Controlling Our Thoughts. 08/19/2014 (Morning thought)

Philippians 4:8 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.

This passage of scripture tells us of our sacred duty to encourage and cultivate clean wholesome thoughts that would elevate, ennoble, and draw our minds heavenward. The Lord would not give us this instruction if it were not possible to be accomplished by His grace. Those whose hearts have not been renewed by the grace of God often experience difficulty in controlling those sinful thoughts which they delight in, but in the Christian who has been liberated from the bonds of iniquity, it is possible to control one's thoughts, keeping our minds focused on that which is good and right, for it is God who enables us to think on these things.

We are what we think, and the thoughts that we choose to dwell upon will one day become reality, whenever opportunity presents itself, and this goes for good as well as for evil, that's why we are told in the Bible that we become what we choose to dwell upon. Let's read:

  Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man" ...

In every instance where there has been a mass shooting in America, the justice department has always gone searching for computer hard drives, emails, text messages, and cell phones, and the reason why this is done is so that they can have a clearer idea of what the person was dwelling upon mentally, and in the majority of instances it is revealed that the actions taken by those mass murderers, began as thoughts in their minds, which were then cultivated through violent video games and movies.

That is why it is so critically important for us to harness our thoughts, not allowing our minds to imbibe every suggestion the devil throws our way. When an evil thought crosses our minds, the word of God acts as an anti-virus, and captures and annihilates the thought, by the power of The Holy Spirit working effectually in us, and that's why it is so essential for us to feed on that which is pure. It may be difficult at times, but let's remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should be the desire of every renewed heart, for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Let's read:

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

May this passage be our actual experience today. God bless!