Battling Destructive Thoughts and Words
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
Imagine an old brick house covered in ivy. It looks beautiful and mysterious. The ivy creeps over the walls and the house takes on a different personality as the ivy spreads. But the ivy plant has root tendrils on the vines that penetrate into the surface of whatever it climbs on. Those roots attach the vine to the brick and mortar and begin to draw out the moisture. The vines spread and the leaves cover the walls and windows, blocking out the light. The vines will work their way under siding, in through windows and eventually, the ivy will damage the brick and destroy the mortar, compromising the integrity of the structure. Though it looks ‘pretty’ it becomes a silent enemy that will eventually destroy a house.
The power of words
Words can be similar to that ivy. They may seem innocent at first, just a surface thing that doesn’t do harm. But they can penetrate and cause damage, blocking out the light of Truth and drawing away the Living Water. Words can become dark thoughts that linger and penetrate into the heart and mind and cause destruction.
Our sons and daughters struggle with the battle against destructive words, even if they won’t admit it, because we know we do too…even if we won’t admit it. If asked to remember the kindest thing someone ever said to us, we might take a few moments to recall. But if asked to share the hardest or most hurtful thing, we can almost immediately call it to mind. Harsh words stick like glue.
This world is hard and the messaging that is being thrown at our sons and daughters is brutal. Standards they should attain to, but that are nearly impossible to meet; negative messaging that tears down their self-worth; comparisons that daily steal their joy - it all accumulates and festers. It creates a narrative that becomes their daily soundtrack. Sometimes we recognize the struggle in our children, other times they hide it well, but we know the negative words and messages are bombarding them and making an impact.
As believing parents, we have a responsibility to keep speaking truth into their lives, not just when they need it, but all the time. Will we wait and just ‘admire the proverbial ivy’ while it slowly and steadily destroys them, or will we begin to speak truth in ways that could transform their hearts and minds? Will we begin to tear down the destructive “ivy” of negative words and dark thoughts that would penetrate and destroy? We need to ensure that the messages they are hearing are Godly and right and will impact them for good. We cannot risk them struggling with dark thoughts that become deeply rooted and cause cracks in their spiritual foundation.
We can and should speak truth in love and point them to the power of the cross and the resurrection, not just when we see them struggling, but at every opportunity. There is power in the name of Jesus and the gospel is for everyone, everyday, not just on the day of salvation.
The best way to preserve a house from the damage of creeping ivy is to remove it- all of it. It’s not welcome. It’s destructive. And so it is with the words we choose to listen to, the values we choose to embrace, the practices we choose to engage in. If they are not Godly and we allow them to cling to us and take root, they will begin to change our stability and alter our spiritual integrity and obscure the light of God from our life.
So how do we best combat dark, destructive thoughts?
Scripture says “Take every thought captive” that comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Demolish arguments.
What is it that you are listening to? What is trying to define you? What arguments are speaking into your worth and value? Evaluate their truth and pull down those lies from the pit that are trying to root themselves into your heart and mind. Don’t allow them to take hold and do damage.
The arguments are what the Greek calls “logismos” and it means a speculation or imagination (1). Do you see? There is little basis in truth, if any. It’s a guess, it’s an idea, it’s nothing that would hold up in court because there is little to no evidence to support it. Demolish it.
2. Demolish pretensions.
Pretentions are those ‘lofty thoughts’. The Greek word is ‘hypsoma’ and it means an elevated place or thing, or a barrier (2). What are the imagined barriers or those obstacles that situations or people put up in front of us? What are those things that exalt themselves over the truth of Scripture? Are they godly? Are they worthy? Are they deserving of our time, energy, and emotions? If not, knock them down. Detour around them. Break through them. Don’t invest in them because when you do, you’re redirecting your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual resources to something that is not of Godly.
3. Demolish every thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Evaluate the thoughts and feelings against the truth of John 1:1-5. Where do they originate? Do they honor and exalt God? Are they thoughts and feelings God would give you? Do they speak life and light or are they representing darkness, confusion, and oppression? Rebuke any thoughts that do not represent Christ - they are of the enemy and should not have a place in your life. Do not give the enemy a foothold. Tear them down and focus on what is good, just, pure, and lovely (Phil 4:8). If something is set against God, it is not promoting or sustaining the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit is a great standard by which to gauge the godliness of thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.
