“Where did that thought come from?”
Every so often an unkind remark seems to take us by surprise when it jumps out of our mouth!
It is indeed helpful to get to the source. Matthew 12:34 tells us that we speak what is overflowing from our heart. Paul encourages us in Colossians 3:2 (NIV) to “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” It seems pretty clear that what we think about and dwell on develops our thoughts, which affect our actions.
Isn’t it amazing how the Holy Spirit brings godly thoughts to mind when we allow him to work in us? Bible verses are like arrows used in spiritual battle. We combat the enemy and our fleshly desires with reminders, commands, and promises of God. Someone once told me that we need more than John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1 as arrows in our pack for fighting the battles. What a powerful visual that is!
What is in your pack? Do you have scriptural ‘arrows’ for fighting the fleshly desires and the lies of Satan? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you your weaknesses and sins so that you can combat them with God’s truths. Notice that the purpose is to reveal your own weaknesses and sins, not showcase others’.
Are you intentional with meditating on God’s Word daily so that your thoughts can be aligned with his? As you allow the scriptures to teach you, guide you, and train you in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) the Holy Spirit will provide you with God’s truths when you need bolstering. As William Wilberforce, the British abolitionist, declared, “There are four things we ought to do with the Word of God – admit it as the Word of God, commit it to our hearts and minds, submit to it, and transmit it to the world.”
As we allow the scriptures to affect us, transforming us through the Spirit, we get to experience the daily power of Jesus’ resurrection. This amazement can motivate us to share God’s truths with others, so they can know his love, salvation, and transformation as they submit to Jesus.
One way God is glorified is when we share him with others. What a privilege to be the vessels he so often chooses to use.
May our thoughts be grounded in the Lord, overflowing into actions that honor him!