How have you been doing in yielding to the Spirit of God over this last day? Let’s combine yielding with the mind renewal principles that I have been communicating over the last few days. Remember, thoughts -> emotions -> attitudes -> behavior, so if I am going to change and manifest the fruit of the Spirit, it begins in the thought life. How has your thought life been for the last few days? What do you think about? What dominates your life? What bring anxiety?
In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us with the principle of replacement. I find it impossible to deny wrong thoughts. To say to self, “don’t think about that thought,” is like posting a “do not touch sign.” Paul offers a better solution. In the face of anxiety, have replacement thoughts available. He gives us eight words that can be used as replacement thoughts:
Whatever is ... true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. When anxious thoughts come, develop a replacement thought according to verse 8. Try this: you have a meeting with someone tomorrow and you are anxious about its outcome. What is true? God is with you. He will help you. He is overseeing all that is going on in your life. He will help you know what to say and do. Transform your thoughts by replacing them with true thoughts. You have the freedom to do so. Refresh yourself on the other verses before and after verse 8. You have prayer, The Lord is near. God is available to guard your heart and mind. Think about the things guided by verse 8. Put this into practice (v. 9). Walk in the Spirit, one step at a time. Write out Philippians 4:4:4-9 on a 3 x 5 card with the replacement words in verse 8 in separate lines. Keep it with you at all times as a reminder of where your thoughts should go and where your spiritual resource for life transforming power comes from. You are on a great journey of transformation and freedom. God is at work within you to carry out His good purpose (Philippians 2:13)Keep at it daily, one step at a time. You will make progress and the outcome will be wonderful!
I have been thoroughly enjoying the audio lecture series by Ken Boa on Pursuing Wisdom from Proverbs. Check it out. But don’t add it to your activity list until you have worked carefully and diligently on your thought life as outlined above.
(Prov 4:23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
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