Pastor Stewart June 13, 1999 Paul’s advice on Stinking Thinking

Philippians 4:4-9

Have you ever noticed that in our society it is easy to think negative thoughts of people and events? We don’t even try they just come into our minds without us realizing it often when we are unaware. Now don’t sit there stunned you have caught yourself doing this haven’t you. A certain person has done something you don’t like and before you know it there is a thought that is not so flattering or accurate. It is stinking thinking.

Today we are going to find out what stinking thinking is; how it gets started and how we can stop it and keep our thoughts on good things. Believe it or not this is a Biblical principle the words are different but accurate. Turn to Philippians 4:4 and listen as we read together.

First things first what is stinking think-ing? It is any thinking that is outside of what God wants us to dwell on. Exam-ple when one person does something that hurts us, no matter how small, and we allow it to fester and color our thinking. We begin to nit pick at every small imperfection. Instead of solving the problem our thoughts begin to stink and we make the person pay for it. How about when we fantasize, criticize, and gossip.

It is when out thoughts become a prayer of stench to God instead of a sweet fragrant offering to God. Have you ever realized that your thoughts are prayers to God and that there attitude can either be pleas-ant or stomach turning to God? How do you smell? Not too long ago when you entered our church this nauseating smell would assault you. That is how our stinking thinking smells to God. I think you under-stand the principle of stinking thinking.

The next question is how does this get started?

Here are a few ways in which stinking thinking gets started.

1. We learn it from friends, family and/or other sources. It is what we know to do.

2. A small annoyance goes unresolved. We are slow to acknowledge how one hurt us or both-ers us.

3. We hold a grudge. We are slow or unwilling to forgive and seek resolution

4. We view material that is unhealthy. The prac-tice of taking in unhealth fosters unhealth

5. We dwell on a negative or impure thought. In-stead of rebuking and taking thoughts captive we bring them into focus and concentrate on them.

6. We listen to or read things that are risk items. What we read, view or listen to draws our thoughts into negative destructive thinking.

You are probably saying but those things in them-selves don’t create stinking thinking and you’re right

it is when we grab a hold of these things and take them hostage that stinking thinking begins. Jesus rede-fined the Ten Commandments for the disciples and us in the Sermon on the Mount. His redefining can be summed up in this way it is not just the act that is a sin but the thoughts behind the action that cause the sin. Therefore, if you become aware of your thoughts and learn to surrender your thoughts to God you can fight, resist sin and temptation before it begins. Paul in Philippians says it this way, “think on these things.”

How do we stop stinking thinking? We take each thought captive and learn to think on these types of things.

We make a concerted effort.

We seek out the source of the problem

We eradicate the source.

We ask forgiveness of God and any others we need to.

We think on these things.

Thought check up is what I am thinking about:

A. What is true = God’s Truth

B. Noble

C. Righteous

D. Pure

E. Lovely

F. Admirable

G. Excellent / praiseworthy = virtuous

We listen, view, read and learn to think Godly thoughts.

Today review a few things. What is stinking thinking? Let’s take Paul’s advice and think on these things. You look at your thought life and decide what must I take care of today. Then I encourage you to take care of it now don’t wait.