I think my music is giving me bad thoughts
Question:
Hello,
I have been constantly having bad thoughts and thoughts about things that haven't happened. I also have been having thoughts about past conversations and events that I don't want to remember. I know we can sin in our minds, that is why I ask God to forgive me for the bad thoughts. They sometimes come by themselves.
I kind of believe they come from the hip-hop music I listen to. Very explicit music. I know it's wrong and I will stop listening to it.
I know it comes from the people I live with because I'm the only Christian in my household but only one person challenges that and tries to control me at times to be mean and low down.
I pray daily and ask for forgiveness, but I don't always feel better after I pray.
I know this sounds crazy and mental, but I have somehow developed an uncontrollable habit of talking to myself. I can't always control it because my mind wanders on random things. I believe it started when I had a habit of listening to my iPod and pacing the floor. I do believe the devil has some sort of hold on me.
I also sometimes (not always) get jealous, well get mad, when others around me are "living it up" in a sinful way, but I'm a Christian and can not partake in sin. But I hate it when it happens around me.
I don't really have a question here. I just want advice, guidance, and honesty here on the topics.
Answer:
If you put junk into your ears, it isn't surprising that shows up in your thoughts. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man" (Mark 7:21-23).
Of course, the temptation is always present, but you shouldn't give the devil an open door. "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them" (Ephesians 5:3-7).
Feelings have almost nothing to do with truth (Proverbs 28:26). God tells you He answers prayers (I John 1:9). The question, then, is whether you trust God or not.
"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ... But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:2, 8-10). While the tongue is difficult to fully control, we still are to try to bridle the tongue. A habit of saying everything that comes to your mind is a bad one because everything you think ought not to be said. "A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back" (Proverbs 29:11). You need to break yourself from this habit.
About the jealousy, read Psalms 73.
