What Does the Bible Say About Intrusive Thoughts?

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

James 4:7 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 31 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 23 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 22 helpful votes

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 15 helpful votes

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Philippians 4:7 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 8:26 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Romans 13:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 12:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

John 14:27 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Matthew 21:22 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Isaiah 55:7 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

1 John 1:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-32 ESV / 9 helpful votes

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ...

1 Corinthians 14:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.

Romans 7:25 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 1:28 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

John 10:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Hebrews 4:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Colossians 3:2-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Philippians 4:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Job 31:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

Zechariah 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Mark 7:20-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Ezekiel 20:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“What is in your mind shall never happen—the thought, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone.’

Psalm 46:1-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. ...

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Psalm 94:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

James 1:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8:5-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Proverbs 23:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Psalm 139:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

65 Bible Verses about Intrusive Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:7 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:13 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:7 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:26 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:45 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:27 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 21:22 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:7 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:22-32 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:25 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:28 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:2-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 31:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:20-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 20:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 46:1-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 94:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:5-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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