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Question: I have a few things I have been really confused about lately. I am a born again Christian and read the bible daily and have a growing relationship with the Lord. I think that the Lord has been putting things into my mind. For instance: I was driving to work one day and was worshipping the Lord in my car, (not really the best thing to do while driving) :), and I felt drawn to pull over, blast the worship music and start to dance on the sidewalk. I did not do that mostly out of fear of what others would think and also because I did not want to do something that was not of God or myself.

There has also been times when I will be out in public and I will have the "urge" to pray for some stranger or even to get on my knees and pray. There has also been times when that same urge will tell me to do something totally ridiculous like to pull over while on the highway and scream and dance in Jesus name on the top of my car.

How do I test my thoughts? Even as I type these things the answer seems so clear to me but when ever I get these "urges" I always get doubt accompanied by fear of what people will think. I also feel this fear and doubt when the Lord gives me opportunity to witness to people at work and on the street.

I have been saved for almost a year now. The Lord literally delivered me from the hands of the Devil. I would tell you my testimony but for lack of space and time I put it in a nutshell. I basically had a run in with the Devil or one of his servants one evening. It took control of my mind and I thought I was in Hell but now I realize that I was not but that the thing wanted me to believe I was. Anyways I began to look back on my life and realized that I was a sinner and prayed my heart out to the Lord, begging for forgiveness and for Jesus to save me and he was faithful. It was a battle but the Lord was on my side and that night he delivered me from all the bondages in my life, drugs, sex, pornography, my x-rated mouth. Afterwards my family and I worshipped the Lord and gave him all the glory and I have been a changed man ever since.

A week later I was in my car and a voice in my head told me to pull over and I did thinking it was God. It told me that I was going to be the "next Jesus." And knowing nothing about God I was amazed that God would tell me this. So I told my pastor about it and he set me straight and we did some warfare. I know that was not from God at all but since then I have always had a sort of arrogance about me. Because of my testimony (being a strange and powerful one) I have always thought I was going to be a great man of God. That he was going to do miracles through me and people would be amazed with me. I do not want to give place to any arrogance and be puffed up.

Some of the things that run around in my mind really disgust me and they offend me. The scripture says that God knows our every thought. Will he condemn me for the ones I don't have any control over? I have been praying that God would take those thoughts and feelings away but nothing has happened. Maybe there is something in my life that Satan is using against me to put these emotions in my mind or maybe they are from me? Either way I do not want them if they are not of God.

I know these are pretty long questions and that they are pretty hard to answer and maybe you don't have the answer. I have been as truthful as I can and have not left anything out knowing that the truth shall set us free. I do love the Lord with all my heart and want to do all I can to help expand his Kingdom.

Answer: It was good to hear how the Lord has worked in your life. We marvel at the grace of God that will reach down and save all who will come Him.

It appears that the devil has been fighting in your experience. We can rest assured that there will be tribulation until the Lord returns. When that happens though, what glory we will share!

The instance where a voice told you that you were to be the next Jesus is where I want to begin discussion. Your pastor, it would seem, gave you correct advice in the fact that Jesus came once as a man and the next time He comes it will be in the clouds for His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). The devil is out to deceive all he can, and there have many who have fallen to the lie the devil told you.

In knowing the voice of God, it is important to know the truth of the Word of God. This is why it is so necessary to be in a good Bible-believing church every service. That is how you will learn the Word. God's voice will never speak anything contrary to His Word (Isaiah 8:20).

As we grow in God, we learn to know the voice of the Lord (John 10:3-5). Experience helps us know if it is the voice of God we are hearing. When we hear something, we are to try the Spirit and see if it is of God (1 John 4:1). Not only will God not lead contrary to His Word, but He also will not lead us to do things that would destroy our testimony to the world. He does not lead us to do things that would make us look like there was something wrong with us, especially as a young believer.

I should note that as we pass by here, the devil will always try to tell you that these people are not as spiritual as you. He will try to fill you with spiritual pride, making you believe you are better than the rest. The devil does not care how he gets you, just as long as he gets you. I would not doubt that he has told you not to listen to advice like this. "You know more than they do."

In answer to your question about the mind, there are a few things that need to be expressed. First, the enemy will try to put evil thoughts in your mind. His goal is to deceive (Revelation 12:9; 13:14; 20:10).

Second, you do not have to allow those thoughts to remain in your mind. It is like the old adage, "You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep him from making a nest on your head."

The Bible gives us a description of the things we are to think on (Phillipians 4:8). We are also told to bring every thought into captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5). One thing that can help you is to memorize and meditate upon the Word of God and pray. Generally, when you do these things in response to the wicked thoughts of the enemy, he will leave you alone in that area. However, you must be consistent.

Another thing to remember is, "what I think about will affect what I become" (Proverbs 23:7). If you think evil thoughts long enough, you will perform evil deeds. This is why your thought life is so very important. The Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). It is my protection against those wrong thoughts. This is another benefit that comes from reading, studying, and memorizing the Word.

We trust that these things have been beneficial to you. Keep following the Lord and you will reach the goal.

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