What thoughts are appropriate?

Matthew 5:27-28“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Philippians 4:8Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. 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.

Appropriate thoughts honor God and are consistent with his Word. Inappropriate thoughts lead us away from God and the Word, including lust, envy, and hatred. They usually focus on selfish, sinful behavior. We should tap into God’s transforming power to concentrate on appropriate thoughts and to purge inappropriate thoughts from our minds. To focus on God and stay away from anything, particularly visual images that negatively affect our thoughts, will take daily discipline. When we are focused on Christ, we have little room for inappropriate thoughts and behavior.