“As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)
During the years that I served as a Youth Minister, I frequently encouraged young people to pay attention to the songs they were listening to, the TV shows and movies they were watching, and the things they chose to read. Why? Because, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
If the music you listen to makes you think like a thug, you are a thug. If the stuff you look at on the internet makes you think filthy thoughts, you are filthy. The kind of stuff we put into our minds determines the kind of person we become!
But, do you know what’s exciting about that principle? In Philippians 4:8, Paul told us the kinds of things we are supposed to think about: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”
So …
- If you think about good things, you become a good person!
- If you think about things that are true, you become a person of truth.
- If you think about things that are noble, you become a noble person.
- If you think about things that are lovely, you become a lovely person.
You can become the kind of person God wants you to be, by choosing to think the kinds of thoughts God wants you to think.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Our thoughts define who we are.
Put God’s words in your heart, and you will become a godly person.
Image Credit:
Thinking, by RWDownes (Flickr). Creative Commons License. Used by permission. Image was cropped and resized.
Paul,
Not a youth minister? Are you a pulpit minister or have you left the work for another career? Hope you are all well, we are and Deanie’s back surgery was a success. Say hi to Susan for us.
Love you,
Dalton
Dalton, I transitioned out of youth ministry in mid-2008 into a new role as Involvement and Education Minister with the same congregation. The 25 years I spent in youth ministry were an incredible blessing! This newer role has been a blessing as well. I’m glad Deanie’s surgery went well. We love you guys!
GREAT article, Paul! There is SO much truth here that SO many people don’t understand.
Thanks, Mom. The older I get, the more I am humbled and awed by the simple yet profound Truth of God’s word.