WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT OUR THOUGHTS?

THINKING BEFOREHAND WILL HELP US TO SPEAK AND ACT WISELY.
“The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.” (Proverbs 15:28) The righteous weigh their answers; the wicked don’t wait to speak because they don’t care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to weigh it first. Do you carefully plan your words or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact? It is vital to think also before acting, to consider the effects of our choices. Think of your plans for today and consider what their long-range results will be. As we deal with others, we should keep these principles in mind. We should act responsibly and justly with all people; friends and enemies alike.

WE SHOULD DISCIPLINE OUR THOUGHTS TO BE PURE; BECAUSE ACTIONS BEGIN WITH THOUGHTS.
“From within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22) An evil action begins with a single thought. Allowing your mind to dwell on lust, envy, hatred or revenge will lead to sin. Don’t defile yourself by focusing on evil. Instead, follow Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 and think about what is true, good, right, pure, lovely and fine.

AFTER CONVERSION, WE MUST ALLOW RUACH HAKODESH (THE HOLY SPIRIT) TO CHANGE OUR THOUGHT PATTERNS.
“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let YAHVEH transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what YAHVEH wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” (Romans 12:2) YAHVEH has plans for us that will really prove satisfying. He wants us to be new and different people with freshness in all we do and think as we live to honour and obey Him. Because He wants only what is best for us and because He gave His Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as a living sacrifice for His service.

WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT GOOD THINGS SO OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS WILL BE POSITIVE AND WISE.
“Dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) Paul tells us to program our mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read YAHVEH’s Word and pray. Ask YAHVEH to help you focus your mind on what is pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

HOW DO I MAKE MY THOUGHTS PLEASING TO YAHVEH?
Joshua 1:8: “Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” 1 Timothy 4:13-15: “Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them. Give your complete attention to these matters.” Study and think about YAHVEH’s Word continually and let His thoughts fill your mind. 1 Chronicles 28:9: “Solomon my son, get to know the Elohim of your ancestors. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and with a willing mind. For Adonai sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” Matthew 22:37: “You must love Adonai your Elohim with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.” Serve and worship YAHVEH with your whole mind. Matthew 5:28: “Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mark 7:20-23: “He added, ‘it is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to YAHVEH.’”

Get rid of evil thoughts. Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 26:2: “Put me on trial, Adonai and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections.” Psalm 139:23: “Search me, O YAHVEH and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.” Ask YAHVEH to help you have pure thoughts. Philippians 4:8: “Dear brothers and sisters let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Fill your mind with good thoughts. Colossians 3:2-3: “Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when HaMashiach died and your real life is hidden with HaMashiach in YAHVEH. Think about heaven. Romans 12:2: “Let YAHVEH transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what YAHVEH wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” Let YAHVEH change your thoughts.