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Taking Control of Our Thoughts | Dr. Charles Stanley

In this sermon, Dr. Stanley shares Biblical truth found in Colossians 3 about how our tendencies to think as unbelievers change when we become believers. Christ gives us renewed thoughts and the Bible to guide us towards thinking like Christ—godly and positive thoughts.

For even more messages from Dr. Charles Stanley, including this week’s broadcast, go to intouch.org/tv.

Our thoughts can often lead us astray or pull us away from our spiritual center. However, as followers of Christ, we have a powerful tool at our disposal: the transformative power of God’s Word. Dr. Charles Stanley, a respected voice in Christian teachings, emphasizes the importance of controlling our thoughts in accordance with Biblical principles. His insights, particularly from the book of Colossians, shed light on how believers can harness their minds for spiritual growth and godly living.

The Biblical Basis for Thought Control

The Bible underscores the significance of our thoughts and their impact on our faith and life. Colossians 3 serves as a cornerstone in understanding this concept, particularly highlighting the transformation that occurs when we shift from unbeliever to believer. Dr. Stanley points out that as we accept Christ, our thought processes begin to change. This is not merely a self-driven reform but a divine transformation that renews our minds and aligns our thoughts with those of Christ.

Transition from Old to New

Dr. Stanley elucidates that our old ways of thinking—often filled with negativity, doubt, and fear—are remnants of our lives without Christ. When we come to faith, these thoughts don’t automatically vanish; instead, they are gradually replaced through intentional engagement with God’s Word and persistent prayer. Colossians 3:2 advises, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This directive is not just philosophical but a practical strategy for believers to elevate their thinking.

The Role of Scripture in Renewing Our Minds

One of the key themes in Dr. Stanley’s teachings is the role of scripture in renewing our minds. The Bible is not just a book of do’s and don’ts but a living guide that actively transforms us. By immersing ourselves in the scriptures, we allow God’s truth to permeate our thinking, challenge our misconceptions, and reshape our perspectives to reflect Christ’s. This daily renewal is critical, as it empowers us to overcome sinful thoughts and replace them with godliness and positivity.

Taking control of our thoughts with faith

Practical Steps to Control Thoughts

Dr. Stanley offers practical advice for believers striving to take control of their thoughts:

Regular Bible Reading: Engaging with the Bible daily keeps our minds focused on spiritual truths and away from the clutter of worldly thinking.
Prayer: Communicating with God through prayer is essential for seeking His guidance and strength to overcome negative thinking patterns.
Meditation: Meditating on scripture verses and God’s attributes helps solidify the truths of the Bible in our hearts and minds.
Community: Being part of a faith-based community provides support and accountability, helping us stay committed to godly thinking.
Obedience: Applying Biblical teachings in our daily lives ensures that our actions reinforce our renewed thoughts.

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A. CHRISTIAN COUNSELING EXPECTATIONS

1. Christian/Biblical Counseling: Biblical Counseling, sometimes called Pastoral Counseling or Christian Counseling, has the Lord Jesus Christ as its center.

It is the counsel which:

a) Includes listening, teaching, encouraging, preparing, comforting, warning, admonishing.

c) Its purpose is to glorify God and guide the counselee into an increased understanding of his/her personal, love, grace-oriented relationship with Jesus Christ.

d) Will result in pursuing a transformed life that reflects God’s grace, glory, and joy. This type of counseling is in contrast to secular forms of counseling. Our goal is to:

“Proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col 1:28-29).

“Equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13).

2. Referrals to Professionals: If you have significant legal, medical, or other technical questions, seek advice from independent professionals. Our Christian counselors will cooperate with such advisors and help you to consider their counsel in light of relevant scriptural principles.

3. Intent Listening: We encourage counselees to speak their minds appropriately and discuss thoughts, anxieties, and fears so the counselor can clearly understand core problems.

4. Assignments: Counselees progress more rapidly when they study or perform specific informational or behavioral assignments individually tailored to the problem.

