When evil thoughts assail
*************************
Many people
are molested by evil thoughts and have to fight a difficult battle in
their minds and imaginations. Evil thoughts can vary from wanting to
inflict harm on others to horrifying images of sexual lust. The entrance
of a wrong thought into the mind is not sin, but if it is not dealt
with quickly and efficiently it can soon lead to sin. The longer a thought
is indulged the more energy it gathers and the deeper it becomes entrenched
in the mind. Note this: If the battle is lost it is usually lost
in the first few minutes. Thus those who entertain evil thoughts
on the pretext that they can dismiss them any time they like are playing
a foolish game.
The path along which an evil thought proceeds takes
this form: a thought comes and is indulged, indulging a thought quickly
leads to inclination, inclination leads to appetite, appetite leads
to hunger, hunger leads to craving, and craving leads to sin. Those
afflicted by evil thoughts should be careful about the literature they
read, the films they see, and the programmes they watch on television.
Avoid all those things that have a tendency to inflame.
Evil thoughts are not driven out by dwelling on them,
but by turning the attention to other subjects. It is bad tactics to
give them sustained attention; they must be outwitted at once by directing
the mind to a more purifying and absorbing theme.And what better theme
than Jesus? He is the centre of everything that is pure. To focus
on Him is to enlist His aid. So the first moment an evil thought
assails you, focus on Jesus. And as He has been there for others-He
will be there also for you.Be encouraged.
"O God, help me whenever I find myself
in the heat of mental fight to turn my thoughs swiftly to You. May I
discover how things so seductive apart from You take on a loathsome
appearance when You are consciously present. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Scriptures on which to reflect:
1. Turn your thinking in the right direction: Philippians
4: 8.
2. God says to all temptation:"so far and no farther.": 1Corinthians
10:13.
3. The "hidden" Word-a great resource against evil: Psalm 119: 9-11.
4. Put on the armor of God and feel the difference: Ephesians 6: 11.
5. God's Strength-an absolute certainty: 2Corinthians 12: 9.
6. A three-fold prescription: James 4: 7.
7. Decide not to let a glance become a gaze: Job 31: 1.
8. Your mind works better when filled with Scriptures: Romans 12: 2.
************************************************letter
# 33 (2.9.2000).
