You Are What You Think

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds." Deuteronomy 11:18a

My best friend and I were longtime fans of the Christian-rap group, DC Talk. I knew most of the lyrics by heart, especially Toby's. I didn't sit down to memorize them. I learned them by listening repetitiously and thinking about them. One day we put in one of their cassettes as we drove to church. When Toby's part came on, as usual, I rapped with him word for word. Something else happened in that moment. My friend looked at me in disbelief as my voice suddenly blended so completely with his, it sounded like one voice.

In a similar way, our daily actions become one with whatever consumes our thoughts. In Matthew 12:34b-35, Jesus said, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings forth evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

What are we storing up in our hearts? Are we reading God's Word and letting His thoughts fill our minds or are we filling our minds with music, books, magazines, pictures, internet, movies or other things that teach an opposite way of life? The images and messages may seem harmless, but God reminds us that our thoughts determine our actions.

In Deuteronomy 11, God told the Israelites to be consumed with Him and His Word, and, in so doing, set an example of passionate living for God. If seeking God's pleasure consumes our thoughts, energy, feelings, and speech (Mark 12:30), He promises us a deeper understanding of who He is, a peace despite circumstances, and a freedom from sin's strongholds.

What can we do to fill our thoughts with things of God? We can memorize Bible verses ("Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds"v. 18), share our faith with others ("Teach them.., [talk] about them" v. 19), and display pictures, verses, or other items that remind us of our relationship with God ("Write them on the door frames of your house" v. 20).
Your actions flow from the rivers of your mind.

So how are you doing? Are there any tips you've learned that help you to concentrate daily on Him?