How can we align our thoughts with God's will to avoid wickedness? A sobering picture from Genesis 6:5 “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.” Humanity’s inner life had become so corrupt that judgment followed. The verse reminds us that God looks beyond outward behavior to the hidden currents of thought that shape it. Why our thoughts matter - Thought precedes action. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). - God evaluates motives: “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives” (Proverbs 16:2). - Persistent sinful thinking grieves the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and dulls spiritual sensitivity (1 Timothy 4:2). God’s provision for a renewed mind - Regeneration gives us new life (Titus 3:5). - The Holy Spirit indwells us to empower holy thinking (Romans 8:5–6). - Scripture cleanses and reshapes the mind: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Practical steps to align our thinking 1. Fill the mind with Scripture • Daily reading plans • Listening to audio Bibles during commutes • Posting verses in visible places at home or work 2. Engage in deliberate meditation • Choose one verse each morning and revisit it throughout the day • Ask, “What does this reveal about God? How does it guide my choices today?” 3. Replace lies with truth • Identify recurring sinful thoughts (e.g., worry, envy, lust) • Counter them immediately with specific verses (Matthew 6:25–34 for worry; Philippians 4:11–13 for discontent) 4. Guard intake • Evaluate books, shows, music, and online content through the lens of Philippians 4:8 • Remove media that normalizes impurity or cynicism 5. Cultivate accountable fellowship • Meet regularly with mature believers for honest conversations • Invite loving correction when thinking drifts from biblical truth (Hebrews 3:13) 6. Pray Scripture back to God • Turn passages like Psalm 139:23–24 into personal petitions: “Search me… and lead me…” • Ask the Spirit to spotlight unseen attitudes before they flourish into actions Scriptures to memorize and meditate on - Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” - 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We demolish arguments… and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” - Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD…” - Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true… think on these things.” - Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Closing encouragement God who exposed the evil thoughts of Genesis 6:5 also promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). As we yield to His Word and Spirit day by day, He faithfully reshapes our thinking, enabling us to resist wickedness and walk in joyful obedience. |
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