What Are You Thinking?

The battle field of the mind is a daily battle. The world, people and circumstances battle for our thoughts and attention. These distractions can draw our attention away from, and keep us thinking contrary to the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, 'For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'  Only feeding on the Word of God, can give us a strategy to win this battle of the mind. When we change those old thought patterns and get the mind of Christ, then we can dominate by thinking God thoughts. So let's get God's thoughts flowing.

In Proverbs 23:7 it says, 'For as he thinks in his heart, so is he .....'  Life happens from the inside out. Our thinking paints an image on the inside, that is eventually seen on the outside. Someone who sees themselves as poor on the inside, will make choices that keep them in lack. On the other hand, someone who sees themselves as successful will have a hard time failing. If we want to change the outside, we have to change the inside first by renewing our mind. Romans 12:2 says, 'And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.'  A mind conformed to the world's thoughts brings weakness, uncertainty and a lot of, "I'm afraid so." Renewal of the mind begins by meditating in the Word of God. This action gives vision to what God's will for your life is. Meditation brings revelation. Revelation activates a transformation on the inside. This transformation creates a strong, growing faith in God.

There are clear steps in the Word of God, one can take to renew the mind. The first step is 'casting down' thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 says, 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.'  I know it seems extreme to take every thought and see if it lines up with the scripture. But to have God's best in your life, that is what you must do. For example, I say this when negative thoughts come, "I rebuke that thought in the name of Jesus. The thoughts of the Righteous are pure and true, and I am the righteousness of God in Christ." My mind becomes clear and those negative thoughts leave. Sometimes those negative and unbelieving thoughts are persistent. Then you have to be even more persistent in your confession of the Word of God. Hebrews 4:14 says, ....'let us hold fast to our profession (confession)."

The next step is replacing negative thoughts with God's thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says, 'Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are a good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.'  This is God's strategy to win the battle over the mind and create a life that glorifies Him! We can replace the negative thoughts with God thoughts and have victory everyday. The Holy Spirit will help and teach you how to think this way. Praise the Lord! Think on these things!

What is the benefit to changing the way we think? Romans 8:6 says, 'For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.' I think all of us could take some more life and peace, right about now. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, 'For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.'  That is a calm, well balanced, disciplined and self-controlled mind. This path of victory is for everyone who will believe and do these steps. I cannot think of any reason not to put these truths into practice every day.

Until next time, be a doer of Colossians 3:2 amp. which says, 'And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.'  Think of the word 'set', like cementing a post in the ground. You and your thoughts cannot be moved.

Higher thoughts lead to a higher life.