RECOGNIZING AND OVERCOMING IDOLS OF THE HEART!
By Bibleman
WHAT IS AN IDOL OF THE HEART?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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 the world. 1 Jn. 2:15,16
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscience, and coveteousness, which is idolatry; Col. 3:2
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth…†Ex. 20:3
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.†Mt. 6:24; Lk. 16:13
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 Jn. 5:21
An idol is not just a pagan god but is also any person, place, object or thing, that we give excessive devotion or veneration to. An idol is anything in our hearts that we have an inordinate preoccupation, adoration, passion, or obsession for. An idol is something in our heart that we derive sinful pleasure from, intensely admire and adore or something that we are passionately devoted to or obsessed with. It is also something that we inordinately lust for, crave, or turn to, to satisfy the desires of our flesh, like a bad habit or an addiction. It is a self-centered and unrighteous lifestyle that is characterized by serving the lusts and desires of our sinful heart. The idols of our heart are sinful things that we have in our life that we love and adore other than Christ. They are sinful things in our life that we derive pleasure and satisfaction from that we don’t want to part with (Lk. 8:14). It is an inordinate preoccupation with something in our life that is worldly, harmful, defiling, corrupting, polluting, and enslaving (Deut. 4:16,25; Ezek. 20:7; 23:30, Rom. 6:12). The Bible tells us that idols are the detestable things in our hearts and lives that we must let go of or get rid of (Ezek. 11:18-21). It could be inappropriate sexual lust or fantasy (Mt. 5:28). They can also be something we trust or turn to for guidance and help apart from God, such as astrology, psychics and fortunetellers (Lev. 19:26; Isa. 8:19; 47:13). Earthly treasures and wealth have become the personal idols of many (Jer. 48:7; Mt. 6:19,24). Many today are even becoming overly devoted to themselves with an unusual preoccupation with health, fitness, and their outward appearance (Ex. 32:2; Hos. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:2). The beautiful jewelry and things that many adorn themselves with are detestable objects in God’s eyes (Isa. 3:16-24; Ezek. 7:20,27). Many of those nature-lovers in the environmental movement worship and adore the things God created rather than God Himself (Rom. 1:25). It is okay to find beauty in God’s creation, both in heaven and on earth, but we must never worship them (Deut. 4:19; Ezek. 8:16; 2 Ki. 23:5; Jer. 8:2; Rom. 1:25). We must never pray to or worship the virgin Mary, the saints, the Pope, or the angels (Acts 10:25,26; 14:11-18; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:8,9). Then there are those who greatly admire the works of their own hands or that which is made by man (Deut. 4:28; Isa. 2:8; 17:7,8; 40:19,20; Ps. 115:4; Rev. 9:20).). Idols of the heart are false gods and spiritual counterfeits that demand our time and resources. They are worldly passions that divide our hearts taking our love and devotion away from Christ. A Christian is commanded to refrain from such a lifestyle and give his whole heart and complete allegiance, love and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone (Ex. 20:3; Deut. 10:12; Mt. 22:37; 2 Cor. 6:15,16; 10:14; 1 Thes. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:21). The Bible tells us to turn from all these vanities unto the living God and set our affections upon things above rather than on earthly things (Acts 14:15; Col. 3:2).
HOW DANGEROUS ARE THE IDOLS OF YOUR HEART?
