Phil 4:8-9 “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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 “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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
These verses tell us we need to control our every thought, and this is because our thoughts have a direct effect on our world through the Law of God.
2 Corinthians tells us to cast down “every high thing that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God”. These high things are thoughts in our minds that are lifted up, which refers to our mind upstairs. These thoughts need to be controlled and brought into obedience in order for the “peace of God” to shine through. This commandment is similar to the fourth of the “ten commandments” in Exodus 20.
Exo 20:7 “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
The word “take” in Exodus 20 can mean to lift up or to be exalted. The name of the Lord represents how we recognize God and the words we use [to call out to God]. It is important to recognize that we “call out to God” every time we speak, not just when we think we are praying to our God. God is always listening. When we use vain words and thoughts, we are mindlessly thinking and obsessing about things which unknowingly creates pain for ourselves, directly because of our careless thoughts and words. Careless thoughts and words represent “taking the Lords name in vain”. Our vain or careless thoughts and words directly affect the world. Everything we think or say directly effects our world. Phil 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Exodus 20:7 are all telling us to watch our thoughts, where our thoughts directly affect what we say or call out verbally. Phil 4 gives us specific instruction on what things we should be thinking about.
Once we learn these things we become ready to revenge all our disobedience to God and what he is asking us to do. Again this “disobedience" is what we are doing in our own mind with our thoughts, not some carnal law we are breaking.
Proverbs 10:24 “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.”
To be righteous is to do as it says to do in the verses in Phil 4 and 2 Corinthians 10 above. There is a spiritual law always at work and if we know how it works we will want to do as these verses say; because of what it says in Proverbs 10:24. These verses imply that we get what we think about. When we have fear, that which we fear will come about if we are not careful with our thought, but when we are “righteous” it simply means our thoughts are in line with the directions in Phil 4 and 2 Corinthians 10. Therefore we are righteous by following the instructions of thinking on good reports and being honest with ourselves. But when we do not follow the instructions to cast down imaginations and prideful thoughts and bring every thought into captivity, fear creeps. Fear shows a lack of trust in God. “…every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” from 2 Cor 10 represent prideful thoughts that make us think we have it all together, when really we don’t. Pride can also come from fear because we are afraid of not being respected. Pride comes from fear when we are afraid to be abased or discredited. These kinds of thoughts exalt us against the knowledge of God.
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 9:10 ” The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 10:24 “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.”
The fear of the wicked is not the same thing as fearing the LORD. When we fear the LORD it is because we come to understand how his spiritual laws work in our life, and we come to understand that if we do not follow them rightly we know we will reap what we sow (fear of the cause and effect of the law of the Lord); so we follow his laws out of fear (understanding) of what we will reap if we think and act negatively. So we trust him with patience, thanksgiving, meekness, rejoicing (not worrisome), and contentment all the while knowing that if we keep our thoughts in check, our mind and our life will be renewed each day. If we sow these things, these things will we reap. If we project these things away from us, we will gather these things unto us. This is the law of God, and this is why we “fear the LORD” and his “Law”. This is how we “call upon the name of the Lord”. We call upon God each time we speak, where it be good words or bad. So the fear of the wicked (someone who does not listen to God) is when someone fears something distressing in this world because they do not understand the law of God, so they keep getting the distresses and trials until they learn to trust in God and learn what his laws are all about. Once they realize this subtle difference, they change their mind and how they are looking at each situation. And then the “wicked” (those thinking negatively by worrying) are saved because rather than being conformed to this world and it’s issues, their minds are transformed; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2). Have not the fear of the wicked, but the fear of the LORD!
We reap what we sow, and we reap what we think about. If we think of good things, we reap the peace of God. If we forget the words we have been taught, the cares and troubling thoughts kill the seed and we reap the thorns and thistles of the carnal tree of the mind. But if we keep our minds on what we have been taught and do not allow the “evil” doubtful thoughts to creep in and produce the double mind (carnal vs spiritual mind) we have a chance to produce good fruit. Our efforts and work are all in our mind. This is the spiritual Law of God. Remember from previous discussion that the heart and mind are connected.
