Our thoughts often seem to have a mind of their own. Many new Christians are surprised to find unchristian like thoughts roaming around in their minds. These sinful types of thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere are the ones that sometimes trouble us. What are we to do with these unwanted thoughts? What does the Bible say about controlling our thoughts?
It Is A Choice
Just as becoming a Christian is a choice, it is also a choice as to what we allow to roam around in our minds. Becoming a Christian does not make us immune to bad thoughts. Whether these thoughts come as a temptation from Satan, or if they’re just a result of the sinful human nature that we have to deal with, we get to choose what we allow to remain in our minds. While we don’t always have control over what enters our minds, we do control what stays there.
The Bible instructs us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In reading this Scripture we know God has given us the ability to control our thoughts, even the unwanted ones.
Easier Said Than Done
(Colossians 3:2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
This is a classic case of easier said than done for many, but controlling our thoughts is not impossible. While we may have temptations and our flesh to deal with, setting our minds on things above is a daily decision we have to make. (Philippians 4:8) tells us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. (Romans 12:2) says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. By choosing to fill our minds with the good things, there is much less room for the bad.
Television, phones, books, music, and many other things in today’s world provide all kinds of opportunity for us to fill our minds with evil. For those who are not careful about what they look at and listen too, having many sinful thoughts and the inability to control them should not come as a surprise.
Controlling Our Thoughts Takes Prayer And Bible Reading
Controlling our thoughts becomes much easier over time when prayer and Bible reading are included. We will dwell on the things we fill our minds with. A person who has God in their thought process at all times and has His Word in their heart will eventually find it easier to discard things that don’t belong in a Christian’s mind. God is willing to help those who ask.
(Psalm 139:23) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
The Heart And Mind Connection
(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.
(1 Chronicles 28:9)…the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought…
There is a difference between an honest hearted Christian who does not welcome bad thoughts, and the person whose heart is not in the right place. God certainly knows the difference. The above Scriptures show a clear connection between a person’s heart and their thoughts.
A right heart will learn to recognize sinful thoughts and not allow themselves to dwell on these things. A heart that is not right will allow these thoughts to hang around long enough that they will often times find themselves eventually acting upon them.
Satan attempts to condemn us for bad thoughts. We should not fall for this trick of his. It’s not the bad thought that is wrong, its choosing not to get rid of it that will get you in trouble.
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