Unclean Thoughts

[Chad]

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.

Unclean Thoughts

Most people do not realize how the devil uses our little unclean thoughts to begin his work of evil in our lives. Just as it is the little foxes that spoil the vines referred to in scripture, so it is the little thoughts of folly and wickedness that destroy men's lives. A thought is only an idea but if it is dwelt upon long enough it becomes an action. On the positive side this can produce much good. It is not sinful to have an evil thought as this is the way that we are all tempted by the devil. However, the sin comes into play when we dwell on the evil thought (or any thought that is against the Word of God). As that thought takes root in our heart (our spirit) it will eventually bear its deadly fruit.

Galatians 5:19-25: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

In these verses in the Bible we find a list of sins that are called the "works of the flesh" followed by a list of virtues called the fruit of the Spirit. All of these sins and virtues begin as seeds in the thought life. God has given every man a choice as to the things that he will think about. Every evil deed that is done by mankind first began as a thought. In the world our thoughts are influenced by many different sources. That is why it is important not to expose ourselves to the evil in books, magazines, movies, T.V., radio, friends, etc. The Bible admonishes us not to associate with wicked companions and to stay away from liars in Psalm 101:2-7:

"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

The reason our nation and the world is filled with so much violence and uncleanness is that men and women have chosen to indulge in a wicked thought life fed by evil input from Satan's emissaries. These actions were once tiny seeds of temptation that now have blossomed into the fruit of evil. People that "toy" or "play" with sin sooner or later will be trapped by it. The Bible says in Galatians 6:7-8, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

The unclean (dirty) thoughts that have been implanted in the minds of millions through pornography alone, are now bearing the fruit of evil deeds such as rape, divorce, murder, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, oral sex, pedophilia and other sexual sins. No one can compartmentalize their private lives and thoughts that are evil without it eventually affecting the rest of their lives. The thoughts and deeds of those in authority are now being exposed as the Bible declares in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts..." We are in the time of judgement before the Lord returns so those things that have been done in darkness are now coming to light whether it be priest, preacher, politician, business men, or just ordinary men or women.

We all experience these "little foxes" of evil seed thoughts but we must not allow them to take root. As Christians, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the victory over these temptations and through the Lord we can replace them with virtuous seeds from the Word of God. We can do as Jesus did when he was tempted by the devil; He quoted the Word of God to the devil and he left Him. Luke 4:4, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

We can plant good seeds in our hearts and minds by reading the Word of God and listening to the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:8 says, "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."

If we think on the good things of God and keep an honest heart before the Lord, it will cause out hearts to be soft before Him. Then, when we read the Bible and pray we will be able to plant the seed of His Word in our hearts. This, watered with faith will then produce a bountiful harvest of good things in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Luke 8:15, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

What kind of "little seeds" are you planting? Those little things are capable of bringing forth big harvests.

 

[Peace Seeker]

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.

Unclean Thoughts

Most people do not realize how the devil uses our little unclean thoughts to begin his work of evil in our lives. Just as it is the little foxes that spoil the vines referred to in scripture, so it is the little thoughts of folly and wickedness that destroy men's lives. A thought is only an idea but if it is dwelt upon long enough it becomes an action. On the positive side this can produce much good. It is not sinful to have an evil thought as this is the way that we are all tempted by the devil. However, the sin comes into play when we dwell on the evil thought (or any thought that is against the Word of God). As that thought takes root in our heart (our spirit) it will eventually bear its deadly fruit.

Galatians 5:19-25: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

In these verses in the Bible we find a list of sins that are called the "works of the flesh" followed by a list of virtues called the fruit of the Spirit. All of these sins and virtues begin as seeds in the thought life. God has given every man a choice as to the things that he will think about. Every evil deed that is done by mankind first began as a thought. In the world our thoughts are influenced by many different sources. That is why it is important not to expose ourselves to the evil in books, magazines, movies, T.V., radio, friends, etc. The Bible admonishes us not to associate with wicked companions and to stay away from liars in Psalm 101:2-7:

"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

The reason our nation and the world is filled with so much violence and uncleanness is that men and women have chosen to indulge in a wicked thought life fed by evil input from Satan's emissaries. These actions were once tiny seeds of temptation that now have blossomed into the fruit of evil. People that "toy" or "play" with sin sooner or later will be trapped by it. The Bible says in Galatians 6:7-8, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

The unclean (dirty) thoughts that have been implanted in the minds of millions through pornography alone, are now bearing the fruit of evil deeds such as rape, divorce, murder, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, oral sex, pedophilia and other sexual sins. No one can compartmentalize their private lives and thoughts that are evil without it eventually affecting the rest of their lives. The thoughts and deeds of those in authority are now being exposed as the Bible declares in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts..." We are in the time of judgement before the Lord returns so those things that have been done in darkness are now coming to light whether it be priest, preacher, politician, business men, or just ordinary men or women.

We all experience these "little foxes" of evil seed thoughts but we must not allow them to take root. As Christians, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the victory over these temptations and through the Lord we can replace them with virtuous seeds from the Word of God. We can do as Jesus did when he was tempted by the devil; He quoted the Word of God to the devil and he left Him. Luke 4:4, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

We can plant good seeds in our hearts and minds by reading the Word of God and listening to the Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:8 says, "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."

