How to cast down wicked imaginations an thoughts

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Dec 3, 2016
1,674
26
0
#22
People, the OP deleted their account and is gone.. :/
Apparently, they did not learn how to cast down wicked imaginations an thoughts quick enough.

Anybody got this person's phone number? We could give them a ring on the tele
 

G00WZ

Senior Member
May 16, 2014
1,318
453
83
38
#23
I have struggled casting down these wicked imaginations - not neverland fantasies...but perverse ones. If I try to praise God, another voice goes against it by testing God or trying to blaspheme God with perverse words.
Please don't think I am trying to blame the devil because I don't know if it is the devil because he cannot read minds. So that leaves me with me..And that makes me ashamed. I am utterly confused by this and I know that God is not an author of confusion.. So what is it? I do love God and want to do His will. But I feel lost right now. Please pray for me.

You cast it down by changing focus, by giving attention to truth over what the carnal mind is speaking. It will speak, and the more you focus/ pay attention to it the louder it will get... Romans 8:7 talks about how the carnal mind is hostile to God, and how it does not submit itself to God's law, and that it cant. Praying and fasting is a good way to get built back up in a way that will make that voice less relevant in your life... Also Constantly renewing your mind to the truth of God is a good practice too because you become more grounded in truth over anything, so when the carnal mind starts to speak you will be easily able to identify it, and know how to react accordingly... and one final thing.. don't be ashamed.. this issue is normal, and it is your flesh/ carnal mind that is speaking, not the real you, and it is a growing process.
 
V

vl

Guest
#24
Apparently, they did not learn how to cast down wicked imaginations an thoughts quick enough.

Anybody got this person's phone number? We could give them a ring on the tele
wow! I thought getting rid of my account would get rid of my thread..but I was completly wrong. I'm actually suprised you you are still replying to the thread.

I know now what I needed to know and trust myself to know who to take advice from. Thanks for showing me that. tc
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#25
I have struggled casting down these wicked imaginations - not neverland fantasies...but perverse ones. If I try to praise God, another voice goes against it by testing God or trying to blaspheme God with perverse words.
Please don't think I am trying to blame the devil because I don't know if it is the devil because he cannot read minds. So that leaves me with me..And that makes me ashamed. I am utterly confused by this and I know that God is not an author of confusion.. So what is it? I do love God and want to do His will. But I feel lost right now. Please pray for me.
This is not a strange phenomenon involving only you, it happens to everyone- it's called "temptation." Satan CAN introduce thoughts to our minds- that's why the Bible uses the phrase "things taught by demons." Who here went to demon school? No, they tempt us in our minds, and if we don't immediately flick them away, we accept the thought, and own it.

"Resist the devil and he will run away from you." He'll be back, but I learned to immediately dismiss the thought, and replace it with another thought. Change the subject in your mind (a happy memory, or a scripture, etc.). Deprive the temptation of time- flick it away the very instant it arrives- like bouncing off of repellent. Satan is not a patient soul, he gives up quickly. You just have to out-stubborn him. Be stubborn and don't accept his thoughts as your thoughts.
 
V

vl

Guest
#26
By no way am I suggesting that you do not trust God to free you from this, but this could be something psychological too, and you may need a guidance counselor to open up to and talk about this, but try a professional? It sounds to me like you might be suffering from a type of OCD.

Sexually intrusive thoughts are extremely common, and among the general population, over ninety percent of individuals report having experienced these type of thoughts during their lifetime. Studies have found that as many as a quarter of OCD patients have had a history of sexual obsessions. These numbers may be an underestimate of the actual number of people suffering from unwanted sexual obsessions because the stigma associated with sexual thoughts may cause individuals to avoid reporting their obsessions. Sexual obsessions and sexually intrusive thoughts are equally divided among males and females. These thoughts typically start in early adolescence and may progressively worsen, or have a waxing and waning course.
When conceptualizing sexual obsessions, it is important to recognize that people with sexual obsessions find their thoughts immoral and do not wish to act them out. They are different from fantasies, as the obsessions are unpleasant and provoke guilt, rather than being enjoyable. As a result, the thoughts cause distress, which may be connected to unwanted emotions, such as lust, disgust, anger, and frequently guilty. This distress is directly related to the frequency of the sexual obsessions and may lead to depression, difficulties concentrating, and anxiety.

If prayer alone does not help, seek guidance from a pastor or a professional who can help you fight these thoughts.
thanks for understanding and not jumping to any conclusions about my faith in Christ. These OCD thoughts were and still are thorn in my side and has made me lose confidence before God by making me feel guilty and ashamed to speak to Him. It has remained with me from the day I became a believer until today. It doesnt seize with replacing thoughts of above or the word because it is a trigger for these intrusive voices.

