I’ve had my mind on my mind lately. What is it that makes me think the things I think and do the things I do? This was mainly brought to my attention because of the tragedy that happened here in my hometown over the weekend. A father walked into his house and shot his two sons execution style (ages 7 and 10), then shot his step-father and his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself. What makes a man do that? Is it indeed demonic activity or is it a deranged mind? Is anyone beyond such violent activity?
What is in my mind? Where do I have an erroneous mindset? The apostle Paul tells me in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that even if I have a sincere and pure devotion to Christ, my mind can be led astray, lured away by the enemy of my soul. Just before that, he had said to be constantly “fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ” (10:5 -- The Message). The NIV renders it, “Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
So how do I do that? I think I first need to look at the fruit my mind is producing. For example, someone asked me a very innocent question the other day, and I answered it very simply. But then I thought, “Why did she ask me that?” and I suddenly became very hypersensitive. That hypersensitivity was the fruit – but fruit comes from a root, and the root of wrong thinking is always a faulty belief system. So maybe I need to examine my belief system. In this case, I know the root was pride and insecurity or why else would I have been so sensitive? When I produce the fruit of a need to control, it’s a root of insecurity – every time. Perfectionism? Low self-esteem. We don’t simply grow insecure, angry, intolerant, or defensive without something to feed those feelings or thoughts. The feelings and thoughts are just the fruit of an erroneous mindset that has not been taken captive to the obedience of Christ. I am going to behave according to what I think.
This week I am making a concerted effort to take my thoughts captive and make them agree with truth – the truth of God’s Word and who He says I am. It begins with taking an inventory – and I’m not so sure I’m going to enjoy this.
By the way, what’s in your closet?
1 comment:
Your belief system is fine. Never underestimate satan. Never overestimate your ability to say the perfect thing. Sometimes something said innocently is perceived just the opposite by the one hearing it simply because of whats happening in their life at that time.Your brain is full of wrinkles. Unless you have God covering all of them all of the time, satan will get in. Prayer, with the help of Jesus Christ, drives him out.Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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