking? It is simply this: the extent of your faith and trust in the promises of God has a definite effect upon your attitudes and thinking. Tension, anxiety, emotional stress, and also many instances of physical and spiritual disintegration, result from a lack of inner harmony and peace of mind. In order to help yourself develop scriptural attitudes, there are three areas of your life in which you must learn to walk in total faith and dependence upon God.
A. Right attitudes result when you extend your faith to include all that God has provided for you and promised to you.
God expects us to exercise total faith, without reservation, that He will do for us all that He has pledged Himself to do. We are to have complete trust in the Lord to provide all our needs, as well as to heal, protect, and deliver us, just as He has promised to do, again and again, in His Word. This will have a powerful effect upon our attitudes: knowing by faith that God will do for us all that He pledges Himself to do, if we will only ask (Matthew 21:22). Why? Because total trust in the Lord for all things eliminates emotional stress, anxiety, worry, and fear. The insurance companies have grown rich on people's fears and anxieties resulting from a lack of trust in such promises of God as are found, for example, in Psalms 37, 91, and 121; Matthew 6:19-34 and 21:22; Philippians 4:19; James 5:14-16; and III John 2. These are only a few out of literally thousands of promises which God has given to the believer.
Medical science insists that most illness is psychosomatic and is the result of emotional stress. Over half the beds in the hospitals are occupied by people who are physically and mentally sick due to emotional stress, worry, fear, and anxiety, "for as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." People tend to become what they think; they precondition their lives by their attitudes; they receive largely what they expect. Physicians tell us that it is not so much what you eat that gives you ulcers; but it is what is eating you!
Total trust in the Lord for all things will inspire in you a biblical attitude toward all circumstances of life, and will greatly help to eliminate emotional stress, fear, worry, and anxiety.
B. Scriptural attitudes result from the assurance that you know God's will and are fulfilling it.
Uncertainty about this causes multitudes of Christians to suffer confusion, doubt, insecurity, fear, and frustration. They exhaust themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, running around in circles, as it were, bewildered and confused, seeking to know if they are in God's will. They find themselves wondering which course of action to take, and often worry whether or not they have made the right decision about some matter. Many pastors today find that they must function much of the time as religious psychiatrists, because their churches are filled with Christians who are going through life depressed, bewildered, and confused, without clear understanding of what God's will is for them.
It is a great blessing to have peace of mind because you know that you are moving in God's will and are fulfilling His purpose for your life. It is reassuring to know how to receive His help and guidance when you face an important decision or problem for which you are seeking a solution. God has a plan for the life of every Christian; and it is His desire to reveal His will to you, help you solve your problems, and give you guidance in making important decisions.
Many Christians seem to know nothing of the concept of a God-planned life. From their confusion and bewilderment, one would surmise that God has saved them only to forsake them, leaving them to struggle along in the world as best they can. Christians are everywhere who have lost their direction, who are in wrong occupations, who have made wrong choices and decisions, who are insecure, depressed, frustrated, discouraged by circumstances, and uncertain as to God's will for their lives.
It is not God's will for any Christian to suffer such confusion and defeat. Why? Because He assures us in his Word that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23). This means that we can find out what God's will is in the decisions which confront us. We can know His will for our lives, and know His guidance day by day, and thus put an end to our doubts, worries, and frustrations, which result from our inability to discern His will. The believer may be assured that there is no need to stumble through life bewildered and confused, for the Scriptures declare again and again, not only that God is willing to make His will known to us, but that He has also provided the means for us to find out what His will is. Right attitudes and thinking results from the assurance that we know God's will for us and are fulfilling it.
C. Biblical attitudes and thinking result when you accept, without qualification, the divine assurance of Romans 8:28.
The assurance that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," will do much to eliminate worry, concern and anxiety about our circumstances and their effects upon our lives. When tempted to feel depressed or defeated because of adverse circumstances; when everything seems to "go wrong"; when there seems to be no immediate solution to a problem we are facing; when it is difficult to understand why we must at times suffer such trials and tribulations as we do; then the heavenly assurance given to us in Romans 8:28-39, if accepted in faith, will minister an inner peace and harmony which surpasses all human understanding. Those who rest by faith in the promise have the blessed assurance that not one thing can touch them which God does not either send or allow; that nothing happens in their lives by accident or chance; that their trials, problems, and experiences are related to God's divine purpose for their lives; and that every experience, pleasant or otherwise, is being directed by God for their ultimate good and for his glory.
