What's A Girl To Think?

"Forsaking All Others". This was my previous post in the series titled, "Preparation Of The Bride". Before I continue in this series I want to address our earthly marriages for a moment. What does it mean to forsake all others and how far are we willing to go to do just that? What is the depth of commitment and what length do we take to maintain that commitment?
I have set some pretty high standards for myself as a married woman and I have placed some rather large borders in my life to guard my heart, protect my mind and keep my ways pure before the Lord. Do you know the schemes and devices the enemy is capable of? Are you aware of the most innocent of situations that he can take and turn into all out warfare against the frailty of our hearts and minds?
The area’s of concentration for me are first my thoughts and then relationships I choose “not” to have with the opposite sex.
Today I would like to deal more with our thought life because it is true what is said, “Our mind is the enemies playground”, that is if we don’t take provisions to protect ourselves.

I have lived now for the past seven years committed to a promise I made to the Lord, a covenant with my mind, that I might not think or dwell on lustful thoughts that might cause me to sin against God and in turn sin against my husband. I was reading in the book of Job at the time, this passage to be exact, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin? (Job 31:1)
As I read and think I understand this passage, I am struck with thoughts of Job and the desire of his heart to remain pure, to not have lust in his heart for a young virgin, which in turn would come, if he was to “gaze” upon a young maiden. So if I was to make a covenant with my mind, what then, how could I even “think” on things that would cause me to stumble and in turn sin against My Lord?
{to gaze}
verb
look steadily and intently, esp. in admiration, surprise, or thought :
{to think}
verb
• direct one's mind toward someone or something; use one's mind actively to form connected ideas :
• have a particular mental attitude or approach :
• have a particular opinion of :
• call something to mind; remember :
• imagine (an actual or possible situation) :
• expect :
• concentrate on imagining what if

Oh your thinking, “That's impossible”! Well your right, it is impossible without the careful attention to the details of this kind of promise. Who is the covenant keeper? Our Loving Father who is so intimately aware of every thought that we have even before it takes fruition is the keeper of the covenant and He equips us with all the tools we need to obey Him! When I made this covenant, it was actually with Him and He became the procurator of this promise. Oh my dear sisters, God is so faithful to always remind me of this promise and to bring my attention to the near fatal thoughts that can cause a severe stumbling. Once He brings it to my attention I have the choice to think on pure thoughts, His word, songs, hymns, or spiritual songs, or I can deny the power of the Holy Spirit and live in an ungodly manner with myself only to blame. So what are the tools we utilize to help in the protection of our minds? His Holy scripture, prayer, replacing bad thoughts with good thoughts, fleeing temptation, worship, praise, adoration...

A few scriptures come to my mind;
”Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You”. (Psalm 119:11)

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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”. (Philippians 4:8)

“...and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”, (2 Corinthians 10:5b)

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. (James 4:7)

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Ephesians 6:14)
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:16)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:17)
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”-- (Ephesians 6:18)

There is so much freedom living the abundant life in Christ Jesus with a mind that has been cleansed by God’s Word. Knowing that our husbands can rest safely in the knowledge that they not only have us in a physical sense, but they have our heart and mind as well. Trust enlarges her borders when our minds are true to the marriage covenant.

Blessings to you my dear sisters.

Dear Abba Father, thank you for the power of Your Word and the faithfullness we have in You..the Keeper of the covenant. Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit Who enables us to keep our thoughts pure especially when we as woman are inundated with so much of the world. Give us a vision of the heavenly promise in Christ Jesus that our eyes would be fixed on You, the Perfecter and Finisher of our faith. Help us to be obedient to You as well as honoring to our husbands. All strength, honor and glory are Yours!
In the name of the LORD Jesus..Amen.