Please dont get me wrong.. I have been freed from this problem before through prayer..but I had a moment of relapse into sexual sin. I was released from alot of addictions such as, smoking, drugs, alcohol, partying and the occult which I thank God for because I never thought it would ever happen. Even to this day those things cross my mind and am tempted, but am strong in the Lord and know not to give in because it no longer is a weakness of mine. Sexual sin on the other hand is because I give in from time to time and not always. It was my biggest struggle before becoming a believer because I was exposed to porn at very early age and was molested many times as a youngster by family members. It eventually grew into an addiction that became a part of my life because it was my way of coping with the abuse and loneliness. I want nothing more than to be freed from this and to just walk with my God and to please Him with my mind, body, soul and spirit.. but with thoughts like these, I don't know how. I will though look into getting some professional help because I need all the help I can get. Thank you! God bless you!
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#27
This is not a strange phenomenon involving only you, it happens to everyone- it's called "temptation." Satan CAN introduce thoughts to our minds- that's why the Bible uses the phrase "things taught by demons." Who here went to demon school? No, they tempt us in our minds, and if we don't immediately flick them away, we accept the thought, and own it.

"Resist the devil and he will run away from you." He'll be back, but I learned to immediately dismiss the thought, and replace it with another thought. Change the subject in your mind (a happy memory, or a scripture, etc.). Deprive the temptation of time- flick it away the very instant it arrives- like bouncing off of repellent. Satan is not a patient soul, he gives up quickly. You just have to out-stubborn him. Be stubborn and don't accept his thoughts as your thoughts.
It is not a sin to be tempted- Jesus was tempted, and He never sinned.
 

JosephsDreams

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2015
4,313
468
83
#28
No, he's the one presenting thoughts from without in the first person to it sounds like it's your thought.

Do what Jesus did... "it is written" and then quote what God said.

Problem is, too many Christians don't know what God says about them in the New Testament and they don't know that Jesus purchased authority over nutjob with His Blood!

And so, lots of Christians get slapped around by the devil needlessly and really... it's their own fault for being ignorant of what's in God's Word cause they could be studying God's Word rather than playing video games, watching TV, or whatever it is they be spending all their free time on.






No, you need to SAY out loud what God says about you which helps God's Word grow in you so Christ is formed in you and you learn who you are in Him and allow Him to live and walk in you (2 Cor 6:16)

Here's a few to start you off with: (personalize these... they are talking about born again people!)

Romans 12:1,2
I declare to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service....and be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (understanding, vision), that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own....for you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

2 Corinthians 6:16,17
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people....Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (in the OT see: Exodus 29:45-46, Ezekiel 37:27)

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; L00K, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To know, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God.
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 8:11-15

If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make ALIVE) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, you shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Daddy God, my Daddy, my Father).


Ephesians 1:17-19
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him....the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance is in the Saints....and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

Ephesians 3:17-20
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love....may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height....and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge to you, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God....Glory unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Jeremiah 1:12
I will hasten (be on the lookout for, watch for) My Word to perform it.

Mark 16:15-18
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature....he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned....these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues....they shall take up (move out of the way) serpents; and if they drink (take in) any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

2 Peter 1:3,4

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Galatians 3:13-14
Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (of sin and death), being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangs on a cross....that the blessing of Abraham would come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

2 Corinthians 1:20

All the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen (so be it), unto the glory of God by us.

Romans 8:16,17

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God....and if Children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:29-31
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren....moreover who He did predestinate, them He also called: and those He called, them He also justified: and those He justified, them He also glorified....what shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 4:14-16
We have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (confession of the promises in the Covenant)....for we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin....let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 5:1,2
Be ye therefore followers (imitate, to act like) of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us.

Philippians 2:5,6
Let this mind (understanding, vision, and point of view) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus....who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal (similar, agree, like) with God (causing intimate interaction in Covenant with God, to intimately know and have fellowship with Him)

1 John 4:16-19
We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him....herein is our love made perfect (mature, grown up), that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world....there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect (mature, grown up) in love....we love Him, because He first loved us.

Isaiah 48:17
So says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit (to have gain, be valuable, to do good), which leads you by the way that you should go.

Romans 8:1-5
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit....for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death....for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh....
that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit....for they that are after the flesh do mind (understand, pay attention to) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit (understand, pay attention to) the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:9-14

But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, IF the Spirit of God is allowed to live in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
And IF Christ lives in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But IF the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead lives in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that lives in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but IF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (see 2 Corinthians 6:16,17)

Galatians 5:16-25

This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (the answer to Romans 7 is Romans 8)
But if you are led of the Spirit, you are not under the law (of sin and death – see Romans 8:1).
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (no self control), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies (false teachings),
envyings, murders, drunkenness (intoxication), revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (confess/forsake)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17
If any man be in Jesus Christ (a born-again believer), he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold (L00K!), all things have become new.