Such assurances enables us to develop and maintain a right attitude, whereby we cease despising our trial, we refuse to complain over things that try to irritate or upset us, and we can rejoice over adverse circumstances. We can rest in the knowledge that this is God's pruning work in us, in preparation for great blessing, both to ourselves and to others, when He has completed this work in us (Genesis 50:15-20; James 1:2-4). Because many Christians do not realize the divine purpose in their trials and unpleasant experiences, they tend to resist them. They complain, "Why does this have to happen to me?" and, as a result, the real value of their trials is lost upon them. God purposely does not always give us neat, precise reasons for our trials and tests. He leaves many of the mysteries and perplexities of our lives unanswered, so that we may develop a strong, enduring faith in Him and in His promise "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
It is important we keep before us the fact that such things as emotional stress, worry, anxiety, fear, and depression result from wrong and negative thinking. They are directly related to one's lack of faith and trust in the Word of God, which promises us healing, health, protection, deliverance, joy, peace of mind, and provision for our every need. Since the Scriptures declare that "in quietness and in confidence
Faith Shalom shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15), then you should learn to cultivate right attitudes and form the habit of thinking how God desires. This right thinking results from the exercise of total faith in God in every circumstance, inasmuch as the extent of our faith and trust in the promises of God has a definite effect upon our attitudes and thinking.
BIBLICAL CONFESSION.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. --Proverbs 18:21.
Christianity is confession from beginning to end. The Christian faith is not merely something we believe--it also involves what we say. "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). The importance and necessity of speaking in harmony with scripture is evident here. Jesus also informs us in Matthew 10:32-33 and John 12:42-43 that salvation involves stating what God says as well as belief. We are admonished twice in the Book of Hebrews to "hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering" (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36), and Jesus teaches us in Mark 11:23 that whatever we say in faith (according to the will of God) will come to pass. Since "death and life are in the power of the tongue," according to Proverbs 18:21, then it is imperative that we guard our words, and form the habit of always making a positive statements based on the Word. Just as a positive statement in harmony with God's Word and you believing it will bring blessing and victory, conversely a negative statement of doubt, fear, sickness, or defeat will result in adversity and failure, for the Scriptures declare that you can be "snared with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:2).
Satan will keep you bound, poor, sick, and oppressed by ensnaring you with your own words when you make such negative statements as:
I don't think I can do this work. I'm sure I'll mess it up. I don't feel too well. I must be catching the flu. I doubt I'll be able to go. I don't see how I'll have the money in time. I still have my symptoms and pain although I received prayer for healing several weeks ago. Maybe it isn't God's will to heal me this time. No matter how hard I try, I can't overcome this problem. I wonder if I'll ever feel better. I just knew it would rain today. It always does when we plan anything for outdoors. I've prayed for my wife's salvation, but she's getting worse, if anything. I guess she'll never change. Why does this always have to happen to me? My husband always drives in heavy traffic for me, because I might have an accident. I wonder if these chest pains mean I have heart disease? Please don't ask me to give a testimony in public. I always get nervous and can't say anything. My sinus condition always gets worse this time of the year. I cannot eat this pork. It will make me sick. I might as well not try that. It's beyond my ability. We'll try to come if things work out, but it isn't very likely. I don't know what we'll do if the cost of living keeps rising. I didn't get the promotion I needed. Oh, well, I never seem to excel at anything. Well, I made it to work, but that's about it. The way I feel, I sure won't get much done.
