Think About It
When I was a child, and off in my own world, my mom would say: “I’ll give you a penny for your thoughts.” I guess I was more introverted than normal, (to a certain degree I think I still am), and she was trying to get me to express myself and let her into my thought world. Though we may be quiet on the outside, our mind is continually active and expressing itself through thoughts, ideas, desires, and feelings. Even when our body is sleeping our mind is actively dreaming. It is interesting to note that the Bible says that the outcome of our life is determined by our mind, rather than by our circumstances. The King James Version translates Proverbs 23.7 this way: “As a man thinks in his heart so is he…” It also says that from the heart are the “springs of life”, (Prov. 4.23). My father-in-law used to say: “Just as a chain is as strong as its weakest link, the mind is as strong as its weakest think.” What goes on in your head is more important than you may realize.
The mind is like a computer. What goes in, stays in. It receives data through our physical senses and spirit, then interprets it into cognitive thoughts. These thoughts are then expressed in words that form the basis of our decisions. If we are not careful about what goes into our mind, the direction of our life will be determined by this negative input and not by the Spirit of God. When God speaks to us, He speaks to our spirit and then our mind interprets it so that it can be understood. If our mind has been polluted by fears, pessimism, doubts or perversion, then this “filter” cannot adequately function in discerning the message God has for us. The mind must be cleaned of all viruses. A “firewall” must be downloaded to protect our mind from evil thoughts and a new way of thinking must be established.
Paul told the Roman Church that the mind needed to be transformed. (Romans 12.1-2) This word, “transformed”, in the Greek, is the word, metamorphosis. It connotes a change in nature. In biology, metamorphosis is the word used to describe the process that happens when a caterpillar changes to a pupa and then to a butterfly. A butterfly is nothing like a caterpillar. It went through a complete transformation. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 12.2. By renewing our mind our lives are completely transformed so that we can experience God’s good and perfect will for our lives.
The key to transforming our mind is to think God’s thoughts. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so as we think on what is above we are lifted up. There is wisdom from below which is natural, unspiritual and demonic, (James 3.15). This pulls us down into unbelief and torment. But there is a wisdom from above, which is pure, gentle, peaceable and full of mercy, (v.17). This wisdom reflects the thoughts of God. What would you rather have? Paul told the Roman Church to set their minds on the things of the Spirit. This was their security system that kept the “hackers” out. To the Philippians he said: “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable….worthy of praise…think about these things.” (Phil. 4.8) What you think is what you become.
My virus protection plan is found in Psalms 19.14. It reads: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” When negative thoughts invade my mind or I am tempted to meditate on what is below, I quote this Scripture to myself and set my mind on His thoughts. The virus is then deleted and peace returns. Think about it. Download it.
Scriptures to meditate on:
John 5.13; Phil. 4.8; Psalms 19.14; II Cor. 3.18; 10.4; Rom. 12.1-2