Even though I’m always so totally amazed by it, and now pretty much expect God’s awesome faithfulness to confirm, I have to admit that couldn’t believe it when I heard the following message from Dr. Charles Stanley Sunday morning! What a perfect confirmation of what the Lord had put on my heart for Friday’s SOF post, Understanting the VITAL Importance of Taking EVERY Thought Captive, and most certainly a perfect follow up to Friday night’s FAM Chat! So here is a link to Dr. Stanley’s sermon outline for Controlling Your Thoughts, from this past Sunday’s message, where you can also watch or listen to the message. And here’s the outline:

“Introduction:
Do you have problems controlling your thoughts? Perhaps you struggle with negative thoughts or ones you know are not godly. What you think determines where you end up in life. So, it’s vital that you learn to master your mind.
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-3
The Bible is full of truth about the importance of controlling our minds.
• Unbelievers set their minds on what comes naturally to humans—pursuing sensual, selfish or materialistic things (Rom. 8:5-7).
• God gives disobedient people over to their depraved minds (Rom. 1:28).
• We have to be careful that our minds aren’t led away from pure devotion to Christ
(2 Cor. 11:2-3).
• Controlling our thoughts is a vital part of spiritual warfare (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
How can our transformation into new creatures affect our thought lives?
• The Holy Spirit enables us to walk out the Christian life. We died to our old life, and were raised to walk in newness of life. Example: a caterpillar turning into a butterfly
• We can learn to view ourselves primarily as children of God: born-again and citizens of heaven.
• To have the mind of Christ means that we agree with Him about what’s good and evil in this world. We share His values and begin to think like Him (2 Cor. 2:16).
• We have to guard our minds from the influence of the world. Example: watching soap operas
• We must prepare by being alert to erroneous thinking (1 Peter 1:13). “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny.”
• Seek first the rule of God in your life, and He will provide for your needs (Matt.
6:33).
If you want to be happy, even in difficult times, you must think rightly. How do you do that?
1. Screen your thoughts.
• Let the Word of God be the grid of your mind. Reject thoughts that aren’t compatible with the Bible.
• Ask yourself these questions:
1. What’s the source?
2. Where will it lead me?
3. Is this scripturally sound?
4. Is this thought going to build me up or tear me down?
5. Can I share this thought with someone else?
6. Does this thought make me feel guilty?
7. Does this fit who I am as a follower of Jesus?
2. Reject ungodly thoughts.
• If you ask yourself the questions above and realize the thought isn’t godly, choose not to think about it again.
3. Cultivate godly thoughts.
• Dwell on things that are good and practice living out those thoughts (Phil. 4:4-9).
Closing:
Who you will be in the future will be a result of what you’re thinking right now.
If you don’t like where you’re headed, begin to think godly, positive thoughts. God will change your destiny.”

Since I’ve heard words of discouragement from several FAM Fellowship members in the past few days (like I’m just tired or weary and I don’t think I can do this any more), there’s just NO way to over state how vitally important it is for us to TAKE control of our thoughts as we stand against the gates of hell and the world for the restoration of our marriages. And Dr. Stanly helps make that so clear in this message, and gives us some great practical advice about how to DO it. If we give in to thoughts like that, we shouldn’t be too surprised when that is EXACTLY what HAPPENS, so we are all sure to be blessed and encouraged IF we study this and learn to DO it!

Posted Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 1:53 pm in Seeds Of Faith.