Finally, brethren, 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 – Philippians 4:8.
Thoughts will bring faith, doubt, anger, sadness, hopelessness, and other emotional feelings when uncontrolled. We can’t keep thoughts from coming, but we don’t have to allow them to control us when they are negative.
Thoughts can inspire us, or they can hinder our progress both naturally and spiritually. Thoughts can cause marriages to go on a downhill spiral—broken relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and our sisters and brothers in the church community.
You’re the landlord of your spirit, soul, and body and have the authority of what you allow into these components. Some thoughts come about from what we look at and listen to; others come because of the attack of the Adversary and the thoughts we hold on to rather than releasing them.
The Apostle Paul was writing to the body of Christ; he was well aware of what some were going through in their thoughts, so he admonished them to think about things that bring life, not death. Thoughts become actions, either good or bad.
Many godly women are full of anger, hurt, and depression because of what they have allowed to come in and take residence in their thoughts and hearts. There is nothing wrong with thinking about the past. Sometimes, it will give motivation, while at times, it will hinder us from going forward.
When a thought comes, examine whether it makes you happy or sad. Is this thought giving you faith or doubt? Is this thought making you feel bad about yourself? Is this thought the opposite of what God thinks and is saying about you? Is this thought making you suspicious of others?
You can stop the emotional rollercoaster by controlling what you will think about and what you will allow to set up housekeeping in your thoughts and heart. God is gracious; He has given believers and nonbelievers control over their thoughts.
Because the battle is in our minds, many will think more about negative thoughts rather than positive thoughts. If you’re tired of being worn down by negative thoughts, you must change your thinking, and you can only do that by controlling your thoughts and what you allow to enter your hearing and your eyes.
Some thoughts come from what we have allowed to enter through our eye and ear gates. Monitor what you’re watching and listening to. We live in the natural, but good or evil angels surround us; what’s around us depends on our lifestyle.
No one wants to hear or talk about evil angels; whether we want to hear or talk about them, they exist and influence many. What do you think self-hatred comes from, or low self-esteem or other thoughts that come against our well-being mentally?
If anyone knows us, it should be ourselves, and we should know when a thought comes to mind that is out of our character, we should quickly dismiss it. Tell yourself you will evict every thought that comes to mind that does not align itself with the will and Word of God.
You’re a spirit, and you’re fighting against an unseen enemy; you have the authority, take control, and evict every negative thought and emotion that comes to try to dominate. You were bought with a price; who the Son sets free is free indeed!
God did not give His Son for you to be bound by thoughts that harm you mentally, emotionally, financially, and relational. Thoughts that come to make you compete with another sister are thoughts from Satan, not God. Thoughts that influence you to purchase things you know you can’t afford are not good thoughts but thoughts that will keep you in bondage for years.
Any thought that comes to your mind to bring you into bondage should be evicted; you have the authority to allow it to stay or evict it.