Hebrews 12:1 " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."
Well it's Monday morning, have you got your week of thoughts planned out? Probably not, but we do need to consider what our thoughts reflect on and dwell on throughout the week. Our thoughts are a window into our hearts.
Let's begin with the attitude of our thoughts. "For the sake of harmony with fellow believers, God urges us to realize that we are all accountable to our Lord, to act according to His Word and our conscience. However, He alone is in a position to judge the attitudes of our heart (Rom. 14:4-7)."odb.org Our thoughts often go towards the faults of others before our own. It is often true that what we think of as a weakness in others is also found in ourselves. Oops, that splinter in you just became a log in my own eye...hmm.
Who sees and guides our thoughts? Hebrews 4: 12-13 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." God knows what we are thinking, even if we can keep it from coming out of our mouths. We need to read His Word so that we can be steered onto the right path, instead of our culture's ever-changing idea of what's right and wrong. God's Word stands firm..past, present and forever more.
Who is in your thoughts? Psalm 10:4 "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." When God is part of our thoughts, there is a recognition of dependence on Him. There is also a desire to do what's right, according to God, not just a desire to please ourselves. Our prayer life is also a reflection of who is in our thoughts. Are our prayers about God's purposes and desires for our lives? It is 'May His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven', not our will.
As for myself, the struggle is real with my thoughts. My mind wanders off during prayers sometimes. My anger can take control of my thoughts during a down time in my day. My thoughts can lead to moments of doubt. All of these distractions are Satan's attempts to get my focus off God's direction to what I should be thinking about.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
