29 Jan 2013 by Tony Dibble-
The real reason for being a Christian is to live in Christ and in Him alone. It is to be totally separated from the temptations of the world. Jealousy, greed and lust must not be the influences on us. We are to be focused completely on loving Christ alone. Nothing else should rule our minds first and foremost, but Christ.
Scripture tells us that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:16). Scripture also says that our every thought must be captive to obedience in Christ (2 Cor 10:5). This means that every thought must be over-powered by Christ and brought under His control.
This overpowering of our thoughts applies to all our thoughts. We must not fall for the satanic lie that we are permitted to divide our thoughts into two categories: those where GOD can operate within, and those outside GOD’s business. We simply have no claim for independent thoughts.
We may maintain that Christ has nothing to do if we are thinking of (say) fish or beef on the menu. How can we turn that thought to Christ’s control? We may feel that it is ridiculous to do so. On the contrary, that thought is to be Christ-based by thanking and praising Him for giving us such an option when we are exercising it. Nothing is too small to be left out of Christ’s control.
That is why the Apostles and the great Christians are better able to concentrate on being in spiritual contact with GOD. Our thoughts are at times so over-filled and controlled by our own desires that Christ and His Holy Spirit have been pushed to the rear-end baggage car.
It is for this reason that sin is considered separation FROM GOD and holiness is considered separation TO GOD.
The temptation of Christ on earth by Satan was to get Christ to depend on Himself as a man and not on the Father. Satan picked worldly concerns. That is the thought process that Satan always uses: total self-satisfaction. If such thoughts are adopted, spiritual depression, fear or insecurity is the result in the end. This is because we cannot satisfy ourselves on our own steam.
2 Corinthians 10:12 is an important warning not to engage in self-confidence. We are told instead to submit ourselves to GOD (James 4:7).
The unlimited love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14) must rule us in bringing us totally under His control. And praying in the Holy Spirit in the name of Christ is how we place our thoughts under Christ’s control. We are then free from the control of the world’s influences.
Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.
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References for pictures:
http://belumni.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Thinking-Women-Asian.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiIi-VlbGRk/UOytKMhMNjI/AAAAAAAACGI/r2maPCgiR8c/s1600/yes-no.jpg
http://www.freelanceapple.com/wp-content/woo_uploads/4-angryclient.jpg
http://daughterofencouragement.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/tumblr_ls9y452wxi1qhmhdfo1_500.jpg
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