A man approached me after a meeting one night and told me an amazing story. He said he had molested several young boys in this particular town and was having an affair with another woman. This man was a notable man in the community so he had to be very discrete.
The man said that the porno store even stayed open late just for him, so he wouldn’t be found out. Also, the man was upset because his doctor told him he had an incurable, sexually transmitted, deadly disease.
Two things were very amazing about this encounter.
First, this was the man who had invited me to speak at the meeting; and secondly, when I asked him how all this got started, he said it was because he started thinking perverted thoughts.
When I asked him why he continued thinking these perverted thoughts, he said he couldn’t help it. He said he just couldn’t control what he thought. In fact he asked me, “Why did God let me think those thoughts anyway?”
Even though this man had gone to church most of his life, he didn’t know the Word of God. God did not cause him to think perverted thoughts. This man thought them himself. The Bible says we can control our thoughts. Hosea 4:6 Says “My people perish for a lack of knowledge.” This man was a good example.
The point is this. The battle of faith is fought in the mind and wrong thinking can keep you from having all that God wants you to have.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.”
Here the Bible tells us clearly what to dwell on. If it were impossible, we would not have been told what to think.
We as Christians cannot only control our thoughts, but we must renew our minds daily. We can meditate on the things of the world or we can meditate on the things of God. The choice is ours. We have no excuse.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
We must daily renew our minds. We, as Christians, can purify our thoughts and be made more acceptable to Jesus. According to the Bible, this can be done through thinking about and meditating on the Word.
In Ephesians 5:26, we are told that this is accomplished by the washing of the Word. This means that we not only can, but must renew our minds daily by reading and meditating on the Word of God.
Some people say they just can’t control their thoughts. They say they can’t meditate on the Word of God because too many bad thoughts come in.
Well, try this experiment. Count to twenty to yourself. Now say your name out loud. Did you notice that you quit counting in your mind to speak your name with your mouth?
That’s because your mouth will override your thoughts.
So when you feel you can’t control what you’re thinking, just read the Word of God out loud. Your ears will hear the Word and your mind will be washed.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.