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Billy Graham's Daily Devotion

Thoughts and Actions

July 9, 2013

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
–Psalm 19:14 (TLB)

Robert Browning said, “Thought is the soul of the act.” Emerson said, “Thought is the seat of action. The ancestor of every action is thought.” If God destroyed the world once for its continually evil imaginations, is it not reasonable to believe that all of the sin, lust, and licentiousness that is rampant today grieves His heart just as it did in that day? Many people dream of sin, imagine sin, and—if granted the opportunity—would indulge in sin. All they lack is the occasion to sin. So, in the sight of God, they are sinners as great as though they actually had committed immorality. All transgressions begin with sinful thinking.

You who have come to Christ for a pure heart, guard against the pictures of lewdness and sensuality which Satan flashes upon the screen of your imagination, select with care the books you read, choose discerningly the kind of entertainment you attend, the kind of associates with whom you mingle, and the kind of environment in which you place yourself. You should no more allow sinful imaginations to accumulate in your mind and soul than you would let garbage collect in your living room.

Prayer for the day

I need my thoughts to be continually purified by the cleansing power of Your Spirit, almighty God.

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19 Comments

Christopher says 7.17.2012, 8:44 p.m.

Thank you Lord for this devotional, please continually purify my mind and my heart for the rest of my life.

Rashida says 7.12.2012, 03:45 a.m.

God help me guide my thought amen

Annie says 7.10.2012, 08:18 a.m.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Ccolossians 3:2). Lord Jesus, You are my Master forever, and as long as You are my Master, I shall not be defeated,...I can bring every evil thought to the obedience of Christ, Amen....!

Chris says 7.9.2012, 7:21 p.m.

We're sins but doesn't mean we ran away from God.Be close to God and let Him guiding our life.Don't be afraid for seeking His forgiveness coz our sins.GOD love us.God gave us mind for think.Better we choose the right thing and should we do as we can in our life.Satan nears to us,but when we be with JESUS,we're protected.Believe in Jesus,His words in our heart and let every path of our life guided by Him..it is our WEAPON!

dominique says 7.9.2012, 6:57 p.m.

Pray for guidance in my life and pray for my wife so that she can accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Keith says 7.9.2012, 4:32 p.m.

Heavenly Father please forgive us for our awful thoughts that do not please You! Strengthen each one of us to help us fight back the evil one! Amen!

SRINIVASBHOOPATHI says 7.9.2012, 11:30 a.m.

It's really wonderful devotion (for the day)for me to guard my heart from the evil thoughts and purify my thoughts in my daily life to be closer to the living God ever...!

olukemi says 7.9.2012, 09:54 a.m.

I just need what you've written today. God bless.

Jeremy says 7.9.2012, 09:42 a.m.

I think this is the most powerful weapon the devil has, as a simple thought lead me to a decision that ultimately ruined my marriage. I now find as I become more intimate with Christ the sinful influences of this world repulsive, praise God!

Dave says 7.9.2012, 08:32 a.m.

That is entirely the truth. If I find a sinful thought entering my mind I start reciting scripture and the thought goes away.

judy says 7.9.2012, 08:14 a.m.

Please pray for me and my 16yo daughter, we are living far from family and I am struggling to stay sober. I am also fighting depression without prescriptions meds and praying everyday make it home. Thank you.

Joe says 7.9.2012, 07:14 a.m.

Amen.

Gerry says 7.9.2012, 06:44 a.m.

Satan's "bag of tricks" is large. He never rests from trying to plant evil thoughts in our mind. He knows our individual weaknesses. Fortunately we have an intercessor who has defeated him. So we must rely 100 on Christ's Power to hold satan back.

Casandra says 7.8.2012, 6:09 p.m.

Thank you for the words to pray today.

Akeem says 7.10.2011, 08:06 a.m.

Great wisdom!

Brian says 7.9.2011, 1:27 p.m.

Thanks for the right perspective ... I too am inspired to guard against those thoughts that aren't pleasing to God and to stop feeding them.

Rich says 7.9.2011, 08:53 a.m.

Lord grant me peace today and hope for the days ahead.

Gerry says 7.9.2011, 08:12 a.m.

Flee from evil thoughts immediately do not allow them to take root. Satan is the ultimate deceiver and he waits patiently to try and entrap a child of God. Pray earnestly for wisdom and discernment . Our merciful Heavenly Father will guide us through all situations. Victory is ours through Christ Jesus, only.

Jojo says 7.9.2011, 06:57 a.m.

I just got inspired. I must take action - thoughts first, then action. God bless you.

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