We Are What We Think About
In the wonderful classic, As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen, he states,
“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all of his thoughts.”
It can be scary to think that, whatever we are today is the direct result of what we have been thinking about. Everything that we say or do is a result of some thought that we have allowed into our mind.
As Joyce Meyer says in her book Battlefield of the Mind,
“Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life. If, on the other hand, we renew our mind according to God’s word, we will, as Romans 12:2 promises, prove out in our experiences, “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” for our lives.” (p. 11-12)
If you stop and think about it, our thoughts basically come from three places: from our hearts and minds, from God, or from the devil.
Yes, we are going to have thoughts, and the only thing we can do is to decide which of the three sources we will allow to be in control. We choose. Paul reminds us of this truth when he says that we are to
set our mind on things that are above, not on earthly things (Col 3:2)
Paul also says,
Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)
Wow, this sounds very hard! Especially when we think about one of the most challenging addictions facing men everywhere–pornography. But what is the source of this addiction? It’s the mind. To beat this addiction, we must be willing to fight the battlefield of the mind.
When we entertain lustful thoughts, we give the devil a stronghold. And when the devil has a stronghold, we will act out—even if we don’t want to. The first line of defense against pornography is in the mind. When a lustful thought comes to your mind quickly identify the source of it. Command the devil to go away in the name of Christ and turn your mind to something else.
Paul knows the power of the mind. That is why he writes:
Finally Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8).
You may be thinking, I can’t control my thoughts. They are too powerful. Yes, it is true, you cannot control your thoughts, but with the power of the Holy Spirit in your life you can! If you are a Christian, you have the power of the Spirit to help you control your thinking. Paul says to us:
Stop thinking like children…but in your thinking be adults (1st Cor 14:20).
An adult disciple knows that with God’s help, all things are possible.
Today, decide that you will call upon the name of the Lord to help you control your thoughts. He will help you! Decide that, with the Spirit’s help, you will stop feeding your mind with worldly and fleshly thoughts. Remember, a disciple of Christ sets their mind on things that are above and takes every thought captive.
This post was written by teach4him--a member of the Purity Project in Oklahoma City. If you have questions or comments of a personal nature, you may reach him at purityproject@cox.net
