WHATEVER IS TRUE

Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. When none worked satisfactorily, his assistant complained, “All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing.” Edison replied very confidently, “Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb.” After 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb, Edison could have agreed with the negative thoughts and given up. We are all thankful that he had the mental strength to endure.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about (meditate on) these things.” Paul is exhorting us to, “deliberate, evaluate, and compute over and over” what is good and pure. He knew that we are only as free as our mind is. What we meditate on is what we become.

Self-analysis is a very helpful to learning. Take a minute and ask yourself, “How free is my mind? Am I regularly taking thoughts captive or are they going unchecked? What’s the fruit of these thoughts?” The answers to these questions will expose the level of freedom you are living in. Whatever your mind is fixed primarily on will have greatest influence over you. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). Our lives are not just affected by our thoughts; THEY ARE DEFINED BY THEM. You become what you think you are.

The key to triumphant living is learning, in every circumstance, how to make God’s thoughts our thoughts. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). To be transformed by the renewal of our mind, we need to know that any thought that leads to anxiety is not from God. Any thought that causes us to doubt God’s love is not from God. Any worry about the future or thoughts that cause us to fret over the past is not from God. These thoughts come from the enemy of our soul.

ON THE COUCH WITH GOD

Take a time today to consider and pray through your life. Pray for your heart, for your mind, your body and spirit. Ask the Lord to point any areas that you need to align with Him.