HANDLING YOUR THOUGHTS

“As a man thinks in His heart, so is he" (Prov.23:7)

Thoughts are an integral part of every human being. No one leaves without thinking. Every
action of a person is a result of his or her thoughts. Even a persons outlook and behaviour is
fashioned by his or her thoughts.

“For as he thinks in his heart so is he". (Prov.23:7).

When God made man in his own image, man had only pure and good thoughts
(Gen.1:31). However when man fell into sin, his thoughts and imaginations became
evil (Gen.6:5). However, a time came when God promised to give man a new heart
and a new spirit (Ezk.36:26), Since the heart is what makes up the real life of a
person.

In this workshop, we shall be looking at the origin of thoughts and imaginations,

their effects on our lives and God’s provision in handling them properly in order to
set us on course to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives to his glory. Please pray
along as you study, the Lord will give understanding and transform your thoughts
and nature after his will in Jesus name.

1. Definition of thoughts
Dictionary: Thoughts are the discussions an imaginations which go on quietly inside the
mind. They include all the decisions taken and all the conclusions arrived at inside the mind.
Thoughts also include all the mental pictures and images that are created in the mind which
have never being experienced in real life situations (Matt.2:5-8, Matt.9:21).
2. The origin of thoughts Matt.15:19, Gen.3:6-7
Thoughts and imaginations emerged from our minds and heartMatt.are triggered through
what we see, hear, smell, test and touch, and the lead to the actions we take. For example in
Gen.3:6, when the woman saw... then she took off its fruit and ate. The mind is the
connecting link between the spiritual and physical (Rom.8:5GNB). Thoughts are like vehicles
through which spiritual things and the physical things: things of the flesh are conveyed
through the mind to influence our lives. (Gen.3:6, Rom.8:5 GNB) So the mind constitutes the
battle ground where Satan and his evil spirits contend with the truth of God’s word in a
persons life (2 Cor.10:3-5, Gal.5:17). God and Satan and the flesh each need our thoughts in
order to operate. But since these are contrary to each other, there is a battle in the mind.
All kinds of communication between man and satanic forces occur in the mind through
thoughts. Every temptation which the devil uses to entice a person is first presented to his
mind in the form of thoughts. (2Cor.11:3, Jas.1:14-15, Matt.4:3). God also shows us things
about His plan for us, and glory ahead of us; speaks to us and touches us through our
thoughts so that we may think about it and pursue His will. ( e.g Jesus: Heb.12:4, Moses:
Exd.3:1-3).
What lesson can you draw from this understanding?
3. Thoughts Give Rise To Action
James 1:14-15, Matt.15:18-19, Lk.6:45, Prov23:7a (KJV), Ezk.38:10-12
Is it possible to do anything without thinking? Discuss. A person’s action is nothing, but the
result of his thoughts. Good thoughts give rise to good actions. Nothing happens except in
response to our thoughts. Even when an action becomes like a reflex action, at the onset
when we decide to make that action a routine; We have already thought about it and
 considered it valuable. Such actions become normal and natural to us as if we no longer
think before carrying them out.
4. Practical examples of thoughts
(1) Wrong and evil thoughts Mk.7:21-23

Examples of wrong thoughts include:

(A) SINFUL THOUGHTS

Mk.7:21-23, Matt.5:27-28, Gal.5:19(LB); 2Kg.5:20, Jas.1:14-15 Every sin is first conceived in the heart
before it becomes an action. Adulteries, fornications, murder, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, etc,
are all the outcome of thoughts. None takes place without the other previously thinking about it, no
matter how briefly.

It is important to note, however, that in God’s site, a thought about sin is sin. A thought to commit
sexual morality is already sexual morality even when you have not yet done the act. It is a wrong
thought.

Every sin is first conceived (like pregnancy) in the mind with thoughts. Whether delivery takes place
or not, it is already a sin as you all allow your thoughts to be gathered around that idea. Learn to use
the shield of faith (faith in God’s word to quench such fiery darts of the evil one (Eph.:6:6). Keep
Your heart with all diligence. (Prov.4:23).

B.WRONG THOUGHTS ABOUT YOURSELF. Num.13:31-33

God told the children of Israel to go in, and possess the land of promise. But when the spies
came back, 10 out of 12 reported that they would not be able to possess it because, in their
own eyes, the people of the land were giants while they were like grasshoppers. That is a
wrong thought, an inferiority complex, it is timidity.

