For years I had no idea that wrong thinking could cause havoc in one’s life.

The enemy has deceived many into thinking that it doesn’t matter what you think as long as your actions are all right. The truth of the matter is that eventually your thoughts will become actions if you entertain them long enough.

Negative thinking keeps one from reaching his potential in life. Often parents make the mistake of saying words to their children that may scar the child for years to come. Those words are not easily forgotten and because of the very impressionable mind of a child much damage is done that may affect them all of their lives.

One of my sons had a teacher that spoke unkind things to him and although he is now a grown man with a family of his own, those remarks deeply hurt him and affected him in his soul. It wasn’t until forgiveness was worked in his heart that he could begin to be healed. Our heart and mind are intricately connected. We cannot have a happy heart when our mind is filled with negative thoughts.

“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 Amplified

Looking back in my own life, I have often wished that I would have known what I know today, as I spoke words to my children when I was frustrated that were hurtful to them, and should never have been spoken. I am so thankful for the Grace of God and His forgiveness. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

In Proverbs 23:7 we read: “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” If we have a bad self-image, we will not become who the Lord has intended us to be. We will be pre-occupied with ourselves instead of ministering to others. When we have a healthy self-image, and we know who we are in Christ Jesus, we are able to relax in knowing we are accepted in the Beloved. Our thoughts determine our actions which will greatly affect who we are and who we will become. If our thought life is not healthy, our spiritual growth is slowed down.

The Lord tells us in Philippians 4:8 to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. If we do, we will have the joy of the Lord in our heart and we will be a light in the darkness. If we entertain impure thoughts of lust, envy, strife etc., we will open ourselves to the enemy and we will lose our joy. We will not be able to minister life to others if we have allowed death to be a big part of our thinking.

It is so important that we guard what we read, see and listen to. Rock and Roll music progressively became more evil through the years and today we have a generation of young people who do not believe in God. We read and hear about terrible murders in our schools and it is hard to believe that it is really happening. But, the music they have been listening to is full of death and destruction. The violent video games also have greatly impacted young people for the worse.

Godly men have fallen morally through the years because they harbored lustful thoughts in their minds. No one could see their thoughts, but they deceived themselves thinking that the thoughts were harmless. However, because they did not guard their minds and allowed lust in, in due time the lust conceived and brought forth sin and the sin brought forth death. Because they allowed evil thoughts into their minds, and thought that no one could see the lust that they were entertaining in their minds, they paid a big price. They were fooling no one but themselves. Many ended up losing their families, reputation and their ministry.

James 1:15 – “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” KJV

If we really love the Lord, we will want to please God in our lives and we will desire to live according to the Word of God.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above not on things of the earth, for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God!” Colossians 3:1-3

I pray that all of us will think about what we are thinking.