Redirected Thought Life
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
— Romans 7:25 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
We sometimes read this verse as an excuse for our failures. We declare that our failures, sins, and depression are just a part of being a slave to sin. However, I don’t believe that this was Paul’s intent when he wrote these words.
I believe that Paul was reminding us of the sinful nature we all carry with us. This sinful nature is always going to draw us to sin, depression, and defeat. But as followers of Christ, we have a renewed mind. Our renewed mind, empowered by the Holy Spirit, wants to live in freedom, love, joy, and peace. We get to make the choice of victory or defeat in our minds.
We cannot choose our circumstances, but we can choose our thoughts. Emerson said, “A man is what he thinks about all the time.” We would be shocked if we could record our thoughts during the day and then play them back in the evening. We would be shocked to discover that the thoughts we gravitate toward may be the very source of many of the problems in our lives.
Norman Vincent Peale once said, “A man is not what he thinks he is, but what he thinks, he is.” Marcus Aurelius, a great philosopher who ruled over the Roman Empire, said it in eight easy words: “Our lives are what our thoughts make it.” If we don’t like our life, examine our thoughts. He also went on to say, “The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts.”
What if we make a choice to think joyful thoughts? Thoughts full of color and beauty. Thoughts that are positive, life-giving, and encouraging.
We can choose our thoughts. It takes work, but with time we can program our minds to think positive thoughts.
Some have been raised in such a negative environment that the thought process needs a complete overhaul. The Holy Spirit can overhaul our thoughts. We must intentionally spend time in God’s Word and in prayer. Allowing the Holy Spirit to reprogram our minds.
It is crucial that we pray in the Spirit daily. Praying in the Spirit allows the Holy Spirit to reprogram our minds and redirect negative thoughts into positive thoughts.
We do not have to continue to be a slave to sin. We have been set free by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. He died so we could live in freedom.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please reprogram my mind. Show me how to live in freedom.
Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying to you based on today’s reading.
Very good message here. I say life‘s choices can make us a bItter or a bEtter person. The choice is ours. Does this come out daily? Where can we find it to follow and read it?
Excellent word. Thanks for sharing.
I think I need a daily brain wash from the Holy Spirit. So many influences from my culture that twist the truth and t try to plant lies in my mind.
holy spirit help me keep does thoughts away from my life!!
they hurt me and they don’t let me continue my life!!
Holy Spirit arrest my thoughts when I start to dwell on what is not healthy. Remind me to think on what is true, noble, worthy and good reports.