Pastor Ben’s Ponderings

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of god, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”             (2 Corinthians 10:5)

A Christ-like character doesn’t just happen; it is the result of daily effort in right thinking. The principle of sowing and reaping is as certain in the hidden realm of thought as in the visible world. the great Charles Spurgeon said, “There are not so many hours in a year as there may be thoughts in an hour.” If thoughts become our enemies, they will be a force too strong for us and will drag us down to ruin. Many littles make much; so many small thoughts make a great weight of sin.

Our mind is truly like a garden and can be cultivated intelligently or allowed to run wild. Depending on which you and I choose, our thoughts will bring forth something useful or destructive. The Lord has given us the ability to “weed out” all the wrong, impure thoughts and focus on “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8). Praise God that we have the ability to choose!

We can choose to meditate on God’s promises and allow the truth of those promises to bring us the comfort and joy that we need. Remember we cannot have a need that our Lord will not supply. He is our sympathizing Savior and promised to never leave us or forsake us. David wrote in Psalm 94:19, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

Don’t allow discouraging or sinful thoughts keep you down. Use your God-given ability to focus your mind on His promises and enjoy the reward of taking your thoughts captive.