God Cares What We Think

“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” (Pr 15:26 AV)

In our study, preaching, and teaching, I feel we neglect the topic of our thought life to our own detriment.  Years ago, I got in some heated debates with fellow believers by asking the question:  can thoughts be sinful, and if so, must they be controlled?  It is amazing how many believe we are not accountable for the things that enter our brains and the lack of discipline that would keep them out.  Many believe we are hopeless victims to our brains and we cannot control them.  So, we are not accountable for what our brains think.  If that is so, then the first part of the above proverb is a lie.  How can God detest our thoughts if we cannot control them?  The fact of the matter is, we can.  Paul the apostle tells us just how to do that.  “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2Co 10:5 AV)  If we cannot control our thought life, then why would Paul command us to bring them into captivity and thrust them down?  The fact it, we can.  And must!

When we moved into our current home, it hadn’t been occupied for years.  It was also in the process of being remodeled from top to bottom.  We had a battle on our hands with a small little creature that made its presence known.  The common field mouse had been used to using our abode as his private little winter retreat.  Before it was all done, we had trapped and killed eight mice in the manner of four months.  We could have succumbed to the mice and simply stated there was nothing we could do to keep them from getting into the house.  Therefore, we lay victim to the little vermin.  Or, we could look around and see where they were entering and what was drawing them.  We increased our dumpster pickups to remove food sources.  We patched holes in the outside foundation of the house.  We poisoned where we thought they might be coming in.  We sealed any holes on the inside of the house.  In other words, we looked for the entry points of these unwelcome guests and cut them off before they had the ability to enter.

There are triggers for thoughts.  They do not happen on their own.  The brain is stimulated by something.  It needs nutrients.  It needs stimuli.  What we allow in through our eyes and ears plays a large part in what we think.  Our emotional state can also play a part in the thoughts we entertain.  Envy, anger, malice, lust, etc. all play a part in what we think.  Smells of cinnamon can conjure up images of Christmas.  Certain odors, like a certain perfume, can bring to mind a long lost relative.  In short, that which bombards us from the outside plays a large part in what we think on the inside.  Knowing what the triggers are, and managing those triggers, is the key to a disciplined thought life.  Once we have managed the triggers, we need to develop new triggers that result in a holy thought life.  Filling our eyes, ears, and minds with that which glorifies God is what turns an abominable thought life into a holy thought life.  It can and must be controlled.