Whatever You Do, Don’t Stop Thinking
We exercise our bodies, so they can withstand physical attacks. We exercises our spiritual bodies, so we can withstand attacks by the Devil. What we do not exercise as often, especially as we get older, is our brains.
How important is it to exercise the brain?
A. Our minds govern our hearts. Our brains send the electrical impulses that keep our hearts beating. So if the Devil can take the mind, he can take our hearts.
B. Our thoughts govern our disposition. When Paul was on trial before King Agrippa, He said, “I think myself happy...” (Acts 26:2). Paul’s life was on the line, yet his thoughts kept him from losing himself. His thoughts kept him alive.
C. Our thoughts govern our blessings. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...” If you think small, you will receive small things. If you think big, you will receive big things. Either way, you must think it, before you can have it. The Devil endeavors to keep us from thinking, so we will have nothing..
D. Our thoughts govern who we are. “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...” (Proverbs 23:7). If your mind is not in it, neither or you. If your mind is not of it, neither are you. If Satan controls our thoughts, he controls us.
E. Our brains are the bridge between our Flesh and our Spirit. Our brains interpret the environment through our senses- taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing- and determine a response. It is our brains, therefore, that connect our Inner Man to our Outer Man. And it is also our brains that determine how we respond to attacks on either end.
In taking captive our own thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5), here are some brain exercises for us to work on:
Exercise #1. Chose your thoughts.
Philippians 4:8- 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.
Exercise #2. Sharpen your equipment.
2 Timothy 2:15- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Exercise #3. Move forward
Philippians 3:13-14- Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Stop replaying life's situations in your head. The ending is still the same. Do not dwell on past mistakes or even past victories. Learn adequately, celebrate adequately, and move on to your next assignment.
I Corinthians 13:11- When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Children repeat themselves, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...” “I want, I want, I want...” Children are present-focused, because they cannot see beyond today. Don’t get stagnant or child-like in your thinking.
Children also repeat others...monkey see, monkey do. It is time to move forward in getting your OWN identity in Christ. Not your pastor’s identity, your church’s identity, your your spiritual mentor’s identity, etc. Be YOU in Jesus. The only One you are to imitate is Christ.
Exercise #4. Focus.
Now this sounds contradictory. How do you both focus AND move at the same time? The greats were greats because they focused on the move. Einstein, Newton, Galileo, or even in a more modern sense, Jordan, LeBron, Gates....they had to remain focused on the move in order to move forward. They kept their attentions directed on what was ahead and they joined their actions to their thoughts to attain a specific outcome. God is focused and shows us how to do the same.
Job 23:13-14- But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
Isaiah 26:3- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
A focused mind brings forth peace. If you are like me, you hear voices in your head. I have concluded that they are components of my Flesh and my Spirit, warring for command. The consecrated me and the lustful me are battling it out over here. The insecure me and the boastful me are still trying to figure out whose shift it is. And the quick-tempered me just wants attention, so she is banging pots and making noise. SIFT through these voices and hone in on God’s. FOCUS on His voice and gain peace.
If we give the devil our minds, we give him our hearts. Endeavor to protect your mind, and whatever you do, don’t stop thinking.
Love You,
Dr. Asha :)
P.S. Don't forget to check out the new "Temple Fit" devotions for healthy living radio segment on Wednesdays at 4pmEST onHeaven 1410AM. Bless you, and please tell a friend!
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