The "diamond" I will speak of today is still a diamond in the "rough." There is so much more work to do on this one, it is painful when I think of it...the mind.
Luke 10:27 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, ...soul, ...strength, and mind..." The question is, "Does He have my whole heart, soul, strength, and mind?"
I feel like Zophar in Job 20:2 "Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, even because of my inward agitation." Now this is me!! Ouch! I respond because of my agitation. So sad that I even respond to imaginations that have not been built on truth. False imaginations are a trap of the enemy. This is especially true if we get involved in gossip, which in of itself is sin.
Do you see the downward spiral? First, God doesn't have my mind, then my soul is agitated, next vain imaginations (more commonly known as lies) creep in, then comes gossip. Oh it doesn't stop there, then there is judging another and of course, last but not least Pride. This is one of the favorite tools of satan.
We need not stay in that thought pattern. There is hope. There is deliverance. "For you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. I have been listening to worship music since this morning. What freedom this is to fill my thoughts with the things of God. Remembering His greatness, His Holiness, and Love are better than vain imaginations. Finding truth instead of vain thoughts.
Lest we feel this is not such a beautiful diamond, and it truly is not, but God can change this. God gave us a perfect pattern for our mind. I do believe if I follow that command, He will have my mind.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
If we fill our minds with these things, we will have little space for the negative, ugly thoughts.
Lord, Forgive us, then give us VICTORY!
His Abounding Grace
barb
I desperately needed this! Thank you for posting it!
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