Mind Control - Authorized Thoughts Only!

Think on These Things

As we have already seen:
After salvation, we are responsible to renew our own minds - changing them from the inside out with God's Word.
Also, we now know that thoughts aren't things that just happen to us. We think whatever we choose to think, and that God's grace will empower us to honor Him in our thought life. 

Now that we know this, what is it we're supposed to think about? Philippians 4:8 tells us eight characteristics of godly thoughts - "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

If you'll let it, this verse will act like a gatekeeper, guarding the entry into your thought life. Here we can see eight checkpoints that any thought should have to pass through before it's allowed to dwell in our mind. And if anything comes across that can't pass these checkpoints, then 2 Corinthians 10:5 needs to be put into action:

"...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." If it can't pass through these gates, then it must be taken prisoner.

Checkpoint #1 - Is It True?

This first question is the outer perimeter guarding your mind, and will usually put a stop to the majority of wicked thoughts. Why? Well, for starters, just the simple fact that you're stopping to investigate is usually enough to drive off fleeting thoughts and keep you from being carried away. 

Ask yourself
Do you know if that thing you're thinking about is factually accurate or not?
Did that event actually happen the way you're replaying it in your mind?
Were the motives of that person actually what you think they were?
Are those worries rolling around in your mind real or just something that you're imagining?

But this goes way beyond factchecking: Does that thought line up with the truth or not?

John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth."

God's Word is the truth. So before you let thoughts into your mind, ask this: "Does this thought have a foundation in the Scriptures?" If it's not based on His Word, then it should not take up space in your mind.

Checkpoint #2 - Is It Noble?

This is the Greek word semnos. It refers to the character and integrity of an honorable person. Believe it or not, it's actually where we get the word "seminary" - schools that train such "honorable and noble reverends". You can think of Checkpoint #2 this way: Would you be embarrassed to talk about that thought with a Reverend?

1 Peter 2:17 - "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

When your thoughts are noble - they will be honorable and respectful in this way. You will assume the best motives for people's actions...or at least the best that the facts will allow.
If your thought life has this kind of nobility, you'll do everything you can to honor all people. Why? Because your respect for them is strong enough to keep you from demeaning their character...even in your private thoughts.

Checkpoint #3 - Is It Just?

This is the same word as "righteous" - it means "in obedience to the laws of God."

Of course we know that we have been made righteous with God by faith...but that's not what we're talking about here. The question is, are your thoughts righteous? Do they line up with God's moral law?

1. You shall not have any god other that the Lord

2. You shall not make up gods that appeal to you

3. Keep God's name holy, and don't use it lightly

4. Observe the day of rest

5. Honor your parents

6. No murder (or hatred)

7. No adultery (or lust)

8. Don't take what's not yours

9. Don't be deceptive

10. Stop thinking your life would be better "if only"

If a thought conforms to these standards, then it is just in God's eyes. If not, then it has no business occupying space in your mind.

Checkpoint #4 - Is It Pure?

Is that thought clean, or has it been contaminated by the world?

Don't allow your mind be like the pig mentioned in 2 Peter 2:22. After you the spend time getting it all cleaned up and washed in the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26), why would you let it wander right back to the muck and mire of the world?

Checkpoint #5 - Is It Lovely?

Philippians 4:8 is the only time we see the Greek word prosphiles used in Scripture - translated as "lovely" in the NKJV. This word describes something that is pleasant or pleasing to see. Of course we're not talking about something whether or not something is pleasing to you; but rather what thoughts does God consider pleasing to look at?

After all, you do remember that God sees our thoughts, right? 1 Chronicles 28:9 says this very clearly: "...for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts." Because He sees it all, the goal of our thought life should be described in Psalm 19:14 - "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight..."

What do you suppose your thoughts look like to Him?

Checkpoint #6 - Does It Contain A Good Report?

This is the Greek word euphemos. It means that which is well-spoken of, things that are reputable.

Don't let your mind sink down to the gutter. Don't let it dwell on shady or sketchy topics. Stop allowing the suspicious and the conspiratorial to monopolize your brain. I know it's easy to chase the facts down into rabbit holes of conspiracy...but this cannot be a preoccupation of a believer. We have more important things to do!

Isaiah 8:12 tells us "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
Of course there are secret things that we don't know of. Of course there are schemes and plans that are discussed in the dark...and we should be praying that they come into the light. But in our culture right now, there's enough wickedness out in the open for Christians to stand up against...you don't need spend time digging around in the dirt to find some more.

Checkpoint #7 - Does It Have Any Virtue In It?

Now we're almost ready to allow that thought into our minds. But before we get there, we've got two more stops to make...two more checkpoints to pass through. At this one, we're going to ask..."What's the benefit of thinking about this? Is there any value in it?"

Is there any good in these thoughts?
Will I be better off for thinking them?
Do they have any kind of worth to me, or to the Kingdom?

Psalm 94:11 - "The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile."

Idle thoughts...pointless daydreams...useless fantasies - many blank minds have wandered into these and never came back out. Not yours though; your thinking will have a purpose! There will be virtue found in your thoughts!

Checkpoint #8 - Is It Praiseworthy?

If all of your thoughts were recorded yesterday and then sent to the phones of all your friends - what would their opinion of you be? Would they praise you for your thought life, or would they decide not to hang around you anymore! 

This is the concept behind the Praiseworthy checkpoint: Would you be commended for that thought if people knew about it? That's a tough standard to meet, but it's the right one to have. After all, this is exactly what will happen in the end. Luke 8:17 says exactly this: "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."

Since there will be a day when everyone will know the thoughts you're thinking right now...wouldn't it be wise to keep them under control?

I know it probably seems strange to put so much thought into what you're thinking about, but you must! Your mind is too important to allow just any thought to move in. As for me, I plan on setting up and reinforcing these checkpoints in my mind...and bring all my thoughts into line with God and His Word!