Sometimes the feelings of failure and inadequacy are not of your own doing, but scars that others have imposed upon your soul.
Don't listen to those voices.
Don't think on those things.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Wiersbe adds this practical note: Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry. We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must bring “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).
- If we would think God’s thoughts, we must learn to think continually of God. - A. W. Tozer
- Ill thoughts are little thieves. - Richard Sibbes
- Our minds are mental greenhouses where unlawful thoughts, once planted, are nurtured and watered before being transplanted into the real world of unlawful actions. - Jerry Bridges
- How we think is one of the great determining factors in how we live. - Sinclair Ferguson
- Thy thoughts are vocal to God. - John Flavel
- Guard well your thoughts; our thoughts are heard in heaven. - Owen D. Young
God’s standard for His children is that we should sit in judgment upon every thought that flickers through our minds. If it cannot pass the test of ringing true and being of honest worth, righteous, incorruptible, and attractive, it is to be rejected and repudiated. If you introduce one drop of contaminated water into a pitcher of cool water, the cool, refreshing, pure water will not purify that defilement, but the defilement will corrupt the pure; so these thoughts will contaminate your mind. Satan wants to turn your mind into a cesspool and have your mind occupied with that which ultimately must corrupt, defile, and spoil the whole body, distort the life, and produce sin. The battle is not first in the field of action; it is in the field of thought. Transport yourself to the pasture, consider the cow chewing her cud, and learn that lesson from nature that the psalmist learned. Your delight must be in the Word of God, and in His Word you must chew your cud day and night. If the battle is lost, it is lost because you do not meditate on “ these things.”
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee
(Palmer Hartsough)
2 Reading Tips
This is so good!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHi Aritha,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenthis is a lovely truthful (full of truth) post. As I read, I am reminded of Philippians ch.4 vs. 6 - 7 about being anxious for nothing.
Aritha, I love this post! Just what I needed. In this time when we and others are unable to go to church, it is easy for negative thoughts to fester. But we can be purified by meditating on the Word of God, and He will elevate us to heavenly places with Him! God bless you,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLaurie
2 Timothy 2:7: "Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things". Philippians 4: 8 gives us a wide range of thing to think about.
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