Watch Your Thoughts

Greetings,

As I write this letter this month, I realise that we are in the last part of winter in South Africa, and we can almost sense the arrival of spring. It is an exciting time because spring brings new life to vegetation and everything that lives.

Family, I want to talk about something I believe is very important: watch your thoughts.

I have realised that many people never pay attention to what is happening in their thoughts. They simply allow every thought to enter their minds. Let me urge you to watch and regulate those thoughts. If we leave our thoughts unchecked, they can lead us where we never intended to go. There are several reasons why we should regulate our thoughts, especially as children of God.

The first reason is that our thoughts shape our beliefs. Secondly, our thoughts shape our emotions and feelings. Thirdly, our thoughts shape our nature. What we think influences what we become in life. When we think we are poor and cannot afford anything, we live with that expectation. When we think we cannot make it, we hold ourselves back.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” You cannot expect to become something in life while consistently thinking the opposite.

In Genesis 11:6, God said, “Whatever they imagine to do shall not be restrained from them.” That tells us our thoughts are so powerful they can produce what we imagine. In fact, according to this verse, even God Himself cannot restrain what you have imagined to do or be.

This shows how important it is to watch our thoughts, because they can either build us up or break us down.

Brother Hagin once said, “You cannot control birds from flying over your head, but you can control birds from building a nest on your head.”

In other words, thoughts may come into your mind, but you do not have to allow every thought to remain there. Paul speaks of strongholds, and once a thought becomes a stronghold in your mind, it is not easily cast off.

We then have to do the work of breaking it off, because it has become rooted in us. This is why many people struggle with behaviours they know are against God. A stronghold in your mind influences what you think, how you behave and what you become. For example, you cannot escape poverty in your life without breaking free from a stronghold of poverty in your mind. Many people think they are poor because of the devil or God, when a stronghold in their thinking is keeping them bound despite their efforts to be free.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Paul teaches that our weapons are not carnal but are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. We are to cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into obedience to Christ.

Let me say it bluntly: our battle is in the mind. If we can be free in our mind, we can be free on the outside.

In Joshua 1:8, God says to Joshua, “Meditate in it day and night so that you can carefully observe to do what is written in it.” Your success is connected to what is in your mind. When you meditate on the Word of God repeatedly, turning it over in your thoughts, it becomes part of the way you think.

Let us look at 3 John 1:2: Beloved, I pray that thou mayest prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers.

That means our prosperity depends on what is going on in our soul, and the soul is also part of our mind. According to this verse, our success is tied to what is going on in our soul or mind.

Imagine what happens when we do not take care of our minds and allow every thought to roam around unchecked. That can turn our minds into chaos. Chaotic minds bring confusion, not success.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages us to meditate on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report—on what is virtuous and praiseworthy.

Paul is teaching us to regulate our thoughts. We cannot allow thoughts that are not right to play continually in our minds. This connects with his teaching about strongholds in 2 Corinthians 10:3–5. We cannot entertain wrong thoughts and expect to remain in a good place. Every thought needs to be examined before we allow it to settle in our minds.

In Ephesians 6:12–17, Paul says we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and rulers of darkness. This includes thoughts that are misleading in our minds. Now in verse 17 he says, “The helmet of salvation,” which surely protects our head from all misleading thoughts.

He makes it clear that we need to watch our thoughts. If we do not, we may carry beliefs that are contrary to God and His Word. When our minds are not in line with His Word, it becomes difficult for us to walk in the ways of the Lord. Our thoughts influence how we behave and carry ourselves. The way we think can limit the way we live.

Partners, I wish I could say much more, but time and space do not allow me. I want to encourage you: watch your thoughts, because they shape the direction of your life and the person you become.

Jabu and I love you very much and pray for you every day.