The influence of the powers of darkness upon the human race is nowhere more clearly seen than in Satan's control and influence over man's mind and what he says. Generally, all you ever hear, whether over the radio or TV, on the plane or in a restaurant, has a negative emphasis. The newspapers and commentators seldom present a good report, as this seems to have no value. Have you ever heard, for example, that there are about 201,000,000 Americans who are not on drugs? Was the fact reported that thousands of Christians received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues last year? Were you informed through the news media that there were millions of college students who were not involved in any form of campus rebellion, or revolt against authority last semester? Was it reported in the press that there were over 90,000,000 men who were not involved in any major crimes in the United States in the past 12 months? Did the last conversation you overheard in the restaurant where you ate edify you, or was it the usual negative report of the speaker's recent operation, his peptic ulcers, his accident, or his financial distress? When was the last time anyone complimented or reported to you any good news concerning some friend or acquaintance about whom they were speaking? Why is it we usually receive a complete medical history concerning all the pains and afflictions of most individuals when we simply address them with the friendly greeting, "How are you today?"
On every hand I find Christians being defeated by their negative speech. No one would intentionally invite a doctor to inject flu germs directly into his bloodstream; yet this is precisely what you do when you say at the first symptom that you believe you are catching the flu, for the Scriptures declare, "you are snared with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:2). Your condition will always parallel your speech. The Word of God tells us why: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). If you think you will fail, you will. If you say you can't, then you can't. If you say you are sick, you will be sick. If you say you cannot overcome the problem, then you cannot. If you say that you will be defeated, you will. Why? It is because you will generally experience what you think and say. Instead why not ask God in faith and believe His promises to meet your every need?
It has taken medical science thousands of years to learn this truth, which God revealed to Israel in the time of Solomon, namely, that we actually precondition our lives for sickness or health, prosperity, or adversity, by what we think and say. As we have already pointed out, medical authorities tell us today that most physical illness is psychosomatic; that is, it results from wrong thinking, worry, and emotional stress. The fact is, how we think we feel and what we say about it has a definite effect upon how we actually feel. Jesus came to give us an abundant life--a life free from sin, sickness, poverty, fear, depression, worry, and defeat. However, most Christians have allowed Satan to rob them of their joy and peace, as well as their health and prosperity, through his influence upon their thoughts and their consequent speech. The average Christian keeps his mind and speech so cluttered with negatives and doubts that he has forfeited almost all hope and expectation for anything better, and has accepted a certain amount of poverty, sickness, and failure as inevitable. In order to rise above all these circumstances and walk in victory with our inheritance restored, we must change our thinking habits and eliminate certain negative expressions from our speech. Then we can begin to experience the dynamic power of faith and believing for God's promises. Edited. Shared.
To be Continued.
God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
❤️BIBLICAL THINKING & CONFESSION Part 2 of 4.
Continued.
E. Finally, expect God to help you find a satisfactory solution.
It is your attitude of faith at this time which will often spell the difference between victory and defeat. If you will believe that a solution can be found, and if you will spend sufficient time before the Lord, expecting Him to give you the necessary help and guidance, then no problem will defeat you, regardless of how it may appear at present. Here is the vitally important principle that we must see: when we actually expect God to help us solve the problem, without doubting (James 1:5-7), then by virtue of this faith, we bring all things into the realm of possibility. As Jesus promises, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes" (Mark 9:23).
"But you just don't know my problems," says some depressed soul. "They appear beyond solution. I am at my wit's end. I'm already at the bottom of the heap!"
Is this your feeling, too? Then I would suggest that you begin praising the Lord, because if you are already at the bottom of the heap, the only way you can possibly go is--up! Start expecting things to improve. By your own admission they cannot get any worse. Your right attitude of faith will bring all things into the realm of possibility (Mark 9:23).
2. Saturate your thoughts with the promises of God.
Remember, your thoughts are the seeds you plant in the garden of your mind which will produce the harvest that you will reap. Your mind can only give back what you put into it day by day. Picture your mind as a garden which will reproduce either wheat or tares, depending entirely upon the kind of seed you sow in it. Just as there are two aspects to successful gardening, so it is with developing the habit of right thinking.
