A thought is a language. It is a medium of communication between your spirit and mind. Thoughts are substantial. They are not to be treated as mere feelings or as unimportant. Every man has been so created by God with the ability to think.

The Scriptures tell us thoughts are vital to our lives. That is why God tells us to meditate often, as meditation itself implies focused thinking (see Joshua 1:8). Since thought is a language of communication between spirit and mind, often times God encapsulates ideas, counsel and strategies in our spirits. Then He transfers those truths to your mind through thoughts.

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The Importance of Thoughts

Thoughts are so important that God Himself thinks! They were created by God in the first place and are meant to be a vehicle of communication. God often uses thoughts to communicate with us. It’s sad that most people miss it when God sends a thought from His infinite mind to them.

Psalm 139:17,18 states, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand.” God thinks precious and wonderful things about us. He wants to share His ideas and feelings with us. And because He made you in His image, He also gives you power to think on your own. However, what you think about is your sole responsibility (see Phillipians 4:8).

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The Source of Thoughts

1) They come from God. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil.”

2) They come from your spirit to your mind.

3) They come from the devil. Scriptures commands us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5)

How Thoughts Affect and Determine Outward Manifestations

No man can actually take charge of his destiny until he understands the power of thoughts and deliberately takes charge of them. Outward manifestation of greatness and impact largely depend on your thoughts. Genesis 6:5 says, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Negative thoughts will produce bad fruits. Positive and healthy thoughts bring good fruits. If you think you can’t do anything, then you really can’t! And if you think you can attain great heights, then you truly can. It’s that simple, for your thoughts will fuel and propel you toward the right people and the right direction.

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Taking Charge of Your Thoughts

This is crucial if you intend to have a life of greatness and impact. These simple steps will help you take control of your thought life. As you practice them, you will discover how to fill your mind with rich and profitable content.

1. Identity the enemy.

Every negative and evil thought comes from the devil (see Ezekiel 38:10) and can be helped by you. See Acts 8:22 and Mark 7:21. There are times when the devil bombards your mind with negative thoughts of failure, worthlessness, defeat, depression, trouble and disappointment. Do not allow those thoughts to linger in your mind. Cast them down and command the devil to stop his pranks! Negative thoughts are usually stronger in minds that are not given to God’s Word.

2. Take responsibility for your thoughts.

You are responsible for your bathing and eating. You do not need to be reminded to take care of your body. In the same way, you are to nurture your mind. Deliberately choose and filter what goes in to your mind. Feed your mind with God’s Word and good things. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Your mind is like a bucket. It has to contain something. If you don’t fill it with the right content, all you’ll have there will be wrong stuff producing the wrong things! Feed your mind with stuff that inspires, educates and challenges you. Good thoughts are precious seeds and will bear good fruits.

3. Have an openness to learn, unlearn and relearn.

You must do away with old and negative mindsets, much like you delete useless stuff from your smartphone. You must deliberately unlearn ideas and principles that are not helpful. Make a conscious effort to relearn new things and new ways. Subject your mind to a healthy diet.

4. Ask God to help you identify negative contents and patterns and uproot them.

Pray that God would help you demolish unhelpful thoughts. He will give you the required strength and wisdom to develop and maintain a healthy mind. God will help you fill your mind with precious contents.

5. Guard against wrong assumptions.

Be firm in your convictions. Let your actions be anchored on what you believe personally. Oftentimes, assumptions are wrong and costly. God can help you change your wrong assumptions.

6. Associate with people who will build you up.

Your mind is designed so it can adapt easily to new things. It can draw wisdom from other people. Proverbs 13:20 states, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Associate with those who inspire and encourage you. Encourage actions that help your mental productivity. Remember that your mind will only process, reproduce and retain whatever content you put in it.

As you carry out these steps, God will grant you mental clarity and good understanding.

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Angela Lowe, MS. Ed., LPC
Angela Lowe is a licensed Professional Counselor, trained Biblical Counselor and certified Holistic Health Coach. Her kingdom mandate is to restore God’s counsel to transform lives, marriages, and churches worldwide.