Only this can completely transform your inner thoughts!

What happens in your inner thoughts, always comes out in what you say or do, in one way or another. You could say that your thoughts are actually your life. But sometimes those thoughts can be filled with involuntary ideas and unwanted images. So what is the key to a god-fearing and happy life in your inner thoughts?

Get the word into your inner thoughts

It is extremely vital that we get our thoughts into the word and into the revelations that the word provides. We need to cleanse our inner thoughts and that can only happen through the word of God. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. The word judges and divides.

In Malachi 3:2 it’s written: “For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap.” We sense that both a launderers’ soap and refiner’s fire are required in our inner thoughts so that they become well-pleasing to God. Because sin usually proceeds from what is happening in our thoughts. So we need the word. And we need to hold fast to it.

Many people struggle immensely with their inner thoughts, even after they come to faith. This is because they have had many bad, ugly, unchaste thoughts in the past. And this comes back to them and causes great sufferings. But to get rid of them you need to hold fast to the word! Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God which also effectively works in you who believe.” So the word from God has invisible, incredible powers within it, and when I receive it as from God and not as a word of men, then the word begins to work powerfully within me. Then that old thought life is cleansed out, so that I receive new thoughts – a new thought life in covenant with the word of God.

Read more: 20 Bible verses to use as a sword against impure thoughts

New thoughts through the power in the word!

If you feel that it’s difficult in your inner thoughts, you can come to a living hope! You need to believe in God and the word of God and the fire of God! That fire which is contained in the word will burn up all of these ugly images on the walls of your heart. And then you will receive new, beautiful images to replace them. Good images. God will remind you of people that you can pray for. You will have people who bring you joy when you think of them in your heart. And so on. You will experience that the word becomes living in your spirit. Then you begin to have new thoughts – a new inner thought life.

It’s written in 1 John 3:9: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” Here we see the mighty power there is in the word of God. The word is the seed, and when you fill yourself with that, then it remains in you when you are tempted. For example, the word about patience. It remains in you when you are tempted to be impatient. So when you have that word within, you don’t become impatient. Then you can overcome the temptation in the power of the word that is within you! There is such a power in the word of God. So, you need to turn to the testimony and to the word of God. You need to turn to God in your thoughts and then you will experience that you will receive a new thought life; you will have new thoughts! And these evil and difficult thoughts will be driven farther and farther away.

Read more: Why we need to be exercised in God’s word

A few helpful verses:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” Psalm 119:9-10.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

This article is based on a talk given by Kaare J. Smith on November 27, 2019.