Can you really win the battle over sinful thoughts? Try applying these six simple principles.
Key Points:
- Principle #1: You are not alone. There’s not one person in the world who doesn’t deal with sinful thoughts. 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Principle #2: Celebrate each victory and don’t maximize your defeats. Your spirit and flesh are constantly fighting; don’t expect to get victory overnight. Galatians 5:17
- Principle #3: The bird will fly over your head (just don’t let it build a nest in your hair). Temptation is not a sin.
- Principle #4: Don’t add fuel to the fire. Let the sinful thought slowly die out. Galatians 6:7-9
- Principle #5: Look for the triggers. Take responsibility for what you allow into your eyes. Job 31:1, Matthew 6:22-23
- Principle #6: Fill your mind with scripture. The Holy Spirit will bring God’s Word back to mind even as you are tempted to sin. Isaiah 26:3, John 14:26
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- On a scale from 1-10, how often would you say you battle your thoughts? How have you worked through your thoughts in the past?
- Which one of these principles stood out to you the most? Explain.
- To what extent do you think you can control your thoughts? Explain. What is likely to happen if you don’t ever battle the toxic thoughts?
- Read Galatians 5:17. What does this mean? How can you decide which thoughts are of the sinful nature versus of the Spirit?
- Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. What should we do with every thought?
- How can you apply these principles to your thought life moving forward?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
