Everyday Christianity (Thinking Properly) 

The wise man once said about man, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).  This tells us that what we think about is very important.  The things that occupy our minds daily shape the kind of people we are and have a tremendous impact on the way we live our lives.  Paul understood this.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
⁸ 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.

Isn’t it clear that what we think about is important?  We may not be able to control what thoughts enter our minds, but we do have a say about how long they stay.  The old adage is true—“You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair!”

Everyday Christianity involves purposely thinking about proper things.  We must guard our minds.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
²³ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

This is in line with what Jesus taught about what defiles a man.  Some Pharisees were once trying to condemn Jesus because His disciples ate without first washing their hands, something that was a violation of the tradition of the elders but not the law of God.  Thus, Jesus condemned them for breaking the commandment of God by their traditions (Matthew 15:1-3).  When His disciples told Him that the Pharisees were offended by His words, He responded with the following:

Matthew 15:17-19 (NIV)
¹⁷“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

Our actions are determined by what is in our hearts.  This being the case, we better make sure the right things are dwelling there.  Since our eyes are a gateway to our minds, we must carefully select what we allow ourselves to see.  Be very careful about the kind of books you read, the shows you watch on TV, and the internet sites you visit.  All of those things can shape our thinking, and they can do so in a very negative way.  Do not be naive and think that what you see will not affect your heart.  The devil wants you to think that because it is his way of infiltrating your mind.  Paul once wrote about strongholds of the mind.  Here is what he said about it.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV 1900)
³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Paul was referring here to strongholds that Satan had established in the minds of some of the saints at Corinth.  These were members of the church who were sinning, but no matter what Paul said, they would not repent (2 Corinthians 12:21).  Why would they not repent?  It was because Satan had penetrated their minds, setting up a stronghold therein.  It just goes to show that it is easier to keep the devil out of our hearts than it is to get him out once he sets up camp.

Being a Christian, and being one every day, necessitates thinking about proper things.  Let’s fill our minds with God’s Word (Colossians 3:16) and make a habit of thinking about things that are pure and lovely in the sight of God.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.