What Are You Thinking About?

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT

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. Philippians 4:8

Question for you -- what are the things that occupy your mind? You know what I mean -- what are you thinking about throughout the day? What are those random thoughts that get stuck in your head?

The Bible makes it very clear that what we think about impacts and effects our behavior. The battle with sin begins in our thoughts, in our minds. Our thoughts define who we are. Our minds are powerful tools, so it is important to think and meditate on the RIGHT things.

Henry Blackaby in his daily devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD (Broadman and Holman) hits that nail right on the head when he writes:

What you and I think about in our unguarded moments reflects what our minds dwell upon. What you speak about when your guard is down is a good gauge of what is in your heart (Matthew 12:34). Your mind needs exercise just as your physical body does. To keep your body healthy, you must be careful what you put into it, and you must exercise regularly.

To keep your thoughts pure, you must guard what goes into your mind. To exercise your mind, you must contemplate things that are noble and truths that stretch your mind.

Some Christians allow the world to fill their minds with ungodly thinking. Some people seem drawn to concentrate on the negative, choosing to be pessimistic about everything. Some remain satisfied with thinking of the mundane. Others fail to intentionally place Scripture in their thoughts, choosing instead to adopt human reasoning. Others, however, choose to expose their minds to the truths of God -- to that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and good.

The things you allow your mind to dwell on will be revealed by the way you live. If you focus on negative things, you will inevitably be a negative person. If you allow unholy thoughts to fill your mind, ungodliness will become common in your life. If you fill your mind with thoughts of Christ, you will become Christlike.

What you fill your mind with is a matter of choice. Choose to concentrate on the magnificent truths of God, and they will create in you a noble character that brings glory to God.

So my brother, if I walk up to you today and said, "What are you thinking about right now?" -- What would your answer be? You are what you think! Paul gives us some great things to think about. Why not commit Philippians 4:8 to memory and start thinking about the RIGHT things. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Digging Deeper: Proverbs 6; Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Dig This Quote: I believe the Body of Christ must evaluate every resource available and think in a different way. The adult brain encodes knowledge and skills, joys and regrets, plans for the future. It makes us aware of ourselves by producing thoughts linked with our hearts’ desires and our belief system. The brain reflects our emotions by producing thoughts that will cause self-preservation after we have been hurt. The brain is constantly changing the landscape of how we see the world. – Chuck D. Pierce

Determined Digging: Level 1 -- Psalm 30:5; Level 2 -- Psalm 37:23-26