Minding Your Thoughts
A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The flesh and the mind are inexorably connected. They both affect the other, and they both have desires. Since our devotions this year focus on the mind, let’s stick with considering the desires of the mind. Some desires of the mind are universal such as acceptance, love, the need to be needed, success, and on and on. And then some desires of the mind are unique to the individual. If leaders could find the individual desires of the minds of the people they lead, then they would be more effective in leading them to success.
The desires of the mind can either be righteous or sinful. It is the responsibility of each person to identify which is which. The righteous desires should be fostered and brought to fulfillment for they honor God and will benefit mankind. Sinful desires of the mind should be identified as such and quashed by the individual before they become actions of the flesh which will bring shame and dishonor.
While this is simple to write and easy to read, it is very difficult to live for it takes a person of strong will, determination, and self-honesty to really deal with saying no to the sinful desires of the mind. Paul, who wrote the above verse, also wrote, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (I Corinthians 9:27) How does one bring their body into subjection? One way is to deal with the sinful desires of the mind, stop them there before they become a reality.
Remember that temptation to sin is not sin; yielding to the temptation to sin is sin. We know that temptation alone is not sin, for Christ was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). If allowed to reside in the mind unchecked by Scripture, the temptation to sin will be fulfilled by the flesh. More than one preacher has said something like, “the things you are thinking about today are the things you will be doing tomorrow.” Take inventory of the desires of your mind, feed those that are righteous and eradicate those that are sinful. And leaders, uncover the good desires of the mind of your followers and enable them to accomplish them, your leadership will grow exponentially.
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
Dr. William T. Howe
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