Can We Control Our Thoughts?
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.
2 Corinthians 10:5
The Lord gives us the power to control our thoughts by renewing our minds and changing our hearts. Many people have their thoughts controlled by the world, such as their schedule, upcoming events, interactions with other people, and they worry about what will happen in certain circumstances. This is not the way the Lord created us to think.
When we walk in the Spirit, our focus changes from self to God and others. A Christian goes through each day being aware of ministering to everyone. When gathered with a group of people, a Christian is focused on reflecting Christ to everyone. This greatly helps us to keep our thoughts on Christ and it enables us to minister, with Godly wisdom, in conversations. When we live for Christ, our thoughts are not on how we might be treated or how others might behave; the focus is on showing Christ-like behavior to others. And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:20) We are a new creation in Christ and life is about reflecting Christ to others.
When we are focused on bringing Christ to others, we are free from many worries. Ministering to others requires a connection to the Lord. This is achieved as we commune with the Lord. We pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16) which means we commune with the Lord by talking to the Lord in our thoughts.
As we minister to others, our heart is continually filled with the Lord’s love and Satan’s fear is cast out from us. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. (1 John 4:18) Our love for God and others is reflected outward, and it greatly blocks hurtful words from others. As God’s love fills our heart, fear and punishment naturally decrease.
Whenever a worldly, sinful, or troublesome thought occurs, capture that thought and ask the Lord to change the thought. Practice spending time praising and thanking the Lord until communing to the Lord becomes a habit. Walk in faith, serve the Lord with a patient heart, and destroy any troublesome thought. Go through your days focusing on reflecting Christ with your thoughts on ministering to others or praying for others. The key is to keep thoughts off of self and place your thoughts on God and others.
Today, focus your thoughts on ministering to everyone and reflecting the Lord’s love, compassion, and patience. Tell them about Christ whenever possible. Show them life to the full when living for Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to control my thoughts by serving you and remaining connected to you. Keep worldly, troublesome thoughts away and replace them with good thoughts of bringing the good news of Christ to everyone by telling them about life to the full that Christ promises to his people. In Jesus’ name, Amen