How to Think like God

© 08 Born-Again-Christian.info

The Theatre of Your Mind

Q: How can I stop having bad thoughts?

A: First, don't fall into self-condemning bondage. Having a bad thought isn't necessarily sinful, it depends on the source. Mtt. 9:4, Mk. 7:21-23, Mtt. 4:3, Eph. 6:16.

If it comes from your heart (your spirit) then you must subject it to your will. Christians have the power of the Holy Spirit available to do this. It's your choice. If you do not stop it, there's every likelihood it will develop into sinful words or actions.

However, many thoughts don't come from your heart, they are pumped into your head through the senses, the world, and demons creating evil desires and thoughts. 1 Th. 3:5, Ph. 3:19.

Assess what you are looking at, listening to, focussing your attention on, and so on. You have a lot of control of your environment. I carry ear-plugs for long bus trips, and sit at the back so I can avoid hearing and seeing the inevitable violent video displayed at the front.

You will find it a lot easier to keep a clean Christ-centred mind if you throw out your TV, worldly magazines, and ditch all the Devil's music and books.

Avoid gossip like you would "mind-pox". Rebuke gossips, don't let them fill your ears with unrighteousness.

Christians have the ability to fix their thoughts, and spiritual eyes, on Jesus. 2 Co. 4:18, Heb. 12:2. The Holy Spirit helps us to renew our minds in accordance with His will. Ro. 12:2.

Learn to think like God thinks. It takes time, but comes supernaturally as you follow Christ wholeheartedly, and meditate upon Him, and His Word.

We have the power to take captive every thought and make it submit to the Holy Spirit. God doesn't brainwash us, we train our own minds and thoughts to line up with His. 2 Co. 10:5.

By the way, that verse means our own thoughts, not those of others, as I once came across an Aussie preacher trying to maintain.

Present continuous salvation

Q: Does Matthew 24:13 mean we will only be saved if we endure to the end? Kelly

A: Yes, but not in the sense of "wait and see", conditional salvation.

Look at the whole passage, and notice that Christ is warning of the final persecution, when many will deny Him, and fall away. He's simply exhorting believers to stand firm and confident in Him.

Realise, and accept, that every believer is completely saved right now; they are also being saved continually, and they will be saved in future. All this is by the grace of God, through heart-faith in Christ's finished work; not by our works, straining, or effort.

Understand that Kelly, or you will never have God's peace.

Do children of Christians need baptism?

Q: I understand that after a person becomes a Christian they must be baptised in water. But what about a married Christian couple, if they have a child, does it need to be baptised, either as a baby, or later as an adult? Aziz

A: The Bible teaches that the only way anybody can become a Christian is to; hear and understand the Gospel, decide to repent and believe on Christ, and receive Him by faith. It is a personal conscious decision. Jn. Ch. 3, Ro. 10:8-13, Jn. 1:12-13.

It is not a birthright.

Nobody is born a Christian baby. Ro. 3:10-11, 5:12. Babies cannot understand the Gospel, they cannot repent and believe in Christ. Therefore, Babies cannot become Christian.

Christian parents can only sire unsaved sinners, not Christians. Jn. 1:13, 3:6a. It is unbiblical and foolish for Christian parents to call their children "Christian" simply because the parents claim to be Christian.

Parents who do this, show that they themselves have not understood the Gospel of Christ. It is typical of nominal "Christians" in dead denominations.

Christian parents raise their children knowing the kids are sinners, and lovingly set a good Christian example to them. As the child matures it will come to an age when it is able to understand the Gospel, and choose for itself if it wants to be saved and become a Christian.

To become a Christian you must be born again. Jn. Ch. 3. This is not a ceremony, ritual, or rite; it is a divine encounter with God when He transforms a sinner into a new creation, they are born from above spiritually. Jn. 1:13.

After a person has been born again, they need to be baptised in water, as a testimony of their decision to follow Christ.

You sound like you live amongst nominal "Christians", people who call themselves "Christian", and call their children "Christian" because the parents do. Neither the parents or the kids are actually Christian. They have a form of religion, but deny the power of the New Birth.

This is common amongst Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and other dead denominations. "Christening" is a demonic invention not found in the Bible. Leave them, they will only get worse, not better. Find a genuine Bible believing fellowship.

The more biblical thing to do is called baby dedication. But you must understand this in no way makes the child a Christian, or saves it. It remains a Hell-bound sinner until it chooses to receive Christ of its own free will.