This is too important not to share...I was reading Matthew 9 this morning and Jesus asked a powerful question. Here is the verse: "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?'" (v. 4).
I found this question so probing and so helpful. We all have evil thoughts pop into our minds. Maybe they are even placed into our minds by the devil. These thoughts are unhealthy and unhelpful. They encourage us to act selfishly or hurtfully toward God, others, or ourselves.
We all get these thoughts in our minds. It's what we do with them that makes the difference.
Jesus used a great word. He asked, "Why do you ENTERTAIN evil thoughts?" Think about what you would do to entertain a person. You'd allow them to hang around a while. You'd pay attention to them. You might feed them. We can do the same thing with evil thoughts. When an evil thought pops into our head, we can allow it to hang around, we can pay attention to it, we can feed the thoughts or desires it produces. This only leads to more evil thoughts and possibly evil emotions or evil actions.
Rather than entertain evil thoughts, a better approach would be to EXPEL them. To say, "You are not welcome in my head or my heart. You are not helpful to my life or my relationship with God, others, or myself. You will not take me in a positive direction. Adios. Bye, bye. Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
So when evil thoughts pop into our minds today, let's make a choice to EXPEL them rather than ENTERTAIN them. Sound like plan?
No comments:
Post a Comment