Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
03/25/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 186: Every Thought Captive
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that God’s commands should rule over our thoughts as well as our actions.
You shall not murder. But anger and hate will also be judged. Matt.5:21-22
You shall not commit adultery. But a lustful look is adultery in your heart. Matt.5:27-28
We must learn to control our appetites, but also we must restrain our thoughts.
Take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Cor.10:5 It’s possible for someone to look holy on the outside (Pharisees) in their appetites, but be defiled in their motives (reasons why they do). Our thoughts determine our character.
Prov.4:23 NCV Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
Think pure thoughts.
Phil.4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