This kind of though may also occur in your mind when God wants you to preach to people
who appear greater than you, or do something which appears greater than your natural
ability can handle. It is a wrong thought. You must not see giants as giants, but see the
greatness of God who sends you and goes with you. David saw the giant Goliath, not as a
giant; but as an uncircumcised phillistine (1Sam.17:26). We must learn to see people as God
sees them, so as to be able to obey God and serve him without fear.

When you think you are better than others it is also a wrong thought. Rom.12:3, Esth.6:6,
Esther.4:13 (GNB), 1Cor.10:12, Matt.3:8-10.
Human Thought there was no other person on earth, apart from him, qualified for the kings
owner. He taught wrongly and probably. Proud thoughts are wrong thoughts it amounts to
superiority complex. Whoever exalts himself shall be a beast.
Do you also sometimes think timidly or exhibit superiority complex? Discuss some of your
experiences in these.
C. Wrong thought about others
Matt.9:2-4, 12:24, 32, Lk.7:36-39, Heb.22:15, Matt.18:32-35.
Going with a misunderstanding of someone’s intention is a wrong thought. So also is an
unforgiving heart and bitterness towards another. Eli thought that Hannah was drunk.
1Sam.1:12-17. Explain how such thoughts can affect our relationships:
With God. Mk.11:25, Jn.6:60-66, Matt.18:32-35.
With people. Jn.8:56-59, Heb.12:15
 The scribes and the Pharisees thought wrongly about Jesus many time: not knowing who he
was and why he did what he did. They even judge wrongly, the spirit with Jesus did miracles
and that would have led them into singing against the Holy Spirit. These are wrong thoughts.
If you do not understand an issue about someone common it is better and safer to stay
neutral about the person in your heart than to conclude what you don’t know. Avoid sinning
against God in your thoughts because of wrong thoughts about God or man
When you fail to forgive, it is wrong thought and it is sinful. The Lord will also not forgive you
and that could be eternally costly. Wrong thoughts about others may even be because of
what we know in the past about our person without knowing that the person has repented
or as it happened in Lk.7:36-39, Simon Had that wrong thought about Jesus be cause he did
not know what Jesus plan to do to save the woman.
Eli thougt Hannah was drunk. Maybe it was because Hannah probably staggered like a
drunkard into the temple because of her sorrow of heart (which Eli did not know). So he
concluded she was drunk with out hearing from her. If someone acts wrongly, make efforts
to hear from him or her before making conclusions.
Can you think of other examples both from scriptures and your personal experience of
thinking wrongly about others? Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues
of life.
E. Wondering Thoughts at Prayer Times Jas.1:5-6
Dicuss the reasons for wandering thoughts in the place of prayer. What are the possible
consequences on our lives?
What could be the way out? Ps.42:5, 11, 2Cor.10:5
Wondering thoughts at the time of prayer are wrong thoughts. They usually come as a result
of worry over problems, needs and difficulties; unbelief, lack of burden to pray, alternative
solutions in view, fear, self-confidence or even Satan. They rob one of concentration of
attention in the place of prayer and often result in an answered prayer Jas.1:7
Not only unanswered prayer but inability to understand what you are been taught.

F. Worry is an Embodiment of Wrong thoughts.

It is a concentration of Thoughts on a particular need. Matt.6:25-33.

How can we handle and overcome worry in our lives? Ps.127:1-2, Phil.4:6 (KJV, LB), 1Pet.5:7,
Ps.103:1-5

Worry cannot give us what we need. It cannot add a day to our llif-span. It rather takes our problem
out of God’s table to our own table.

Discuss your experience about this.

Worry may also cause internal accumulation of tension which may result in hypertension,
depression, duodonal ulcer etc.

One other thing about worry is that it is the same thoughts that we need to pursue spiritual things
which worry captures and uses. Our thoughts are limited. Learn to free it from all worry, and make it
available for God. Never forget that except the Lord builds a house, they labour in vain that build it.
And Except the Lord watches over a city, the watchmen do so in vain. It is a vain thing to worry. Stop
it! Do not waste your thoughts and time. Rather than worry, pray about everything take your burden
to the Lord, and leave your request at this table cast all your cares upon him; You will soon prove to
your own experience that God cares most affectionately for you. Wrong thoughts are robbers. They
robbed people of God’s s Grace, leave them wounded and damaged. Once your thoughts are
occupied wrongly, you cannot involve them in righteous things at the same time, and you will not be
able to do righteousness. You can capture your thoughts back from every hijacker in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ who shed his blood on the cross of Calvary to redeem your spirit, soul and body.
Make it available for the Lord to work with, in order to make you that glorious vessel he wants you
to be.

