The authors of ?Christ Centered Therapy? says, ?People struggle with their thoughts, have difficulty concentrating, and hear "voices." These "voices" or negative thoughts are usually self-condemning, suicidal, delusional, and phobic, with the result that these people contend with feelings of guilt, fear, hopelessness, sadness, and deep despair. Therapists typically associate such symptoms with diagnoses of depression, anxiety disorders, or psychosis.

If a client communicated these symptoms to a secular therapist [someone whose practice doesn?t include religious values] or doctor, chemical imbalance would typically be identified as the cause, and the client would probably be prescribed some kind of tranquilizer, anti-psychotic medication, or antidepressant drug?.

Looking into chemical imbalances is important, however, we need to come back to the real thoughts, the earnest, and thoughtful questions. How can any chemical imbalance produce a thought that is personal, and in the same way, how can our neurotransmitters randomly fire in such a way as to produce a thought that one is opposed to?? We cannot blame our bodies for what we feel or think. It?s the same with a computer, we cannot blame the hardware (the components of the computer) when a virus enters the software and harms the

system. It is the software of the pc that is responsible for mistakes, not the hardware.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made, as opposed to a computer system which can be flawed.

"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Later, writing to Timothy, Paul observes, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy

4:1).

What does the Bible say about these things then?

How can we get rid of these destructive thoughts in our lives?

The authors of ?Christ Centered Therapy? add this in their book, ?What people are hearing and seeing is very real and can be dealt with by submitting to God and resisting the devil (see James 4:7)?. So let?s submit to God by obeying Him! Listen to what the Bible says about thoughts and what we are to do to go against it:

1 Corinthians 10:4-6:4

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Does this thought set itself up against the knowledge of God? If so, then take it captive! Make it obedient to Christ. I?m reminded of when Jesus was tempted by the devil. The devil brought before Jesus different scenarios and thoughts, but each time Jesus fought against the temptations with God?s Word, His Truth, just like it says in verse 5 of 1 Corinthians 10.

The devil tries to deceive us, just as in the instance where he tried to tempt Jesus by twisting God?s Word. It might seem like truth, but it is against the Lord?s ways.

We need an anti-virus!

What are some of the truths of God?s Word?

Listen to this:

Philippians 4:8: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable?if anything is excellent or praiseworthy?think

about such things"

.

What are some of these beautiful and right things? The authors of ?Christ Centered Therapy? give us a few thoughts! Let the words and ways of Christ dwell richly within your hearts

brothers and sisters:

WHO I AM IN CHRIST

I AM ACCEPTED IN CHRIST

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am united with the Lord and one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)

I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I am a member of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)

I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1)

I have been adopted as God's child (Ephesians 1:5)

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)

I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

I AM SECURE IN CHRIST

I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)

I am assured that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

I am free from any condemning charges against me (Romans 8:33-34)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35, 38-39)

I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

I can find grace and mercy to help me in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

I AM SIGNIFICANT IN CHRIST

I am the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13 -14)

I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of his life (John 15:1, 5)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)

I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I am God's coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

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I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)

Thank You, Lord Jesus!