Q.
How can I learn to control my thoughts, thereby determining my fruitfulness?
A.
Paul said that our senses are exercised by the reason of use to discern both
good and evil. Hebrews 5:14,
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
As we exercise our abilities to take control of our thought life, even as a
muscle grows and strengthens, so will our mind.
Q.
How do I, as a believer, distinguish between spirit, soul and body in my walk
with Christ?
A.
According to Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is sharper than a
two-edged sword and will pierce and divide asunder spirit, soul and body.
Therefore, it is imperative to read and digest God's Word. It will help you to
see who and where you are.
Q.
What realm of my being should I be governed by?
A. Paul said if we walk
in the spirit, we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16,
"This I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh." Our goal, as believers, is to learn to walk in and by the spirit
by being attuned to the Holy Spirit through our spirit. This is why Paul prayed
in Ephesians that believers would be strengthened by the power of His might in
the inner man. Ephesians 3:16, "That he would grant you,
according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his
Spirit in the inner man." Ask God to strengthen your inner man and
maintain a walk of devotion to Christ.
Q. Is the body evil,
seeing the lust of the flesh spring from it?
A. No, the body is
blessed by God. Deuteronomy 28:4-11 and Romans 8:23,
"And not only they, but ourselves
also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."
God created it and its
desires are ordained of God. When, in the proper given context, the needs and
desires may be fulfilled and enjoyed. 1 Timothy 6:17, "Charge them that
are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
The fruit of temperance helps to govern the body from the human spirit,
Colossians 3:15.
Q.
Is it wrong to have emotions and should I control my emotions?
A. No, it is not wrong
to have emotions because they are given by God. Of course, the emotions can
crowd our thinking, but the only true way to control emotions is by being filled
with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. As one does not think to blink their
eyes when it is time to do so, so also will the human spirit intervene and hold
the emotions in check.
Q. Is it possible to
serve the Lord with will power and egotism?
A. Many believers try
to serve the Lord in this way, but it would be considered soulish to root our
walk in this way. The one who does so will merely be imitating or mimicking the
moods and attitudes they've experienced at times in the spirit or have seen in
other’s lives. The ego will desire to take control and should be brought into
subjection to the spirit. Walking in this realm produces a religious dead works
mentality, spawning religious pride or self-righteousness.
Q. Should I be
concerned about every thought that comes into my mind?
A. The thoughts in the
mind have to be deciphered. The mind is the place where the enemy begins his
work in our lives by projecting thoughts into our minds. Ephesians 6:16,
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked."
Many times the thoughts we
think are fleeting thoughts. The key is to cast those thoughts out before they
take root. The concern should not lie in the thoughts we briefly think, but
rather, how often we think them and are they taking root?
When Jesus was tempted,
thoughts entered his mind, but He did not let them take root or act on them.
Luke 4:1-13,
"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the
Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those
days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And
the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it
be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into
an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the
glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give
it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered
and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to
Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou
be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall
give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall
bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus
answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And
when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."
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