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.