A. First, you must sow good thoughts.
Form the habit of saturating your mind with the precious promises of God as you start each day, even before you get out of bed! I have found that Satan defeats many Christians somewhere between the bedroom and the breakfast table. He is able to do this by implanting negative thoughts of fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, and defeat in their minds as they awaken. The first thoughts that impress themselves upon your consciousness as you wake up each day are of vital importance, because these "seeds" of thought will affect your thinking the entire day. Therefore, if you are tempted to be depressed when you awaken, then before arising let your mind dwell for a while on such promises as "the joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10), or "this is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). If it is a time of trial and your enemies are opposing you, then allow the Holy Spirit to fill your mind and heart with the peace of God through such comforting promises as, "the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6). Reassure yourself with God's promise to His children which says, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him" (Psalm 91:15). When a seemingly impossible situation is confronting you, remind yourself that God has said that "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" Romans 8:37). Say in faith, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). If your trials seem particularly severe, and at times beyond your comprehension, let your thoughts rest on God's wonderful assurances in Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Remember, too, He has promised, "Fear thou not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.... When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when thou walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you" (Isaiah 41:10 and 43:2).
These first impressions that you willingly entertain in your mind upon awakening will precondition and affect your thinking for the entire day. So begin each day by rejoicing in the promises of God's Word, especially those that minister directly to the particular needs you may have at the time. Begin to put this in practice and watch the dramatic change!
B. Next, you must cultivate the garden of your mind.
You must cultivate your mind every day by deliberately choosing scriptural thoughts and weeding out all the "tares," such as idle, critical, impure, and doubtful thoughts, as well as all those of a negative nature. Every thought is a seed sown, and will eventually produce some kind of fruit. If it is a good thought, then this seed must be nurtured by prayer and faith, while tares must be uprooted immediately, and good seeds sown in their place. Such uprooting is often painful, and you may find the flesh resisting such pruning and cleansing of the mind. It is for this reason that some individuals would rather keep their doubts and fears, as well as their wrong ideas and mixed-up thoughts. The cost involved in changing their thinking habits and replacing negative or critical thoughts with wholesome thoughts of faith, hope, love, and joy is greater that they are willing to pay.
The Bible refers to this process of the cultivation of the mind as being "transformed by the renewing of your mind." Satan seems to have filled the minds of most Christians with thoughts of doubt, fear, inability, insecurity, worry, and defeat. This negativism must be flushed out, and the mind saturated with the precious Word of the Lord, before the Enemy can be forced to release his hold on the mind and thoughts.
3.Develop the ability to choose deliberately the thoughts you will allow into your mind.
Like everyone else, you have spent years conditioning your mind to accept wrong thoughts--idle thoughts, negative thoughts, unwholesome thoughts, thoughts of sickness, doubt, fear, and failure, to say nothing about a good deal of religious error. The mind cannot be renewed from such thinking habits and errors in a moment, not without determination on your part to allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of all your thoughts and beliefs. This is the significance of God's admonition in Romans 12:2: "Be transformed by the renewing [a process] of your mind."
