"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:5
We place a great deal of emphasis on our actions, and with good reason. How we treat others, respond to situations and demonstrate our faith and values all leave a lasting impression. While our words are often forgotten or misremembered over time, our actions are more likely to be what defines us.
But our deeds aren't all that matter. What we think bears a great deal of importance too. After all, our thoughts direct our acts and influence our decisions. So, if we're always looking for the best in people, we're better adjusted to forgive, be generous towards them and in doing so, live in a way that reveals Christ's impact on us. But if we constantly see the worst in others, then we're probably going to be more guarded and less compassionate.
Through the Bible we learn the importance of godly thoughts and the dangers of ungodly ones.
Sometimes the things that we do to sow ungodly seeds in our thought life can be so subtle that we barely even notice we're doing it. And before long, they're deep rooted in our minds. But even if this is the case, there is always hope that we can clear them out and replace them with good and godly thoughts.
If you're unsure how to identify what kind of seeds you're sowing in your thought life, these three questions are a good place to begin.
Who are you listening to?
Not everyone who we surround ourselves with wants the best for us. And sometimes those who do can slip up and say things that hurt us. What we hear, good and bad, plays on our mind for days, weeks and even years to come.
Don't listen to people who tell you that you're not beautiful enough, that you'll never amount to anything or consistently bring you down. Their lies don't just impact your self-confidence but your confidence in God, too. All that He created is good and that includes you. Listen to God and let His voice drown out ungodliness. Moreover, surround yourself with people who don't just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to in order to grow closer to Christ.
What are you reading?
The best starting point we have for battling against ungodly thoughts is God's Word. The more often you read it, the more familiar you become with it, the more it will fill your mind and dominate the space which otherwise can be taken up by conflicting thoughts. Having even just a few Bible verses memorised for common situations will be a useful and effective tool in moments where unrighteous thoughts arise.
In addition, avoiding toxic reading material will also help you to keep your mind clear of unholy thoughts.
What are you saying?
Have a think about your most recent conversations with friends, families and those you don't get on with so well. Did your words in each case represent your faith and the values that Jesus holds? If not, try and identify what triggered your responses. Maybe it was hearsay from another friend or the words of a stranger that wound you up.
No matter what the reason, you need to find a way to eliminate these ungodly seeds from entering your headspace. It might mean avoiding spending so much time with certain people or terminating connections completely. And if neither of those are the answer, then work on being slow to speak and give time for good thoughts to take precedent until they become default.
