The Daily {Intro} – Fix your Thoughts

When I first started Moms of Faith many years ago, I would write a devotional every day. Then I had another little child running around and it became more difficult! However, I have felt the Lord gently prodding me to get back to the basics. He wants me not only in His Word more, He also wants me to write more devotionals. So, here we go! :) First day of February and the first of “The Daily”. I will post at least 5 devotions per week. M-F…weekends as the Lord leads. See you Daily!

Fix your Thoughts

I am convinced that we overlook our thought life to the degree that many of our strongholds are rooted there. Every sin we commit begins as a thought. We must first think it before we do it.

Example: Our friend gets a new gadget that we have been pining for over the course of several months. When she is sharing her excitement, instead of feeling happy for her, we begin to get annoyed and wonder why “she” gets everything and we don’t. Before you know it, we are irritated with this poor woman who has done nothing wrong, and we are coveting HER blessing. So, not only are we jealous, envious and bitter, we are allowing a root to form in our minds. This root may later manifest itself as a hurtful comment, gossip or even downright alienation of this person. Why? Because we allowed our minds to be controlled by sin instead of taking control of our minds. Control that was given to us through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ!

I can offer many examples from marriage to work to how we feel about ourselves and others. However, the above example gives you something to chew on and to see how it all begins.

It is vital that we gain control of what we allow in, and what we allow our minds to think on.

And now, 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. – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

This Scripture was not put in the Word by accident. God knows us and understands how the mind works. He also gave us the power to overcome sin and put our minds under the submission of Christ.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 (Amplified)

Our enemy knows our weaknesses as well, and will take every opportunity to exploit them and set us up for failure. That is why it is vital that we are on constant watch.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

As I read these verses, it became clear that it is OUR job to take control of our own minds.

How can we do this?

The answer is both simple and complicated. LOL! It requires effort on our parts. We must be on constant guard. We must pay attention to what we are thinking about and lay down all that is impure, unlovely, and wrong at the Feet of Jesus. We must be careful what we allow in as well. I have written several devotionals about this topic, so I am not going to say too much about it. I will only remind you that if all we are watching, reading and listening to is sinful garbage, what do we expect to come from it?

Here is a great post on the topic.

Every time…EVERY time a sinful thought sneaks in, we need to rebuke it and replace it with “what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word. You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. You are a Mighty and Awesome God. Thank You that You have made sure that everything I need is within its pages. I pray that you help me to hold myself accountable. Help me to take control of my thoughts. Help me to replace unholy thoughts with Your Word. Help me to uproot any sinful roots that have planted themselves in my mind. Help me to train myself to think on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Help me to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Thank You! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

Homework:

Pay attention to what you are thinking about. Spend time in the Word…daily, so that you have something powerful to replace any sinful thoughts that come your way. Ask God to reveal to you anything in your life that could be contributing to any mind battles.

Read the devotional I told you about above. Here is the link again. Oh, and here is another one that ties in perfectly, The Words we Speak.

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved