Spirit and Holiness

Text:

2 Corinthians 7:1

2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I. Pay attention to Your thoughts

A. Your Thoughts are Known by God

Psalm 139:1–4 NKJV

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

B. Your Thoughts are Important to God

a. Your thoughts must be regulated by the Word.

Matthew 5:21–22 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:27-28

Matthew 5:27–28 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

b. Your thoughts must be in obedience to God

1 Peter 1:14 NKJV

as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

Ephesians 5:3–4 NKJV

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

c. Your thoughts determine your character

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Sow a Thought; reap an Act

Sow an Act; Reap a Habit

Sow a Habit; Reap a Character

II. Protect Your Thoughts

Proverbs 1:10–11 NKJV

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

1 Peter 4:4 NKJV

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

A. Protect the Ear-gate

Proverbs 16:26–29 NKJV

The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.

The foolish friends Proverbs 1:10-14

The foolish woman Proverbs 9:13-18

The adulterous woman Proverbs 7:17-22

B. Protect the Eye-gate

2 Samuel 11:2 NKJV

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

Job 31:1 NKJV

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

III. Pulverize Your Evil Thoughts

A. Pride

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 21:4 NKJV

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

Proverbs 28:25

Proverbs 28:25 NKJV

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

B. Envy and Jealousy

1 Samuel 18:7 NKJV

So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”

1 Samuel 18:9 NKJV

So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

Answer:

Psalm 73 NKJV

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.

C. Bitterness

James 3:14 NKJV

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

Hebrews 12:15 NKJV

looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

D. Retaliation

Romans 12:19 NKJV

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

E. Critical Spirit

Luke 18:11 NKJV

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

Proverbs 6:16–19 NKJV

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

IV. Produce Good Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Finally, brethren, 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.

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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.

Ephesians 4:23 NKJV

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

What is the goal?

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Dress with purity in mind.

1 Timothy 2:9 NKJV

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

1 Timothy 5:2

1 Timothy 5:2 NKJV

older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.