Are sinful thoughts my own?

[Maniel]

Listened to a conversation on YouTube today between two men, one said something that was quite illuminating to me, that many of his thoughts and emotions could be said to be that of demons, and not him exactly, something his priest had told him if I remember correctly. That it made it easy for him to just laugh it all off in a way and return to a good conscience. I would love being able to do this.

Perhaps you guys could share some of your wisdom on this, as I do sometimes find myself quite overwhelmed with the things in my head. Would good theology be, that we're completely free, that these thoughts aren't our own in some sense? Or are they indeed ours, but we're still washed clean by the blood of Jesus? How do you guys 'protect' your conscience and stay joyful? How do you get going, and not let the mood hang downtrodden for too long, after such puzzling thoughts, if they do ever occur to you?

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Galatians 5:16–18 (NKJV): 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

There is a distinct difference between the flesh and the Spirit. They lust in opposing directions. If you are a christian, then the sins of the flesh are forgiven, and you have the opportunity to walk with Jesus free from the condemnation of the law. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not at the same time be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.

 

[Maniel]

Galatians 5:16–18 (NKJV): 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

There is a distinct difference between the flesh and the Spirit. They lust in opposing directions. If you are a christian, then the sins of the flesh are forgiven, and you have the opportunity to walk with Jesus free from the condemnation of the law. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not at the same time be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.

Thank you for this. Would you say, that it's possible to always walk in the spirit, or do everyone from time to time fall, however short that might be?

The reason why I'm asking, is an experience some days ago. I asked a girl out which I thought unreachable and out of my league. She is just fantastic in my eyes. I was so happy when she agreed to meet. And I had a really good time with her, and she agreed for another meeting this upcoming weekend.
But then pride took over my heart, and I felt it was getting too easy, like I could imagine where this might lead. Then I felt shame and laughed at myself for having such unwise and mixed feelings and emotion in the span of a few hours. I get confused and a bit saddened that this could ever occur. I really wish being able to just love unconditionally without all that garbage.
So for that short movement, was it me? (probably was), a short demonic attack? Both? Is it even normal, or might this be the sign of a deeper root problem I should focus on?

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Read the last section of Romans 6, all of Romans 7, and the first section of Romans 8. This will give you a good idea about what you are going through.

 

[Maniel]

Read the last section of Romans 6, all of Romans 7, and the first section of Romans 8. This will give you a good idea about what you are going through.

Thanks for reminding me of this. I do struggle sometimes to understand the full depth of what Paul is saying.
In short, is he saying that we can't sin in the spirit, or that we should do our best not to? Do we serve the Lord with our mind and best intention, but our flesh will fall short from time to time?

"How can we who died to sin still live in it?"

I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (...)
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (rom 8:1)

So, yes, the person you have become in Christ (the new man) delights in the things of God and is repulsed by the things of the flesh.

Live out the new life that you have in Christ as He leads, guides, and directs you, and live free of the condemnation for the sinfulness of the flesh which still exists. One day you’ll be completely free of it (as mentioned later in Romans 8. For now, walk in the spirit. It’s the only way to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh.

 

[tturt]

'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;" II Cor 10:5

So when those sinful thoughts come, immediately put your focus on God and His Word such as:
"And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47)
God "...hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Col 1)
"To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude v 25

Or you can look at it as - Put on God's armor. In this case, apply the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:10-18).

Be persistent and those type of thoughts will stop. (Phili]plans 4:8). If they do try to return, again immediately focus on the truth.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I am a writer and have authored a dozen books. I have been rolling an idea around my head for years on this subject.
The book is "Jesus, the Ogre, and Me."
It is about the me I am not happy or proud of. The brute beast the scripture calls the flesh. It is my struggle against him. The effort to kill him and crucify him every day, only to find him alive and well in the morning. He is the Ogre. The book would be serious but then a little tongue in cheek like the Screwtape Letters... just to keep it lite and interesting. There would be dialogues between me and the Ogre, with Jesus in between. Just have not got the further inspiration to jump in.

 

[Maniel]

I am a writer and have authored a dozen books. I have been rolling an idea around my head for years on this subject.
The book is "Jesus, the Ogre, and Me."
It is about the me I am not happy or proud of. The brute beast the scripture calls the flesh. It is my struggle against him. The effort to kill him and crucify him every day, only to find him alive and well in the morning. He is the Ogre. The book would be serious but then a little tongue in cheek like the Screwtape Letters... just to keep it lite and interesting. There would be dialogues between me and the Ogre, with Jesus in between. Just have not got the further inspiration to jump in.

I love this! It reminds me of Platos Man, Lion and Monster. The reason of Man needs to tame the Lion, so we can have good relationships with the right temperament. When it's tamed you can control the monster, that is quick to judge, wants to eat and succumb to pleasures all the time. It's necessary to feel hunger and seek it to stay alive, but in the right proportions without that Monster taking the lead.

I hope you get the inspiration to continue, nonetheless it seems as if it has already helped you in your understanding

 

[SeventhFisherofMen]

Listened to a conversation on YouTube today between two men, one said something that was quite illuminating to me, that many of his thoughts and emotions could be said to be that of demons, and not him exactly, something his priest had told him if I remember correctly. That it made it easy for him to just laugh it all off in a way and return to a good conscience. I would love being able to do this.

Perhaps you guys could share some of your wisdom on this, as I do sometimes find myself quite overwhelmed with the things in my head. Would good theology be, that we're completely free, that these thoughts aren't our own in some sense? Or are they indeed ours, but we're still washed clean by the blood of Jesus? How do you guys 'protect' your conscience and stay joyful? How do you get going, and not let the mood hang downtrodden for too long, after such puzzling thoughts, if they do ever occur to you?

thoughts can be from demons, from you, from God, and if you are close enough to someone from that person. We are sensitive and able to pick up on people's thoughts as well as the invisible realm.

What you saw on Youtube was true.

Don't over think, just do your best to do good and choose to be a filter between what you think and feel and what you actually say and do. The more you filter the better you get at self discipline and self control.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I am a writer and have authored a dozen books. I have been rolling an idea around my head for years on this subject.
The book is "Jesus, the Ogre, and Me."
It is about the me I am not happy or proud of. The brute beast the scripture calls the flesh. It is my struggle against him. The effort to kill him and crucify him every day, only to find him alive and well in the morning. He is the Ogre. The book would be serious but then a little tongue in cheek like the Screwtape Letters... just to keep it lite and interesting. There would be dialogues between me and the Ogre, with Jesus in between. Just have not got the further inspiration to jump in.

Sounds interesting!

Read John Owen's The Mortification of Sin. It is not lighthearted but it may give you some very good ideas.