Listening to the Holy Spirit

[CBE1]

[OneLight]

We all must monitor our thoughts, motives and intentions. Continual diligence is required as well as a willingness to self-discipline. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Paul mentioned that he took all thoughts captive to Jesus Christ. This I find amazing. Not that I doubt that he did, but when trying this, I find it virtually impossible. It I am able to take all my thoughts to Jesus Christ for a 15 minute strecth, that is doing pretty good for me. Maybe I can go an hour here or there, but it always seem like I get distracted. So mostly what I try to do is to remember to keep turning back to Him through out the day.

Maybe each hour I can get myself to turn back, talk to Him. Check on what thoughts are going through my head. Get a few answers on how I am doing, and if I'm going the right direction.

Seriously, is anyone here getting that close to Paul as to taking every thought captive to Him.

Just asking??

Well, if I had a lifetime of learning His word, then years being taught by the Holy Spirit and those He called to me, seen Christ as Paul did and was given the office of Apostle, then maybe, just maybe.

I do, however, try my best to listen to His guidance and check myself in Him.

[Permie]

We all must monitor our thoughts, motives and intentions. Continual diligence is required as well as a willingness to self-discipline. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Paul mentioned that he took all thoughts captive to Jesus Christ. This I find amazing. Not that I doubt that he did, but when trying this, I find it virtually impossible. It I am able to take all my thoughts to Jesus Christ for a 15 minute strecth, that is doing pretty good for me. Maybe I can go an hour here or there, but it always seem like I get distracted. So mostly what I try to do is to remember to keep turning back to Him through out the day.

Maybe each hour I can get myself to turn back, talk to Him. Check on what thoughts are going through my head. Get a few answers on how I am doing, and if I'm going the right direction.

Seriously, is anyone here getting that close to Paul as to taking every thought captive to Him.

Just asking??

I have that particular verse written out and is on my refrigerator, along with:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I do monitor my thoughts. Aware of each one that comes. If they don't line up with the above, I change them usually through the use of praising God. But sometimes I can't yet get to praise first and have to think of what is true, and then the praise progresses from there.

All thoughts can be taken captive. We just have to be aware. Actions follow thoughts don't they?

[Permie]

... we will never be sinless until we are with Him. While still alive, we are a work in process.

Amen;;

It's pretty hard to be around Him and listen to Him reprove you, no matter how gentle and not be aware that we are indeed a work in progress. That is should be a very good reason for us to forgive others.

Amen and Amen!

Yes, others too are a work in progress! If we are overly concerned with what another's sins might be we are failing to "work out our own salvation" and ignoring what our "own beam in our own eye is".

(References to: Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Matthew 7:5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.)

[CBE1]

Certainly actions follow our thoughts. And it is easier to try to monitor our actions than our thoughts. Still Paul said he took all thoughts captive. Obviously more disciplined that me.

If I monitor my actions instead of my thoughts; am I closing the gate after the horse gets out? If I can monitor my thoughts, I can stop an inappropriate action before I see that I am doing something wrong. So I see that I should monitor all my thoughts, but I can get myself to do it. Sometimes I find out I took an inappropriate action after the fact. All too often I'm afraid.

Anyway, the more we can listen to the Holy Spirit, [and doesn't He come across like thoughts in our head?] the better we are. I have found it hard to do it consistantly. Maybe why that is why Paul seemed to think that he was the greatest sinner. Maybe he knew even better than the rest that He was supposed to take all thoughs captive and then if more is given then more is required.

Just some thoughts on the subject. Ha! Ha!

Edited January 30, 2010 by CBE1

[OneLight]

... we will never be sinless until we are with Him. While still alive, we are a work in process.

Amen;;

It's pretty hard to be around Him and listen to Him reprove you, no matter how gentle and not be aware that we are indeed a work in progress. That is should be a very good reason for us to forgive others.

Amen and Amen!

Yes, others too are a work in progress! If we are overly concerned with what another's sins might be we are failing to "work out our own salvation" and ignoring what our "own beam in our own eye is".

(References to: Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Matthew 7:5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.)

Yes, we are to constantly be in check, but what do you do if you see a brother or sister sin? Are we to ignore them because we are not perfect or are we to show them love and tell them that what they are doing is wrong?

[Permie]

Certainly actions follow our thoughts. And it is easier to try to monitor our actions than our thoughts. Still Paul said he took all thoughts captive. Obviously more disciplined that me.

If I monitor my actions instead of my thoughts; am I closing the gate after the horse gets out? If I can monitor my thoughts, I can stop an inappropriate action before I see that I am doing something wrong. So I see that I should monitor all my thoughts, but I can get myself to do it. Sometimes I find out I took an inappropriate action after the fact. All too often I'm afraid.

Anyway, the more we can listen to the Holy Spirit, [and doesn't He come across like thoughts in our head?] the better we are. I have found it hard to do it consistantly. Maybe why that is why Paul seemed to think that he was the greatest sinner. Maybe he knew even better than the rest that He was supposed to take all thoughs captive and then if more is given then more is required.

Just some thoughts on the subject. Ha! Ha!

Yes, to whom is given much, much is required.

Restraining our actions have merit, but if the thought persists, it can brew. It is, imo, best to train our mind to dismiss those temptations. Using the word as Jesus did while being tempted, and scripture tells us that He was tempted in ALL things*, is very effective. For us, I believe that if we continually train our mind with scripture that those thoughts that lead to error will flee and leave forever.

(*Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.)

Error flees from the Light that is contained in the Word. We are instructed to "put on the armour of God", it doesn't just jump on us by it's self.

(Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.)

Just as we are patient with others, we too should be patient and kind towards ourselves too and never forget that Jesus is our High Priest and makes intercessory prayer for us on our behalf*. Thank you, so much, Jesus.

(*I can't find the scripture for that right off, but it's in there somewhere.)

[CBE1]

Yes, we are to constantly be in check, but what do you do if you see a brother or sister sin? Are we to ignore them because we are not perfect or are we to show them love and tell them that what they are doing is wrong?

I think we try to help those, and especially brothers in the Lord right. In Matthew it has a kind of procedure. Talking to them, taking someone else along, then then bring it to the attention of the church. Paul even seem to turn them over to the devil so that they might come to a realization. And prayer does work doesn't it?

[Permie]

... we will never be sinless until we are with Him. While still alive, we are a work in process.

Amen;;

It's pretty hard to be around Him and listen to Him reprove you, no matter how gentle and not be aware that we are indeed a work in progress. That is should be a very good reason for us to forgive others.

Amen and Amen!

Yes, others too are a work in progress! If we are overly concerned with what another's sins might be we are failing to "work out our own salvation" and ignoring what our "own beam in our own eye is".

(References to: Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Matthew 7:5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.)

Yes, we are to constantly be in check, but what do you do if you see a brother or sister sin? Are we to ignore them because we are not perfect or are we to show them love and tell them that what they are doing is wrong?

It depends. I always pray first. Different answers come for the appropriate response for that individual.

Sometimes the answer is to be a living example.

[Permie]

Yes, we are to constantly be in check, but what do you do if you see a brother or sister sin? Are we to ignore them because we are not perfect or are we to show them love and tell them that what they are doing is wrong?

I think we try to help those, and especially brothers in the Lord right. In Matthew it has a kind of procedure. Talking to them, taking someone else along, then then bring it to the attention of the church. Paul even seem to turn them over to the devil so that they might come to a realization. And prayer does work doesn't it?

Gotta be careful when turning someone over to Satan.