Tuesday 1 September 2013

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 any praise, think about these things. The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things and the God of peace will be with you.” WEB

Your brain is a virtual chemical factory. Every thought that goes through your brain creates a chemical reaction.  A negative thought will produce toxic chemicals in your brain affecting your mood, your attitude, your feelings, your desires, and your general outlook on life.  A positive thought will produce just the opposite, resulting in a positive mood, attitudes, and all the corresponding behavior.

For most of us we fail to even recognize the toxic thoughts that fill our hearts.  We have become so used to them that we consider them “normal” and just a part of who we are.

But this is NOT who you are.  When you became a child of God you received an inheritance from heaven of peace, joy, hope and love.  Your mind should be like a placid pool of fresh water, giving life to all who pass by, not a cesspool of toxic waste poisoning anyone who comes close.

The Bible tells us to repent of our dead works.  We’ve already seen that the word “repent” literally means to change your thoughts about a thing.  Death has been working in the realm of your soul all of your life.  Now that you are in Christ, God wants to give your soul a general detox.

The text in Philippians is not just a general guide line for positive thinking.  Rather, it is like putting your brain on a fast of all the junk food the world has been feeding it.  It is that junk food that is causing your brain to be toxic, producing stress, fatigue, fear, anxiety and a host of other extremely destructive emotions.

Take some time today to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the most toxic thoughts that plague your mind.  Write these thoughts down.  Then, do a corresponding Bible study to find out exactly what God thinks about these things.  Then next to every toxic thought, write out the corresponding verse of scripture which shows you God’s thought.  During the rest of this fast, every time the toxic thought comes to the surface of your mind, say out loud the verse of scripture.  Then say, In the name of Jesus I am not like that toxic thought.  I am what the Bible says I am.  And I refuse that toxic thought in the name of Jesus; and I will only meditate on what God says about me.

You can, and must, reprogam your brain.  It will take some time.  But with the help of God, and the washing of the water of the Word, you will make a lasting change in your thought life.

God is restoring your soul.  But it will require some effort on your part.  You have decided that you want your life to change.  That’s why you are doing this fast, and that is why you’ve read the prayer guide up until this point.  So put in just a little more effort today.  Do the recommended Bible study. God is restoring your soul.