If we think on the good things of God and keep an honest heart before the Lord, it will cause out hearts to be soft before Him. Then, when we read the Bible and pray we will be able to plant the seed of His Word in our hearts. This, watered with faith will then produce a bountiful harvest of good things in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Luke 8:15, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

What kind of "little seeds" are you planting? Those little things are capable of bringing forth big harvests.

Hi Chad,
What do you think about the idea of satan putting evil thoughts into a Christian's mind, that he, the Christian, doesn't want there and vehemently wishes weren't there? I was back-slidden for a couple years until I re-dedicated myself to the Lord recently. Since then I have had horrible thoughts pop up in my mind (or try to, because I stop the thoughts as fast as I possibly can) that I feel are satan trying to hurt my new walk with the Lord.
Even when I was back-slidden I would never have purposely and willingly uttered such thoughts. These thoughts come into my mind at random and are always attacking the Holy Spirit - and it horrifies me. It is not language I ever would use - especially not towards God - and it is not something I want in my mind or would want to hear from others or that I have ever, or would ever use in my every day language, etc.

I don't like to hear Jesus' name used as a curse word, never have, back-slidden or not and I would never in my wildest imaginations even come close to saying or thinking the things I'm talking about. And just to clarify, these thoughts I'm referring to aren't conscious decisions I just thought up out of the blue because I desired to attack and abuse God in any way.
They are random little thoughts that seem like they pierce themselves into my mind when I'm thinking of something else. And I hate them so much that it's hard to forget about them, which I feel may be perpetuating the cycle, if you know what I mean.

I have prayed a lot to God about this and told Him how much I hate it, that I don't want it and I've asked Him to let it end so I can have peace and focus my attention on the Him only, instead of worrying about when another abhorrent thought might try to get itself into my head, which is distracting me from my walk with God..

I have read a lot of your posts on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and have taken comfort in them, knowing without a doubt that the Lord knows my heart and that these thoughts are not mine, that I hate them, am repulsed by them and I want nothing to with them in any shape or form.
So this is why this posting of yours is of such interest to me, because I would be so pleased to be able to replace the evil thoughts with good thoughts, good thought seeds.

I know in Timothy we are assured that the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind, and this is what I so much want. And I believe God's grace is sufficient for us, but in my weak faith I still get disturbed by these incidents I'm talking about.

Even though I know in my heart God has not imputed these thoughts as sin to me, I still I want them to end, be gone, done, period, because they are alien to me and how I have always felt about God.

He is my Risen Savior that has forgiven and washed my sins away, justified me to the Father, saved me through His unlimited Grace and mercy, made me a new creation, placed me in the palm of His hand where none can pluck me out. In short, I am SAVED and born again, I know this in my heart because the Holy Spirit has put this in my heart and I trust in God's faithfulness and the truthfulness of His words.

So anyway, sorry for the long post from me (I know you do a lot of time-consuming posting on here) and thanks for reading and considering this.

I'm hoping you can help me with advise on how to get throught this struggle I'm in. I want to hold my head high as a valiant Christian soldier. I rebuke satan in the name of Jesus every time the thoughts come and I find strength in doing so, but I am growing weary of the constant battle. It's so disturbing a situation for me to be in and I really don't like how it's distracting me from living fully in the Joy of the Lord, in my desire to walk with Him and think of nothing else. Thanks for you help, brother!
PS, I do understand if you don't have time to respond to this in detail, any of your thoughts would help though.

Yours in Christ,
Tony

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

I deal with them by not considering them as my thoughts.
I don't really care where they originate (most likely just the old nature) I consider them dark and I know where they are going.
Torture them with scripture saturation,study,prayer and good music.
If available fellowship with like minded Christians is helpful.

I picture my mind like a throne room and nations (imagine nations)
approach the thrown and request time for their argument to be heard.
Some are wise but some want to rule your throne.

Why do the nations rage against God?
Well if they do it in my throne room I'll have them evicted.

 

[Peace Seeker]

I deal with them by not considering them as my thoughts.
I don't really care where they originate (most likely just the old nature) I consider them dark know where they are going.
Torture them with scripture saturation,study,prayer and good music.
If available fellowship with like minded Christians is helpful.

I picture my mind like a throne room and nations (imagine nations)
approach the thrown and request time for their argument to be heard.
Some are wise but some want to rule your throne.

Why do the nations rage against God?
Well if they do it in my throne room I'll have them evicted.

Thank you for your helpful response, I especially liked your advice to torture them with scripture! And the analogy of evicting the bad ones from my throne room.

And yes, prayer and good music has helped as well. And if I can fellowship here on talkJesus that would be awesome too!

And above all the Lord has been adding unto me a little more grace, power and love each day to overcome this struggle I'm in. His grace is sufficient for me, even when at times it feels like it's not, I will trust Him that it is, because He doesn't lie and I know He cares deeply about all of His sheep, the strong ones, the weak ones, the wounded ones, etc.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

And above all the Lord has been adding unto me a little more grace, power and love each day to overcome this struggle I'm in. His grace is sufficient for me, even when at times it feels like it's not, I will trust Him that it is, because He doesn't lie and I know He cares deeply about all of His sheep, the strong ones, the weak ones, the wounded ones, etc.

