Years ago we had a mission team visit our church planting work out west. The team leader had a little girl the same age as one of our daughters. The mission team was gathered in the living room and kitchen with my wife and I talking about the upcoming week of ministry. We were making plans for various opportunities in the week to come, and quite honestly, just having a good time of fellowship. I guess time passed by quicker than we realized and all of the sudden my wife and another mother seemingly looked at each other at the same time with a look of concern. Where are the
girls? The brief hunt for the kiddos discovered them safely playing "hair salon"...in the upstairs bathroom...using the toilet to rinse their brushes!
"What were you thinking?!" That is a question parents will often ask their children (not the best question to ask our children by the way); however, when was the last time we asked ourselves the same question. Our thoughts will have an incredible impact on our actions. Is your thinking in line with God's Word?
"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."
A godly thought life is premeditated...it is your plan...enabled by the Spirit of God. What is your game plan for your thought life?
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" II Cor. 10:5
Our thought lives are real battle grounds! The battles of truth vs. lies, love vs. lust, and right vs. wrong rages in our minds daily! How can we handle these crazy attacks that will derail our walk with God with a moment's notice?
1. Guard the eyes...take the necessary steps to keep from seeing what we know we shouldn't (and in the end wouldn't ever want to) see. (Prov. 4:23)
2. Learn the weapon...read and study the Bible (I Tim. 2:15). The Bible is a dagger (Eph. 6:17)! It is supposed to be used in close combat. We cannot expect to be skillful at something we haven't studied or worked to develop.
3. Stick close to THE protector...Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We can do all things (even fight the battle of the mind)...but only through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). We desperately need Jesus Christ!
4. Surrender Ground...sometimes it is essential to surrender ground that now regularly causes you to yield to temptation. The Bible describes this as "spiritual amputation." It is a radical move, but our relationship with God is worth it (I Jn. 4:10)! Right?
It seems harmless to allow our thoughts run wild, doesn't it? Such a practice will reveal something we truly don't want others to see. Choose to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" today.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"
Proverbs 23:7
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