“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” -Philippians 4:8
If you are struggling with your thought life, here are several questions to consider: What are your influences? Who or what are you entertaining? What are you watching? Where are you going? What are you allowing into your spirit? What are you doing when no one is looking? What words are you speaking?
Like the old saying goes, “Garbage in, garbage out.”
Replace ungodly input with what is wholesome.
Eventually, what you put in comes out. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. As a child of God, your life is set apart unto God for His service, to be a living sacrifice, and therefore, your life is precious and is to be kept pure before God. Whatever you allow into your life influences you and will show itself at some point in your walk with God. Purity is so important in order to keep yourself holy. If you are watching things, you would be ashamed to watch if Christ were sitting right there beside you, then you should not be watching those things. If you are going places you would be ashamed to admit you're going to if Christ were right by your side, then you shouldn't be going to those places. Why are you going to deliberately choose what is impure and displeasing to God? Be mindful and careful of the One whose name you claim to bear. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of what you are allowing into your life through your eyes, ears, hands, body, soul, and spirit. And when the Holy Spirit convicts you about the places you are going, don't push aside the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit and stop doing what you are doing. God is warning you, and the Holy Spirit is guiding you to stay away from what is not pleasing to God.
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD God is the eternal Rock." -Isaiah 26:3-4
Know what God thinks and what He has to say. Read the Word of God and study His Word. It gives you what you need so you can fix your eyes on what is eternal. Know you are able to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ because the Lord helps you and your strength comes from Him alone.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." -2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Be aware God is watching everything you do and hearing everything you say. Hate sin as God hates it and be aware that no sin is small in the eyes of God; sin separates you from God. Fill your moments up with knowing God and His perfect will and doing what God would have you to do.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for not being careful of the Name I claim to bear. Forgive me for allowing that which is impure and not pleasing to You into my life. Forgive me for every sin that lurks deep in my heart that stems off hostility and rebellion, Father, I ask that You cleanse me, and I throw myself on Your mercy. Help me to always be mindful of how much You hate sin and to discern what is right and wrong and make me sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so I do not grieve Your Holy Spirit. Father, thank You for Your mercy and Your grace. I cannot even breathe on my own, and I recognize that if I cannot breathe on my own, then what would ever make me think I could live life on my own? I cannot live without You. Lord, give me wisdom, and teach me the fear of the Lord and Your holiness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
Executive Director