Choosing Our Thoughts (Phil 4:8)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

We tend to think that what we do in our minds has no tangible effect on our outer reality. But the truth is that our thoughts are far more important than we realize. Every thought we have is influencing our lives. Nothing is hidden from God's sight. Jesus said,

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. - (Luke 12:2-3)

We may be able to keep our thoughts hidden from others, but God knows our deepest intentions. Every thought is a seed, and every seed will bear fruit according to its kind.

Watch your thoughts, they become words;

watch your words, they become actions;

watch your actions, they become habits;

watch your habits, they become character;

watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

- Frank Outlaw

We may not have the ability to choose every thought that pops into our minds, but we do have the ability to reject or accept each thought. The Apostle Paul tells us what thoughts we should be granting permission to entry.

Our minds should be dominated by what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. All of these things find their foundation in Christ.

There is nothing more true than the words He spoke. There is nothing more noble than the life He lived. There is nothing more right than the path He walked. There is nothing more pure than the love He shared. There is nothing more lovely than the presence He carried. There is nothing more admirable than the devotion He gave. There is nothing more excellent than the faith He displayed. And there is nothing more praiseworthy than the sacrifice He made.

Jesus Christ should dominate our thoughts. And when He does, our destinies have no choice but to gravitate toward His.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve

what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will

- Romans 12:2