Think About Your Thoughts

Frank Outlaw composed these motivating and thought provoking words:

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

What wise words.  And they are so very true.  Whatever people think about is what they will say, do, and become.  This concept is phrased very well, but this thought is not original to Frank Outlaw.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-35, “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?  For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. “

1 Samuel 24:13 says, “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’….”

We see statements like these throughout Scripture (Proverbs 19:3; Isaiah 32:6; 59:7; Matthew 15:18; Luke 6:43-45; Ephesians 4:29; etc).  Clearly we need to be thinking about the focus of our thoughts.  In other words, we need to be careful what we are thinking and what runs through our minds.  Why?  Because our thoughts have such a huge impact on our lives that it could end up being the difference between remaining faithful or falling away into sin.

So often I hear people use vulgar language, tell twisted and impure jokes, talk about immoral things, and I am reminded that this is what they fill their minds with and exactly how they think.  Typically, the reason people are angry, hateful, rude, arrogant, etc, is because this is what fills their minds.  If not harnessed, this will eventually form their character and influence where they will spend eternity.

We must take the time to consider what are we thinking about.  Are they pure and kind thoughts, or are they vulgar, immoral, and hateful?  What we think about will end up being what we become.  What do your thoughts say about what you will become?  It is never too late to adjust our thinking.  If nothing else, I hope this will at least give us something to “think” and pray about.