Paul wrote: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]’ (v. 8 AMPC). If we’re serious about wanting a better, godly life, we need to change the way we think. The best way to stop thinking about something is simply to think about something else. When you don’t enjoy a certain song, what do you do? Skip it and change to a different song! Does the song you don’t like stop existing? No, it’s there anytime you choose to switch back to it. It can be the same with our thoughts – when we find ourselves stuck in a repeated thought pattern that’s lowering our mood and we know isn’t good – one that plays like a broken record in the mind – we can take action. We can take a stand against the devil and say to him, ‘You CAN’T use my thoughts.’ The only place a thought can live is in the mind, and that means it is possible to deny the devil access. It takes strength and courage, so we’ll need God’s help every step of the way. Focusing on the right thought is like flipping a light switch; it banishes darkness and illuminates the room, and the right thoughts are always those that line up with God’s Word and what He’s saying to you. Today, try ‘fixing’ your mind on the things that Paul wrote about – things that are good and God-inspired – and see if it makes a difference to your outlook on life.