1 John 1:6-9

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (our personal relationship with the Lord), and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(see Galatians 6:7,8)

2 Peter 1:4
whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (carnal, physical desires based on the physical senses and the wisdom of this world).

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Philippians 4:8
Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 Corinthians 2:16
We have the mind (understanding, knowledge, vision, perception) of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds )
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Romans 6:16-19

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Isaiah 26:13,14
O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by You only will we make mention of Your name....they are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore You have visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural (carnal minded) man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (understood from God’s point of view, not man’s).

1 Corinthians 2:12,13
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God....which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

James 1:25
Who ever looks into the perfect law of liberty (Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus), and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

John 16:13-15
The Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will guide you into all truth (God’s Word is truth) for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come....He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you....All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you.

Ephesians 4:22-24
Put off concerning the former lifestyle the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 1:13
God has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the remission of sins:

Ephesians 2:5,6
Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved )

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 3:9,10
Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;


And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:



Bravo. Best post of the day!
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
113
#29
HEB. 4:12.
For The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

it's God's Word that can destroy any power that the evil one tries to destroy us with...
READ-READ-READ, MEMORIZE THE HOLY WORD, this will always render him helpless...
 

Shepherd

Active member
May 11, 2022
248
82
28
#31
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Here's another bit of wisdom on the subject of disciplining thoughts....keep your mind occupied with good/constructive things....
"The way to chastity is not to struggle directly with incontinent thoughts but to avert your thoughts by some employment... by reading or meditating on other things. For he who is always thinking of chastity will always be thinking of women" - Sir Isaac Newton
 

Prycejosh1987

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2020
1,016
189
63
#32
Wicked imaginations and thoughts are negatively inspired. They come from evil according to Paul and James. 2 corinthians 10.5 and James 4.
I believe the way to get rid of persistent evil thoughts is use the bible as a guide, read the bible more often, really meditating its messages.
 

Ballaurena

Well-known member
May 27, 2024
418
281
63
#33
I have struggled casting down these wicked imaginations - not neverland fantasies...but perverse ones. If I try to praise God, another voice goes against it by testing God or trying to blaspheme God with perverse words.
Please don't think I am trying o blame the devil because I don't know if it is the devil because he cannot read minds. So that leaves me with me..And that makes me ashamed. I am utterly confused by this and I know that God is not an author of confusion.. So what is it? I do love God and want to do His will. But I feel lost right now. Please pray for me.
No, Satan can't read minds but he has been around a very long time to know how to manipulate us. He will even play multiple sides against us at once. For example, I've had him get me into a vulnerable state on one front and then use someone else to say the hurtful thing on another, without them even knowing it. He works through deception (mixing truth and error) rather than overt action most of the time, so he often tries to get us to take responsibility for his evil thoughts. The fact that you don't want them means you aren't in agreement with them. At the worst, you are trying to repent of agreement with them, which means you are worthy of forgiveness.

So what to do about all this? Rebuke the evil spirits. Just proclaim something like "I command all unclean spirits to leave me and my property, and I forbid replacement by other spirits." The last part is because they work in teams to deceive you. Note that I use the word 'proclaim' because God's ways don't work by magic words but by truth - You have to mean it. You can also kick them out from anyone you have real spiritual authority over - wife, kids, students, congregants, pets etc. Also consider covering all the bases, like I kicked one out of the house that then attacked me when I was out weeding the front yard. There might also be a place for rebuking by function, like "I rebuke the spirit of pride" or whatever you are experiencing; this takes spiritual discernment to identify. And you can always ask God for help if you aren't getting there by yourself, but learn to do your part where you can.

Add: Per the last poster's comments, there are behaviors that attract or repel them. The Bible says "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" though that is often easier said than done when they know our weak points. Evil things like ouiji boards, Halloween, fear or pride based media are examples of attractants. Christian music and worship are examples of repellents.
 
Aug 11, 2024
45
19
8
#34
I have struggled casting down these wicked imaginations - not neverland fantasies...but perverse ones. If I try to praise God, another voice goes against it by testing God or trying to blaspheme God with perverse words.
Please don't think I am trying to blame the devil because I don't know if it is the devil because he cannot read minds. So that leaves me with me..And that makes me ashamed. I am utterly confused by this and I know that God is not an author of confusion.. So what is it? I do love God and want to do His will. But I feel lost right now. Please pray for me.
The devil may not be able to read thoughts but he can see actions and hear words. And the more you turn to Christ the more he will fight against you.

But like the old saying goes, what a man thinketh so is he, or so will he become. The best way to fight intrusive thoughts is to constantly fill the stage of your mind with good things. For me, when my thoughts are empty I tend to whistle church hims. Usually starting with primary songs. The tunes are simple and they can help draw the Spirit in. And when the Holy Ghost is present the devil can't stand because that light casts out darkness.