WHERE IS YOUR THINKING LEADING YOU?

It was William James who said;

Man can alter his life by altering his thinking."

Now Mr. James may think he had discovered

something new but back before Mr. James was

born, before you were born or even before I was 

born - in fact about 930 years before Jesus Christ

was born, king Solomon said it this way;

"Be careful how you think;

your life is shaped by your thoughts."    

(Proverbs 4:23 GNT)

[I know.  Other versions say it differently.

But this is what it means.]

You and I both know that at times the things we

have been thinking about has gotten us into 

trouble.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way;

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature

think about sinful things, but those who

are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about

things that please the Spirit.  So letting your

sinful nature control your mind leads to death.

But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to

life and peace."  

(Romans 8:5,6 NLT)

Latter he says;

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of

this world, but let God transform you into

a new person by changing the way you 

think.  Then you will learn to know God's

will for you which is good and pleasing

and perfect."  

(Romans 12:2 NLT)

For a true Christian Paul continues;

"Since you have been raised to new life with

Christ, set your sights on the realities of 

heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor

at God's right hand.  Think about the things of

heaven, not the things of earth, for you died

to this life, and your real life is hidden with

Christ in God."  

(Colossians 3:1 - 3 NLT)

I know professed Christians who seemingly can

only think about the things of this life, even at

Church.  Christ himself tells us that "out of the

abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  Frankly,

I fear for such people.  Their mind seems to be 

constantly on the affairs of this life.  Does Christ 

whom they profess to serve even have any part

in their life?

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one

final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is 

true, and honorable, and right, and pure, 

and lovely, and admirable.  Think about 

things that are excellent and worthy of 

praise."  

(Philippians 4:8 NLT)

I do not know about you.  But when I fail to 

do this and allow my mind to wonder where 

it should not, is when I get into trouble with

God.

"Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the LORD!"  (Psalms 150:6 NLT)

That even got this ape to thinking.