How easy it is for the devil to get our minds and thoughts off track, thinking about things we should not. This is why our minds need to be saturated and fortified by the Word of God. If what you are thinking about is what is right, you cannot be thinking about what is wrong. Our mind is similar to a cars’ transmission. We can press on going forward or we can put it in reverse and go backwards, both take the same effort. It’s our choice to focus on the positive or drown in the negative.
I heard a story about a positive farmer and a negative farmer. When rain fell on the land, the positive farmer would say, “Thank You, Lord, for watering our crops.”
The negative farmer said, “Yeah, but if this rain keeps up, it’s going to rot the roots away, and we’re never going to have a harvest.”
The sun came out and the positive farmer said “Thank You, Lord, for the sunshine. Our crops are getting the vitamins and minerals they need. We’re going to have a great harvest this year.”
The negative farmer said, “Yeah, but if it keeps this up, it’s going to scorch those plants. We’re never going to make a living.” One day the two farmers went goose hunting together, and the positive farmer brought along his new bird dog. He was so proud of that dog; he couldn’t wait to show him off. They went out in a small boat and waited. Before long, a big goose flew overhead. Boom! The positive farmer brought the bird down in the middle of the lake. He turned to his friend and said, “Now watch what this dog can do.” That dog jumped out of the boat and ran on top of the water, picked up the goose, ran back all the way on top of the water, and put the bird down perfectly in the boat. The positive farmer was beaming from ear to ear. He turned to his friend and said, “What did you think of that?”
He said. “That dog can’t even swim!”
Don’t you know people like that? They are always focused on the negative. As Christians we need to stay focused on the positive things in life. Paul said in
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul is teaching us to put off your old self, your old nature describing a sinful person. To put off means to take off that dirty garment and exchange it for something clean, something new, something pure (Christ). We must change our hearts. We must put on Christ and throw away our old self, and our old lifestyle.
How do we renew the attitude of our minds? To be renewed describes a continuous activity, the self has been exchanged, but the process of renewal, of becoming like Christ is a continual daily process. Transformation begins in the mind and results in renewed behavior!
We must desire to pattern ourselves after God, not the world.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We must study and apply God’s Word so that our behavior is changed for the better!
2 Timothy 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We must be involved in activities that renew our minds. Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Our thoughts should be tested…
1. Give ourselves the reliance test. Whatever is true- Society asks not if it’s true, but does it work, not worried if it’s true! The Christian way is not done with Lies, rumors or deceitfulness, rather it is all about sincerity, loyalty, faithfulness and being reliable and genuine.
2. The respect test- Whatever is Noble-Keep dishonorable thoughts out. These thoughts are worthy of respect and dignified and exalted in character and excellence. Learn to counter attack them.
3. The Rightness test-What is just-are we thinking straight? Do our thoughts and plans abide in truth? Are they righteous? If not, why not?
4. The reverence test-What is pure? Free from contamination or blemish. These thoughts are wholesome. Is our thinking fit for the presence of God?
5. The relationship test-What is lovely-Paul was referring to thoughts of great moral or spiritual beauty, not of evil. One should have beautiful thoughts.
6. The refinement test- whatever is admirable, commendable- this refers to things that speak well of the thinker…. Thoughts that give confidence, approval, praise. This would include positive and constructive thinking.
7. If you will transform your mind, God will transform your life. There is no such thing as the wrong side of the tracks when it comes to Godly living. It matters what we put into our minds because that is what will come out! Garbage in Garbage out!
The enemy in your mind says you don’t have what it takes for relationships, you don’t have what it takes to control your thoughts, you don’t have what it takes to work boldly you don’t have what it takes for a sincere relationship with God. When David was told he did not have what it took to fight off Goliath you know what he did. He cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword. We need to sever our old self from our new self and turn our old thinking to new thinking. We need to take heed to the words of the writer of Hebrews in
Hebrews 10:21-25 (NIV)
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
This scripture exhorts us with 5 Let us phrases:
1. Let us draw near to God.
a. With a sincere heart- meaning not halfheartedly or with improper motives
b. In full assurance of faith- We can go to God knowing He will hear and answer us.
c. Having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. - Under the new covenant Christ’s blood cleanses our conscience.
d. Having our bodies washed with pure water. - Baptism washes the body pure as it sprinkles our hearts clean. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
2. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. This attitude of hope holds firmly to the return of Christ to redeem His people from the earth and the grave.
3. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, there must be a continual reminding each other of all the privileges we enjoy under the new covenant. Spur means to arouse or incite. Love here is not an emotion but rather it is a choice to act or stimulate one another.
4. Let us not giving up meeting together. This applies more to the one who is losing or lost their faith but one’s faith can weaken when they don’t surround themselves with those that love them and love God.
5. Let us encourage one another.
We should not tiptoe by the throne room of God or walk on eggshells in his presence. God has invited us to walk boldly to him. To hold fast to the confession of our hope, knowing God will keep his promises, and so must we. In his book, Stay Alive All Your Life, by Norman Vincent Peale, he suggests some practical steps for cultivating enthusiasm into your thinking.
1. Look for interest and romance in the simplest things about you.
2. Enlarge your view of your own God-given capacities. Within the limit of humility develop a good opinion of yourself.
3. Diligently practice eliminating all dull, dead, unhealthy thoughts so that your mind may be freshened up and capable of developing enthusiasm.
4. Daily affirm enthusiasm. As you think it, talk it, and live it, you will have it.
5. Practice daily relaxation to keep your mind and spirit from getting tired.
6. Act enthusiastic, for as you act, you tend to be.
7. Keep the creative channel open between God and yourself.
8. Keep spiritually virile and alive.
9. Give all you’ve got to life and it will give its fullest gifts to you. It will never grow dull.
Think about God’s love for you. Think about his son suffering on the cross. What else matters? Your troubles seem very small when you think of that great sacrifice. When we are thinking of one thing we cannot think of other things, so let us think of things that will help us strengthen our grip on Godly Priorities. Are you a Christian?
