“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)

Ralph Waldo Emerson is given credit for the saying, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” This saying by Emerson seems to echo the verse quoted above.

According to Proverbs 23:7, our thoughts shape our lives. We become what we think. No wonder God tells us to renew our minds. Our old unregenerate mind (the mind before we accepted Christ as our Savior) doesn’t have a natural inclination to think wholesome thoughts. Our thoughts flow from the heart and God describes the heart as being desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

If we are going to fulfill our purpose and achieve good success, we must think godly thoughts. The mind has to be renewed. Our old carnal thoughts must be replaced with healthy thoughts. 

According to Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist and audiologist, our brain is continuously producing thoughts. In her book, “Switch on Your Brain (p. 46),” she states, “You are a thinking being; you think all day long, and you are even thinking while you sleep. Daytime thinking is a building process, whereas night thinking is a sorting process.”

Since we think twenty-four hours a day and our thoughts determine who we will become, shouldn’t we think positive thoughts toward ourselves, others, and life at all times? The enemy of our souls wants us to remain hostage to our unregenerate mind-set. If we don’t renew our minds, we will never be the successful, God-honoring people God designed us to be. 

Satan influenced Eve with a thought, which led her to eat the forbidden fruit. Her action, coupled with Adam’s participation, plunged the world into sin and degradation. Their disobedience is a good illustration of the destructive nature of our thoughts.

When we were born-again, born of the Spirit, our spirit was restored; made new by the Holy Spirit. However, our soul (mind, will, emotions, and intellect) still needed an overhaul, a renewing, which is a process.

According to the Scriptures and science, we can change our thought patterns by rewiring the brain. As Christ-followers, we are admonished to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:23).

Dr. Caroline Leaf also states in her book, Switch On Your Brain (p.39), “Choice is real, and free will exists. You are able to stand outside of yourself, observe your own thinking, consult with God, and change the negative, toxic thought or grow the healthy, positive thought. When you do this, your brain responds with a positive neurochemical rush and structural changes that will improve your intellect, health and peace. You will experience soul harmony.”

God never asks us to do anything that He hasn’t given us the ability to do. Deuteronomy 30:19 demonstrates this point. God said to the people, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

Joshua made this declaration before he died, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

How do we rewire the brain? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” We demolish everything that comes against our minds that is not in alignment with God, and we arrest every thought and make it subject to Christ.

Philippians 4:8 gives us specific things to meditate on. “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.”

God has given us the power to change, the formula for change, the choice to change rests with us.

Remember, we become what we think. Watch those thoughts!

Pray…

Lord, keeping my thoughts pure can be a challenge. Thank You for helping me destroy the evil thoughts that attack my mind. I want to glorify You in my thought life and be the person You designed me to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Posted by on Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 @ 10:00AM
Categories: Empowering, Encouragement, Inspirational