I have been doing some thinking on what it means to "take our thoughts captive" and to be quick to discern what my heart meditates on. This morning, I read in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
I found this verse both corrective for me as well as encouraging. It not only tells me what I am doing wrong- when I am judging, sinfully comparing, or making assumptions, or any of the many other sinful thoughts I have- but also directive- in what thoughts I should be having-- those that are pleasing to the Lord.
As I thought about this verse today, I was convicted at how quickly I allow my thoughts, the meditations of my heart, to drift to things that are not pleasing to God, and things that tempt me to sin. It was at the end of this verse, that I remembered that because the Lord is my redeemer, I can turn from thoughts that are displeasing to God.
This led me to evaluate what is displeasing to God, and what does indeed please him. It struck me, that every time I am anxious, fearful, angry, self-pitying, ect.... I am thinking on things that are not pleasing to him. How clear he makes it in his word: Philippians 4:8 "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."
By God's grace, I hope to do just that, and think on these things! I am so grateful for the power of conviction and the grace to change found in the treasure house of God's Word.
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