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Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Philippians 4:8
“That guy _____,” or “That lady _____,” or “That house _____,” or “That person at work _____,” or “I’m a _____” or “The _____ person in front of me in the check-out line.”
As I go throughout my day, I encounter many situations in which I fill in the blanks with very uncomplimentary thoughts. It is difficult to walk down a street or drive your car for a gas fill-up without opportunities to curse, cuss, or criticize others.
I find many opportunities to demean myself too. Nincompoop, idiot, inadequate, sinner, useless, and not enough talent, were battles fought in my self-directed thought life yesterday.
How about you?
I have developed a one-sentence defense: “Stop! Don’t think that; it is not of the Lord.”
In the morning I pray, “God, make me aware when I’m thinking thoughts that are not of You!”
I want to think, as soon as I get mad, want to complain, say something negative, or have a Miggy Moment (see Interruptions #’s 214 and 215 at www.grantedwardsauthor.com)…
Stop! Don’t think that; it is not of the Lord!
The problem with thoughts is that when entertained, they take control of your mental remote-control and dominate your imagination. The more that you succumb, the greater difficulty of turning the channel.
- Channel 1: Anger – How many of us listen to this channel all day long?
- Channel 2: Lust – How many are entertained by constant thoughts of impurity?
- Channel 3: Discontent – Nothing about us or others satisfies. We have such low self-esteem that we compensate by tearing up others. This is a terrible self-produced podcast.
- Channel 4: Fear – This channel is addicting. Once you turn up the volume to ghosts and goblins of fear, they don’t leave easily.
- Channel 5: Pride – A constant imagined visual of being glad that you aren’t another person, class, or race.
- Channel 6: Selfishness – A constant video of why you can’t give or don’t have enough.
What channel do you watch the most?
Stop! Don’t think that; it is not of the Lord!
Our thoughts can have demonic origins. We would all be uncomfortable if we could see the unseen forces of evil aligning themselves against us. James writes, “Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
First, identify a thought as not of God.
Second, say “Stop! Don’t think that; it is not of the Lord!”
The third step: Turn lust, anger, and frustration to praise.
First, identify; second, “Stop!…”; third, “God I’m thankful for _____.”
Channel 7 is the “Praise Channel” – the media channel created by God for His attitude to become your attitude. Please watch Channel 7 tonight.