4. Take every thought captive and bring it into obedience.
The Greek word here is aichmalōtizō and it means to conquer, bring under control, or to master (3). We have the ability to ‘pump the brakes’ and stop our wrong thinking. We have the capacity to arrest the wild thoughts, bring an end to the oppressive, accusatory dialogue and to, instead, set our minds on things that glorify the Lord. Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Absolutely!
5. Finally, choose to make our thoughts obedient to that which pleases God.
We must choose to do what the Greek calls hypakoē, which means attentive listening, compliance or submission (4). We must choose to bring our thoughts and feelings into compliance to God’s will, not leave them to the mercy of the arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against God and against His image-bearer.
Colossians 3:1-3 is the confirmation we need.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Set your hearts. Make the choice. Be intentional.
The enemy wants us to live in the darkness of death. He deceives us into thinking that we are condemned and we have no hope. He lures us into lingering in the shadows- but our Savior walks through the shadows with us and it’s because of His light we can see the dangers and be confident of His protection! He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, Psalm 23. We can rejoice and celebrate because Christ has won! We are redeemed! The enemy holds no power over us unless we allow it, and why would we?
Demolish it. Take it captive. Bring every thought into obedience.
These are the steps to overcome negative, dark, depressive thinking. These are the steps to a victorious mindset. We must choose where we will allow our thoughts to reside. We must choose what we will speak into the lives of others. It is important and urgent that we choose wisely and encourage our sons and daughters with the same.
Commit to pray
“Father, God, You see the struggles I have with my own thoughts and feelings. I know You see (name), too. You understand their struggles, their fears, their doubts and self-doubt. You see the enemy trying to leech living water and spiritual nutrition from them as he entwines his dark thoughts and casts his shadow of worthlessness and doubt. I rebuke this in Jesus name! I pray that You would help (name) to take every thought captive. As soon as those negative, questioning, dark thoughts begin to linger, I pray that they would capture them, rebuke them, and shift their thinking to what is right and true. Speak into them, Lord, their worth as a child of God, chosen and dearly loved. Strengthen them through Your Holy Spirit to demolish the arguments that would set themselves up against Your Word, Your Character, Your Truth. I pray that they would daily, moment by moment, bring every thought into obedience to You and Your will so they can live in victory. I pray that You would bring to mind Scripture that would encourage them. Help them to evaluate what they hear and choose to believe against Philippians 4:8 “...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].” (AMP) Lord, You are able to transform their mind and I pray You would do that, even today. Let the words of their mouth and the meditation of their heart be pleasing to You, Psalm 19:14. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and you would like to know more, keep reading! Scripture says we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Though we live ‘rightly’, do good, give of our time and resources, it’s not enough. Our sin is too great for us to atone for. But Jesus, the Son of God, came in human form to live among us and to be a sacrifice for our sin- for the sin of the world. He lived a sinless life and died on our behalf so that we could be reconciled to God. In our sin, we cannot stand before a righteous and just God- we have no good in us. All of our ‘righteousness’ is just like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin on our behalf. He paid the price for our sin once, for all. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God looks on us and sees Jesus. We are made holy and just. We are acceptable to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. When we choose to follow Jesus, we make Him the focal point of our life, we pattern our life after Him and we live to serve and please Him. He promises everlasting life in His presence and an inheritance unlike any other. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved.” Romans 10:9 This is not religion, it’s not a set of rules or a checklist of things you must accomplish, it’s a personal relationship with the One True God, the Almighty, Creator of the Universe and lover of our souls. Would you choose to follow Jesus today? Pray this prayer,
“Lord, I know that I’m a sinner. I’ve done many things wrong, thought things that were impure, said things that were hurtful. Lord, I’m undeserving. But I believe Jesus died for my sin. I believe He rose again from the dead, conquering sin and death and that He lives eternally. I confess my sin and ask for Your forgiveness. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life. I ask Jesus, that You would be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Make me new and give me life beyond the grave. Thank you for forgiveness and for the hope of heaven. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, reach out! I would be so happy to give you some resources and some encouragement! Knowing Jesus truly is life-changing!