As you begin to develop the ability to choose the thoughts that you allow into your mind, you will discover that you are actually engaged in spiritual warfare with the thought habits you have developed in your mind. At times your human reason or intellect may want to rebel, and Satan will accuse you of being a "hypocrite," or tell you that is all just "psychology" and "mental suggestion." But scriptural thinking is not mere mental suggestion; on the contrary, it means, just as medical science has also discovered, that "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." Christians who are walking in victory are those who are controlling their thoughts by emptying the mind of everything negative which Satan attempts to implant in it, and saturating their thinking with God's promises. The Word of God is clear on this point, admonishing us in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
To heed this admonition we must deliberately empty our minds of everything negative concerning the person, problem, or situation confronting us, refusing Satan to take control of our thoughts. Victory or defeat lies in our own hands according to Proverbs 23:7. What you think about a situation has a definite effect upon the actual situation. If you allow your mind to accept weariness or sickness, your body mechanism will automatically respond to such suggestions accordingly, because your mind has direct control over your nervous system, glands, muscles, heart, blood pressure, and so on. Thus, how you think you feel has a definite effect upon how you actually feel. Medical science has demonstrated that generally it is not long hours or hard work that drain our energy so much as our wrong attitudes concerning our work. Mental attitude plays an important part in a person' s physical condition, his life span, his success or failure in his chosen profession, and his productivity and total well-being. If we learn to govern our thinking, and refuse to confess weariness, anxiety, doubt, fear, defeat, or the dislike of some situation, then we will find that it really does not matter too much how seemingly difficult the task, or how long we work at it. If you grow weary during your work, instead of complaining or confessing weariness or boredom, take mental and physical "break" for a few moments and rejoice in the refreshing promise that "the joy of the Lord is my strength," and "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
It is not long hours and hard work that drain one's energy so much--it is wrong attitudes. Developing the right attitudes toward work and your circumstances, as well as toward God, yourself, and others is the key. This prevents that energy loss which causes most people to be weary and ineffective, or bored and disinterested, all because of their negative attitudes.
With God’s help, choose the thoughts that you will allow to occupy your mind. Empty your mind of all negative thoughts or suggestions the moment Satan seeks to implant them into your mind. Then allow the Holy Spirit to minister scriptural thoughts concerning the problem, person, or situation. As a result, you will find yourself experiencing the full joy of your salvation and walking in victory more and more, regardless of the circumstances.
4. Exercise total faith in God in every situation.
What is the relationship between faith and right thinking? It is simply this: the extent of your faith and trust in the promises of God has a definite effect upon your attitudes and thinking. Tension, anxiety, emotional stress, and also many instances of physical and spiritual disintegration, result from a lack of inner harmony and peace of mind. In order to help yourself develop scriptural attitudes, there are three areas of your life in which you must learn to walk in total faith and dependence upon God.
A. Right attitudes result when you extend your faith to include all that God has provided for you and promised to you.
God expects us to exercise total faith, without reservation, that He will do for us all that He has pledged Himself to do. We are to have complete trust in the Lord to provide all our needs, as well as to heal, protect, and deliver us, just as He has promised to do, again and again, in His Word. This will have a powerful effect upon our attitudes: knowing by faith that God will do for us all that He pledges Himself to do, if we will only ask (Matthew 21:22). Why? Because total trust in the Lord for all things eliminates emotional stress, anxiety, worry, and fear. The insurance companies have grown rich on people's fears and anxieties resulting from a lack of trust in such promises of God as are found, for example, in Psalms 37, 91, and 121; Matthew 6:19-34 and 21:22; Philippians 4:19; James 5:14-16; and III John 2. These are only a few out of literally thousands of promises which God has given to the believer.
Medical science insists that most illness is psychosomatic and is the result of emotional stress. Over half the beds in the hospitals are occupied by people who are physically and mentally sick due to emotional stress, worry, fear, and anxiety, "for as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." People tend to become what they think; they precondition their lives by their attitudes; they receive largely what they expect. Physicians tell us that it is not so much what you eat that gives you ulcers; but it is what is eating you!
Total trust in the Lord for all things will inspire in you a biblical attitude toward all circumstances of life, and will greatly help to eliminate emotional stress, fear, worry, and anxiety.
B. Scriptural attitudes result from the assurance that you know God's will and are fulfilling it.
Uncertainty about this causes multitudes of Christians to suffer confusion, doubt, insecurity, fear, and frustration. They exhaust themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, running around in circles, as it were, bewildered and confused, seeking to know if they are in God's will. They find themselves wondering which course of action to take, and often worry whether or not they have made the right decision about some matter. Many pastors today find that they must function much of the time as religious psychiatrists, because their churches are filled with Christians who are going through life depressed, bewildered, and confused, without clear understanding of what God's will is for them.
It is a great blessing to have peace of mind because you know that you are moving in God's will and are fulfilling His purpose for your life. It is reassuring to know how to receive His help and guidance when you face an important decision or problem for which you are seeking a solution. God has a plan for the life of every Christian; and it is His desire to reveal His will to you, help you solve your problems, and give you guidance in making important decisions.
