You're Responsible for What You Allow in Your Mind

By Rick Warren — Nov 17, 2015

"A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash." (Proverbs 15:14 NLT, second edition) Our minds control everything else about us. Our thoughts influence our feelings. Our feelings impact our actions. What you think matters, because everything starts in the mind. To be a responsible person, you have to control your thoughts. But let me relieve you of a little false guilt: You're not responsible for every stray thought that passes through your mind. Stray thoughts enter our minds for a variety of reasons — conversations you hear by accident, things you see, stuff the devil puts in your mind, etc. You're responsible for how you deal with those stray thoughts. Martin Luther said it like this: "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." God will hold you accountable for what you allow to enter your mind. I'm amazed by what some people watch — not to mention what they let their children watch. Many true followers of Jesus spend their time watching trashy TV and listening to trashy radio. They pay good money to see deviant behavior as entertainment. People watching such shows have told me, "When I go see those kinds of things, it just doesn't phase me. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't affect me." But that's just not true! Scientists have done study after study that says you never really forget any scene you see. Even if you don't consciously recall the scene, that idea will come right back to your mind — in living color — when something else stimulates the thought. In other words, "Garbage in, garbage out." What you put into your mind will inevitably bear fruit in your behavior and beliefs. In fact, when trashy entertainment doesn't bother you anymore, it's a warning light that you've already passed the threshold. One of Satan's greatest tricks for attracting you to sinful lifestyles is comedy. That's why on television or in movies, deviant behavior always starts in a comedic situation. If Satan can get you laughing at something that is sinful, you've already lost the battle. Sin isn't funny. Sin put Jesus on the cross. What are you filling your brain with?

it aint so easy

Meditate On

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8

What's On Your Mind?

It takes a positive thought to replace a negative one. You cannot eradicate negative thoughts just by using your willpower. God's Word tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7).

If you read on, it also says, "…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

So beloved, replace your thoughts of worry with thoughts of His pure, immeasurable and unconditional love for you. Turn your cares into prayers by casting all your cares to Him as you meditate on how He truly cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Don't hold on to your worries any longer. Let go and let God be the Father of favor, wisdom and supply that He wants to be to you. Keep meditating on His promises for you in His Word. Thank Him that because of Jesus, you have a blood-bought right to have a mind free of worries and stress today!

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but still, His manna is enough, a day at a time. albeit deeply painful circumstances at times, all for the molding of our earthly characters, isn't it?