Luke 6:43-45 “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Matthew 12:33-37 “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
These verses in Luke 6 and Matt 12 say our words are VERY important. Our words reflect our thoughts and our heart. If we keep our thoughts in check, our words will follow. Our words are important because they reflect our thoughts and our heart. And our words [which reflect our thoughts] either will justify or condemn us. Our words cannot be controlled, but our thoughts can be brought into obedience. If our thoughts are brought into obedience to Christ within, the Christ within us will also control our words. Because..
James 3:8 “But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
We as human beings (i.e man in James 3:8) cannot control our own words, only an obedient mind to Christ will direct them.
James 3:1-12, 14-18 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 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. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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. 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: But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. ... But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work. 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. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
Words are powerful, and our words come from the type of tree we have within us. If your heart has bitterness and strife, don’t lie to yourself about it, but admit it. Because if you lie against the truth you create confusion within yourself. You cannot fix something until you see the problem to fix and admit there is a problem. The eye of God sees everything and understands everything, and his wisdom is pure. Understanding from above fills our heart and minds with meekness and peace. Remember the peace of God also comes from our thoughts within, so align them with God.
Philippians 4:8-9 “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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
The peace of God will be in our hearts if we remember what we have learned and received and heard and think on the things listed in Phillipians 4. “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” But acknowledge the truth, and “confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed…”
Acknowledge and admit your faults [to yourself] “that you may be healed”.
Romans 10:13-14 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
In order to rightly call upon the name of the Lord you have to believe what you are calling out.
John 14:14-15 “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Calling on the name of the Lord or asking for things in the name of the Lord represent our thoughts and words we call out vocally or internally. Again, Exodus 20:7 says “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” The name of the Lord is taken in vain when we are not aware of what our thoughts and words are producing so we are not “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. Asking for things in the name of the Lord (John 14:14-15), are prayers (thoughts and words) that are in “obedience” to Christ by keeping the commandment of controlling our every thought. So how do we do this?
We begin the process by what it says in James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” When we gain wisdom we begin to hear what is being said and we begin to properly “call upon the name of the Lord” rather than “take the name of the Lord in vain”. Our thoughts and our heart represent and reflect what we are calling out. Our every word is important. Remember what is says in Matthew 14 “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”. The “day of judgment” is the day we gain God’s judgment and wisdom which is God’s vision and the eye of God is opened within us. When we gain this wisdom and the deciphering ability of the Christ within, we realize our thoughtless words and careless thoughts are actually detrimental to our well-being, and so we “take them back” or actually verbalize our apologies (i.e. give account). And when we truly gain this wisdom, our requests can only be in line with God and therefore “if we shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it”, and he will “do it” because there is no other way. But while our thoughts and word are taking the name of God is vain “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts” (James 4:3) and this is because our thoughts are not God thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) and if we are not asking in the name of God we are asking amiss based on our own supposed needs and desires. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24). Therefore, “asking” in the name of God depends on the condition of our thoughts and whether or not they are in obedience to God (coming from God) rather than coming from our ego self.
James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Remember again, simply believing these things and how this Spiritual law works will not get results because “faith without works is dead”. You have to change the way you think so it is in line with the way you believe and this is what “work” is. This effort to change your mind and your thoughts is what is meant in 2 Cor 10:5 when you revenge your disobedience. This revenge is your “works” to keep the seed alive so faith is not dead (James 2:26).
This “work” also stops us from “taking the name of the Lord in vain” but rather rightfully “calling upon the name of the Lord”; where the “name of the Lord” represents our every thought and word.
So always be very careful with your thoughts, which become words, that they are not empty, prideful, greedy, or fake (i.e. vain), because with every thought and every word comes the power of God. Remember James 3 and Phil 4.
Proverbs 6:3 “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.