Why did Jesus tell us to target the thought?  Is there a sin or noble action that is free from the thought that sponsored it?  If I am lustful, it is not the stimuli that sponsors the sinful action, it is the imagination of my mind which precedes any acknowledged or hidden sin.  Equally, doing good for the Kingdom must first be contemplated before action ensues.  This is a natural process of humanity, to think, then do and then review our actions and behaviors.  If this process is inhibited at any point it instructs the resultant impacts.  For example; if I capture an evil thought that originates from my flesh before it may be encouraged by powers and principalities of the air, uttering the name of Jesus, then I will prohibit the propensity/probability of some sinful action.  I will in fact has saved myself, not only from the material sin but also eliminate the guilt which invariably follows.  I have been set free from the power of sin and death, I no longer need to follow through with the action that follows the thought.  That is truly free.

This natural process must also be projected upon our actions for the Kingdom.  If we leave ourselves engaged in our own corrupted thinking, deviance or self worship, then we will never act on the prompting of the Holy Spirit when directed to accomplish the Lord’s Will.  We must practice employing the bellows of our own internal fire, by heading the prompting of Spirit and following through with “action”.  Just as in the sinful review this willful surrender to the promptings of the Holy Spirit will increase our remembered response to God’s direction.  We will remember what it felt like to respond to God’s command, leading and advice, effectively preparing and training ourselves to respond in kind at the next opportunity.  Whatever is fed will grow.  If we feed healthy review of actions taken at behest of Spirit filled thinking, the growth will be unavoidable and recognizable as Truth.  That simple reason is why we should be washing ourselves in the Word of God, for this showering grows faith which leads to right thinking, action and reflection.  God’s word will never return void, it will always produce growth, life, learning and maturation.  If you want to grow in God’s Will, then shower daily in the washing of God’s Holy Word.

We that believe are free.  What we do with that freedom still falls under the parameters of “choice”.  Will we embrace the surrender to Jesus by willingly complying with Spirit’s leading, guidance and reproof or will we accept redemption with a return to the compromised thinking of our previous lives?  It all comes down to thinking, action and review.  Whatever we commit to practice we will eventually master.  Will I master following God’s Plan or encourage the poisonous actions of God’s enemies.  There are only two positions in this journey, aligned with God or against God, which best describes your life?