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9,10
And that which fell among thorns are they, which when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Lk. 8:14
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God. Eph. 5:5
But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. Ezek. 11:21
We break covenant with God and commit spiritual adultery when we serve the idols of our heart (Ex. 34:15,16;1 Ki. 11:11; 17:38; Josh. 23:16; Jer. 22:9). The devil is a dangerous and deceitful thief who wants to steal your soul away from God by knocking you out of your covenant relationship with Him (Jn. 10:10; 1 Pet. 5:8; I Jn. 1:6). To do this he will try to set up idols in your heart to get your affections off of Christ onto worldly pleasures and pursuits (Deut. 11:16; Lk. 21:34; Jam. 1:13-15). All idols and false gods are supported by demons. Idolatry is the foundational sin that supports every destructive addiction and besetting sin. All the wrong things we love, desire and cherish are spiritually harmful and destructive idols of the heart. The devil works tirelessly to confuse you, deceive you, discourage you, and lead you into the ways of sin. He strives to get you to place the affections of your heart on things other than Christ. Once you fall into his trap it is hard to get out and recover yourself. The devil will offer to you all the vain pleasures and/or riches of the world in exchange for your soul. The question you must ask yourself is “who rules your heart� Are you an obedient Christian who practices self-denial and under the Lordship of Christ or are you enslaved to the idols of your heart and under the Lordship of Satan? How dangerous are the idols of your heart? The Bible says that serving the idols of our heart is like having fellowship with devils (1 Cor. 10:20-22). Idols cause the heart to be divided rendering a lukewarm spiritual condition that is unacceptable to God (Hos. 10:2; Mt. 6:24; Jam. 4:8; Rev. 3:16). The Bible says that the idols of our heart are stumbling blocks of iniquity that separate us from God (Ezek. 14:4,5). They severely hinder our relationship with Christ and cancel out our blessings from God (Josh. 7:1, 12-15). Not only will idols occupy significant parts of your mind and heart but they will also cause much spiritual blindness (Isa. 40:26; Lk. 19:42; Rev. 3:15-19). Our affections for worldly things will cause the blessings of God to be held back and will hinder us from being productive and fruitful Christians (Deut. 5:29; Mt. 13:22). Beware that you do not become deceived and bewitched by sorcerers, false prophets, false ministers and false Christ’s, that you trust and highly respect (Mt. 7:15; Acts 8:9-11; 13:6-8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). God will punish all who set up idols in their heart and refuse to repent (Job 31:27,28; Ps. 16:4). If you persist in your stubborn, idol-loving ways, your heart will turn away from the Lord and God may also reject you as His child (Deut. 29;18; 1 Sam. 15:23). Idols of the heart produce much spiritual harm because they cause people to stubbornly resist correction and continue to walk in disobedience and darkness (Deut. 8:20; Jud. 2:19; Jer. 16:11). In this life your personal idols will cause you a lot of hardship, distress, sickness, trouble, confusion, curses, afflictions, and ultimately bring you to ruin and destruction (Deut.4:26; 7:4; 29:27; 31:17,18; Jer. 1:16; 16:10; 19:3; Jud. 2:15; Isa. 45:16; 2 Chr. 28:22; 34:24,25) Idols cannot deliver you from times of trouble, protect you from evil, or save you from the powers of hell (Deut. 32:37,38; Ps. 115:4-17; Jer. 2:28; 10:14; 11:12; 14:22; Isa. 47:13,14). If you do not cast your idols out of your heart and life they may keep you out of heaven and send you into the flames of an eternal hell (1 Cor. 6:9; Rev. 21:8). Are the sensual pleasure-producing idols of your heart worth that?
HOW GOD REVEALS THE IDOLS OF OUR HEART
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. 17:10
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Ps. 44:21
Every Christian who loves God and wants to serve Him with all his heart should ask God to reveal to him the idols of his heart. God generally uses 4 methods to reveal the idols that need to be removed from the hearts of his people.
- God uses His Word to instruct us, correct us, and to purify us. (Lk. 11:28; Jam. 1:21-25; 1 Tim. 4:15,16; 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:22)
- God uses the power of His Holy Spirit to convict us and reprove us of our sins. It may be an uneasy feeling, a feeling of shame, or a guilty conscience after the sin has been committed. (Ps. 139:7; Jn. 16:8; Rom. 8:26,27; Heb. 9:14)
- God uses godly men and women to minister and counsel us with His truth. This is how God often uses His prophets and ministers. (1 Kings 18:26,36; 2 Chr. 25:15; 2 Tim. 2:24-26)
- God uses chastisement and discipline to correct us. It may come as a rebuke from our church, or it may manifest as various hardships, financial difficulties, calamity, sickness and afflictions. (Heb. 12:5-11; Ps. 106:3-15; Jer. 5:25)
If the above methods fail to correct us and bring us to repentance and we continue in stubborn rebellion against God then we may experience more serious judgment and punishment including death and destruction. Don’t allow your own stubbornness to bring you to ruin like King Saul (Sam. 15:22,23). If you are under chastisement, because of the idols of your heart, then its time to repent and cast them out of your life for good (Ezek. 14:6).
