The Results of Neglect by Creflo Dollar

Author:Creflo Dollar
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-01-03T16:45:11+00:00

Chapter 4 The Road to Lasciviousness

How does a person go from being a fairly disciplined person to one who is dominated by lasciviousness? Paul provides a clue to that mystery in Ephesians 4:17-19:

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

In the final analysis, there is only one way that lasciviousness can come to dominate you. It's because you have given yourself over to it.

Nobody is ever blind-sided by lasciviousness. It comes through a series of choices—choices only you can make.

This verse also gives us the results of lasciviousness. It enables you "to work all uncleanness with greediness." Another word for greediness is "selfishness." Lasciviousness is always driven by selfishness. "My wants," "My appetites," "My desires." These are the motivating forces that move you down the road to lasciviousness.

The Christian, on the other hand, is called to a life of selflessness. It is when we deny ourselves and put God's program and the needs of others above our own that we give God the freedom to bless us as He wants.

Where does this whole process start? With a thought. A little insignificant thought not dealt with can become a thought pattern. A thought pattern can become a habit. A habit opens the door to the deadly force of lasciviousness.

The Bible gives us some clear indications of the importance of thoughts:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (II Corinthians 10:5)

Imaginations and thoughts are much more powerful than most people suspect. They are seeds. And as we saw in a previous chapter, seeds always grow into something much bigger. Allow an evil thought to remain in your mind uncaptured and it will soon spring to life. I've heard people say, "Come Pastor, a little fantasizing never hurt anyone. After all it's not like I'd really do it."

Those people are deceived. Thoughts always lead to actions. Spend enough time imagining yourself doing a certain thing, and eventually the devil will give you an opportunity to act out your fantasy.

At that point, you're as good as gone. You have no ability to resist because you've already been there in your mind. You've developed an inner image of yourself doing that thing.

"But Pastor Dollar, how can I keep thoughts from entering my mind?"

You can't. It's what you do with them after they pop in there that makes all the difference.

Brother Kenneth E. Hagin, Jr. tells the story about a lady who came up to him after a service for prayer. She said, "Brother Hagin, please pray for me that I won't have any more bad thoughts."

He replied, "Lady, if I

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