September 25, 2024 – You Can Choose How You Think
Philippians 4:8
Sermon: 1374 How to Control Your Thought Life
Pray Over This
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
Ponder This
People use their ears as garbage cans. Some people love to hear gossip and negative news. If it’s bad, they want it. Then that news spreads negativity and rumors like wildfire. We need to put up as gates to our minds the refinement and respect test: Will this edify? Is this uplifting of others? When it fails the test, do not allow it to come in.
Paul says if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. This is simple and wonderful. You can absolutely take back that conquered ground. You don’t have to think on anything you don’t want to.
But you will always be thinking something. You cannot control your thought life by keeping your mind in neutral. And if you’re not thinking something right, you’re going to think something wrong. If you’re not thinking something good, you’re going to think something bad. The way to avoid bad thoughts is not by focusing on bad thoughts. Try not to think of a submarine right now. Are you sure you’re not thinking about a submarine? The only way not to think about a submarine is to be thinking about something else. Let’s think on the things of God. We avoid bad by focusing on good.
- What are some of the thoughts that dominate your mind every day?
- How could you remind yourself to think on the virtuous, noble things Paul wrote about?
Practice This
Make practical reminders to fill your mind with godly thoughts and put them in a place you will see them regularly.
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