2. RIGHTEOUS THOUGHTS (Phil.4:8)

In Christ Jesus we have grace to choose what to think about. Test every thought that comes up in
your mind which Phil.4:8 in order to know whether it is right or wrong thought.

Examples of righteous thoughts:

(A) RIGHTEOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT YOURSELF:

Rom.12:3, Gal.2:20, Jn.15:5, Phil.4:13, Ps103:1-2 (e.g.Daniel in Dan.1:8, Jesus in Phil.2:5-9
GNB, LB).
You will be able to think humbly, soberly and rightly about yourself when you recognise that:
You, the old you, has been crucified with Christ, it is Christ living in you now. Without Christ,
you can do nothing. And you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Of course
what can a dead person do? Daniel, knowing that he was a different person from the
heathen Babylonians determined not to defile himself. That was a right thought. Whatever
God says about you is the right thing to think about. Jesus Christ though equal with God
thought that equality with God is not something to cling to. So he humbled himself, and
went all the way to cover it for us. Right thought led him to write action. When you drink
right, you will do right.
(B) Right thought about others

Phil.2:3-4, Phil.4:8, Lk.10:33-37

What do you think went through the mind of the God Samaritan that made him to have
compassion on the wounded man? Choose to think deliberately about things that are true, Give
allowance in your mind for people’s mistakes and wrong actions. Make room for it and explain it
away as Jesus did on the cross. This will help you to think right, have a sound mind and build
relationships.

(C) RIGHT THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD.

Judg.13:19-23; Rom.3:3-4, Exd.34:6-7, 1Jn.1:9, 4:8.
Manoah’s Wife exhibited right thoughts about God. Whereas her husband was afraid when
he saw that it was an Angel of the Lord that they had been speaking to, his wife knew God
better and corrected him.
The more you know God the more your thoughts about God will be right. Press ont o know,
God as Moses did. God is true and just. He is loving and kind. Yet he is also a consuming fire
think about these things. They will help you build a sound relationship with God.
(D) RIGHT THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR NEEDS.
Eph.1:3; Phil.4:19, Rom.8:32, Matt.6:32-33, Jer.17:5-8. Deut.8:2-3.
Discuss how you think about your needs as a person. Our needs sometimes seem so urgent,
big and intimidating that we are tempted to quickly look for solutions for ourselves. But you
must know this:: That God has made provision for all your needs to be met in Christ Jesus. It
is part of the package will receive when we receive Christ. When God helps you to
understand this, your needs will no longer have any intimidating power over your thoughts.
Your thoughts must be right concerning your neneeds. Wrong thoughts about your needs
 may dictate your pace and slow you down in walking with the Lord, as it happened to Jacob
(Gen28:20-21). Learn to esteem your relationship with God higher, and of greater value than
your needs.
(E) HOW DOES THE DEVIL INFLUENCE OUR THOUGHTS? 2Cor.11:14, 2 Cor.10:4-5 (GNB)
1. Through our desires: Jas.14-15.
Discuss the avenues through which our desires manifest (1Jn.2:15-16, KJV, LB, GNB).
The devil loves to entice us with what we desire most (our lust). What do you
often desire most?
2. Through Dreams: Eccl.5:7, 2 Cor.11:14
Sometimes the devil affects our thoughts by coming to us through our dreams. By
this he introduces fearful thoughts into our minds, or tempting thoughts to lead us
astray. However, God also uses dreams to speak to us stop therefore, when you
wake up from any dream, learn to test the spirit behind that dream by what the
word of God says about such issues portrayed in the dream (1Jn.4:1, Jn.16:13)
3. Through Past Experiences, whether Positive or Negative
Josh.7:1-5, Judg.16:20; Rom.12:3.
The devil can influence our thoughts and decisions through self-confidence and
presumptions arising from past experiences. Beware!
4. Through Counselling 2Sam.16:21-22
Through wrong relationships, Internet surfing, books, and worldly films that can
corrupt the mind, e.g. reading books and magazines on pornography, and sexual
immorarity., violence, spiritism and cultism and watching films on the same issues.
1Cor.15:33, 2Chron.12:3-11,16