GOOD

THINKING

Lesson 6

THE ORIGIN OF ACTIONS

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke, 6: 45)

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”

(Proverbs, 23: 7)“Our thoughts and purposes are the secret springs of action, and hence determine the character”

(E.G.W., “Reflecting Christ”, December 31)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh

but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

For to be carnally minded is death

but to be spiritually minded is life and peace

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you

Romans, 8: 5-9

BAD THINKING GOOD THINKING

“Many thoughts make up the unwritten history of

a single day, and these thoughts have much to

do with the formation of character. Our thoughts

are to be strictly guarded, for one impure

thought makes a deep impression on the soul.

An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the

mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the man

is better for having cherished them. By them the

spiritual pulse is quickened and the power for

doing good is increased. And as one drop of rain

prepares the way for another in moistening the

earth, so one good thought prepares the way for

another”

E.G.W. (Mind, character and personality, vol. 2, cp. 72, pg. 655)

INFLUENCES THAT AFFECT OUR THINKING

Everything we see, hear or read affects our thinking.

We have positive or negative influence with our words and actions.

“The apostle [1 Peter, 1: 14] sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness”

E.G.W. (The Adventist home, cp. 66, pg. 403)

HOW TO HAVE GOOD THINKING

1. Studying the Bible, learning and repeating parts of It, meditating on Its words

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles”

(2ª de Pedro, 3: 1-2)

“For every class of temptations there is a remedy. We are not left to ourselves to fight the battle against self and our sinful natures in our own finite strength. Jesus is a mighty helper; a never-failing support... The mind must be restrained and not allowed to wander. It should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures and upon noble, elevating themes. Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory, to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations... When Satan would lead the mind to dwell upon earthly and sensual things, he is most effectually resisted with, “It is written.””

E.G.W. (Mind, character and personality, vol. 2, cp. 72, pg. 659)

2. Using prayer intensively.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

HOW TO HAVE GOOD THINKING

Ephesians, 6: 18

“We must be much in communion with God. Prayer in secret, prayer while the hands are engaged in labor, prayer while walking by the way, prayer in the night season, the heart’s desires ever ascending to God... In this manner our Exemplar obtained strength to tread the thorny path from Nazareth to Calvary”

E.G.W. (That I may know Him, September 3)

3. Letting the Holy Spirit influence our thinking

E.G.W. (Mind, character and personality, vol. 2, cp. 72, pg. 660)

“We should endeavor to have our minds in that condition where we can receive the impressions of the Holy Spirit. But they cannot receive increased light who allow their thoughts to run constantly upon frivolous things. The mind should be stored with heavenly treasure, with food that will enable us to grow spiritually, and thus prepare us for a holy heaven”

HOW TO HAVE GOOD THINKING

“We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts and the damaging influence of evil thoughts. Let us place our thoughts upon holy things. Let them be pure and true, for the only security for any soul is right thinking. We are to use every means that God has placed within our reach for the government and cultivation of our thoughts. We are to bring our minds into harmony with His mind. His truth will sanctify us, body and soul and spirit”

E.G.W. (Mind, character and personality, vol. 2, cp. 72, pg. 659)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things” Philippians 4:8

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

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