April 7, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Genesis 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Judah’s thought life was deceived by that which his eyes saw. He was deceived because Tamar wanted to deceive him; she had a diabolical plan to exact revenge on Judah, who was her father in law. His eyes saw one thing, but that which he saw was imaginary, a hoax perpetrated by a vengeful person. What a person sees directly affects their thoughts. Judah made a terrible decision based upon this deception and brought great shame on his testimony and confusion to his family.

Magicians have forever used sleight of hand maneuvers to deceive audiences. Deception is their craft. Many others in all walks of life also use deceptive techniques to sway the thoughts of people. Advertisers, movie makers, entertainers, unscrupulous businesspeople, politicians and even preachers sometimes use deception which causes the eyes to affect the thoughts. This is why the Word of God gives us principles on which to build our lives, make our decisions, and control our thoughts. One’s thought life must be based on what we know to be true, not based upon what we sometimes see, think, or feel.

For example, if Judah were faced with this issue today, he could have based his thoughts on the commands of God concerning the area in which he was tempted; the outcome could have been different. After all, there is no wickedness so deceptive that we cannot foresee its consequences, understand its temptation, or have a way of escape. For I Corinthians 10:13 clearly states, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Even if such temptation is accentuated through deception.

In Judah’s case he still may have seen the obviously beautiful woman, but if his thought life had been yielded to God’s laws it could have prevented him from falling and fulfilling such a sin. His testimony would not have been tarnished, and his family life would not have been confused. If only he allowed the thought of God’s law to override the thought of his fleshly desires.

Herein is the power of thought; it gives the ability to control one’s actions. Eyes may deceive, feelings may betray, but thoughts based on the teachings of God’s Word are never deceptive, you can trust them every time.

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William T. Howe