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES TO IDENTIFY THE IDOLS OF YOUR HEART
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16
- Is your idol represented by an image? Are there images of it in your home? (Ex. 20:4; Mic. 5:13; 6:16)
- Does it glorify, please and honor Christ? Is it something good and acceptable in the sight of God? (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 2:11,12; Col. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:22; 1 Thes. 4:1; 1 Tim. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:4)
- Does it draw you closer to Christ or separate you from Him? (Isa. 59:2; 1 Jn 1:6)
- Does it bring you under its power? Is it addictive, habitual and enslaving? (Isa. 5:11; Heb. 12:1; Rom. 6:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:12; Prov. 23:2
- Is it harmful to your health? Does it dishonor your body? (Deut. 28:58-61; 1 Thes. 4:3,4; 1 Cor. 6:18)
- Does it fulfill the carnal desires of your sinful flesh? Does it please and satisfy your flesh rather than your spirit? (Ecc. 2:1; Lk. 8:14; 21:34; Phil. 3:19; 2 Tim. 3:4)
7. Is it something or someone you turn to, trust, seek, or take refuge in, other than Christ? Does it give you a false sense of security? Is it trusting in God or in such things as power, wealth, false religion, false prophets, etc). (Amos 6:1; Lk. 12:19; Isa. 42:17; 59:4; 1 Tim. 6:17; 1 Cor. 1:9,10; Rev. 18:4,5; Jer. 17:5; Prov. 11:28; Ps. 112:7; Mt. 24:5,11 )
8. Are there worldly hobbies, games or activities that waste your time and money? Does it redeem your time? (Lk. 15:13; Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:2)
9. Is it an obsession that preoccupies your thoughts? Is your mind stayed on God or is it focused at times on the idols of your heart? (1 Ki. 11:8; Isa. 26:3;
10. Is it an inordinate love and affection for something that is of this world? (1 Jn. 2:15; 1 Pet. 4:1-4)
11. Is there a role model, famous person, celebrity, politician, religious leader, family member, fictional character, sports player, or hero in your life that you adore or idolize? (Lk. 14:26; Mt. 19:29; Acts 12:22
12. Are your material possessions highly treasured in your heart? Could you part with them? Are you seeking worldly wealth and riches instead of spiritual riches? What things in your life do you place a high value on? (Lk. 12:15; 14:33; Mt. 19:21,22; Ezek. 33:31
13. Does it support wrong desires, ambitions, motives, goals, priorities, and behavior? (1 Tim. 6:9-11; Lk. 12:18,19; Phil. 3:18,19; 2 Cor. 7:1)
14. Is it a sinful desire, fleshly lust, or worldly pleasure that you serve and obey? Does it displease and dishonor Christ? (2 Tim. 4:10; 1 Jn. 2:15; 1Pet. 2:11)
15. Does it have the appearance of evil? Is it unrighteous? (1 Thes. 5:22; 1 Jn. 5:17)
16. Does it meet the Biblical qualifications of Christian entertainment? Does it produce holy and righteous thoughts or evil imaginations? (Phil. 4:8; Rom. 1:21)
17. Does it cause you to be overly preoccupied with self? (fitness, outward adornment, pride) (2 Tim. 3:2) Does it foster humility or pride? (Isa. 3:16-24; Jam. 4:6,10; 1 Cor. 3:18; Jam. 4:6; 1 Pet. 3:3-5; 5:5)
18. Is it an ungodly ideology or philosophy that promotes materialism, humanism, feminism, etc? (2 Cor. 10:5; Col. 2:8; Eph. 5:6; Jam. 3:15)
20. Does it promote Biblical virtue and morality? (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:5-7)
21. Are all the areas of your life under the Lordship of Christ or are there areas of disobedience in your life? (Mt. 7:21-27; Lk. 6:46-49; Jn. 10:27; Rom. Chap 6; Jam. 1:23)
22. Do you love and admire God’s creations more than God Himself? (Isa. 40:26; Rom. 1:22-25)
23. Is it God’s will for your life? (1 Thes. 4:3; 1 Cor. 6:13-20; 1 Jn. 2:17; Mt. 7:21; 1Pet. 4:2)
24. Is your idol an accursed or detestable object? (Josh. 6:18; 7:1; 12-15; Ezek. 5:11; 7:20,27; 37:23)
OVERCOMING THE IDOLS OF YOUR HEART
“Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.†Ezek. 14:6
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:2
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezek. 11:18-20
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not unto covetousness. Ps. 119:36
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 Cor. 7:1
Choose you this day whom ye will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. 24:15
