The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges Chapter 12 Holiness in Spirit

Are our thoughts secret?

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me O LORD, you have searched me    and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;    you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down;    you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue    you know it completely, O LORD. Psalm 139:1-4 New International Version 1984, ©1984

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Are our thoughts secret? No, our thoughts are not secret. 1. Our reactions betray us 2. God knows us

Do our thoughts matter?

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:22 New International Version 1984, ©1984 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Not only our body but also our thoughts must be disciplined.

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:23 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character.

Holiness begins in our minds and works out to our actions… What we allow to enter our minds is critically important. - Jerry Bridges

Holiness begins in our minds. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. New International Version 1984, ©1984 Philippians 4:8

Holiness begins in our minds. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 New International Version 1984, ©1984 How does this actually work? Is it possible to do this?

Holiness begins in our minds. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Philippians 4:8 New International Version 1984, ©1984 How does this actually work? Is it possible to do this?

Is it good enough to have not committed adultery? But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 New International Version 1984, ©1984

The Prodigal Son What was the elder brother’s problem?

What was Saul’s problem? Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands. Philippians 4:8 New International Version 1984, ©1984

How would you react? When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” Genesis 50:15 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Is bitterness a lack of faith in God?

Bitterness Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Genesis 50:15 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Arrogance The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. Luke 18:11 New International Version 1984, ©1984

Holiness in Spirit Envy, jealousy, bitterness, an unforgiving and retaliatory spirit, and a critical and gossiping spirit defile us and keep us from being holy before God. We must work diligently at rooting out these sinful attitudes from our minds. Often we are not even aware our attitudes are sinful.

Holiness in Spirit We cloak these defiling thoughts under the guise of justice and righteous indignation. But we need to pray daily for humility and honesty to see these sinful attitudes for what they really are, and then for grace and discipline to root them out of our minds and replace them with thoughts pleasing to God.

Complete Holiness in Spirit (Chapter 12) – Handout 9