Articles
We Are What We Think
“Finally , brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, 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” (Phil. 4:8).
When we change our heart and minds, we change our lives. That is what repentance is all about, a change of will. A change of mind about God. It’s coming to that point in our lives in which, in intent and purpose, we are done with Satan. It is the anchor of transformation. In fact, without that crucifixion of the old man there can never be a new man. The new man is a result of the new mind.
A change of heart and mind changes the direction of our lives. So what do we think about? Paul says we should consider whatever is good, noble, honest, pure, and right. If we truly want behavioral modification, we must start with a changed mind. Keeping that mind new means thinking about good and righteous things.
Do we fill our mind with negative, self-incriminating thoughts, or do we speak to ourselves about noble things? We should not expect the direction of our lives to be any different than what we think about.
The person who is sincerely thankful will be more content. The individual who remembers what is right about his or her life will be more cheerful. The person who looks to a brighter future will be more optimistic. The individual who is filled with hope will be anchored when the storms of life come rolling down.
Thinking about something often leads to excitement. The reverse is also true. What we often think about can drag us down and create dark, lonesome days. If we think only of what is wrong with the world, our marriages, our kids, the local congregation, our bills, etc., then gloom will characterize our lives.
We have not been called to gloom and doom. We have been called to be something greater. We have been called to be children of God, who live with the brightest future imaginable. When we fill our days with godly thoughts, the direction we walk will always be upward. It all begins with how we think, looking to grow with God.
“When we change our hearts and minds, we change the direction of our lives. When we get excited about life, we get a life that is exciting” (Jon Gordon).
