Tell me what you are thinking, and I will tell you what you are doing.

God’s word is truth. Here is the truth found in Scripture: As a man “thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). You are what you think, and you will do what you think.

Recently, I had a man telling me he was “contemplating” suicide. Not too long ago I had another man tell me that earlier in life he had been contemplating having an affair. He had even picked out the woman he was planning to pursue. Fortunately for both men, something happened that changed what they were thinking. Because they changed their thinking, they changed their actions as well.

This is the truth of Scripture: change your way of thinking and you change your actions.

The apostle Paul said: “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). He meant that he was in charge of what he thought, and therefore, he would not allow himself to “contemplate ” suicide or adultery or anything else that would not please Christ.

Paul told us we must renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). When we renew our minds, we bring about the transformation of ourselves and our behavior.

What are you contemplating? What have you set your mind on?

The apostle also told us to “Fix our thoughts on what is true and honorable and right” (Philippians 4:8). These are the things that are from above. He then told us what those things are: “Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8-9).

Do you have your mind on things that are worthy of praise? Would they fit in your prayer time?

Instead of thinking destructive thoughts, we must think constructive ones. We must constantly guard our hearts and minds so that our minds are set on Christ who is above.

As the Scripture would say, “Do this, and you will live.”

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