Christian Foundations
DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
--Proverbs 23:7
An unknown author once wrote this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t,
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t. …Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!
Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.
With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it’s easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. …I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.
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