What do we do with Nasty Thoughts? by Dr. Craig Johnson

Sometimes I get the most obscene thoughts when I’m trying to pray. I remember as a young man I went away to the mountains to fast and pray. Someone had told me that they had done this and had seen visions. So I resolved to do it too. Boy did I see visions… of Turkey, Gravy, Big Macs, Ice Cream and Nastasia Kinski (A beauty from another age). I was trying so hard to be holy yet it seemed that all my attempts just aroused more lust in my heart. Then one day I heard a simple statement."You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head but you can stop them from nesting in your hair." Eureka! That was it! That was all I needed to know. As long as I’m alive I will have thoughts offered to me and over me. I just need to let them go as I would a bird flying over my head. It is not a sin to be tempted it is a sin to sin! I can never stop the thoughts (Birds) from flying over my head but I can choose whether or not to allow the birds (Thoughts) to nest in my hair. So what do we do with Nasty Thoughts? Just let them fly by. Don’t claim them as your own, along with the guilt and shame droppings they aim at your head! It’s not the "nasty thoughts" but the "nesty thoughts" you need to bother with. Let’s help one another see the nests we need to knock off one another’s heads. Whenever a thought "Fly's over" just remind yourself "This too shall pass."



About Dr. Craig Johnson



Dr. Craig Johnson Craig's ministry is best characterized as a balance of "meal and oil." His early ministry comprised gifts of the Holy Spirit combined with a solid foundation of orthodox Christian theology. His ability to communicate Biblical truths with humor, insight, wisdom and practical application bring God's word to the hearts of His people in ways that transform lives.