Greetings everyone! The doors of the former WordTime email archives have just swung open. In the coming days and weeks I will be uploading some of my WT email series' such as 'Thought Management', 'Thanksgiving', and others to this new blog site. Those of you that read them back then can now easily share your comments in this new format. As for those of you that didn't get a chance to read - you're invited to join in on this fresh discussion!
Tell a friend and let's dive right in to Part One of the 'Thought Management' series already in session (see below).
When things happen to us- we think about it. When things are said to us- we think about it. When we say things to others- we think about it. When we do things to others - we think about it. Whether the things said or done were good or bad- we're always thinking about something, but how are we managing what we think about?
'Thought Management' as I like to call it, should be a common practice for every believer (or anyone breathing for that matter). A thought is like a mental seed, which when it is planted in the soil of a mind it has the potential to grow into a future action. Well, how would it grow you say? By meditation. {We'll look at another view on this later.} The point is that- sooner or later an individual will act upon or respond to their 'sustained' thoughts. This notion gives credence to the fact that a large part of spiritual warfare takes place in our minds.
Therefore, acknowledging that it is within this 'mental battle field' where we either secure liberties or shelter 'bondages' is paramount. As many of us have experienced in our own lives, the bondages of our mind have a way of leaking out into our disposition and behavior progressively.
Remember, Satan will often try to harm you with your help. He'll also try to use people against you, but it's not until he has influenced you personally in some way that he's satisfied for the moment. If he can get in your head then he can get ahead of you, at least mometarily. OF COURSE HE IS A DEFEATED FOE AND HE MUST BE REMINDED OF THAT. However, we are personally responsible for keeping a handle on our own mental stuff.
Moreover, because countless things - good and bad - can occur over the course of a day, week, or month we may inadvertently pile up thoughts (memories) like large heaps of straw. While some of these memories may be good and cherish worthy, others may not be productive at all. In a short letter to the Philippian church Paul highlights a few things about thoughts. Let's listen in on the conversation:
(Philippians 4:7-9) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As another illustration: Many years ago my pastor said, "Our mind is like an interstate; many thoughts will travel across it during a lifetime." Nonetheless, as police officers over our own minds we must determine which thoughts we'll 'pull over and arrest' (i.e., meditate on). Choose ye this day to pull over and arrest thoughts that are a blessed benefit to you and others. As for negative and destructive thoughts, cast them down immediately and forcibly- disallowing them passage. In other words, practice casting and forgetting! Destructive thoughts are extremely poisonous to your present and deadly to your future! You must use your faith to forget what's unnecessary! Let's listen to Paul's commendation to the Corinthian church:
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
So then, thoughts and memories that are in opposition to the knowledge of God are only fit for one thing- "a cast down". Go ahead, increase your knowledge of God through Word study, church attendance, etc. and discover what your mind was really made for.
Begin casting down thoughts today. You'll be glad that you did. Stay tuned for Part Two of this discussion.
In His Service,
DsW
Hi Draper, I'm kinda new at this internet thing. Tryign to catch up with yall young folks, but that was simply grate. Keep going in the Lord's service.
ReplyDeleteMy friend,
ReplyDeleteonce again you have opened up yourself as a vessel for the Lord to speak a word to "His People". You are truly using your gift of reconciliation. You are restoring our very self to the form and purpose which God truly made and created us for. Thanks
His Queen
Min. Draper Wright, This topic is one of those things that I can't hear enough-I have to constantly remind myself to manage my thoughts and to only allow those mental seeds to grow that should.
ReplyDeleteVery true my friend!
ReplyDeleteNice job bru! Your mind can definitely play tricks on you if ain't careful.
ReplyDeleteYes brotha, folks got to ceep there head on tight.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. It's important to keep your mind on good things because if you meditate on the bad those things will eventually come out of your mouth. Another scripture says that Death and Life is in the power of the tongue. I'm paraphrasing because I don't have a bible in front of me. The things that come out of our mouth start in our minds. That's why it is important to think of the things in Philipians 4:7-9.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I thought I'd read all your blog posts, but this one seems to have escaped me. Thanks for republishing it on Facebook, Draper. It was a great word of encouragement and instruction!
ReplyDelete