Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds...Whoa, what does that mean to be a enemy of God in your mind? I picture enemies of God as fighting against him, disobeying his commands, rebelling, going their own way... I never knew you could be an enemy of God in your mind.
Ephesians 2:3 says that all of us at one time were gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts. Romans 1:28 tells about a people who did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. Later, in Romans chapter 8 we see that the sinful mind is hostile to God. It doesn't submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
So what can we do about our minds? It's much easier for me to control my behavior than my thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we have to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. As a follower of Christ, I don't get to think about whatever I want to. I don't get to indulge in thoughts of lust, judgement, criticism, complaint, or worry. I can fool the people around me, but I can't fool God. He searches the heart and examines the mind (Jer.17:10) He knows my heart and my anxious thoughts (Ps. 139:23) And what I think about MATTERS. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7)
You are what you think.
So what should we think about? Paul answers that question in Philippians chapter 4; 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.
One of the greatest gifts Anna's life and death gave us was to set our minds on things above.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)Does that mean that all I think about is Heaven? I WISH! I struggle with taking my thoughts captive just like you. But for today, I will try to honor God with my thoughts. I will try to take my thoughts captive and replace judging and criticism with what is excellent and praiseworthy. I will exchange anxiety and negativity with truth and admiration.
I will think about what I think about.
Love the Lord your God with...all your mind (Mark 12:30)
1 comment:
I have been in these same verses, and convicted in the same ways. You are right--we ARE thinking the same thing--isn't it great when it is God's word?? YAY! Miss seeing you! Amy
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