G3053 - logismos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3053/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G5313 - hypsōma - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5313/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G163 - aichmalōtizō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g163/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G5218 - hypakoē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5218/niv/mgnt/0-1/
When the Weight of Your Thoughts Overwhelms You
We all know that feeling we get when things become too much. Whether the grief is bubbling to the surface, and we can’t hold it in, or the weight of worry is burying us under layers of concern and we feel like we’re going to suffocate, we feel the weight. When the dark thoughts creep in it’s hard to fight against the tide that seems to be too strong to turn. The worry and anxiety do not just set the tone for our day, they can consume it. So how do we fight it? And how can we encourage those we love in helpful ways that will point them to Christ in the struggle to manage the overwhelm?
Psalm 94:19 gives us some guidance; check out these three translations:
“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” (NIV)
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (NKJV)
“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (ESV)
Did you see it? WE can’t change anything…but God CAN and He WILL!!
The word anxiety (cares) comes from the Hebrew the word “sarapin” and means “disquieting thoughts.” 1 We’ve all experienced those, haven’t we?
Whether it’s worry over our kids, concern over a situation that feels out of control, fear of the unknown or grief over recent news, our hearts can only withstand so much. When we’re overwhelmed, our minds spin and build upon what is already present. It marinates. It festers. It distracts us from God and steals our peace. It’s not how God wants us to live.
When our thoughts battle against one another or against our peace of mind and heart, that is what Hebrew calls “sarapin”. The word “sarapin” stems from the root word “səipa” which means “ambivalence, division, or divided opinion.”2 And when we give space to those anxious thoughts, they can begin to consume us and distract our mind and heart from focusing on and trusting in God.
But God has a remedy for the confusion and division. Notice…GOD has the remedy. As much as we might try, we don’t have the power to will ourselves to be comforted. But God does!
His consolation or comfort is present and available to us. The Hebrew word “tanhumot” means “compassion or solace.”3 and that word comes from the word “naham” which means “to take a deep breath and be comforted.”4
Remember when our children would cry, sob with ragged breaths and sniff back the tears? We would gather them in, sweep the hair out of their eyes and gently rub their back or arm. Oftentimes we would gently tell them, “just breathe” and we could see them begin to settle and grow calm. Friends, that’s what our Heavenly Father tells us, too, “Just breathe. Rest in My strength. Lean into Me and find comfort and solace. My comforts can delight and cheer your very soul.” Why is it that we resist? Why do we think we have to settle our hearts in our own strength?
If we invite Him to, God settles and smooths our thoughts and our heart so that our troubled minds can be calmed and rest. He longs to give us joy, delight, and cheer! And what better way to demonstrate to others that we have the joy of the Lord?!
Today, take time to pray and pour out your heart to the Lord. Tell Him all the things that are weighing you down. He can bear the load- nothing is too much for Him. Be honest about your fears and your anger, your hurt and confusion. Lean into Him and let Him comfort you. He can and He will.
Then, take time to read the Psalms, maybe listen to some praise and worship music. Just sit and be still. God has abundant comfort for our needs, we only need sit at His feet and ask.
Pray without ceasing.
1. H8312 - śarʿapîm - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8312/kjv/wlc/0-1/
2. H5587 - sᵊʿipâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5587/kjv/wlc/0-1/
3. H8575 - tanḥûmôṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8575/kjv/wlc/0-1/
4. H5162 - nāḥam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5162/kjv/wlc/0-1/
The Battle of the Mind- Loving God with All of It
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Loving God with all our mind seems like a ‘no-brainer’, right? We know we should do that. We talk about it. We encourage others to do it. It’s likely we taught our sons and daughters this very scripture. But when it comes down to it, how do we really do that… and are we intentional about it? Do we really understand what it means to love God with all our mind?
The word ‘mind’ in Matthew 22:37 is the Greek word, dianoia. It means “deep thought, the ability of the mind or its disposition, by implication, its exercise: imagination, mind, understanding.” (1) That encompasses quite a bit, doesn’t it? If our thoughts are captive on God (2 Corinthians 10:5), we are spiritually setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3) and protecting ourselves from spiritual attack and oppression. We are intentionally exercising our minds in ways that will spiritually strengthen and protect us.
