According to a recent study put out by Queens University in Canada, the average person has 6,200 thoughts per day. That’s a new thought every 13.9 seconds. Our brains are constantly downloading information from work, online platforms, newspaper ads, billboards, our smartphones, tablets and interactions with others. We even have our own internal thoughts and dialogues speaking to us. All of these lines of communication are influencing us whether we realize it or not. That’s why it’s so important for us to take inventory of what we are thinking about and what we grant access into our hearts.
The Bible says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7a NLT). We become what we think on. In other words, every thought we allow to formulate and take root in our hearts will eventually lead to actions, and our actions will chart the course of our lives and destiny. That’s why God wants us to protect what comes into our spirit. In Proverbs 4:24 NIV it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Job, a godly man mentioned in Scripture, knew this. He stated, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
Why? Because he knew that if he allowed those images to take hold of him, they would eventually affect him in a negative way. He was wise enough to heed godly wisdom. The Apostle Paul recognized this too. He exhorts us with this passage of Scripture,
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]” (Philippians 4:8 AMP)
What we allow into our spirits or our inner beings will affect us for good or bad. If we consume inappropriate information whether visually or through our ears, it will eventually influence our behavior and actions. So, what do you do when you are faced with negative images or thoughts that bombard your mind and heart? You change the channel.
Have you ever channel surfed before? It’s when you look for something good to watch on TV and you keep switching the channel until you find a program worth watching. If you happen to come across something inappropriate or not worth watching, you simply flip the channel and keep going. In the same way, when negative imagery and thoughts try to settle in our hearts, whether from the enemy or from our own carnal desires that rise up from within us, we don’t have to just sit there and consume it. We can actually on purpose switch the channel and dwell on something that is good, pleasing and wholesome. For instance, a thought of lust may pop into your mind. You don’t have to let it stay there and grow. Instead, you can change the channel. Or maybe a desire to hold a grudge against a family member who wronged you fights to grab a hold of your heart. You can tell your flesh and the devil, “Not today!” Change the channel to She is forgiven. Or I’m not going to keep any record of wrong. Or I will pray for my enemies. Maybe insecurities try to rise up on the inside of you and you feel inferior to those around you. Don’t take the bait. Switch the channel to You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Can you see why it’s so important to spend time with God in prayer and in reading the Bible? God will help us recognize truth from lies and give us the power to choose the right path. King David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). He chose to spend time getting God’s word deep down on the inside of him so that he would recognize any wayward path.
God said to Joshua as he was getting ready to lead His people into the Promise Land, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” God was compelling Joshua and His people to remember His precepts and laws because they were about to go into a land that had foreign customs and false gods that had the potential of polluting their minds and taking them far away from God.
We are encouraged as New Testament Believers to put on the full armor of God to protect ourselves against the lies of the enemy and external influences. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart and the helmet of salvation protects our mind. In addition, the shield of faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the devil and his schemes.
As you go about your week, ask God to help you recognize the lies of the enemy, the negative influences of the world or even your own fleshly nature that so often bombards your mind and heart. Ask Him to help you quickly change the channel and begin dwelling on truth that will set you free. Our spiritual weapons are powerful in God for the destruction of strongholds, which are wrong patterns of thinking that keep us from experiencing God’s best. One last thing: Don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to develop positive ways of thinking. You’ve probably had plenty of practice with wrong thinking patterns. Continue to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and if you fall down, own it, receive God’s mercy and get back up. God is with you to help you overcome every battle in your mind.
Cory,
This is a wonderful post and it is advice that we all continually need, especially as Christians. I became a believer when I was 8 years old but most of my life I did not live in obedience to God. Within the past 3 years God has really grabbed a hold of my spirit and I am, now, consistently submitting to HIM and HIS word. The first thing I did in my relationship to God was to remind myself over and over again that Jesus died for my sins. It was as if, before, I was living my life not aware of God’s salvation, but NOW I am coming back to my first love and Jesus is saying, “Look what I did for you!! I died for you! I Love you!!” I had to really let the salvation of Jesus sink into my spirit and become real in my life. It was then, I started consistently reading HIS word and intentionally focusing my thoughts and actions toward pleasing God, rather than myself.
I believe what you said here is so true, “Can you see why it’s so important to spend time with God in prayer and in reading the Bible? God will help us recognize truth from lies and give us the power to choose the right path. King David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). He chose to spend time getting God’s word deep down on the inside of him so that He would recognize any wayward path.” (Yes!)
I love the heart of David, and we absolutely need to have the Word of God in our heart. I know because I lived without it for so long! BUT God is patient and compassionate and gracious and I am soooooo thankful HE died for me!
Cory, I believe God is using you, even if you do not see it or realize it. KEEP close to HIM. I know people in ministry can get discouraged BUT don’t discourage, keep doing the work God has given you even if it doesn’t look like what you think it should. God knows and HE is doing good through you. You are living, at this very moment, in the will of God. It is encouraging to me to see other Christians, such as yourself, living under the authority of God. It is, unfortunately, hard to find these days even within the Church, BUT God is a good! Keep up the good work! God bless you, Brother!
~Eve
Thank you for your encouragement, Eve! And thank you for sharing some of your testimony. That was true of me, too. I lived many years of my Christian life going through the motions, not realizing there was so much more for Christians to experience. I am sooooooo grateful God opened my eyes, and by His grace, am able to help others discover these same truths. I pray God’s very best for you in the days ahead. You are a bright light, a city on a hill for Jesus!