Topic:Your Thoughts Control Your Life [RICK WARREN Devotional 10 January 2022]
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Your Thoughts Control Your Life
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)God is far more interested in changing your mind than in changing your circumstances.
Most people long for God to take away all problems, pain, sorrow, suffering, sickness, and sadness. But God wants to work on you first, because transformation won’t happen in your life until you renew your mind—until your thoughts begin to change.
Why is it so important to learn how to manage your mind? Here are three reasons:
Because your thoughts control your life. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (GNT). Your thoughts have tremendous ability to shape your life for good or for bad. For example, maybe you were told while growing up: “You’re worthless. You don’t matter.” And you accepted that thought, even though it was wrong. Now, years later, it’s shaping your life. That’s why it’s important to choose which thoughts you allow to affect you.
Because the mind is the battleground for sin. All temptation happens in the mind. Paul said in Romans 7:22-23, “I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin” (TLB).
Also Read: Open Heaven 10 January 2022 Monday By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Price Of Commitment
One reason you get mentally fatigued is because there’s a battle in your brain 24 hours a day. It’s debilitating because it’s intense, and it’s intense because your mind is your greatest asset. Satan wants your greatest asset!
Because it’s the key to peace and happiness. An unmanaged mind leads to tension. A managed mind leads to tranquility. An unmanaged mind leads to conflict. A managed mind leads to confidence. When you don’t control the way you direct your thoughts, you will experience an enormous amount of stress in your life. But a managed mind leads to strength, security, and serenity.
The Bible says, “Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NLT)
- What do you fill your mind with that pleases God? What do you fill your mind with that displeases God?
- How can you practice managing your mind?
- What role does Scripture play in managing your mind?
Have you trusted God’s promise of salvation?
If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.
“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”