By Tonia Shroyer – Senior Pastor
How much time do you spend thinking about the Word of God? If you are having problems in any area of your life, that’s a question worth asking.
Are we paying attention to what we are thinking about? The devil cannot read our mind, but he sure can tempt us to think crazy thoughts and lies!
“Among these we as well as you once lived and ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind…” Ephesians 2:3 AMPC
The devil will control our lives through our thoughts IF we allow him to. But, God has given us a powerful defensive weapon with His written Word.
It reveals the truth of who we are and what we have. It dispels lies and darkness. Psalms reveals what can be ours if we invest our time in thinking about the ways of God.
“… but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3 NIV
How do we learn to renew our mind, to not freak out, and to stand against the wiles of the devil?
“… Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” Mark 4:24 AMPC
The world wants something for nothing, but in the kingdom, we reap what we sow. God multiplies whatever we give him (Luke 9:15-17).
Put the Word IN
Who doesn’t enjoy hearing others preach the Word of God, listening to podcasts, or reading the Bible? Are we dedicated to making the Word a disciplined part of our lives? That includes what we think and speak about.
Satan loves to detour us into dwelling on what is going wrong around us (our circumstances), but the real problem is what is going on inside of us (our thoughts).
We are responsible for where our mind goes and what thoughts it holds. We should stop worrying about what others think.
And let’s drop the habit of overthinking. Give yourself a break! Jesus paid the price for us to receive what is ours. Peace that passes all understanding is one of those blessings…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Put the Junk OUT
Clear out fear and confusion in the name of Jesus Christ. Allow the Word of God to bring clarity and a settling to whatever is weighing on your mind. Forgive yourself, forgive others and LET IT GO (Mark 11:25).
Image designed by Rex Morache
Then it will be easier to absorb and retain the Word that we are meditating on.
God’s Word reveals what right-thinking consists of…
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and honorable and, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and, whatever is kind and winsome and, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” Philippians 4:8 AMPC
If we eat a bunch of junk food, it eventually makes us feel terrible. It’s the same with our minds.
If we feed it a bunch of junkie thoughts and lies, it erodes our confidence and brings instability. Let’s take inventory of our minds and keep fresh thoughts that agree with the mind of Christ.
In Ephesians 1:17-18, Paul prays that we believers would gain wisdom by having the eyes of our heart enlightened. When we receive Christ as our Savior, the gift of holy spirit comes to dwell in us.
The holy spirit knows the mind of God. Wisdom and revelation are imparted to our spirit, and our spirit then enlightens the eyes of our heart (mind).
“For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11 AMPC
A Mind at Rest
The mind is in a normal, balanced state when it’s neither busy nor blank, but at rest.
Concentration is needed for us to assimilate the Word of God into our hearts and to comprehend its meaning. Fatigue can affect our focus and comprehension and make it more difficult to resist the devil when he attacks our thoughts.
Speaking in tongues is a great way to settle our mind and rest our body.
“To these [complaining Jews the Lord] had said, This is the true rest (the way to true comfort and happiness] that you shall give to the weary, and, This is the [true] refreshing…” Isaiah 28:12 AMPC (see also I Corinthians 14:21,which references Isaiah)
Let’s expect that God can and will do miraculous works for us and through us, like he did for Jesus. It starts with what we are thinking about.
Let’s get a new mindset. My favorite all-time verse is Luke 1:37.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 ESV
It reminds us that all things are possible with God. That promise is worth believing and building our expectations on. We can enjoy allowing the Scriptures to launch our mind and thoughts in a new direction.
Thinking about the Scriptures and spending disciplined time in meditative study and reflection about the ways of God will keep our hearts free from bondage and open to kingdom revelation.
Let’s Do This!
Time is short. Let’s make the most of our inheritance.
“And set your minds and them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 AMPC