But there’s more. Let’s break the word “dianoia” down a bit more. It’s important to dig in so we really understand. The prefix of the word dianoia is ‘dia’, which means “through, over, across, the channel of an action”(2). The second part of dianoia is the Greek word “nous” which means, “mind or understanding” (3) and comes from the root word “ginosko” meaning to “allow, be aware of, feel, have knowledge, perceive, be resolved, be sure, understand.” (4)
Think about it. The Greek word for mind is vastly more detailed than what we might recognize by only reading the English. Dianoia involves the channel or direction of one's thoughts, the depth of their understanding and what one chooses to allow to be present and active in their mind; what they are pondering and meditating on. It’s the direction, the action and the permission of our thought life.
Dianoia isn’t a word we use on the daily. It’s likely we may be more familiar with the word ‘paranoia’. The prefix of the word, “para” means “beside, next to, near, against or contrary to”(5). When we focus on what is near or around us (para), it can stir fear. If we allow what is contrary to God to consume our thoughts, we are dwelling on things that do not support Godly thinking. What we choose to marinate in begins to saturate us. It colors our thinking. It flavors our choices. It overtakes us so that we think of Godly things less and less and we become more and more filled with the world around us. We need the ‘dia’ not the ‘para’.
The little things matter, friends. What we choose to watch and listen to. What we read and discuss. Who we fellowship with and how and where all impact our thinking. And our thinking impacts everything. Are we taking intentional time to think on God’s word and meditate on His precepts? Are we marinating in the honey of the Word or the acid of the world? We need to pray for our sons and daughters and, really, for all believers that as this world grows darker, we strive intentionally to love God with all our mind.
Are we marinating in the honey of the Word or the acid of the world?
“Love the Lord your God with all your mind.” It’s a straightforward command that we need to embrace with all that we are. We need to be intentional. God will not falter or cool in His love for us, be we can certainly grow cold in our love for Him.
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” Matthew 24:12
Today, let’s pray for our sons and daughters, for our friends and loved ones, that they would understand and pursue loving God with all their mind. Pray for purity in thought. Pray that they would choose ‘dia’ over ‘para’. If we look around, we’ll be overcome by the darkness and decay of the world, but if we choose to look toward God, we’ll be blessed and protected. We’ll know hope- elpis - the eager expectation of good and the confident joyful expectation of eternal salvation (6).
“Father, you call us to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5). You know that Satan attacks our minds and it is there that the spiritual battle and downfall begin. Lord, help (name) to love You with all of their mind. Don’t allow them to give away little corners and pieces of their mind. Protect them from ‘marinating’ in ideas and activities that would have them dwell on ungodly things. Lord, let the helmet of salvation protect their mind from any attacks because we know our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Help (name) to set their mind on things above (dia), not on earthly things (para) and strengthen them to walk faithfully with You. Lord, time is short. Our world is dark. Satan will do anything he can to destroy believers and keep unbelievers from turning to Jesus. I pray Your mighty protection over each of my family and friends and over Your Church today and in the days to come. Lord, work mightily and may all the glory be Yours now and forever, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
G1271 - dianoia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1271/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1223 - dia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1223/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1223 - dia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1223/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1097 - ginōskō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1097/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Para-word meaning. Wiktionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/para-#:~:text=From%20Ancient%20Greek%20%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AC%20(par%C3%A1,against%2C%20contrary%20to%E2%80%9D).
G1680 - elpis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1680/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Pray without ceasing.
*Join the PAC Prayer will be taking a short break for the month of March. See you in April! Until then, pray faithfully. Pray often. Pray without ceasing.
The Battle of the Mind
Philippians 3:18-21 “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Here’s a startling statement: either we live for Christ, or we are His enemy.
What does it mean to be an enemy of the cross? That word, enemy, in the original Greek means hateful, hostile, at enmity with God (1). Often we think of hate as the act of rebellion and venomous speech, resisting and fighting against something with every ounce of physical and emotional strength. But hate can be a passive hostility, a rebellious spirit or a hard attitude against something or someone. Hate is a mindset. It won’t dissolve without a change. Unless the mind is convinced, the heart won’t follow.
And here’s the thing. The battle is all in the mind. Satan is the great deceiver. He will convince us, beyond a doubt, that his lie is the truth. He will deceive us into thinking that the darkness is where we will thrive. He will convince us to drink his poison to satisfy our thirst only to laugh and watch us choke on his evil. He will invade our minds and thoughts to keep us from submitting to God and will, rather, convince us that we can and should be our own god. Psalm 10:4 “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
We need to fight this battle right where it’s happening. We need to ask the Lord to intercede in the minds of our sons and daughters and redeem them from the grip of the Enemy. We need to pray scripture to fight Satan. When Jesus was tempted, he answered Satan with scripture, He fought the battle of the mind with the very words of God. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Today, let's take time to pray scripture over the minds and hearts of our sons and daughters. God is able to intervene and turn enemies of the cross into faithful followers who love Him with their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Pray without ceasing!