True repentance involves serious soul-searching. As the Lord reveals to you the idols in your heart it is your responsibility to get rid of them. Repentance is having a change of heart and a desire to let go of the idols of our heart so we can walk in the ways of holiness and have a closer relationship with Christ. Through repentance the Lord begins the process of inner cleansing and sanctification that is needed in our life (Ezek. 11:18-20; 36:25-28; 37:23). If you are under chastisement or God is dealing with you about any idol in your heart then it is time to repent and turn to the living God. It is time for you to dethrone and crucify the idols of your heart and make Christ Lord over every area of your life (Lk. 6:46; Rev. 3:20). Cleanse and purge your heart and life by casting the idols out and by turning away from them (2 Chr. 34:3; Jam. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:21). As the Lord reveals the idols that reside in the inner sanctum of your heart ask Him to break them down and remove them. Ask the Lord to deliver you from every secret idol in your life and to pull down and destroy every weapon and stronghold the devil uses against you to keep you in bondage to those idols (Isa. 54:16; 2 Cor. 10:4,5). Ask the Lord to cleanse all the pollution and corruption from your heart and spirit (Ps. 51:10). It is your responsibility to destroy all images, literature, pictures, tapes, recordings, materials, substances, etc that support your idols (Acts 19:19). Images of anything that God has created are not to be made or set up in ones home (Deut. 4:16-22). Every image, picture, literature, figurines, ornaments, trinkets, etc of your idol must be either burned or broken no matter how valuable they are (Ex. 32:20; 34:13; Deut. 7:5, 25; 14:12; 2 Ki. 18:4; 23:14; 2 Chr. 31:1; 34:4,7; Num. 33:52; 2 Sam. 5:21).All idols and images that are set up in your home must be removed and destroyed (Lev. 26:1; Deut. 16:21,22; 2 Ki.10:26,27 ). You must separate yourself from anyone, including so-called Christians, who practice an unrighteous lifestyle who walk in the flesh, serving the idols of their heart (Deut. 7:3,4; 1 Ki. 11:9; 1 Cor. 5:9-13). Practice self-denial and resist any further association with your former idols. Make no more provision to entertain your former lusts. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4; 13:14; Eph. 4:24). Become a good steward of your time and resources and stop sacrificing them to vain things (2 Ki. 17:35; Eph. 5:15,16). Put on the spiritual armor of God so you can be a good soldier for Christ (Eph. 6:10-18). All of the important things of life spring from the heart. For this reason we are to guard our hearts with all diligence (Prov. 4:23). If your heart wants to walk after detestable things don’t justify yourself in that wrong behavior (Ezek. 11:21; Lk. 16:15). Be willing to clean up your heart and life (Eph. 5:25). The fruit of obedient and righteous living is holiness and the blessings of God.
LOVE AND SERVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL
What doeth the Lord require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deut. 10:12
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.†Mt. 22:37
True happiness and fulfillment is to be found only in a relationship with the Lord (Jn. 10:10). Cast away the idols of your heart and let the Lord rein supreme on the throne of your heart. Prepare your heart to seek a personal relationship with Christ (2 Chr. 19:3; 1 Jn. 1:7). You are the guardian of your own heart. It is your responsibility to resist wrong thoughts and desires. Be ready to revenge yourself of all disobedience. God demands that we have no idols in our heart. Is your heart clean and fully fixed on God (Ps. 51:10; 57:7; Prov. 20:9)? The Lord searches our heart and knows what is in there. The affections of our heart are to be placed upon Him rather than the vain and futile things of this world. The heart is the seat of all our affections and should be wholly given over to the Lord. Don’t surrender your love and loyalty to the devil and the idols of your heart. Cast down those worldly adorations and give the Lord pre-eminence in your heart and life. Place Christ on the throne of your heart and allow Him to be the sovereign Master of your life. Weed out all the things that displease God from the garden of your heart and put Him first. Let the Lord and Him alone become firmly rooted in your heart and pull out all the tares and weeds planted by the devil. We must watch and guard our heart from the idols the devil would like to plant in our heart (1 Jn. 5:21; Prov. 4:23). With all of our heart we are to seek God, obey God, love God, and serve God. God desires that we serve Him with a perfect heart, a pure heart, and a fully devoted heart. Cast away those idols that capture a portion of your affection that rightfully belongs to God and Love Him and serve Him with all your heart, mind and soul, as He has commanded, and become a sanctified Christian who is productive and fruitful.
