Feeling like you are stressed out, or emotionally burnt out, being overly critical, distrustful or protective of others, speaking harsh negative words, being physically and emotionally abusive to others, feeling extreme self-doubt, undue pride and arrogance, all are the results of overly toxic thoughts.   In the past few posts, I have clearly noted that these toxic thoughts and behaviors can manifest in Christians and non-Christians.   Too many Christians are being overwhelmed by negative, toxic thinking; they are filled with negative memories, regrets, jealousy, envy, divisiveness and even rage.  Needless to say, toxic Christians do not fully possess the “fruit of the Spirit.”  They may be fully-Charismatic and manifest some of the “gifts” of the Spirit; but if their thoughts are toxic, the Holy Spirit’s fruit and virtues will never be fully manifested. 

16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5)

Each of these “fruit” reflects aspects of human thought and behavior.  The first three:  love, joy and peace, center on your thoughts and feelings about God.  The next three, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, focus on your thoughts and feelings about other people.  The last three fruits of the Spirit, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control focus on your thoughts and feelings about yourself. Toxic, jacked-up thinking run counter to all of these fruits and virtues of the Holy Spirit.  These fruits will only fully-manifest in our lives when we continuously surrender ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit.

        When the Holy Spirit’s influence on you life is allowed to manifest fully, it radically changes your thoughts, emotions and behavior.  One of the key fruits is “peace.”   The peace of which Paul speaks here is referenced throughout the New Testament; it has to do with a person’s state of mind, sense of self, and emotions.  It is amazing how many passages in the New Testament speak of peace.  The references to peace focus on the need for believers to receive peace and to have it multiplied in their lives.   II Peter 1 reminds us of this, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”  Notice his connection between the “knowledge of God” and the experience of peace.  Thoughts and feelings of peace and well-being will naturally manifest themselves as the mind receives more knowledge of who God is, all that He requires of us, and yields to the work of the Holy Spirit.   No passage makes this connection between the Holy Spirit’s fruit of “peace” and human thoughts and emotions than that of Philippians 4:

6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Being “careful” has to do with “anxious” thoughts and feelings.   But the believer is here called to live a life of prayer and contemplation.  The result of this life of discipline is that one will come to know a peace of mind, emotions, and thoughts that otherwise cannot be known.   V.  7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   

Concluding Power Point:

         As I reflect upon these passages, I am struck by the references that we have made to the Dual-Action Activity that is involved in fasting and praying, there must be both denial and pursuit on your part. Denying the flesh and pursuing the things of the spirit are both necessary in fasting.  In this case, if you are to have thoughts and feelings of peace and tranquility, you must pursue it; it must become a compelling passion. Only in this way will we completely and continuously renew our minds.