Change Your Thoughts!

Heart Prep

Jesus, I want even my thoughts to honor You.
Help me to be obedient to what You ask of me.

Philippians 4:8  “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Sometimes we are victims of our own thoughts. Lots of research over many years has shown that our thoughts directly influence our behaviors, and that our thoughts can be changed. If we change our thoughts, then our behaviors will change. This is not a new concept that a psychologist just recently thought up. Paul was explaining this concept to the Philippians in the verse for today! And just before this, in verse 7, Paul was explaining to them how to fight anxiety by taking their requests to God with thanksgiving. He gave them some guidelines to judge what their thoughts should be focused on. By taking control of what they were thinking about, they could control their behavior, even their anxiety!

Life Application

We can use the following questions to give ourselves a test about any of our thoughts:

Is it true? A “what if” scenario in your head is not true, so don’t dwell on it. Switch to something true.

Is it right? If it’s wrong and you shouldn’t do it, then don’t think about it! Switch to something right.

Is it pure? Would you say it out loud to your preacher and Jesus? If not, don’t think about it! Switch to something pure.

Is it lovely? Is this thought filled with love or rottenness? If it’s rotten, don’t think about it! Switch to something lovely.

Is it of good repute? If people knew I was thinking this thought would they think of me as a Christian?
If not, don’t think about it!  Switch to something of good reputation.

Is it excellent or worthy of praise?   If I told my mama or daddy or grandma this, would they be proud?
If not, don’t think about it! Switch to something worthy of praise!

You can control your thoughts and change your behavior. It just takes a true desire and effort.