A moment never exists when the mind is not in thought, even when asleep. Thoughts can be pleasant and calming, but can also be intrusive and unwanted. Thoughts are constant and abundant. The sheer multitude of thoughts can drive one to madness. Lady Gaga said, “The darkness, the loop of negative thoughts on repeat, clamors and interferes with the music I hear in my head.” In medical literature, this pattern of thought is called “obsessive ruminating.”
A preacher prefaced a sermon: “If you knew what thoughts go through my mind, you wouldn’t listen to a word I say.” Wrote Merville Vincent, “In God’s view, I suspect we are all sexual deviants. I doubt if there is anyone who has not had a lustful thought that deviated from God’s perfect idea of sexuality.” Years ago, Walter Trobish wrote a book whose title is likely every man and woman’s story – LIVING WITH UNFULFILLED DESIRES. But thoughts need not be sensual to be sinful. Envy. Jealousy. Hatred.
Scripture says our thoughts are not only a reflection of our inner selves, but also a precursor to our actions. We sin in thought before we sin in deed. Thoughts can take us a million places – places we need not go. But every thought can take us to God, that is, if God is our ultimate destination. But obstacles can hinder getting to God, and chief among them are thoughts – undisciplined, erratic, and scurrilous.
A Christ-follower can diligently avoid sinful behavior and yet indulge their thoughts. In years past, I have written the screenplays to dozens of films seen only by me in my private home theater – my mind. I can view these anytime – whether I’m shopping in a grocery store or singing in a worship service. I direct the lighting and oversee makeup. Neither Martin Scorsese nor Stephen Spielberg can direct a better film than I. A hymn lyric is true of me: “I need Thee precious Jesus, for I am full of sin.”
How do we prevent drifting and unwanted thoughts? Wrote Charles Spurgeon, “Some will say that they cannot help having bad thoughts. That may be, but the question is: do they hate them or not? We cannot help the birds flying over our heads, but we may keep them from building their nests in our hair.” No, we cannot prevent repugnant thoughts from entering our minds, but we can take action to overcome them.
Here’s an experiment. Right now, as you read this, think of a pink elephant. In your mind now stands a pink elephant as big as Dallas. Now, STOP thinking of a pink elephant. Is the pink elephant gone? “No,” you say. But I told you NOT to think of a pink elephant. Why have you not STOPPED thinking of a pink elephant? Because castigating you repeatedly not to think of a pink elephant only serves to reinforce it. The remedy? Start thinking about a purple kangaroo. There, a purple kangaroo has taken center stage in your mind.
How do oddly-colored elephants and kangaroos fit into our situation? I am the first to read and recommend good, biblically based books on overcoming sinful habits, but reading material that focuses on my specific sin issue may keep my thoughts focused on my issue.
Say there’s a porn issue or a propensity to read romance novels. Would reading a series of religious books specific to those issues help? Ask yourself: “Am I wanting to become an expert on overcoming porn or to become a disciplined follower of Jesus Christ?” For me, I eventually set aside the books on my “issue” and began to devour and digest large portions of Scripture. And while I might benefit from sporadic Bible reading, I learned it’s the daily, cumulative effect that creates spiritual momentum.
What I’ve just described is what psychology calls the “principle of positive replacement.” But it is sound Christian theology. I began to fix my gaze not on that pink elephant, but on the Almighty, repeating the words of David, “but as for me it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28)
The Bible says, “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” (Philippians 4:8 The Passion Translation)
Can’t control your thoughts? Remember, “We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Is your mind heavy? “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)
Does the way seem dark? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Need a deterrent to sin? “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
My early attempts to tell God how to help me went unheeded. Then I read why: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
We must use our God-given imaginations, not to write screenplays, but to visualize entering God’s throne room. Before I speak a word in prayer, I must seek the Lord in prayer, silently bowing low where I remain until I hear Him say, “Tim, my child, I’m delighted you’ve come to fellowship.” Prayer is often our last resort – “a final course of action, used only when all else has failed.” In another sense, prayer can be our lush resort – a place where one is physically refreshed, mentally restored, and spiritually replenished – because God is there. The hymn says, “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.”
(Wilkins is the author of MORE THAN WORDS. He has written for The Christian Post, Baptist Press and many others and speaks in churches and conference settings.)
Leave a Reply