I remember buying my first car. I had worked hard all summer and saved my money. I noticed a guy near our church had a car out front with a for sale sign on it. My Dad and I went to check it out. He wanted a $1,000 for the car, but with my great negotiation skills, I was able to get him down to $950. It was a 1979 Datsun Station Wagon. The color was yellow. And the car was mine.
I noticed though after driving a bit that the car pulled hard to the right side of the road. If I were to take my hands off the wheel, the car would eventually went off the road and into the ditch.
Have you ever driven a car that tends to pull in one direction? It means the car is out of alignment. Have you ever had a car that was out alignment?
Let me ask you another question: Is your life out of alignment? Is it in alignment with God’s Word?
It all starts in our thought life. Your thoughts tend to pull to one direction. It might be self-pity. It might be unforgiveness. It might be fear. It might be lust. By faith we put both hands on the wheel and turn the steering wheel of our minds back to God.
I don’t have to convince you that we all struggle with this. Our minds are very often disobedient to God. All of the sudden you will catch yourself. Why am I so worried? Why am I so afraid? You didn’t wake up and consciously decide to feel resentful and bitter? What happened? Your thoughts went that way and you entertained them. Ever notice that your thoughts are rebellious? When you start to pray, your thoughts drift away.
How can I bring my thoughts under control? How can I renew my mind? How can I come to the place where my thought life pleases God?
Romans 12:2 – “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Three guidelines God’s Word gives us to renew our minds:
•Examine my thoughts
Psalm 139:23 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”
We have to ask God to help us to monitor our thoughts. We pray something like this… “Lord, this morning as I begin my day, I want my entire life to honor you…what I do, what I say, and even what I think… Father, if I am thinking things that conflict with your Word, reveal them to me.”
•Focus my thoughts
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Not only is it important to monitor your thought, but with God’s help you can also, focus your thoughts. You can give direction to your thoughts. I can begin to tell my mind where I want it to go.
•Feed my mind
This brings us to the third tool God gives us to have victory in our thought life. I can learn to feed my mind. I can be intentional about what I put in my mind.
Of course the best way to feed our mind spiritually is with God’s Word. When you think on the powerful truths of Scripture, God uses His Word to change your way of thinking. The Bible teaches that our minds can be renewed.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Today’s Challenge: Be honest and take inventory of your thought life. Does it honor God? Do you need your mind to be renewed? Your life won’t be transformed until you submit your way of thinking to Christ. Today’s let’s set our thoughts on things that are pleasing to God.
