A NEW LINE OF THINKING

“Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.” ― Craig Groeschel, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.

The premise of Pastor Craig Groeschel’s book Winning the War in Your Mind is simple: what we think determines who we are and who we become. The book delves into the reality that when we examine our thoughts, they reveal the battle our minds are in, and if we change our thinking, it can change our lives.

On the surface, that premise makes sense, but most of us have tried to redirect our thinking. We’ve tried to stop some bad habit, redirect our runaway thoughts, the excuses and the lies that we’re thinking and that the enemy is reinforcing over and over again. Winning the war of the mind is not easy. While not easy, God’s thoughts can become your thoughts.

Craig’s book says that our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think will shape what we become. And if we don’t control what we think, we’ll never control what we do. The process of renewing your brain calls for some rewiring. That means taking every thought captive.

How often do you think about what you’re thinking about? In other words, how often do you take a thought inventory? When you are more in tune with what you’re thinking about, you’ll notice how often your thoughts can be spiritually toxic. Potentially toxic spiritual thoughts are negative, critical, complaining, angry, and unforgiving thoughts. Those are the thoughts you have to take captive. Imagine yourself grabbing that thought (taking it captive) and ejecting it out of your brain. Give your mind a really deep cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. When we are working on transforming our thoughts, we have to get rid of old, unbiblical thinking patterns.

You might miss a few here and there, but the more you do this, the better you will become at it. Choose life-giving thoughts, choose to think about whatever is pure, lovely and of a good report. What you think might be correct—but is it helpful and uplifting? If not, it doesn’t belong in your mind. Replace those toxic thoughts with God’s thoughts. Direct your attention to how God thinks; your brain will change course to agree with God’s intent.

John 17:17 says, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” In this verse, Jesus is praying, and He defines truth as God’s Word. The best thing we can replace all that old, unbiblical thinking with is the Word of God. John 1 calls Jesus the Word. Jesus names Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). We cannot go wrong with thought remodeling when we think of Jesus.

 Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think you can “think good thoughts” on your own? Why do you need the help of the Holy Spirit to free your mind from destructive thoughts?
2. How does knowing God’s Word help you change the direction of your thoughts?