By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Proverbs 4:23 CEV
“Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.”
Have you ever considered that our thoughts are random and arbitrary? That they are not easily controllable? Our thoughts are conceived and nurtured by the things we come into contact with. Whatever we experience contributes to our thoughts.
The scripture suggests that we “guard “our thoughts. To guard is to protect or to shield; to be on duty to protect that which is important or valuable. There is nothing more important or valuable than our minds and the thoughts that we allow to enter it. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (KJV).
Wrong thoughts can lead to all kinds of trouble. In 1 Corinthians chapter 20, the Apostle Paul talks about the thoughts of the Israelites while they were in the wilderness that led them to violate the law given to them by God Himself. He says there were many who allowed their thoughts to lead them in a rebellious direction. Paul cautions his readers not to follow their example. He tells them in no uncertain terms. “Some of those people did shameful things, and in a single day about 23,000 died. Don’t do shameful things as they did. And don’t try to test the Lord, as some of them did and were later bitten by poisonous snakes. Don’t even grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel.” (1 Corinthians 10:8-10 CEV)
There are times when our thoughts can deceive us. We might think, as Paul says, that we are standing firm against temptation, but are really being led astray in the same way as the Israelites were in the wilderness. Paul is interested in helping his readers to guard their thoughts. He says in verse 12, “Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall.”
He uses himself as an example and tells his readers, “Don’t cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God’s church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved.” Applying this text to contemporary times, our minds must be focused on the Lord and His desire that everyone be saved. I can’t emphasize enough that if the Israelites, those who were called out of slavery and chosen to be God’s peculiar nation, couldn’t control their thoughts, we must ponder the question, is it possible for us to control our thoughts? Paul again comes to the rescue! In verses 13, he already told his readers “But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.”
When we focus on the Lord and consider how we can help others work out their soul’s salvation, our thoughts are guarded by the trustworthiness of God. He can be trusted to guard our thoughts. Remember, WE ARE WHAT WE THINK.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of both LaGree Baptist Church and the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on YouTube and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smash words.com/books/view/993177.
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