PRAYER TO OVERCOME THE IDOLS OF YOUR HEART
Gracious Heavenly Father, I repent of the idols that have had a place in my heart and life. I have removed from my home and life all the cursed objects, images, literature, pictures, albums, cd’s, dvds, books, etc, that supported my idols and have renounced my involvement with them. I break any and all curses associated with the objects I have destroyed. I sever any and all soul-ties formed with my personal idols. Please forgive me for entertaining the idols that I allowed to be set up in my heart by the arch enemy of my soul. Forgive me for my lukewarm, half-hearted, walk and for my divided love and devotion towards You. I choose to turn away from all the idols of my heart and cast them out of my life for good, as You reveal them to me. I ask for Your help to break the power and yoke of sin and all the strongholds of the enemy that have kept me in servitude to these idols and worldly things. Cleanse my heart and mind of all wrong thought patterns, wrong desires, wrong emotions, wrong ambitions, wrong behavior and all unrighteousness that was a result of the idols of my heart. Take away my love for these idols and things of the world. Grant me spiritual strength to resist temptation and to successfully practice self-denial. I choose to dethrone all the idols from my heart and live the crucified life. I ask, Lord, that You come into my heart and reign supreme. I submit to Your Lordship and ask that You become Lord over every area of my life. Help me to clean up my life so that I can honor, serve and glorify Christ in everything that I do. As an overcomer I want to love and serve You, Lord, with all my heart, mind and soul. Thank You, Father, in Jesus name, I pray, amen.
PRAYER TO SANCTIFY YOUR HOME
Now that you have removed from your home and life all accursed items and spiritual garbage you are ready to sanctify your home through prayer to remove any further curses, lingering spirits or demonic influences that may remain.
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you cleanse and sanctify my dwelling place. I thank you for providing me and my family with this place to live and serve you. I renounce any and all curses or spells that may be directed at this place and ask that they be released from this home. I renounce all occult practices that may have been performed here and command any demonic spirits that were called here to leave immediately and never return. I renounce any idolatrous practices, occultism, witchcraft or Satanism that may have ever been performed here and command the spirits that may have come here as a result of these sinful practices to leave and never return. I renounce any activity or practice by past or present occupants that have given evil spirits any legal claim to be here and ask that they leave now and never return. If any of my ancestors have committed any sins in this place that allowed evil spirits to come here, I renounce them and command these spirits to leave. I have chosen to remove and destroy any objects, items, books, literature, materials, idols, images, statues, adornments, satanic music, immodest and inappropriate clothing, occult, new age or pagan symbols, artifacts, memorabilia, heirlooms, jewelry, vestments, paraphernalia, etc. and command the evil spirits attached to them to leave since they have no more legal ground to stay. I renounce any sin or sinful activity or involvement that me or any member of my family may have committed and ask that all legal ground and demonic influence from this be broken. I ask that all evil spirits who dwell here or visit here flee from here never to return again. Heavenly Father, I ask you to completely cleanse and sanctify this home from all dark spiritual forces and sinful practices. We consecrate this home to you, Lord and ask that you seal it from all the works of the enemy. Let this be a peaceful place where your love is kindled, relationships are strengthened, righteousness is practiced and occupants are edified and enriched with your word and protected by your holy angels. Thank you for making this home a clean, warm, safe, secure and holy place to live in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen
PRAYER TO PURIFY THE HEART
Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I have entertained wrong thoughts and have developed wrong thought patterns. Please forgive me for allowing unworthy thoughts to have a place in my heart and forgive me of all the sins that my wrong thoughts have caused me to commit. Lord, purge me and deliver me from a carnal mind and allow me to be spiritually-minded through your Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-14). Jesus said that wrong thought patterns defile us and are an indication of an impure heart (Mt. 15:18-19; Mk. 7:20-23). Cleanse me of my sins and sinful thinking and like David create within me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me (Ps. 51:10). I desire to be cleansed of all filthiness of my flesh and spirit according to 2 Cor. 7:1, which means that anything I do that fosters wrong thoughts in my life must be forsaken. I desire to be transformed by the renewing of my mind to know and follow only what is acceptable to God according to Rom. 12:2. I choose to surrender my thought life to you Lord, and I ask that you pull down all the strongholds that have been erected in my life by the enemy because of my sins. I ask that these strongholds be loosed and dismantled from my life so that all wrong thoughts and wrong thought patterns can be cast down and that every future thought be brought captive to the obedience of Christ according to 2 Cor. 10:4,5. I desire to have the mind of Christ and to only think on those things that are acceptable for a Christian to think on, which according to Phil. 4:8, are only those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy. I desire to have a pure heart, mind and conscience so I can be a sanctified vessel ready for the masters use (2 Tim. 1:3; 2:21-22). Guard my mind against unworthy thoughts so I can walk in obedience and holiness. In the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, amen!
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