Many of our thoughts during a day deal with the routine and are not spiritual in nature. These are thoughts that each of us make by living in this world.
However, there are thoughts that create choices that each of us must make that determine who we are, the quality of our walk with the Lord, and the depth of our compassion for others. How we deal with these thoughts is all important to Christ. Proverbs 23:7 is an incredibly insightful verse, “For as a Man thinks within himself, so he is.” How do we condition and filter our minds on the input side so that our actions on the output side produce wholesome thoughts creating behavior that honors and reflects Jesus?
1st, we must have an alert, insightful security system with active alarms making sure that “each and every thought” is trusted to God. That security/alarm system is the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 declares, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word…I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You.” Jesus speaks to this by “saying if you continue in My Word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” God’s word is so alive and active “like a surgeon’s scalpel” piercing down to the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. The Bible invades our being at the thought level before a decision is made enabling each Christ-follower the wisdom to make a solid decision.
2nd, our hearts (center of thought generation) must trust God “with each and every thought.” Philippians 4:6 states “Do not be anxious about anything (each thing), but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving.” God wants us to be careful with each anxious, worrisome, lustful, materialistic, power playing, jealous, envious, demeaning, bitter, selfish thought. Rid yourself of each of these anxious thoughts “praying and pleading with thanksgiving.” Paul the Apostle tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Hebrews 12:1&2 says it this way, “let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking at only at Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”
Proverbs 3:5&6 challenges us to “Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, leaning not on your own understanding. In all things (everything) recognize Him as God, and He will make your paths straight.” If you trust Him in everything, He will calmly and wisely guide each thought “making your paths straight.”
Barnabas Man 