Many Christians seem to know nothing of the concept of a God-planned life. From their confusion and bewilderment, one would surmise that God has saved them only to forsake them, leaving them to struggle along in the world as best they can. Christians are everywhere who have lost their direction, who are in wrong occupations, who have made wrong choices and decisions, who are insecure, depressed, frustrated, discouraged by circumstances, and uncertain as to God's will for their lives.
It is not God's will for any Christian to suffer such confusion and defeat. Why? Because He assures us in his Word that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23). This means that we can find out what God's will is in the decisions which confront us. We can know His will for our lives, and know His guidance day by day, and thus put an end to our doubts, worries, and frustrations, which result from our inability to discern His will. The believer may be assured that there is no need to stumble through life bewildered and confused, for the Scriptures declare again and again, not only that God is willing to make His will known to us, but that He has also provided the means for us to find out what His will is. Right attitudes and thinking results from the assurance that we know God's will for us and are fulfilling it.
C. Biblical attitudes and thinking result when you accept, without qualification, the divine assurance of Romans 8:28.
The assurance that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," will do much to eliminate worry, concern and anxiety about our circumstances and their effects upon our lives. When tempted to feel depressed or defeated because of adverse circumstances; when everything seems to "go wrong"; when there seems to be no immediate solution to a problem we are facing; when it is difficult to understand why we must at times suffer such trials and tribulations as we do; then the heavenly assurance given to us in Romans 8:28-39, if accepted in faith, will minister an inner peace and harmony which surpasses all human understanding. Those who rest by faith in the promise have the blessed assurance that not one thing can touch them which God does not either send or allow; that nothing happens in their lives by accident or chance; that their trials, problems, and experiences are related to God's divine purpose for their lives; and that every experience, pleasant or otherwise, is being directed by God for their ultimate good and for his glory.
Such assurances enables us to develop and maintain a right attitude, whereby we cease despising our trial, we refuse to complain over things that try to irritate or upset us, and we can rejoice over adverse circumstances. We can rest in the knowledge that this is God's pruning work in us, in preparation for great blessing, both to ourselves and to others, when He has completed this work in us (Genesis 50:15-20; James 1:2-4). Because many Christians do not realize the divine purpose in their trials and unpleasant experiences, they tend to resist them. They complain, "Why does this have to happen to me?" and, as a result, the real value of their trials is lost upon them. God purposely does not always give us neat, precise reasons for our trials and tests. He leaves many of the mysteries and perplexities of our lives unanswered, so that we may develop a strong, enduring faith in Him and in His promise "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
It is important we keep before us the fact that such things as emotional stress, worry, anxiety, fear, and depression result from wrong and negative thinking. They are directly related to one's lack of faith and trust in the Word of God, which promises us healing, health, protection, deliverance, joy, peace of mind, and provision for our every need. Since the Scriptures declare that "in quietness and in confidence [faith] shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15), then you should learn to cultivate right attitudes and form the habit of thinking how God desires. This right thinking results from the exercise of total faith in God in every circumstance, inasmuch as the extent of our faith and trust in the promises of God has a definite effect upon our attitudes and thinking.
BIBLICAL CONFESSION.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. --Proverbs 18:21.
Christianity is confession from beginning to end. The Christian faith is not merely something we believe--it also involves what we say. "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). The importance and necessity of speaking in harmony with scripture is evident here. Jesus also informs us in Matthew 10:32-33 and John 12:42-43 that salvation involves stating what God says as well as belief. We are admonished twice in the Book of Hebrews to "hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering" (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36), and Jesus teaches us in Mark 11:23 that whatever we say in faith (according to the will of God) will come to pass. Since "death and life are in the power of the tongue," according to Proverbs 18:21, then it is imperative that we guard our words, and form the habit of always making a positive statements based on the Word. Just as a positive statement in harmony with God's Word and you believing it will bring blessing and victory, conversely a negative statement of doubt, fear, sickness, or defeat will result in adversity and failure, for the Scriptures declare that you can be "snared with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:2).
