Controlling Your Thoughts

What are you thinking about now...at this very moment? Whatever it is, you do not have to think about those things. You can control your thoughts.

Throughout scripture, our Father God talks about our thoughts and our ways. First of all though, God's word says that we as God's children have "the mind of Christ". (1 Corinthians 2:16) God our Father is the only true authority who can tell us how to use our minds or what we should think about or not think about with our minds.

Therefore, because we have "the mind of Christ", do you think that we should entertain anything which comes into our minds? Do you think we should just think about anything or everything that enters our minds? No, of course not!

Whatever you think about, you eventually believe and begin acting on those thoughts and beliefs. (Proverbs 23:7a, NKJV) You become that person with those kind of unlovely, ungodly, sinful, wicked, or evil thoughts. You become that lustful person. You become that depressed person. You become that addicted person. You become that unrighteous or sinful person.

The Prophet Isaiah invites people to have the abundant life though. (Isaiah 55:7) He talks to people and instructs them to forsake their wicked ways and unrighteous [or sinful] thoughts. He goes on to talk about God's thoughts and ways being different than human beings' thoughts and ways. (Isaiah 55:8) Our Father God thinks a lot better than humans think in their usual [or old sinful] way of thinking about things. The old sinful nature thinks about things which are not pleasing to God. Whereas, the new man or the new creation in Christ thinks about those things which are pleasing to God our Father. The Apostle Paul talks about the carnal [or fleshy mind] and the spiritual mind. He tells us about the results or by-product of each of those mindsets.

Death [whether spiritual or physical] are the results of the old sinful nature [or the carnal mindset]. (Romans 8:5-8) Either before or along with that kind of death comes destruction and decay. For instance, when you think about that person in a lustful way, then you are on the path of destruction, decay, and death eventually if you continue thinking that way. The same is true for other carnal thoughts. Carnality and fleshiness messes with your minds and your lives. It all leads down the carnal path of destruction and eventually death. However, life [eternal, everlasting, and abundant] and peace are the results of the spiritual mindset [or the new nature]. You get peace of mind, peace with yourself, peace with others, and most importantly, peace with God our Father. You also reap more of the abundant life, the rich satisfying life, the everlasting life, and the eternal life here and now.

What can you do? How can you control your thoughts? First of all, reject those kind of harmful, destructive, deadly, or sinful thoughts. Cast down those thoughts! Take those thoughts captive! Rebuke those thoughts in the name of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) You have the power and the authority within you. Next, renew your mind on a daily basis. (Romans 12:1-2) It helps us to stay in God's word every single day. Not only for us and our thoughts but also for others and ultimately for God our Father and our relationship with Him. In addition, mediate on God's word. (Joshua 1:8) "To meditate" means to think about, to ponder, or to consider. Therefore, instead of worrying or thinking about negative things, choose to think about positive things specifically God's word. The Apostle Paul tells us to meditate on good things. He specifically talks about thinking about good things which we have learned, received, heard, or seen spiritual and Godly people like him do in the world. (Philippians 4:8-9)

You can control your thoughts. You can choose to think about good, positive, spiritual, Godly, and Christ-like things. Remember, you have "the mind of Christ". (1 Corinthians 2:16) Please choose to honor Him with your thoughts not only today but every single day for the rest of your life.


Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.