As I was reading the selection from the New Testament Chronological Reading Plan today I was struck by this verse in Matthew 9: 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?" He didn't say, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts?" He said why do you "entertain" them. I looked up the definition of the word "entertain" in the dictionary. It means "giving attention or consideration to."
The devil is always bombarding our minds with evil thoughts, but we are not to give them attention. How often I do this! A fleeting thought enters my mind and then before I realize what is happening I am dwelling on thoughts of fear, or worry, or anger, or doubt!
How much better it would be if I would immediately replace those thoughts with those that God wants me to entertain! Phil. 4:8 tells us what those are--"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"
Help me, Lord, to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Amen
The devil is always bombarding our minds with evil thoughts, but we are not to give them attention. How often I do this! A fleeting thought enters my mind and then before I realize what is happening I am dwelling on thoughts of fear, or worry, or anger, or doubt!
How much better it would be if I would immediately replace those thoughts with those that God wants me to entertain! Phil. 4:8 tells us what those are--"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"
Help me, Lord, to be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Amen
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