Thought for the Day

Verse 28 - The righteous are not quick to answer, but ponder how they should reply. The wicked allow the evil stored in their hearts to pour out of their mouths, not caring if they sin. Having an evil thought is not a sin; it is not a sin to be tempted. It is sin, however, to act out the evil thought in our imaginations, even if we never act it out in reality (Matthew 5:27-28). This is why pornography and masturbation are affairs of the mind. Our minds are a spiritual battleground. A thought is like a seed. If watered with our thoughts and attention, it grows and bears fruit. This is why it is so important to submit our minds to God and resist the devil, "...bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

We can gain the victory over evil thoughts! First, we must submit to God, asking Him to cleanse our minds. Next, we must cleanse our hands; getting rid of anything that supplies our evil thought life, and replace all such things with God's Word and whatever is noble and wholesome (Philippians 4:8). Finally, when the devil tempts us, we must resist, using Scripture. When we choose what is right, the Holy Spirit will empower us. As we draw close to God, He will draw close to us (James 4:8), enabling us to break free of sin's bondage. We must not be discouraged if it takes some time before we are free. God never becomes impatient, no matter how many times we confess the same sin while struggling against it.

Verse 29 - The Lord hears the prayers of His children. Our Father loves us. When we fall into sin, He desires that we call upon Him, that He may deliver us. We must not allow the enemy to discourage us from coming to God when we have fallen, but immediately repent, receive God's forgiveness, and go on with the Lord. The devil seeks to keep us out of fellowship with our Father by making us feel unworthy of forgiveness. He is cruel, first tempting us to sin, and then tormenting us. He tells us that we are unworthy of God's grace after God has been so patient with us. Satan then continues his assault by telling us that God is angry and we have no right to communicate with Him. It is vital that we recognize Satan's lies. Our guilty consciences will agree with the devil, so we must also reject our feelings. If we have asked God to forgive us, then we must choose to believe the truth that we are forgiven and that even when we fail, God is on our side. When we sin, we must run to Him, not away from Him. God's mercy endures forever. It is new every morning and is greater than our sin! "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5).