Your Mind

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. . . . Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

WHAT KINDS OF thoughts do you let course through your mind each day?

Many of your thoughts may be right on track with God. But Christians do struggle with thoughts and images that come from the culture they live in or from the time before they met Christ. How does a person extinguish those bad thoughts and feelings?

Today’s verses are the antidote. Gene worked on his thoughts by memorizing Scripture. Carla dealt with her thoughts by refusing to listen to them and then meditating on something good—a praise song, a word such as peace, or a Bible verse. James fought off bad thoughts by praying and setting his mind on God.

There are many methods. God wants you to “fix your thoughts” on certain things—not the junk and garbage of the past or our culture, but on the good things of life and God’s Word: what’s true and honorable and right. What’s pure and lovely and admirable. Things that are excellent and praiseworthy. How do you get your thoughts “fixed” on such things? You focus your mind and heart on them. You simply pray, “God, help me think thoughts that honor you.” And then you make your mind dwell on the good things of God’s character and all he has done for you and others in your world. His promise is that his presence will be with you and bear peacefulness in your life.