Everything we do starts off as a thought in our minds. There are some things we do subconsciously because of the way we have shaped our minds to think and react but we are mostly in control of the thoughts that form in our minds. Proverbs 23:7 says “As someone thinks within himself, so he is.” So how do we ensure that the thoughts in our minds are constructive and not destructive to our lives?

Matthew 15:19 says “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” This means that any sin that we commit against God started off as a thought. We let that thought take over until it was finally put into action. We can choose to fill our minds with negative and evil thoughts that keep us away from God’s plan or we can fill our minds with the thoughts of God.

Isaiah 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. This means that due to our sinful nature our thoughts are mostly against the will of God. So how do we change our thoughts so they align with the plan that God has in our lives? We do that by submitting our thoughts to God and praying to Him for wisdom and understanding.

Paul says in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Renewing of the mind only happens when God is in our minds. You will find those sinful thoughts tend to creep in when we do not walk with God anymore. The less time we spend with God, the worse our thoughts get.

1 Peter 5:8 says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” When you accept Jesus as your savior then you are automatically in spiritual warfare with the devil. If you are not walking with God then you are giving the devil an opportunity to fill your mind with evil thoughts instead. For some of us, the devil doesn’t even have to do anything cause our minds are already filled with evil thoughts that we have allowed to form ourselves.

So can you control your thoughts? Yes of course you can. Just make sure that your thoughts don’t control you and you can only do that by walking with God. When you spend time with God in prayer and read the bible you will notice that the holy spirit will guide your mind and transform your thinking so that every thought in your mind will be aligned with the will of God.