Yes,yes and yes.
We can compartmentalize our thought processes.
There is God's agenda and man's agenda.
God's agenda is to reconcile all creation to himself through Jesus Christ.
Man's agenda is good and evil,it's cyclical and wavering or serpentine.

Who needs a devil,we are quite capable of destroying mankind all by ourselves.

 

[Peace Seeker]

Yes,yes and yes.
We can compartmentalize our thought processes.
There is God's agenda and man's agenda.
God's agenda is to reconcile all creation to himself through Jesus Christ.
Man's agenda is good and evil,it's cyclical and wavering or serpentine.

Who needs a devil,we are quite capable of destroying mankind all by ourselves.

Definitely, there are 2 different agendas. I get moved every time I meditate on Paul's words about how when he wanted to do good he would do bad. That warring of the flesh against the Spirit.
And yes, mankind left to it's own devises is very destructive, as we can see all around us.

I wish I knew how to compartmentalize my thought processes.....

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

The throne room is more than an analogy.
The imagination is a real thing.
It is an image engine,you can store a whole lot of information in the form of images.

Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

God has a special interest in man's imagination.
He has given us authority of the nations,first those that exist internally(personal) and eventually those that are external

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

For practical applications(from the bottom up) Romans 7&8 are valuable.
For contemplation on this subject I recommend Ephesians,especially chapter 2.I can't say I "get it" but it paints a picture or image of the work being done from an out of time(or top down) prospective.

 

[Peace Seeker]

The throne room is more than an analogy.
The imagination is a real thing.
It is an image engine,you can store a whole lot of information in the form of images.

Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

God has a special interest in man's imagination.
He has given us authority of the nations,first those that exist internally(personal) and eventually those that are external

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

For practical applications(from the bottom up) Romans 7&8 are valuable.
For contemplation on this subject I recommend Ephesians,especially chapter 2.I can't say I "get it" but it paints a picture or image of the work being done from an out of time(or top down) prospective.

Yes, Eph 2 does paint a good picture of the mysterious ways of God. I'm not sure what it means to be seated in the heavenly realms with Jesus after He brought us to life after we were dead in our transgressions, but I am sure glad He did!

 

[spirit1st]

We can always tell the devil to get going and take his dumb thoughts with him in the mighty name of JESUS CHRIST! he must go and obey us! still he will try again! the battle field is our flesh mind!

Mat_16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat_18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mar_16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;


devils cannot dwell in us ,they just speak to us in our minds!

Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

There is no great force on earth ,than Us! We have Gods own spirit within us! His spirit is His power!
The same power that created all things that were ever created!

God could not give us a greater gift than salvation! A part of HIS very being and if we want More of His Spirit dwelling in us? We just ask our Father in Faith!

Luk_11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

We can do everything HE said we can!We might not see it in our lives! But We have the Power within us!

 

[Stickz]

Pray and read the Bible every chance that you get, keeping God and His word on your mind all day. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Be patient and God will help you clean-up your thoughts. Pray to God to help you with your thoughts, and when you are done, do it again, and keep doing it until your prayers are answered and your thoughts are no longer continually evil.

 

[Peace Seeker]

We can always tell the devil to get going and take his dumb thoughts with him in the mighty name of JESUS CHRIST! he must go and obey us! still he will try again! the battle field is our flesh mind!

Amen! There is nothing that comes close to the power of Jesus! I am experiencing His power more and more each day as He continues to strengthen and calm me. I try to lean on God's promise that His grace is sufficient for me!

I have prayed a lot to God to give me that power, love and a sound mind of 2 Timothy 1:7 and I do feel God's comfort through all of it. Is the enemy still attacking me with his "dumb thoughts"? Yes. Do they have power over me? No. Thanks for your encouraging words!

 

[Peace Seeker]

Pray and read the Bible every chance that you get, keeping God and His word on your mind all day. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Be patient and God will help you clean-up your thoughts. Pray to God to help you with your thoughts, and when you are done, do it again, and keep doing it until your prayers are answered and your thoughts are no longer continually evil.

Yes, I have been keeping God on mind throughout the day. And I sing praise songs in my head (with the idea that if satan wants to get in my thoughts he'll have to be tortured with hearing some praise music). Thanks Thiscrosshurts for the thought!

And yes, I do resist the devil, and he does flee from me, he has no choice! Sometimes he comes back so fast though, so I do it again. It does bother me that he comes back attacking so fast, as I wish God would really bind that pest up and give him the boot! It is too distracting (and sometimes wearying) to always be rebuking. I'd much rather get on with my day and focus on serving the Lord better, than doing so much battling.

Anyway, you hit the nail on the head when you said

Be patient and God will help you clean-up your thoughts.

That is what I have been constantly asking Him to do, as I want that so much! I know He wants it too and is working out a good thing for me. Thanks for your thoughts!