Your step by step guide to a new…thought life

“But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on the cheek turn the other cheek. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:27-28, 36

Overcoming your enemies, requires you to overcome the “me”

We all struggle with them from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed. They determine how we act, what we say, and what we do. They are known as our thoughts.  Oh my goodness can we have some crazy thoughts. Just think about all the thoughts you have, good, loving, hateful, selfish, prideful, depressing, and more thoughts of self, self, self. 

That is why overcoming “me” is one of the greatest things we could ever learn to do. I believe that we can begin to love ALL of God’s people in a whole new way, by simply changing the way we think. I remind you this can only be done if you have Jesus living in you.

With that said, Paul gives us the best step by step guide to changing our thought patterns.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

1. Step one-ask the Lord to test your thoughts and point out any that are offensive to Him.
2. Write out any negative thoughts you might have towards someone.
3. Pray and ask the Lord to forgive you for those thoughts.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”  Romans 12:2

1. Step two-Get into the word of God and let His words become your thoughts. You do this by memorizing and storing His word deep in your heart.

“Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23

1. Step three-gather up all of the bad thoughts that enter your mind on a daily basis. Which includes; selfish thoughts, jealous thoughts, angry thoughts, bitter thoughts, lustful thoughts, condemning thoughts, judgmental thoughts, and prideful thoughts. Gather them up, take them captive, and then make new thoughts based off of the word of God.

“Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” Luke 12:34

1. Step four-start putting all your thoughts on a time sheet, when you go to total up your hours how many of them were on Christ? How many were on your enemies or self?  When you do this you will begin to see the things you put into your mind the most.

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8-9

1. Step five- Take action against all negative, unloving thoughts.

                                                              i.      When your thought life becomes negative, worldly, ugly, selfish, angry, jealous, etc.

                                                            ii.      Begin by taking each thought and examining it under the microscope of God’s word.

                                                          iii.      For example;

1.       Is this true?

2.       Is this thought honorable?

3.       Is this thought right?

4.       Is this thought pure?

5.       Is it lovely?

6.       Is it admirable?

7.       Is this thought excellent and worthy of praise?

God’s word is shaper than any two edged sword. Therefore it will cut to the root of our thoughts, slash them in half, and destroy them. Then the Holy Spirit will come down sweep them up, throw them in the trash, and the fire of God will them burn them removing them. I again remind you it is a DAILY process but overtime you will begin, just as I have, to notice a change in your heart, thoughts, action, and attitude.

Prayer: Lord search each of us today and test our every thought. Point out all thoughts that offend You. Forgive us Father for failing to remember that You know our every thought and that when we think of things that are not of You, You are the most offended. Amen