5. Accountability: We desire to maximize your and the counselor’s time. One of our goals is to help believers learn how to glorify God and have the outward life reflect the yielded, godly inward life, resulting in peace and joy. Therefore, each counselee must participate actively in the counseling sessions and excercises between the sessions.

6. Length of Counseling: Biblical Counseling will vary in the amount of time required according to the individual, his/her motivation, the amount of time spent on homework, and the particular situation and/or problem. On average, Biblical Counseling requires less time than conventional, secular counseling. Simple issues may be solved in one session. Difficult situations often require a more extended period. When multiple people are involved in the counseling, more may be needed as frequently happens in marriage counseling. Substance abuse and addiction problems may require many more sessions, with intensive accountability, drug tests, and other professional help.

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1. I (We) understand that the counseling I, my family, or those legally under my guardianship will receive will be based upon the Bible to glorify God and lead to a healthy, Spirit-empowered grace-filled life.

2. I (We) will keep the appointment time or will call before 72 hours to cancel. If I cancel an appointment with less than 72 hours' notice or fail to show up, I will be charged for the appointment due to losing the counselor’s time or other potential appointments.

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5. I (We) now agree to hold all independently contracted Christian Counselors affiliated with Impact Family Counseling Network and its leadership harmless from any advice, counsel, or suggestions rendered during our counseling sessions. I (We) recognize that their role is to assist me/us in hearing and understanding God’s will in the matters we discuss. Therefore, we will not prosecute or engage in any litigation negatively affecting Impact Family Inc., Impact Family Biblical Christian Counseling Network, Impact Family Network, or organizations granting them the ability and resources to provide counseling services. We will follow an Amicable Dispute Resolution with Professional Christian Mediation Companies only.

6. I (We) agree not to attempt to subpoena or require any counselor to appear in any legal proceeding related to any matters discussed during counseling, nor will I (we) attempt to subpoena any notes or records associated with this counseling.

C. CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONTRIBUTIONS

Impact Family Inc. is a faith-based ministry that depends upon the generous contributions of its counselees, members, and partners. Impact Family Inc. underwrites additional costs. We encourage you to pray and ask the Lord what you should give above the suggested amount on the counselor’s profile.

If you cannot offer that amount financially or in kind, if your Church refuses to help with a contribution, or if you have questions, please discuss them with our team or apply for a scholarship.

Checks or money orders are to be written to Impact Family Inc. You can also donate online at www.impact.vision/donate. To schedule a session, please go directly to our team page.

Suggested Donation Amounts For Sessions:

$85-$150 new clients/intake session
$85-$150 existing clients
Sessions last, on average, 50-150 minutes.
See current contribution amounts here https://impact.vision/session

For mailed-in payments with written permission from the Executive director, please send your check or money order to us at:

Impact Family Inc.
8362 Pines Blvd. #116
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

Counseling sessions with mailed payments are not scheduled until contributions have been received, deposited and cleared in bank account. Please schedule 2 to 3 weeks before sending the contribution.

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Unfortunately, Impact Family Inc. is unable to provide childcare. If bringing a child, please ensure the issues you present to the counselor are appropriate for them.

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Clients are entitled to a full refund if they cancel 72 hours before the appointment by clicking the cancelation link on your client portal bookings page and clicking refund on the orders page. View Refund Process Tutorial
Clients are entitled to a full refund if the counselor does not attend the session after 15 minutes of their scheduled appointment. After 10 minutes of waiting, you must
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- 4) contact the support team through our contact page
If clients have verified documentation of a medical emergency or death in your immediate family, you are entitled to a 100% coupon to reschedule your session at another more convenient time.
To reschedule your session, go to your Client Portal @ Click Edit on your Session | Direct Link: https://impact.vision/calendar-client-portal
- Step 1: Login Into Your Client Portal & Cancel the Session | Direct Link: https://impact.vision/calendar-client-portal
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- Watch the refund tutorial for help.

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