Thinking about Your Thoughts

Photo taken by Abbie at the Butterfly forest in the Otago museum in Dunedin

Have you ever thought about what you think about?

We probably don't consider our thoughts very often. They are just harmless, simple things, right? No one knows what we think. Except for us. They are ours alone. Private, precious things. They can't hurt anyone or anything. It doesn't matter what we think on.

I am here today to challenge that opinion, ladies and gentlemen. Can I assure you that it DOES matter what you think about - far, far, far more than you or I can possibly know.

Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)
Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. 

and the same verse again in a different version (because I love how they both put it!

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Solomon was a very wise man. He was the wisest mortal human ever. His writings have been recorded in the book of Proverbs. Not only was he wise, but since those of his writings ended up in the Bible (which is the infallible Word of God), we can be pretty sure that what is written there is true. And Proverbs tells us to be careful what we think, because our thoughts run our lives (whether we know it or not).

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

I have found, over my life, that the more I think about discouraging things the more discouraged I feel. The more cheerful, happy thoughts I think about, the more cheerful and happy I feel. And the more cheerful and happy are those around me. Because cheerfulness is catching. And so is discouragement, just in case you were wondering.

What am I trying to get at here? Well, firstly and foremostly, BE VERY CAREFUL about your thoughts. Often if you notice a rogue thought that doesn't agree with what God's word says, that thought can actually be from the devil. 

And our thoughts are powerful. If we allow ourselves to think about the wrong things we will eventually become poisoned by our own thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Have a great day!

P.S. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer is a great book on this subject to read.