“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

Wicked spirits provoke the Saints to spiritual wickedness.

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” 1 Chronicles 21:1

You can’t neglect the state of the heart.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust is conceived, it brings forth sin: when it is finished, brings forth death.” James 1:13-15

Sins of the Heart

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

Sin is filthiness and there are defilements of body and mind. There are sins of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and sins of the spirit, spiritual wickedness; and we must cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of both, for God is glorified both in body and soul.

Impure thoughts and wrong desires that do not break into overt action are nonetheless real acts of the inner man.

What do you do when thoughts and feeling overtake you that you know are not pleasing to God?

A. Keep a close watch on your heart.

“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

If we had the ability to see in man’s heart, we would see the worst of sins stirring in every Christian. Satan tries to sow all kinds of thoughts into the soul. He is looking for fertile ground to sow his ideas.

The devil fished for people with corrupt inner desires. Don’t offer a place of residence for the ideas and thoughts of the enemy.

Unclean thoughts will not stay where the love of Christ is supreme.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

They will flee as you converse with Christ. Your holy thoughts will make the evil thoughts disappear.

B. Steadfastly resist the sins of the heart.

“The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.” Proverbs 24:9

“But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28

“Lust not after her beauty in your heart; neither let her take you with her eyelids.” Proverbs 6:25

The Holy Spirit wants to control your whole being. If you lease out rooms to the lusts of the devil, His presence will diminish.

Sins of the heart can be even more wicked than the sins committed by physical means.

Precautions

1. Seal the windows of the heart with prayer.

If the tongue is unruly; where is the mind? To control our thoughts, ask Christ to control your heart. God has promised to help.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:5

Pray more when you come in close contact with the world system, for that is where Satan attacks like a plague of locusts.

A. Make sure you are going on God’s business and not your own.

“Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Don’t try to stave off onslaughts of the enemy in your own strength. Ask the Lord to be your censor.

B. Set a strong guard around your outward senses.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of this world.” 1 John 2:16

* Of the flesh: Immoderate and wrong sensual appetites of all kinds.
* Lust of the eyes: Wrong desire for things that appeal most strongly to human wants through the power of physical sight, morbid curiosity to see unlawful and harmful sights, for the sinful pleasure of seeing.
* The vainglory of life: Insolent pride in the enjoyment of one’s position in life or in the display of one’s wealth.

C. Inspect your heart daily.

Take time to reflect on your thoughts that have shaped your attitudes and actions during the day.

When a teacher leaves the classroom, the students become unruly. The heart is an unruly pupil. A heart left to its own desires will soon erupt. The mind is a classroom of the body; the heart is the student.

Beware of vain imaginations.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21

Your good thoughts can become influenced by the enemy. For example: You might mourn over your sins, yet become consumed with remorse to the point where you believe that you have gone too far to experience the forgiveness of God.

Your soul is a delicate creature and needs constant care to have equilibrium.

2. Spiritual Sins

Spiritual wickedness corrupts the inner man.

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16

The outward man is that alone which is seen and considered by men; the inward man is that which stands particularly in reference to God and eternity. The outward man is strengthened by earthly food; the inward man, by spiritual and heavenly influences.

Much of Pentecost has been influenced by outward display rather than inward transformation. Many have mistaken outward display for religious maturity.

The body needs to be strengthened every day. In like manner, the soul needs constant supplies of grace.

These are excerpts taken from William Gurnall’s The Christian in Complete Armour