How to eliminate ungodly thoughts?

[Biscuit]

I've reached a point where there is not a lot of sin in my life (especially compared to the past). I'm not certain if it is due to sanctification or just the fact that I don't do much anymore. Lately, I watch one episode a day of something like Dr. Quinn or A-team. The rest of my time for a few weeks now has been listening to audio Bible, Christian music, etc.

 

However, I have a lot of ungodly thoughts of various kinds (bad thoughts against God, bad sexual thoughts, etc.). I don't know if these thoughts are my own or if they are "fiery darts" from the enemy. How would I know the source of these thoughts? If these thoughts are my own, how would I eliminate them? If I continue to listen to the Bible, would there be a point at which I would be cleansed of these thoughts? It concerns me because I know Jesus spoke about how it is sin just to have certain thoughts. I am also concerned about purity.

 

I lost my Mom, wife, job, and Dad in a one year period in 2012-2013. I was not close to my Dad. I have not gone back to work yet but hope to soon. I do not hear God's still small voice, so really have no way to communicate with God other than prayer and via things that are spoken at church.

 

Does anyone else have this problem or any insight? Thank you.

 

 

 

 

[RustyAngeL]

I believe the more we stay in the word the more our minds take on the mind of Christ.  The washing of the Word.  It's like flushing out dirty water in a container with the constant flushing in of clean water.  It's a process. Be in a constant state of prayer, a running dialog with God.  The Bible says God inhabits the praises of His people.  So would say just keep praising, worshiping and reading the Word.  It will bring in light. 

[Hippie333]

We sometimes think we have to have this loud voice from God ...slapping us into correction....and when we don't hear it, we say we don't hear God's voice. I think we are promised that once with us...He is always with us. We get His voice in several ways....through Prayer, through others, and through His Word. Immerse yourself in His Word and Prayer....those are two things that you have control to do. It's steps you take...if our mind is fully on the Lord, then these things in our minds...sins we repeat ...become less and less....

  That and we need to take steps to remove things from our life that open the door to those sins we are weakest with....if those sins are of a sexual nature...then removing computers/internet/ even our smart phone and get a cheaper flip phone that only texts and calls people...then so be it.   We don't expect an alcoholic to keep a stocked bar in his house? ...so removing things from our lives that give us issue is also a step we have to take.

 

 

 

God Bless,

 Hip

[wingnut-]

I would echo what rustyangel and hippie had to say and add this thought to it.  God doesn't shout to get your attention, He whispers. 

[Littlelambseativy]

When worries or thoughts that are unwelcome intrude, may I suggest you let your mind or voice sing the OLD hymns that speak of God's love and forgiveness, songs like, Old Rugged Cross, Just AsI Am Without One Plea, God Will Take Care of You,...listen to Elvis' version of Who Am I, or Dottie Rambo's I Just Came To Talk To You Lord...there are so many...open a hymn book or go on YouTube to the Gaither's site and engross your mind and heart in their songs. There are other sites but the songs that speak to your heart and mind are what you need to reach out to Gid.

[OneLight]

When I find my mind wondering, I try the following advice:
 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

[OakWood]

I've reached a point where there is not a lot of sin in my life (especially compared to the past). I'm not certain if it is due to sanctification or just the fact that I don't do much anymore. Lately, I watch one episode a day of something like Dr. Quinn or A-team. The rest of my time for a few weeks now has been listening to audio Bible, Christian music, etc.

 

However, I have a lot of ungodly thoughts of various kinds (bad thoughts against God, bad sexual thoughts, etc.). I don't know if these thoughts are my own or if they are "fiery darts" from the enemy. How would I know the source of these thoughts? If these thoughts are my own, how would I eliminate them? If I continue to listen to the Bible, would there be a point at which I would be cleansed of these thoughts? It concerns me because I know Jesus spoke about how it is sin just to have certain thoughts. I am also concerned about purity.

 

I lost my Mom, wife, job, and Dad in a one year period in 2012-2013. I was not close to my Dad. I have not gone back to work yet but hope to soon. I do not hear God's still small voice, so really have no way to communicate with God other than prayer and via things that are spoken at church.

 

Does anyone else have this problem or any insight? Thank you.

 

I too have unGodly thoughts - frequently!

It's normal. You're human and therefore imperfect.

But I have to say this - the longer you are a Christian and the closer you get to God, the less prolific these thoughts will become. They won't necessarily disappear overnight and they won't necessarily never come back again, in fact they may come back as big as before for short times.

But they won't ever dominate your life to the same extent as they may have done before. Whether it is Satan giving you these thoughts or whether it is your own sinful nature isn't necessarily that important, what matters is that you have given your life to Jesus.

When Jesus said that it was a sin to have certain thoughts, I believe he meant that you can't act sinlessly and justify sinful thinking, as if sinful thinking was somehow okay.

You can't find loopholes in the law by saying "well, I didn't actually do it, I just wanted to do it... so there! I've committed no crime."

God knows what is really in your heart.

[bubbles baloo]

you sound like job

you may be being tested brother

[missmuffet]

I've reached a point where there is not a lot of sin in my life (especially compared to the past). I'm not certain if it is due to sanctification or just the fact that I don't do much anymore. Lately, I watch one episode a day of something like Dr. Quinn or A-team. The rest of my time for a few weeks now has been listening to audio Bible, Christian music, etc.

 

However, I have a lot of ungodly thoughts of various kinds (bad thoughts against God, bad sexual thoughts, etc.). I don't know if these thoughts are my own or if they are "fiery darts" from the enemy. How would I know the source of these thoughts? If these thoughts are my own, how would I eliminate them? If I continue to listen to the Bible, would there be a point at which I would be cleansed of these thoughts? It concerns me because I know Jesus spoke about how it is sin just to have certain thoughts. I am also concerned about purity.

 

I lost my Mom, wife, job, and Dad in a one year period in 2012-2013. I was not close to my Dad. I have not gone back to work yet but hope to soon. I do not hear God's still small voice, so really have no way to communicate with God other than prayer and via things that are spoken at church.

 

Does anyone else have this problem or any insight? Thank you.

They could be fiery darts.I would pray every time one of those thoughts came into my mind.If you are involved with a lot of secular activity such as the television shows or movies or video games you play and what the content is that can have some effect on you.

Do you have OCD?

[Ezra]

Does anyone else have this problem or any insight? Thank you.

 

While Satan can definitely plant evil thoughts within the minds of believers, God has revealed to us the true source of evil thoughts -- it is "the heart" of man (Mk 7:18-23).  What Scripture calls "the heart", it also calls "the flesh" -- the old Adamic unregenerate nature which dwells within every human being. 

 

How does one deal with this?

 

1. We are to keep our focus on that which is good.  The only thing which we have complete control over is our thoughts. So Paul tells us to focus as follows (Phil 4:8-9):  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.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

2. We are to use the "weapons of our warfare", which are "mighty through God to the pulling down of stronghold" ( 2 Cor 10:3-5): For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

3. The defensive weapons are "the whole armour of God" while the offensive weapon is "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Eph 6:10-18):

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;