Good Thinking
"What we choose to dwell on becomes what we believe…what we believe dictates our behavior."
Philippians 4:8 (CSB, Christian Standard Bible)
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy–dwell on these things.
Reflection
When we dwell on things, we keep coming back to a thought over and over and over again, considering it, entertaining it, and eventually accepting it. Think of a steak that has been sitting in a marinade for multiple hours. Anything that was in the marinade is now inextricably part of the steak. What we choose to dwell on becomes what we believe.
In Jennie Allen’s book “Get Out of Your Head,” she writes that the average person has over 30,000 thoughts a day, and so many of them are negative that it’s affecting our health. Our toxic thoughts are hurting us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Our enemy knows how we are wired. He wants us to be enslaved to sin, and he uses words, images, and our own lusts to control our minds. Imagining scenarios in our heads until we’re anxious, replaying graphic scenes in our mind’s eye until we burn with lust, analyzing a passing comment until it becomes a personal attack. We believe we have no choice and are paralyzed over the constant onslaught of crippling thoughts that plague us, which is exactly where satan wants us. What we believe dictates our behavior.
Paul tells us to dwell on good things: “whatever is true…honorable…just…pure…
lovely…commendable…morally excellent…praiseworthy.” This verse is often treated as a good goal for Christians to have rather than a command from Jesus to obey. Who could ever attain such a holy thought process? The Bible clearly teaches that those of us who have the Holy Spirit can choose to disrupt our negative thoughts and replace them with good ones from Him. Changing your thought patterns begins with believing you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Once you believe you can, it takes the discipline of spending time in the word and in God’s presence regularly, so you can recognize the still small voice of the Holy Spirit telling you to stop when your brain starts to spiral. Then, He can help you recall all the excellent and praiseworthy things in your life. Think of how freeing and peaceful it will be to dwell on good things!
Action Step
Memorize Philippians 4:8.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I believe I can change my thoughts with Your help; help my unbelief. I can’t do this on my own, so please stop me when negative thoughts are playing in my mind. Remind me that I am set apart and that You want me to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent, and praiseworthy.
For Further Study
Read and reflect on 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Worship
“Holy Spirit” by Jesus Culture
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy–dwell on these things.
Reflection
When we dwell on things, we keep coming back to a thought over and over and over again, considering it, entertaining it, and eventually accepting it. Think of a steak that has been sitting in a marinade for multiple hours. Anything that was in the marinade is now inextricably part of the steak. What we choose to dwell on becomes what we believe.
In Jennie Allen’s book “Get Out of Your Head,” she writes that the average person has over 30,000 thoughts a day, and so many of them are negative that it’s affecting our health. Our toxic thoughts are hurting us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Our enemy knows how we are wired. He wants us to be enslaved to sin, and he uses words, images, and our own lusts to control our minds. Imagining scenarios in our heads until we’re anxious, replaying graphic scenes in our mind’s eye until we burn with lust, analyzing a passing comment until it becomes a personal attack. We believe we have no choice and are paralyzed over the constant onslaught of crippling thoughts that plague us, which is exactly where satan wants us. What we believe dictates our behavior.
Paul tells us to dwell on good things: “whatever is true…honorable…just…pure…
lovely…commendable…morally excellent…praiseworthy.” This verse is often treated as a good goal for Christians to have rather than a command from Jesus to obey. Who could ever attain such a holy thought process? The Bible clearly teaches that those of us who have the Holy Spirit can choose to disrupt our negative thoughts and replace them with good ones from Him. Changing your thought patterns begins with believing you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Once you believe you can, it takes the discipline of spending time in the word and in God’s presence regularly, so you can recognize the still small voice of the Holy Spirit telling you to stop when your brain starts to spiral. Then, He can help you recall all the excellent and praiseworthy things in your life. Think of how freeing and peaceful it will be to dwell on good things!
Action Step
Memorize Philippians 4:8.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I believe I can change my thoughts with Your help; help my unbelief. I can’t do this on my own, so please stop me when negative thoughts are playing in my mind. Remind me that I am set apart and that You want me to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent, and praiseworthy.
For Further Study
Read and reflect on 2 Corinthians 10:5.
Worship
“Holy Spirit” by Jesus Culture
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