What We Think

Believe it or not, what we think about really does matter!  Our minds have the ability to process hundreds of thoughts every day and those thoughts govern our relationship with God, others, our success, our failures, and the direction of our life because what we think, has the power to mold us. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."  So if we want to live a successful life and a life that is in right relationship with God and others, then we must master what we think.  But we can only do this with God's help.

1.  Control Your Thinking

Thoughts lead to actions.  Good thoughts lead to good actions and bad thoughts lead to bad actions.

Unbelievers set their minds on what comes naturally to humans -- pursuing sensual, selfish or materialistic things.  Romans 8:5-7 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."  We have to be careful that our minds aren't led away from the pure devotion to Christ.  "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).

2.  Think Right

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to walk out the Christian life.  When we got saved we died to our old life, and were raised to walk in newness of life.  We are now to view ourselves as children of God and we now have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).  Which means that we agree with Christ about what's good and evil in this world.  Because we live in this world, but are not "of" this world, we have to guard our minds from the world's influence.  Make no mistake about it, what you listen to, read, watch on TV and movies, and the entertainment you attend all has an affect on your thinking.  You have control of what goes into your life.  Ungodly input creates an appetite or acceptance for the things of the world.  In computer lingo it's "garbage in, garbage out!" Ungodly input creates a lack of desire toward the things of God and we begin to "edit" God out of our life.  When you sow a thought your reap an action; when you so an action you reap a habit; when you sow a habit your reap a destiny!

3.  How Do You Learn To Think Right?

If you want to be happy, even in difficult times, you must learn to think correctly.  This begins by screening your thoughts.  Let the Word of God be your guide and reject thinking that isn't compatible with the Word.  Ask yourself these questions:

• What is the source of this thought?
• Where will it lead me?
• Is this scriptural?
• Is my thinking going to build me up or tear me down?
• Does my thinking make me feel guilty? (If so watch out!)
• Does this fit who I am as a follower of Jesus?

We must reject ungodly thinking and cultivate godly thinking.  Philippians 4:4-9 is a good guide to following when it comes to thinking right.

Who you will be in the future is a result of what you think in the present. So if your don't like where you are headed, then it is time to change your thinking.  Start today!

-- Pastor Temple