WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 17, 2022 Â
TOPIC: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU THINK
 BY T. O. BANSO
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things”(Philippians 4:8 New King James Version).
Everybody thinks. However, everybody thinks differently. Some people think good thoughts, while others think bad thoughts. Thoughts are very powerful. Therefore, you have to be careful what you think about. Any thought can come to your mind. However, you should not continue to meditate on wrong things because they’ll have destructive effects on your life.
That’s why Paul, writing from the Roman prison, gave believers the guidelines on what to fix their thoughts on, as listed out in Philippians 4:8 thus: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (New King James Version).
Be careful what and how you think. Don’t depart from the scripture above. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23 Good News Translation).
Don’t think evil thoughts. Jesus says that anyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 New King James Version). Why? Because thoughts, good or bad, positive or negative, are very powerful. Every sinful act begins as a thought. Similarly, every Godly act begins as a thought. You may end up acting on your thoughts, positive or negative. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says to abstain from every form of evil. Abstain from evil thoughts.
Genesis 6:5 says the LORD observed that wickedness of men was great in the earth because all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. According to Psalm 94:11, the LORD knows that people’s thoughts are worthless. In Isaiah 59:7, the LORD says the thoughts of Israel are thoughts of iniquity. And in Jeremiah 4:14b, He asks Jerusalem, “How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?” (New King James Version)
Don’t harbour evil thoughts which will give birth to sinful actions. Romans 12:2 says we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The New Century Version renders the verse thus: “Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
The LORD says His thoughts are not our thoughts. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). What is your thought pattern like? What exactly are you thinking now? God tests our thoughts (Psalm 17:3). He knows what you’re thinking now and what you think every time. In Mark 8:16-21, Jesus knew what His disciples were thinking. In Luke 5:21-26, He knew what the Pharisees and teachers of religious law were thinking. He asked them why they were thinking that what He said was blasphemy (verse 22).
What are you thinking about your life, spouse, children, others, etc? Are your thoughts in line with Philippians 4:8? Your thoughts will do you good or harm.
Your thoughts affect what you believe, and your feelings, actions, self-worth, relationships, environment, and direction in life as well as what you become.
Continually renew your mind with the Word of God and bring into captivity every negative or evil thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Meditate on the Word of God, not what Satan is suggesting to you that is contrary to the Word of God. If Satan suggests anything negative or evil to you, speak out and stop the sinful thought and replace it with a Godly thought. Above all, keep your heart with all diligence. “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23 New Century Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life, your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I repent of every sinful thought in my heart. Help me, Holy Spirit, to think Godly thoughts. I pray for all those whose lives are being controlled by evil thoughts that they will be delivered and think Godly thoughts henceforth.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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