Our thoughts are critical. In the past, I have allowed myself to get caught up in negative, fearful, or anxious thoughts. So much that I have watched as one thought led to another and then they spiraled out of control. It’s similar to a domino effect and before I know it, my thoughts have left me in a state of fear, panic, or negativity.
Can you relate?
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
We have been given a list of exactly what we are to think on. Yet so many times we seem to do the opposite. Instead of thinking on what is true, we tend to think on whatever things are untrue… or dishonorable, unfair, impure, ugly, and not admirable. Those things certainly aren’t virtuous or praise worthy, so why is it so easy to park right there and mediate on those things?
Scripture says, “And do not be 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.” (Romans 12:2) That portrays perfectly why we struggle with keeping our thoughts on track. We are conforming to the ways of the world. We are allowing things into our minds that shouldn’t be there. This may not be popular, but our tv choices and music choices can strongly effect our thinking patterns. The places we go, the friends we spend time with, and the books we read all have an impact on how we think. As Christians we are called to be different than the world. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. So how do we do this? How can we renew our mind and think thoughts that are true, noble, just, & lovely?
I believe there are a few things that are critical to us learning to renew our mind.
1. Read the Word
God’s Word is truth. The negative thoughts that circulate in our minds often do not reflect the truth found in Scripture. Therefore, we must transform our mind from the old ways to the new. We must fill our minds with the truth of Scripture but that can’t happen if we aren’t consistently in the Word. We need to read it, know it, memorize it, and apply it. We must be rooted & grounded in Scripture. That way when negative thoughts come in, we have the ability to debunk those lies with the truth found in God’s Word.
2. Walk in the Spirit
Because we have the Spirit, we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” As Christians, the Holy Spirit indwells us, instructs us, and gives us wisdom in making decisions. It’s our responsibility to yield to the Spirit and through that allow the Spirit to “renew our minds.”
3. Recognize & Refuse
I think it’s important that we recognize the wrong thoughts when they come and immediately refuse them. But again, they must be replaced with truth. If we can recognize the root thought, refuse it, and then replace it with truth, we will see the Holy Spirit working to transform our minds. I am not saying we won’t wrestle with negative thoughts at all, but I do believe the more space Jesus & His Word take up in our minds, and the more we walk in the Spirit, the less room there is for wrong thinking.
“The more room Jesus & His Word take up in our minds, the less room there is for wrong thinking.”
Let’s be women (or men) who choose not to conform but to be transformed. Let’s fill our minds with things that are lovely, true, and just. And let’s be rooted so deep in Scripture that the lies and negative thinking don’t stand a chance!
That She May Know 