1. G2190 - echthros - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2190/kjv/tr/0-1/
Boundaries of the Thoughts & Mind
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
The battlefield of the mind is a dangerous place. There we struggle with thoughts and desires. We ponder sin...or make a firm determination to avoid it. We wrestle with doubt, anger, dark thoughts and depression. We relive memories that often contain vivid reminders of our faults and failures. The mind is certainly a battleground where the Enemy can disable and defeat us.
So what can we do? First, we need to demolish those arguments that fight against what we know is true according to God’s word. We DEMOLISH them. We don’t just set them aside or push them down, we need to destroy them. Then, we have to take every thought captive. If it’s not pleasing to the Lord or edifying to our hearts and minds, it’s gotta go. What are we meditating on? Do we want to feast on the fresh, spiritual food of scripture, or do we find delight in chewing on years-old, spoiled ‘leftovers’ from our faults and failures?
Next, we must remind ourselves of what is true. We are made in the image of God. Think about that. We bear the image of the Almighty God! He created us in His likeness (Gen 1:26). So we are God’s ultimate creation! Then, He set eternity in our hearts- giving us a sense of purpose and a longing for more than what we see and experience here on earth (Ecc. 3:11). So our value is rooted in the image we bear and the purpose we hold; they are spiritual, eternal, and gospel-directed.
The Enemy hates that. He will do all he can to destroy us. He HATES image-bearers. His arguments set themselves up against everything God says is right and true! So, when our thoughts and hearts veer from our God-given value and purpose, when they argue and war against what we know is right and true, we need to stop and redirect them back to God’s truth once again. Take every thought captive!! Don’t entertain them, don’t linger with them, don’t abide with them. Too often we get ‘comfortable’ with our negative thoughts. We live with them and maybe even feel consigned to carry them- it’s our ‘lot in life’. It’s just the way it is and although we don’t like it, we are so familiar with that mindset that to try and break out means abandoning our ‘comfort zone’, despite the dark discomfort it brings. Stop!! Do not give the Enemy space in your thoughts! Hang a ‘no vacancy’ sign and fill your mind with the Truth of scripture!!
But we don’t just take those thoughts captive and then sit there. No, we bring them into obedience to Christ. We have to shift our thinking. When Christ redeemed us, He pulled us out of the swamp of our sin. We were not meant to continue living there, up to our necks in the muck and mire of our iniquities. He changed our hearts, our minds and our spiritual destination. So, when we struggle with thoughts and feelings that are negative, dark and defeating, we’re heading back to the swamp. God placed boundaries for us to protect us from that space...let’s not jump the wall and head back to our sinful, hopelessness.
So, then, what do we think on? Whatever is true- we are made in God’s image, we are His children, we are holy and dearly loved. That is truth! Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life- think on Him!! Then, whatever is noble- that’s the stuff that’s honorable and honest, not the lies from the pit, but the Truth from the Word! Whatever is pure and unpolluted is what should be at home in our hearts and minds. Leave no room for filth and lies. If it’s of ‘this world’ it’s likely tainted...so fill your minds with scripture! Then, whatever is lovely. Friends, we can spot ‘lovely’ a mile away!! Run after that- seek to fill your minds with beautiful things of the Lord. If it’s admirable, embrace it. If it’s sketchy, kick it to the curb! Whatever is praiseworthy- think on it. If it’s not praiseworthy, it’s likely an intruder...a ‘plant’ by the Enemy to derail our walk.
Let’s pray for our sons and daughters today that they will take EVERY thought captive and bring it into obedience. Pray that they would understand their value and purpose and would guard it well, abiding by firm boundaries of the mind, allowing the Lord to be the Master of their thoughts and the One on whom they meditate. Pray that the Enemy would be powerless to affect them and that their thoughts would be centered on all that is just, good and lovely according to the Lord.
Pray for boundaries and protection, today and every day.
Pray without ceasing.