Many well-meaning Christians seem to think that sinful thoughts are not serious sins. They assume that it is alright to have sinful thoughts as long as they do not physically commit any sin.

Look at the way Jesus spoke about it: “Out of the heart of men, proceed EVIL THOUGHTS, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness…”( Mk 7:21,22 ). Here the Lord put evil thoughts first on the list, even before adulteries and murders.

One main reason why we let evil thoughts defile our mind is because we do not see them as VERY SERIOUS SINS.

It is true, God , in His mercy, delays His punishments and judgments, but if we know the great judgment of God for sinful thoughts, we would tremble. His judgment is worse than twenty years of rigorous imprisonment. The first judgment of God (flood) came upon the earth because “every imagination of the THOUGHTS of his heart was only EVIL continually” (Gen 6:5). Remember, during that period there was no church, no Bible, and no Bible teachers or pastors. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit was not given to them. and Jesus had not died on the cross. Yet, EVIL THOUGHTS were judged very severely. We who live in the Grace Period must work out our salvation with fear and trembling because God’s judgment will be far greater in this dispensation than in the previous ones.

So child of God, ask the Holy Spirit to help you right away. Ask Him to help you cast down imaginations and bring every thought into captivity.

-TPM Morning Manna.

Stay Blessed 😊
Ravi

Faith that works

Mark:7
❇️ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”(v28)

❇️ Syrophoenician woman’s tenacious faith and her determination to get her daughter healed even after the seemingly tongue in cheek comment from the Lord which was meant to bring out her faith actually paid off.

❇️ Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb.11:1). Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit(1Cor.12:9) given to us by hearing (Rom.10:17) and reading the Scriptures (Jn.20:31)

❇️ This woman’s words of faith reflect the above definition of faith in toto. She seemed to be sure of the outcome of her plea since she had complete faith in the person of Jesus Christ which enabled her to look beyond the comment. It is the object of our faith that helps one to surmount the problem.

❇️ Everyone born of God overcomes the world by his faith (1 Jn.5:4). God pleasing faith such as

▪️ Faith devoid of boasting (Rom.3:27)
▪️ Faith devoid of self righteousness (Rom.10:3&4)

will facilitate the word of God to work effectively in our situation by leveraging God’s power as given in the following verses.

▪️Impossible to please God without faith – Heb.11:6
▪️Word of God works effectually in us by our faith -1 Thes.2:13
▪️Our faith might not rest on men’s wisdom but on God’s power – 1 Cor.2:5

❇️ God does not necessarily answer prayers immediately but listens to all our prayers and answers in his time the persons who pray with faith without any doubt (Jam.1:6).

❇️ It is interesting to know that while our faith overcomes our trials but our faith is refined by our trials. Let us take stock of our faith in the light of the Syrophoenician woman’s peerless faith .

✅ Insights learnt:
▪️Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit
▪️Faith comes by hearing and reading the Scriptures
▪️Faith devoid of boasting and self righteousness makes the word of God effective.
▪️God answers people with faith and without doubt

Dr. E. Christadoss
Vellore 🙏🏽