Satan will keep you bound, poor, sick, and oppressed by ensnaring you with your own words when you make such negative statements as:
I don't think I can do this work. I'm sure I'll mess it up. I don't feel too well. I must be catching the flu. I doubt I'll be able to go. I don't see how I'll have the money in time. I still have my symptoms and pain although I received prayer for healing several weeks ago. Maybe it isn't God's will to heal me this time. No matter how hard I try, I can't overcome this problem. I wonder if I'll ever feel better. I just knew it would rain today. It always does when we plan anything for outdoors. I've prayed for my wife's salvation, but she's getting worse, if anything. I guess she'll never change. Why does this always have to happen to me? My husband always drives in heavy traffic for me, because I might have an accident. I wonder if these chest pains mean I have heart disease? Please don't ask me to give a testimony in public. I always get nervous and can't say anything. My sinus condition always gets worse this time of the year. I cannot eat this pork. It will make me sick. I might as well not try that. It's beyond my ability. We'll try to come if things work out, but it isn't very likely. I don't know what we'll do if the cost of living keeps rising. I didn't get the promotion I needed. Oh, well, I never seem to excel at anything. Well, I made it to work, but that's about it. The way I feel, I sure won't get much done.
The influence of the powers of darkness upon the human race is nowhere more clearly seen than in Satan's control and influence over man's mind and what he says. Generally, all you ever hear, whether over the radio or TV, on the plane or in a restaurant, has a negative emphasis. The newspapers and commentators seldom present a good report, as this seems to have no value. Have you ever heard, for example, that there are about 201,000,000 Americans who are not on drugs? Was the fact reported that thousands of Christians received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues last year? Were you informed through the news media that there were millions of college students who were not involved in any form of campus rebellion, or revolt against authority last semester? Was it reported in the press that there were over 90,000,000 men who were not involved in any major crimes in the United States in the past 12 months? Did the last conversation you overheard in the restaurant where you ate edify you, or was it the usual negative report of the speaker's recent operation, his peptic ulcers, his accident, or his financial distress? When was the last time anyone complimented or reported to you any good news concerning some friend or acquaintance about whom they were speaking? Why is it we usually receive a complete medical history concerning all the pains and afflictions of most individuals when we simply address them with the friendly greeting, "How are you today?"
On every hand I find Christians being defeated by their negative speech. No one would intentionally invite a doctor to inject flu germs directly into his bloodstream; yet this is precisely what you do when you say at the first symptom that you believe you are catching the flu, for the Scriptures declare, "you are snared with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:2). Your condition will always parallel your speech. The Word of God tells us why: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). If you think you will fail, you will. If you say you can't, then you can't. If you say you are sick, you will be sick. If you say you cannot overcome the problem, then you cannot. If you say that you will be defeated, you will. Why? It is because you will generally experience what you think and say. Instead why not ask God in faith and believe His promises to meet your every need?
It has taken medical science thousands of years to learn this truth, which God revealed to Israel in the time of Solomon, namely, that we actually precondition our lives for sickness or health, prosperity, or adversity, by what we think and say. As we have already pointed out, medical authorities tell us today that most physical illness is psychosomatic; that is, it results from wrong thinking, worry, and emotional stress. The fact is, how we think we feel and what we say about it has a definite effect upon how we actually feel. Jesus came to give us an abundant life--a life free from sin, sickness, poverty, fear, depression, worry, and defeat. However, most Christians have allowed Satan to rob them of their joy and peace, as well as their health and prosperity, through his influence upon their thoughts and their consequent speech. The average Christian keeps his mind and speech so cluttered with negatives and doubts that he has forfeited almost all hope and expectation for anything better, and has accepted a certain amount of poverty, sickness, and failure as inevitable. In order to rise above all these circumstances and walk in victory with our inheritance restored, we must change our thinking habits and eliminate certain negative expressions from our speech. Then we can begin to experience the dynamic power of faith and believing for God's promises. Edited. Shared.
To be Continued.
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God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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