Don't entertain the thoughts

Years ago I read somewhere that the human mind operates at least 3 times faster than someone speaks.

It's probably one of the reasons we have a hard time paying attention when others are speaking.

Sure, we can process information quickly but unfortunately, our thoughts aren't always decent.

"Where did THAT come from?" someone asks silently to themselves when they know that it didn't come from holy heaven.

The battle for our minds is continuous, isn't it?

Person walks on a sea of clocks, inside of a large cave

Paul recognized that it took the power of the Lord, His spiritual weapons, to win the mental war.

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God;

and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Every thought?

How can that be possible?

Maybe we have to consciously and aggressively THINK on certain things until our minds habitually DON'T conform to the world's way of thinking.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

For example, Paul listed 8 powerful things that we SHOULD think about --

What's true, what's honorable, what's right, what's pure, what's lovely, what's admirable, what's excellent, or what's praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8

Our thoughts could be focused on any one of these 8 at any one time because we can only think one thought at a time.

Something doesn't need to have all 8 qualities, which is why Paul used the word, "or" near the end of the verse.

Seven days in the week and eight choices to think about.

It can be understood that these eight things would be those that God the Father would approve of; what would be decent in His eyes.

But just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

OUR MINDS WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED

If thoughts come that we don't want, what should we NOT do?

"I'll set a nice table for these thoughts, put a variety of food and drinks out for them, and turn on some music."

Don't add fuel to the fire.

Add water of the Holy Spirit to the seeds of Paul's list of whatever is pure to whatever is praiseworthy in the Lord's sight. Philippians 4:8

It sounds like hard work.

Without the Lord Jesus Christ, we can't do this worthwhile action John 15:5 but with God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

PUT OFF, BE RENEWED, PUT ON

A common theme in the New Testament of the Bible is this --

After someone becomes a new creation through Jesus John 3:3; 16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:4-7

there is to be a continuous CHANGE of spiritual CLOTHING.

Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him— in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus— to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24

Paul also wrote about this in his letters to the Romans and Colossians. Romans 13:11-14; Colossians 3:1-2, 9-10

We're to be CLOTHED with the Lord Jesus Christ: His character, authority, and power. Romans 13:14

We're to be CLOTHED with humility, 1 Peter 5:5 the Lord's humble and gentle character, Matthew 11:28 that submitted to the will of the Father. John 8:29; Hebrews 10:5-7

We're to be CLOTHED with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

Where can all of these qualities come from?

From the true Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom we are to be attached to as His branches. John 15:1, 4-5

We're to be CLOTHED with the strong, spiritual armor of the Lord, the armor of light. Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:10-11

Then, we'll be ready to obey God the Father so that we can wrestle with and resist the devil. Ephesians 6:12-13; James 4:7

Let's think about the Father's good thoughts today, right now.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Your thoughts?

R. Jason