Right Living Begins With Right Thoughts Series

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Proverbs 4:23 GNT)

At every point Right living begins with right thinking. Bible says "As he (a person) thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Thought makes man and man makes culture and community. There is a powerful thought-force behind every great happening in life and in the history of the world. Behind all discoveries and inventions, behind all religions and philosophies, behind all life-saving or life-destroying devices is thought. Thought is expressed in words and executed in deeds. Word is the handmaid of thought, and deed is the end-result. The key to triumph in life is learning how to take control of our thoughts.

This is why Psalmist prayer is “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14) This is a higher spiritual attainment, than merely faultless words. Then, a still higher test of life--is our meditation. Meditations are our deepest thoughts, the quiet reflection of our hearts. Plant God’s Word deep in our heart in order to think the right thoughts. Everything we know through our five senses is in a state of change & decay. If our thoughts are in God, there can be no fears, worries and frustrations, instead love, joy, peace, and righteousness. It is a great thing to be faultless in speech--but perfect grammar and articulation is not enough. Our words may be grateful and graceful-- yet our thoughts and motives may be full of hypocrisy, of deceit, and of all evil.

Hence we are taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “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;” In other words cast down all negative thoughts. Whenever we have a negative thought that seeks to depress us, deteriorate our potency, and does not line up with God’s Word, we must immediately cast it down, think on God’s Word, and speak out His Word. What kind of thoughts should we have then? The Bible admonish us, “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” (Philippians 4:8). Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life!" Proverbs 4:23. See that our primary focus is about our heart: that there, God's image is planted; His interests are advanced; the world and flesh are subdued; the love of every sin is cast out; and the love of holiness grows. Bible says "I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind!" (Jeremiah 17:10.) “for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)