datethewordtest

Tag: Thinking

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 5 (10/5) is 2 Corinthians 10:5

    “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
    WINNING THE BATTLE WITH YOUR THINKING

    One of the greatest battlefields is our mind!  In our minds, we have a battle for WHAT we will be thinking. Our thinking has to be controlled as 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches for while our thinking can be incredibly creative and constructive as well as having compassionate thoughts toward others we can have evil and wicked and CORRUPT thoughts.  Our thinking can be cruel toward others.  WHAT we allow our mind to think about matters as wrong thinking can lead to wrong actions.  Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”   

    Reminding us of why WHAT we think about matters Emerson wrote 
    Sow a thought reap an action;  
    sow an action reap a habit;  
    sow a habit reap a character; 
    sow a character reap a destiny.

    Let us be reminded of what we should be thinking about the Apostle Paul wrote in
    Philippians 4:8 these words: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things.”

    How is your THINKING? Are you hourly winning the battle of your mind?  To win we find a great strategy in 2 Corinthians 10:5. It tells us to cast down or DEMOLISH those arguments against Christ and His teachings. Like the military breaking down a fortification, we demolish those arguments that are incorrect, that are wrong about Christ.

    The military analogy continues as we now TAKE CAPTIVE thoughts.  To take captive is to have CONTROL OVER.  Your thoughts are now to be considered a PRISONER. You don’t answer to them. They answer to you! Those who are captive are REMOVED from the battlefield.  

    A third action then takes place as our thoughts are OBEDIENT to Christ.  The NIV says, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   This means HIS WILL and HIS WAYS ARE RIGHT and are to be FOLLOWED! 

    So, I ask again HOW IS YOUR THINKING?  What are you ALLOWING your mind to THINK ON?  Does God see a CLEAN mind or a CORRUPT mind?  

    Are you CONTROLLING your THOUGHTS or are your thoughts controlling you?

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 5 (10/5) is 2 Corinthians 10:5.  It says, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

    Up close question: Have you memorized Philippians 4:8 so that you might use Philippians 4:8 as a filter for what you will think about?

    Continue Strong with thinking on RIGHT things!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on April 8 (4/8) is Philippians 4:8

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 8 (4/8) is Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are
    of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy –
     meditate (THINK) on these things. – Philippians 4:8
    Our verse to DATE the Word on April 8 (4/8) is Philippians 4:8. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate (THINK) on these things.” 

    RIGHT THINKING LEADS TO RIGHT LIVING

    Our minds are incredible as we have the ABILITY TO THINK!  We can be CREATIVE and CONSTRUCTIVE in our thoughts. We can dream and come up with NEW ideas. We can imagine and INVENT.  We can think through problems and solve complex issues.  Maybe someone has said to you, “How did you think of that.”  

    While our minds can be constructive our minds can be destructive. Our thoughts can be corrupt, twisted, and yes, evil. The first time we come across the word “thought” in the Bible is in Genesis 6:5 and it is not good.  Genesis 6:5 says, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  

    Both good and bad actions follow thinking.  Anyone ask you lately WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

    Our attitude comes from thinking. We can have a positive, optimistic outlook. We can have a negative, pessimistic outlook based on our thinking. 

    As we DATE our verse for the date of 4/8, we place it in the context of Philippians 4 where the apostle Paul is laying out how to NOT be ANXIOUS from verse 6. Anxiety brings about a divided mind as our mind/thoughts are like in a tug-a-war. Instead of having a mind that is tearing itself apart, the Apostle tells us to PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING and one will then find peace — a peace that passes all understanding. 

    Now along with praying comes instructions to change our thinking and he writes what to THINK on, what to be thinking about.  He gives 8 proactive words for us to be thinking on.   

    We are to be thinking on things that are TRUE.   (Factual, Correct, Right, Honest)
    We are to be thinking on things that are NOBLE. (Honorable, Decent, Upright)
    We are to be thinking on things that are JUST.     (Fair, Impartial, Appropriate)
    We are to be thinking on things that are PURE.    (Authentic, Wholesome, Clean)
    We are to be thinking on things that are LOVELY.  (Pleasant, Delightful, Winsome)
    We are to be thinking on things that are of a GOOD REPORT,  (Beneficial, Decent)
    We are to be thinking on things that are VIRTUOUS,  (Righteous, Worthy, Excellent)
    We are to be thinking on things that are PRAISEWORTHY.   (Commendable, Admirable)

    8 proactive positive words; TRUE, NOBLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUOUS, PRAISEWORTHY. 

    Putting your “thinking” through this filter how is your thinking? 
    Are you thinking on things that are FALSE?  
    Are you thinking on things that are DEBASED?
    Are you thinking on things that are CORRUPT?
    Are you thinking on things that are UNCLEAN?
    Are you thinking on things that are UGLY?
    Are you thinking on things that are of a BAD REPORT?
    Are you thinking on things that are IMPURE?
    Are you thinking on things that are WORTHLESS?

    Verse to DATE the Word on April 8 (4/8) is Philippians 4:8. It says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate (THINK) on these things.” 

    How does your “thinking” need to CHANGE?  A good verse to go with Philippians 4:8 as a filter for your thinking is Psalm 19:14. It says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

    Continue Strong with RIGHT THINKING
    And remember to DATE the Word