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| Conwy Castle gardens, 2001 |
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Baxter on Your Thoughts 4 - by Michael Phillips Baxter on Your Thoughts - Part 4 of 4
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Baxter was an English pastor who lived from 1619 to 1691. Like everyone else, he had his weaknesses, but when it comes to pastoral counseling, he is number one.
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The study is divided into two parts. The first is how to get rid of bad thoughts; the second is how to keep good ones there-and to improve upon them. He begins by defining bad thoughts. They are thoughts against God (e.g., unbelief, discontent, and blasphemy); thoughts against yourself (especially pride); and thoughts against other people (e.g., malice, envy, and contempt).
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Pastor Phillips relies significantly on the use of Richard Baxter. Baxter, certainly has (had) some good ideas in regard to biblical and theological, disciplines. I cannot rate him as number one or the best, however, as I am not certain that there is a definitive best.
Some key points from this sermon that I will review non-exhaustively:
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IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF BAD THOUGHTS, CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS.
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Rather than controlling your emotions, your mind is being controlled by them. And that's bad. Not that emotions are bad. Arms are good, but not for walking. Eyes are good, but not for smelling. Emotions are good, but not for thinking.
How do you control your emotions? That's another subject, of course, but here's a good place to start: (1) Respect the power and danger of emotions, (2) pray for God's grace to control them, and (3) don't cop out by saying, "Well, that's just the way I am". (Maybe it is, but grace changes you from what you are to what you ought to be).
A biblical worldview trusts in biblical premises and conclusions, guided by the Holy Spirit, in grace through faith, as theology, doctrine and dogma, primarily (as primary), and emotions would be secondary.
Scriptural support, non-exhaustive examples:
2 Timothy 2:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
1 Peter 3:14-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [a]are blessed. And do not fear their [b]intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but [c]sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a [d]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [e]reverence; 16 [f]and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
Footnotes: 1 Peter 3:14 Or would be 1 Peter 3:14 Lit fear 1 Peter 3:15 I.e. set apart 1 Peter 3:15 Or argument; or explanation 1 Peter 3:15 Or fear 1 Peter 3:16 Lit having a good
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IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF BAD THOUGHTS, RESIST THEM AS SOON AS THEY OCCUR TO YOU.
Cited Proverbs 1:10 makes the point, "My son, if sinners entice you, consent not".
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In other words, don't think about it, don't weigh the plusses and minuses of sin, don't sleep on it, just say "No". If an evil thought entices you, stand up to it right then! "Resist the devil and he will flee". If you want to get rid of bad thoughts, resist them as soon as they occur to you.
Philippians 4:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [a]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, [b]dwell on these things.
Footnotes: Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious Philippians 4:8 Lit ponder these things
One should prayerfully avoid pondering on thoughts that might reasonably, or reasonably will, lead to sinful acts and actions.
Things that work for me, in this lifetime struggle to maintain godly thinking, are writing and researching these website articles, listening to sermons, as well as prayer to the triune God in Jesus Christ, and fellowship with other like-minded biblical Christians. That is fellowship with Christians both in church and within the universal Church.
I pray to be guided by God's perfect will and divine reasoning. Again, a lifetime struggle.
HEWLETT, H.C. (1986) 'Philippians' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
MARTIN, RALPH P. (1987) Philippians, Grand Rapids, IVP.
