If “you are what you eat” is true, then I’m a big ‘ole chocolate-covered coffee bean.
Yes, I consume a lot of chocolate and coffee. And while I also eat lean meat and fresh fruits and veggies, I’m sure I would be healthier if I cut back on my favs!
Everyone recognizes our diets directly affect the health and working of our bodies. And while we may not eat right 100% of the time, most of us try to do what’s best for our bodies overall.
We Do What We Think
But are we as careful with our spiritual health? The Bible shows a direct correlation between what we put into our minds and our spiritual health. The way we think directly affects our character and behavior. The apostle Paul put it like this:
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. Romans 12:2, NLT
In order for the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ, our thinking must first be changed. If we fill our minds with the “wisdom” of the world and its ways that’s exactly what will come out in our character and behavior.
An Example from My Own Life
Years ago I started reading a popular detective book series. I noticed from the beginning that the language was less than acceptable for a believer who shouldn’t allow “any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). But the stories were engaging and, after all, just because I “read” it didn’t mean I agreed with it or would ever say it, right? So I kept reading.
Somewhere into the third book of the series I noticed with horror that sometimes when an emotional situation arose, one of those words I had been reading on the page popped into my mind. Thankfully they didn’t come out of my mouth, but I have no doubt they would have if I continued to read the books.
God quickly and clearly showed me the connection between what I allowed into my mind and what would eventually come out in my behavior. I threw those books away. Lest you think me “super spiritual” I confess that I don’t always obey God so quickly. However, I am thankful I did this time. I would have been crushed if one of those words came out of my mouth in front of my children – or my pastor!
Let’s Be Transformed, Not Conformed
What our culture considers “good, moral, and acceptable” is a far cry from the truth of God’s Word. When we watch, read, and participate in things out of line with God’s truth our thinking becomes desensitized. As our thinking shifts and conforms to the world our character and behavior will follow.
We will do what we think.
Let’s ask God to show us where our thinking is out of line with His truth. Let’s ask Him to transform our thinking and improve our spiritual health. Let’s start today!
What things in our culture do you feel have the most negative impact on believer’s thinking? How can we guard ourselves and allow God to renew our thinking and align it with His?
Great thoughts this Monday morning, Kathy. I work with a diverse group of people. Most of them are not following God’s Word or even think it is totally out-dated. I am too old fashioned in their mind. For me, I stay in His Word and don’t align my thinking with theirs, so that I can share my values with love and respect.
Thank you for Iris for sharing this. You’re so right about the need to stay in God’s Word so our thinking will continue to line up with His and not the world’s. It’s hard when we spend so much time around people who’s thinking is so out of line with God’s truth. Keep allowing God’s truth to renew your mind!
There is far too much negative in our world. From magazines, to displays on windows even tv. We must read and meditate on Gods word so that we are convinced in our hearts that we are accepted, loved, forgiven and children of God… We get faith when we read our bible and that faith grows as we do it more often… And we need faith to please God!!
Julie, thanks for stopping by and sharing. You are so right about the need to counteract all the negative messages we get from the world with the true message of God’s Word!
TV. Radio. Internet. Magazines. Video games. All we have to do to be influenced by our culture is nothing. If we don’t deliberately work to resist it, our culture will influence us. I need to constantly fill my mind with truth (scripture, prayer, godly people) and to limit wordly influences. I am always seeking ways to live and think counter-culturally. If I don’t, I will get sucked back into the unhappy mindset that led to depression and constant discontent. This post was a much-needed reminder. Thank you.
Kari, you are so right! Wow, “all we have to do to be influenced by our culture is nothing.” We are either working against it or we fall prey to it.
Just remembered a saying that fits well here: “You’re either green & growing or ripe & rotting.”