Devotional:

Try to remember the last thought you had that you know for a fact did not come from the Lord. What was it about? Was it last week, yesterday, or was it ten minutes ago trying to get your kids to school on time?

We have a choice as to what we allow to take control in our minds. The things we choose to think about or obsess over will be the things that will most certainly dominate our lives. It is who we become. If we think it, we begin to believe it, then we begin to live like it. We’ve all heard “you are what you eat.” Well, you are what you think.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

— Proverbs 23:7

Isn’t that so true? Especially in this crazy world today. “You do you… do what makes you happy… you can do whatever you want to do…sex is just physical… follow your own star… existence wants you to be you…  you control your own destiny… you are what you feel… love the one you’re with, YOLO…” The world says to follow your heart. That’s a recipe for disaster!

No matter what, the things we fill our minds with will affect our decisions and ultimately, our words and actions. Even when you have convinced yourself that you can keep your thoughts and your actions separated, it’s impossible. Our actions are a physical result of what we think, even subconsciously.

Your brain must tell you to walk out the door before putting one foot in front of the other. Now, you don’t have to stand there and say “ok brain, I’m going to start walking now…” No, you have a learned behavior that becomes routine, or a part of your subconscious. But, for instance, when you sit in front of your computer, you have a choice as to what you decide to look at. Your mind thinks about it first, then you decide. Do you physically click on that website because of those thoughts? Or do you take those thoughts captive and resist and walk away, maybe moving your computer to a more public area?

You see, there is no separation of thoughts and actions if you are keeping God separate from those areas in your life. You cannot live a godly life while keeping a worldly mind. You can fake it for a while. But it never stays in the dark. Eventually, that click of the button becomes a learned behavior, just like putting one foot in front of the other. You sit down, and it is where you mind and body goes. That learned behavior leads to isolation, lies and broken families. Eventually, it will lead you to an addiction that will require professional help.

Don’t worry, this is not a pornography devo. It is just an example. I can think of many. Probably one just as prevalent, if not more, would be alcohol. Moms and wine. I know what you’re saying, “don’t mess with my wine, Gretchen!” But here it goes. You grab that glass of wine when the kids go to bed at night, or maybe you’re in the kitchen, in the pour position counting backwards waiting for 5:00pm. Just to relax…one glass.

Before you know it, you’re drinking a bottle a night and can’t seem to figure out how to stop. You know that you need to dial it back, which probably means cold turkey for a while, yet, you’ve got this thing inside craving it at that exact same time every single night! You are fine all day, no cravings at all, them BAM! Gotta have it. That is a learned behavior. And eventually that becomes an addiction leading to so many broken things.

Or, how about golf? (I’m striking nerves right and left now!) Men, you started playing because it was fun, you love the sport and then fellowship. Then, you started playing three to four times a week, making excuses for being late to dinner. Then, you don’t come home at all because the boys decide to go to the bar for a drink afterwards. Before you know it, there is a strain on your marriage, and you have missed out on dozens of hours with your kids, their ballgames, their practices and their projects. You can’t get those moments back.

Maybe it’s work. You are chasing the promotion, the money, and the status. You neglect the ones who love you the most because you can’t stop chasing the rabbit. The addiction to more stuff leaves you dissatisfied and everything else from the lists above!

Some of these things aren’t necessarily bad things. Yes, porn is bad. Golf isn’t. Alcohol addiction is bad. Work isn’t. But Satan can turn those good things you love into things that can make your entire world crumble around you. He doesn’t work alone. He needs you to act on those weaknesses he puts in front of you. You must decide.

“One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “Wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is Anger, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Sorrow, Regret, Greed, Arrogance, Self-pity, Guilt, Resentment, Inferiority, Lies, False Pride, Superiority and Ego. The other is Good. It is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope, Serenity, Humility, Kindness, Benevolence, Empathy, Generosity, Forgiveness, Truth, Compassion and Faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which Wolf Wins?’ The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The One You Feed.’”

— The Tale of Two Wolves

What will we choose to do with those thoughts? Will we feed the good thoughts? Or do we feed the bad thoughts? Do we step into God’s presence, experience His grace and forgiveness and ask Him to guide us? Or do we try to hide those things from Him, like a child who only buries his head under the pillow while playing hide and seek? God sees all of us anyway. He knows every thought and action before we do. There is no hiding from our Creator!

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

— Romans 8:5-8

We must fill our minds with the things of the Spirit, not the things of the flesh, in order to change how we think, and how we live our lives. Of course, ungodly, or worldly thoughts will, at times, invade our minds as long as we live and breathe. We are human, constantly in need of our Savior’s grace and mercy. We must use the tools God has placed in our lives to renew our minds, no matter how impossible it may seem.

Satan cannot read our thoughts. He is not omniscient. But he does study our actions and prowls around watching everything we do. He learns what we like, wat makes us mad, what makes us vulnerable. He can see our weaknesses. He knows where we will succumb to temptations, and he figures out how to lure us there.

Maybe he can’t read our thoughts, but he can influence our thoughts. He can use the TikTok and Instagram filters and influencers to make us feel like we will never be pretty enough, skinny enough or good enough. Or, the promotion you were supposed to get that the other girl got instead, making you despise her and feeling like a complete failure. Or, how about that pop-up ad on your computer and then the curiosity kicks in?

Satan uses these lures, the things that consume us, to influence our thoughts negatively. Just as Romans 8:5-8 says, when we are not pouring the things of the Spirit into our lives, the things of the flesh take over.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. Allowing God to control our minds requires a desire to change, asking God to help us, and a lot of discipline. Just like everything else, it starts with letting Him in.”

— 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Pray for God to guide your thoughts. Pray for strength to take every thought captive so that you will not turn those thoughts into action.

Write down the things that you know are controlling your thoughts. Maybe they are just thoughts, or maybe they have become more than thoughts.

Read God’s Word. Meditate on it daily. Memorize it.

Write Scripture down. Tape it to your computer. Put it on your mirror. Attach it to your steering wheel. Do what it takes to allow God to take over your thoughts and renew your mind. Place Scripture in every area of your temptations.

Tell someone. Ask for accountability.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

— Hebrews 10:24-25

God, thank You for my church family. Thank You for helping me to see the areas in my life that I need to change. Help me to begin changing my thoughts today. Guide me through this and give me the courage to lean on my Christian brothers and sisters as I walk through this renewal of my mind. And Lord, let me be encouraging to others who are walking through this as well. Amen.