Our thought life

Hi, Comfort! Another passage which I think bolsters your position is 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." This is an aspect of spiritual growth which is strongly emphasized in my church tradition, but which seems largely neglected in the rest of the churches. Our "spiritual warfare" is primarily against the inclinations of our own hearts. I certainly cannot claim to have attained to perfect knowledge of God, and therefore I continue to struggle against everything in my life which keeps me from Him. Temptation is inevitable as long as we are still breathing. What is at issue here is how we respond to it. If I refuse to entertain sexual thoughts about my recently divorced co-worker, I will not allow myself to fill my eyes with her every time I see her (and yes, I do find her attractive), and will continue to politely ignore her advances. The tempting thoughts recur, but I do not sin as long as I rebuff them. Turning to Christ internally by actually looking at an icon is quite effective for me. Dirk