MIND YOUR THOUGHTS.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” — Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

The psalmist’s prayer is simple yet profound: may both my spoken words and the deepest thoughts of my heart be holy and pleasing to God. This is a prayer every believer should pray—and live by—following the principles of Scripture to keep our thoughts acceptable in God’s sight.

Thoughts are powerful. They possess creative force. They can build up or tear down. A thought is a mental picture or inner conversation that moves us to speak or act in a certain way. Thoughts are the seedbed of words and deeds. Sinful habits are the fruit of sinful thoughts.

Jesus Himself said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

And again: “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” — Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

To change a person’s behaviour, the mind must first be renewed. New, upright, God-honouring thoughts must take root and be embraced.

Even Lucifer, the highest of angels, did not fall because of a physical act, but because of the meditations of his heart. Heaven hears thoughts louder than actions. God searches the heart. When He looked into Lucifer’s inner conversation, He found iniquity.

The prophet Ezekiel saw the fall of Lucifer and declared: “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” — Ezekiel 28:15 (NKJV)

Isaiah revealed exactly what that iniquity was—the proud declarations Lucifer made in his heart: “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” — Isaiah 14:13-14 (NKJV)

Prideful thoughts brought the devil down. That’s why we must guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). When God looks at your heart will He find thoughts of hate, xenophobia, racism, tribalism, sexism and the like? We dare not allow evil, negative, or selfish thoughts to take root and rule our minds because what dominates our thoughts will dictate our destiny. 

PRAYER

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.