Freedom of thought

[Guest Happy]

Do we as Christians have freedom of thought?

[Crusader4Christ]

What do you mean by that Happy? Please elaborate.

[Guest Happy]

I read a quote that said: Heresy is another word for freedom of thought. So I started thinking about how we are limited in thinking, we can only think the way that's is agreable to God. Even that verse if you even lust after someone, you already commit a sin makes thoughts sins. So we can't be heretics and we can't have sinful thoughts.

[Crusader4Christ]

But realize God forgives our sins. We can't stop thinking about sinful things

because we are inperfect. That's we ask God to forgive us of our evil thoughts

as well.

[Guest Happy]

That's not freedom of thought, that's bondage.

[Catsmeow]

That's not heresy...Heresy refers to false teachings or teachings which are in error to the truth.

What you are referring to is temptation. Temptation is NOT a sin. If you have a "bad" thought, remember that even our Lord was tempted in everyway but never sinned.

Temptation is a thought which can either come from your own mind or can be triggered by the enemy. Either way, it's not whether or not you are tempted but what you DO with that temptation...whether you make a deliberate choice to indulge and gratify it or refuse to feed it.

[nebula]

You could say there is a difference between "thoughts" and "ponderings of the heart." Thoughts can come from anywhere. Sometimes I am in a situation and the first thought that comes to my head is expressions spoken by others. These are not words I have used, and some of them are not words I would even want to use. I have also noticed thoughts in my head that are contrary to what I believe. I rebuke these when I recognize them as such.

Ponderings of the heart are those things you believe or "mull around in your head." This is not a bad thing. Sometimes you need to do this in order to understand new things, or evaluate your beliefs. Most people had to do this before they believed in Jesus.

Now, these ponderings are just like any other action. We do have freedom on Christ. But, as is warned in Scripture, freedom should not be used as a cover for evil. We are free to think/ponder what we want, but if those thinkings and ponderings are entertaining evil (i.e. lust), then it is sin.

When it comes to pondering doubts that can get tricky. It sounds strange, but due to our sin nature that stilll entangles us, we sometimes need to walk through those periods before our faith can be strengthened. (I know these are words that can trigger a new debate; unfortunately, I know not how to express this concept in a simple form). Just read the stories of those who had some form of falling into sin, how having been restored they were changed for the better, even though many of them had to bear the consequences of their actions. Like I said it gets tricky.

The point is, God is not a slave-driver. He wants us to love Him heart, soul, and body. The mind is part of the soul. For love to be real, it has to be a choice and genuine. If barriers are placed on our minds (thoughts), then the choice factor is taken out.

We need to be honest with the Lord about our thoughts. Do not fear the wanderings of your thoughts, but take them to the Lord and seek to find what He has to say about them. (Look at how many Psalms consist of the composer doing just that - i.e. "Where are You?!" "Have you rejected me?")

Hope this helps answer your question.

:upsided:

[Catsmeow]

it's not whether or not you are tempted but what you DO with that temptation...whether you make a deliberate choice to indulge  and gratify it or  refuse to feed it.

Happy, I should clarify something I said in this quote...

When I say, "feed" it... I mean dwelling on a thought...

Temptation begins as a thought but when we dwell on a throught, (continue to think about it) it grows in intensity...

For example, a man might see a lovely woman, (or vise versa) and briefly, an impure thought presents itself. If you quickly dismiss the thought...you avoid sinning. It remains only a temptation.

King David could have saved himself a world of trouble IF he had walked away and refused to ponder the thought of Bathsheeba.

He didn't. He mulled the thought over and over in his head until he couldn't contain himself any longer.

If he'd just walked away , it would have remained nothing more than a momentary temptation.

Instead, he yielded.

Jesus was also tempted but he never yielded to it. He had continuous victory and we can also have the same victory as we draw strength from Him.

[Guest Happy]

Thank you for your posts. Something to mull over. I have to remember (and remind myself if I do), that God has given us freedom of choice. That's real freedom.

About feering strange thoughts, I have that, sometimes I wonder "where the heck this came from"? I don't know if I should be afraid of thoughts.

But also I find myself steering away from some arguments because I don't want to think or listen to someone's argument who is not a Christian, that kind of thinking I reject because it's not in line with God's thinking, I guess that's what I was talking about. But, I choose not to do it, so I excercise my choice, so it's freedom too.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Happy,

But also I find myself steering away from some arguments because I don't want to think or listen to someone's argument who is not a Christian, that kind of thinking I reject because it's not in line with God's thinking, I guess that's what I was talking about. But, I choose not to do it, so I excercise my choice, so it's freedom too.

There have been some good responses so far, but you have added a new dimension.

You have to remember we are IN this world, but we are not OF it. Unless you become a hermit and living all by yourself in some wilderness outpost, you are going to encounter all sorts of words and thoughts of others. Think on these verses:

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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.

Just one more:

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

The Lord revealed this verse to me some time ago. You don't have to be LIKE the world, and when you LOVE them as Christ has loved you, INDEED it will be to them like pouring HOT COALS upon their heads.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie