Wandering Thoughts
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | sermon |
| Year | 1762 |
| Passage ID | jw-sermon-041-000 |
| Words | 365 |
"Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5.
1. But will God so "bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," that no wandering thought will find a place in the mind, even while we remain in the body So some have vehemently maintained; yea, have affirmed that none are perfected in love unless they are so far perfected in understanding, that all wandering thoughts are done away; unless not only every affection and temper be holy and just and good, but every individual thought which arises in the mind be wise and regular.
2. This is a question of no small importance. For how many of those who fear God, yea, and love him, perhaps with all their heart, have been greatly distressed on this account! How many, by not understanding it right, have not only been distressed, but greatly hurt in their souls; -- cast into unprofitable, yea, mischievous reasonings, such as slackened their motion towards God, and weakened them in running the race set before them! Nay, many, through misapprehensions of this very thing, have cast away the precious gift of God. They have been induced, first, to doubt of, and then to deny, the work God had wrought in their souls; and hereby have grieved the Spirit of God, till he withdrew and left them in utter darkness!
3. How is it then, that amidst the abundance of books which have been lately published almost on all subjects, we should have none upon wandering thoughts at least none that will at all satisfy a calm and serious mind In order to do this in some degree, I purpose to inquire,
I. What are the several sorts of wandering thoughts
II. What are the general occasions of them
III. Which of them are sinful, and which not
IV. Which of them we may expect and pray to be delivered from
I. 1. I purpose to inquire, First, What are the several sorts of wandering thoughts The particular sorts are innumerable; but, in general, they are of two sorts: Thoughts that wander from God; and thoughts that wander from the particular point we have in hand.