What Are You Thinking?
In our day and time where we are constantly being bombarded with senses
information we need to realize that we can control what we think. In
fact, it is imperative that we control our thinking, because what we
think affects our heart, and out of it come the truly important issues
of life. It is available to monitor what goes into our heart.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
We are to put and keep God’s Word into the midst of our hearts. Why? It will add life and health.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep [guard, or garrison] thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
New English: Guard your heart more than any treasure, for it is the source of all life.
Young’s: Above every charge keep thy heart, for out of it are the outgoings of life.
Knox: Use all thy watchfulness to keep thy heart true; that is the fountain whence life springs.
Amplified: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
We are to guard our heart. This takes effort. The most important things in life flow out of the heart; used figuratively in the Bible as the innermost part of your being. It is the place where the most important subjects to life find preeminence.
24 Put away from thee a froward [crooked] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
We are to put far away that which has departed the truth.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Notice all the action words that you must do.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
If we find our footing heading toward evil, we are to catch ourselves and retreat to that which is straight on with God.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
If we meditate and act on the Word of the Lord we will have no lack.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
We put God’s Word in our hearts so we will not error in our walk with Him. This takes effort. We have to study and allow God’s Word to get into our hearts, so we can learn to do his ways.
If times get a little unsettled, we are told to consider him, to control our minds to think about the one who sacrificed himself on our behalf. This will help us to withstand our labors with joyfulness.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Minds is psuchē meaning soul life, our entire being. We will not faint in ourselves, in our minds, if we remember what he accomplished on our behalf.
Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Treasure is an orientalism for thoughts. If our thoughts are good, good actions will follow.
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures [thoughts] upon earth [material things], where moth [fear] and rust [worry] doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure [thoughts are] is, there will your heart be also.
Bishop K.C. Pillai who was a converted Hindu from India, taught “light through an Eastern window.” He rendered these verses:
19 Let not your thoughts be centered in material things where fears and worries breed defeat and frustration, and where the doubts break through and steal your thoughts.
20 But let your thoughts be centered in the Spirit, where neither fear nor worry breeds defeat and frustration, and where doubts do not break through and steal your thoughts
21 For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also.
Contrast in your life when you think, mediate, concentrate, and act on God’s Word versus the results of acting on the thoughts of the world.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Do you want thoughts that are pure, or defiled?
Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Your actions and speech follow your thoughts. The words that come out of our mouths come from the heart.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, [Why?] that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
God said that He would make Joshua’s ways prosperous if he meditated on His Word and then acted on what God told Him.
Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
The heart teaches the mouth and adds learning. One doesn’t follow his heart. He protects his heart by controlling what he allows in it.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…
What are you thinking about? That is what you are becoming. God’s thoughts are bigger than ours. They produce what He wants.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God’s Word accomplishes that which He intends and prospers where He sends it. It is up to us to forsake our thoughts and ways and accept God’s thoughts and ways. God’s Word was not given to us to make our own ways and thoughts more successful. We need to put His thoughts into our heart, so we can accomplish what God needs us to do.
I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God…
We are fellow labourers with God, so we must know what is the will of our Father. Here are some subjects to consider.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[be such your treasures – Coneybeare]
Think on these things to the point of practicing them. Put them in your heart so that they will be communicated in your life and work. So you can glorify your Father in heaven.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
We are to put and keep God’s Word into the midst of our hearts. Why? It will add life and health.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep [guard, or garrison] thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
New English: Guard your heart more than any treasure, for it is the source of all life.
Young’s: Above every charge keep thy heart, for out of it are the outgoings of life.
Knox: Use all thy watchfulness to keep thy heart true; that is the fountain whence life springs.
Amplified: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
We are to guard our heart. This takes effort. The most important things in life flow out of the heart; used figuratively in the Bible as the innermost part of your being. It is the place where the most important subjects to life find preeminence.
24 Put away from thee a froward [crooked] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
We are to put far away that which has departed the truth.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Notice all the action words that you must do.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
If we find our footing heading toward evil, we are to catch ourselves and retreat to that which is straight on with God.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
If we meditate and act on the Word of the Lord we will have no lack.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
We put God’s Word in our hearts so we will not error in our walk with Him. This takes effort. We have to study and allow God’s Word to get into our hearts, so we can learn to do his ways.
If times get a little unsettled, we are told to consider him, to control our minds to think about the one who sacrificed himself on our behalf. This will help us to withstand our labors with joyfulness.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Minds is psuchē meaning soul life, our entire being. We will not faint in ourselves, in our minds, if we remember what he accomplished on our behalf.
Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Treasure is an orientalism for thoughts. If our thoughts are good, good actions will follow.
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures [thoughts] upon earth [material things], where moth [fear] and rust [worry] doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure [thoughts are] is, there will your heart be also.
Bishop K.C. Pillai who was a converted Hindu from India, taught “light through an Eastern window.” He rendered these verses:
19 Let not your thoughts be centered in material things where fears and worries breed defeat and frustration, and where the doubts break through and steal your thoughts.
20 But let your thoughts be centered in the Spirit, where neither fear nor worry breeds defeat and frustration, and where doubts do not break through and steal your thoughts
21 For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also.
Contrast in your life when you think, mediate, concentrate, and act on God’s Word versus the results of acting on the thoughts of the world.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Do you want thoughts that are pure, or defiled?
Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Your actions and speech follow your thoughts. The words that come out of our mouths come from the heart.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, [Why?] that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
God said that He would make Joshua’s ways prosperous if he meditated on His Word and then acted on what God told Him.
Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
The heart teaches the mouth and adds learning. One doesn’t follow his heart. He protects his heart by controlling what he allows in it.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…
What are you thinking about? That is what you are becoming. God’s thoughts are bigger than ours. They produce what He wants.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God’s Word accomplishes that which He intends and prospers where He sends it. It is up to us to forsake our thoughts and ways and accept God’s thoughts and ways. God’s Word was not given to us to make our own ways and thoughts more successful. We need to put His thoughts into our heart, so we can accomplish what God needs us to do.
I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God…
We are fellow labourers with God, so we must know what is the will of our Father. Here are some subjects to consider.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[be such your treasures – Coneybeare]
Think on these things to the point of practicing them. Put them in your heart so that they will be communicated in your life and work. So you can glorify your Father in heaven.