Personally, I wouldn’t give a penny for anyone’s thoughts. God, himself, doesn’t care much for man’s thoughts. In Palms 94:11 he says, “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile [useless/occupied with trifles].” Everyone has occasion for daydreaming; imaginations. Our thoughts can get us into plenty of trouble if we don’t control them.
From the beginning of time, God has read the thoughts of man. “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Gen. 6:5) There is much said about God’s creation in this particular verse. First, we know that He watched mankind to see what they are doing. Secondly, man was not always this way, because God said they had become wicked. Thirdly, man’s thoughts of his heart were always evil, which showed they didn’t control their thoughts. Fourthly, this verse shows us that man’s character had changed and thinking evil thoughts had become natural to him, as he was inclined to do so. Because of this, God destroyed all mankind, except Noah and his family.
Quoting evangelist, Steve Hill, “Things are not always as they seem." On the outside we may appear to be lily white, but inside, our thoughts may be black with evil. In 1 Chr. 28:9 King David was speaking to his son, Solomon and warned him that “....the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” God knows even the motives behind what you are thinking. Let’s look at an example.
Acts 5:1-4 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
What Ananias and Sapphira did by giving money from the sale of their property looked good, but God knew the motive of their hearts was wrong. They both died for this sin. There was a reason that God wanted this event recorded in the Word. It was a warning for all those who came after. The warning is this: Be sure you have the right motive behind your thoughts and actions. Make sure everything is as it seems. 2 Cor. 10:5 tells us how to do this by, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.....”
We can control our thoughts if we cut off the bad that enters, and fill our mind with things of God. First, you would make a decision to never look at pornography again. Because of what you have already seen and thought, it will continue to pop into your mind, but you have the ability to cast those thoughts out and fill your mind with things of God. “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.” (Phil 4:8)
In Malachi the scriptures tell us how important it is for us to think on the Lord. “Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other. And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.” (Mal. 3:16 TLB)
Although what we see with the naked eye might seem spiritual and good, God sees the motives with his Spirit. Are there things we do ‘in the name of Jesus’ or, ministries that we give our all to, and yet our motives are not right. Do we have difficulty with PRIDE? Only God knows your thoughts, but there will come a time when even this will be revealed. “... He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.” (Luke 1:51)
We may be surprised at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There will be many who stand before him believing they have made it in. What a surprise it will be when they are told, ‘I never knew you’! “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:21-23) Maybe they served God, working hard in His service, doing all the right things, but the motive behind what they did was PRIDE!
You may be a leader in the church, a teacher, a worshipper, or a giver of time, talents and money, but if your motives are wrong, none of that will make any difference. There may be those who don’t dress right, talk right or smell right, but they may be the ones to whom the Lord will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt 25:3)
We are living in the day and the hour when God is calling for repentance. That includes repentance of the attitudes of the heart. It is time for each of us to examine our thoughts and see if they are filled with things that are ungodly. If you have any doubts as to what is in your heart, open up the Word of God and begin to study; to meditate. It will reveal your innermost heart. Heb. 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
This year may be the last to dawn on the Christian life as we know it today. Let’s begin right now by repenting from evil thoughts that control our minds and wrong attitudes that have taken hold. Is there a single person that if asked, “A penny for your thoughts”, would be willing to take that penny and reveal everything they are thinking? Before you decide, remember this, the Lord knows all your thoughts; the ones you are having now and the all those you have ever had. Without repentance, can a one of us stand before him and look into his eyes and be unashamed?
A Penny for Your Thoughts?
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