APRIL 23, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 23 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9

One of the hardest things for any of us to control is our thought life. For the Christian, the call to purity is not just a matter of what we do, but also what we think. All sin begins in our mind and then is manifested in our bodies. If we let our minds wander into ungodly things, it won't be long before we are doing ungodly things. We are told to, "guard our thoughts" and to "take every thought captive.” We are responsible for where our mind goes, where it lingers and what we allow it to lead us into. The mind is a powerful thing, but in Christ we are given dominion over our thought life. We don't have to ponder on ungodly things...if we do; we do so because we chose to.

The Apostle Paul, and James, tell us three things about our thought life and controlling our mind. We are to, "take on the mind of Christ" (Philippians. 2:5). We are to, "submit ourselves to God" (James. 4:7). We are to, "think on those things that are pure, holy..." (Philippians 4:8). The Lord knows how our minds work, and He has given us instruction for guarding our thought life. Some simple and practical help to follow His instructions are; first, watch where you put yourself; second, be careful and discerning about what you watch or listen to; third, fill your mind with the Word of God. We may not always be able to stop a thought from crossing our minds, but the Scriptures tell us in Christ we have power over that thought.

Please share your thoughts.