Is It True?

The question keeps running through my mind: “Is it true?”

In fact, I believe that through this question, God is prompting me to consider the validity of the thoughts that flood my mind throughout each day.

According to wiki.answers.com the human brain produces approximately 70,000 thoughts on an average day. Because we produce thoughts even as we sleep, that’s an average of a different thought every 1.2 seconds. I’d be shocked if my brain is that active. Yet, even if we slash that number to one new thought every minute, there are still a lot of thoughts in any given day.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) says, “As a man thinks, so he is.” It’s an interesting verse to ponder in light of the above fact. What affect do our (many) thoughts have on the person we are becoming? To answer this question I’ve been doing an experiment. I’ve been seeking to evaluate the thoughts that come to my mind. I’m asking myself if they are true; meaning, are they consistent with the Word of God. The results have been eye opening.

For one, I’ve realized how prone I am to wondering thoughts. My thoughts start with a situation or circumstance, but left unchecked they quickly travel to a place of “What if…,” “If I don’t, then…” These thoughts are speculative and often negative. Not only are they unproductive and a complete waste of time, they are quite often destructive. I am dwelling on something that isn’t true.

I’ve also realized how the smallest thought in my mind determines the actions and reactions I make. A person I love dearly is going through a difficult time. My heart breaks for her. She has many struggles and I want to make things better. If I let my thoughts go unchecked, hopelessness sets in.

While praying for her the Lord has given me several verses. One is Isaiah 60:1 from the Amplified Version: “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!” This verse is God’s will for her. He gave me this verse to pray in faith, believing that she will rise out of her current condition. Not only that, she will shine with the glory of God. I do believe this, and when I set my thoughts on it, my actions and words toward her reflect my faith.

However, when I focus on what I see, I try to fix. I try to advise. I become discouraged. Ultimately, I start losing faith that God will do what He has said He is going to do. In addition, I lose the peace in which God wants His children to consistently live.

When our thoughts are centered on the Word of God, which is truth, we are being led by the Spirit of God.  Romans 8:6 says, “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Philippians 4:8 is the passage on which the question “Is it true?” is based. Verse 9 gives a promise of what will follow those who guard their thoughts: “The peace of God will be with you.”

No wonder we are told to “Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). For a mind controlled by the Spirit there is peace and there is life. Not only will our believing prayers and actions done in faith greatly affect on our own lives, but they will have much impact in the lives of others as well.  The prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Have you ever thought about what makes you righteous? According to Romans 4:3 it’s our faith. “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

What we think about is very important. I encourage you to do your own experiment. Take a day and consider if the thoughts on your mind are true. Then, trash the lies and nurture the truth.