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Controlling Our Thoughts
CGG Weekly by Gary MontgomeryIf we desire to live as Christ does, we need to seize control of our thoughts. We can use these three things to help us do this.
Focusing on God's Thoughts
Sermonette by Craig SablichWe have the responsibility to hear God's still, small voice and to act upon His thoughts, thereby shunning the deceitful input constantly coming from Satan.
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.
As a Man Thinks
CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea'You are what you eat' is a common expression, yet Jesus teaches that actually we are what we think. Even so, we are not always what we think we are.
Evil Desires
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
Avoiding the Ruts of Our Carnal Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Bill OnisickIf we could see the traffic of our perpetually wandering minds, we would be embarrassed as to how often it strays from God's thoughts and His laws.
Excellence in Character (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsScripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness.
A Time For Thanksgiving (2009)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul heard continuous bad news, but he learned to control himself, controlling his anxiety by thinking positively and wholesomely.
Think on These Things (2018)
Sermonette by James BeaubelleOur annual, self-inflicted review of self can be humbling and even painful. We have a measure of control over our carnality which those in the world lack.
True Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSelf-control is the ability to focus our attention so that our decisions will not be directed by wrong thoughts. If we change our thoughts, we change our behavior.
How to Prevent Sin
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletThe way to prevent sin is to let God's Spirit fill the mind. 'Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth' (Colossians 3:2).
The W's and H's of Meditation (Conclusion)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBecause we will ultimately turn into what we assimilate, we must take back the hijacked tool of meditation to drive out carnal thoughts.
Warfare!
Sermon by John O. ReidWe must don the whole armor of God, using His spiritual weapons to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, destroying the enemy's footholds.
Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsGod gifted Christians with a weapon to use in daily spiritual warfare: 'the sword of the Spirit' (Ephesians 6:17). We must wield it with faith and courage.
The Tenth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEveryone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.
In Honor of Jesus Christ
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughIt is our responsibility to glorify God. As obedient children, we bring Him honor; as disobedient children, we bring shame on Him and blaspheme His name.
The Overcoming Skill
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWith God's Spirit, we can develop the overcoming skill, using self-control to make firm commitments to our small, yet progressively significant choices.
The Commandments (Part Nineteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus taught that all outward sin stems from inner inordinate desire. What we desire or lust after automatically becomes our idol.
Conquering Temptation: Learn from Jesus Christ
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsA Christian must face temptation in this world. Our Savior wants us to overcome or conquer it, and He shows us how by His example when Satan tempted Him.
Disinterestedness: Our Spiritual Iron Dome
Sermon by David F. MaasSolomon used self-reflexiveness to detach himself and remain disinterested to objectively describe the consequences of an array of life's experiences.
Avoiding the Ruts of Puny Faith
Sermon by Bill OnisickWhen we have severe trials, we can experience a divided mind, exercising a puny faith. Does God find us willing to surrender to Him in all circumstances?
Modesty (Part One): Moderation and Propriety
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must avoid the world's extremes and sensual excesses in matters of dress and fashion, adopting instead humility, chastity, decency, morality, and self control.
Meditation: Preventing Spiritual Identity Theft
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasIf we don't cultivate the ability to meditate on a regular basis, we run the very real risk of losing our spiritual identity and letting someone take our crown.
Words of Life, Words of Death
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBy exposing the negative self-talk, we can turn the self-imposed words of death into words of life.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
The Tenth Commandment (1998)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOne commentator said all public crime would cease if this one law was kept. Another said every sin against one's neighbor springs from breaking this commandment.
Surprise Attack
Sermon by Bill OnisickAny thought not aligned to God's Spirit is satanic, including bragging, putting others down, being puffed up with arrogance, or putting anything before God.
Fire Igniter or Fire Extinguisher
Sermonette by Bill OnisickRelationships in the church have been charred by loose lips and careless tongues described in James 3:2, setting on fire the course of nature by hell.
Purging the Rumor Bug from the Body of Christ
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasThe church grapevine is good at spreading news, but it can be evil when it spreads gossip and rumor. Gossip actually harms the gossip himself. Here's how.
Sin (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrue Christianity is no cakewalk into eternal life, but a life and death struggle against our flesh, the world, and a most formidable spirit adversary.
Matthew (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.
Attitude Is Everything
Commentary by Bill OnisickWe must wrest control of the narrative away from Satan, the Destroyer, expert in promulgating misinformation, focusing instead on the end of the story.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control
Sermon by David F. MaasIt is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.
What You Feel vs. What You Believe
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFeelings and emotions may throw our faith off course. Our moods are mercurial and we must control them with daily prayer and Bible study.
Do You Have 'the Hunger'?
Article by John O. ReidWe all have hungers, from a desire for certain foods to a yearning for success. Jesus teaches that we are blessed when we hunger for righteousness.