Take Charge of Your Thoughts with God's Word, Says Stormie Omartian

We may not be able to stop every thought from entering our minds, but we can choose not to let them take root. Stormie Omartian, writing for Harvest House Publishers, offers a devotional perspective on gaining control over our thought life, encouraging readers to use Scripture and prayer as powerful tools.

Omartian explains that while thoughts may seem to arrive unbidden, like birds flying into a tree, we possess the ability to manage them once they're there. She highlights that our thoughts profoundly impact our lives, making it essential to take charge and resist 'birdbrained ideas' that seek to control us.

The enemy of our souls, she writes, actively tries to infiltrate our minds with lies, fears, and wrong ideas to wear us down. The key to overcoming this deception lies in confronting it with the truth found in God's Word. Omartian suggests actively engaging with Scripture by speaking it aloud, praying using biblical verses, and expressing worship and praise.

You may not be able to control every thought that flies into your mind, but you can control how long it perches there. You can decide whether that thought is just passing through or it’s nesting.

By examining our thoughts in light of Scripture, we can discern whether they align with God's truth or stem from negative influences. Omartian encourages a proactive approach: asking ourselves what we are allowing into our minds and evaluating the results. Do our thoughts promote positivity and upliftment, or do they lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, or sadness? When God's Word resides in our minds, we become better equipped to recognise and reject thoughts that do not line up with it.

Renewing the Mind

The Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians serve as a reminder that our minds can be corrupted from the simplicity found in Christ. Omartian points out that confusion, anxiety, and fear are never from the Lord, whose nature is peace and clarity. She encourages readers not to settle for less than the peace and faith-filled simplicity that Christ offers.

Furthermore, Paul's instruction to the Ephesians about putting off the 'old man' and being renewed in the spirit of our minds is crucial. This renewal involves deliberately choosing to abandon wrong ways of thinking and embracing a mind aligned with God's truth. The more we engage with God through His Word, prayer, and worship, the better we become at discerning His voice from deceptive influences.

Omartian reassures readers that this process doesn't mean denying or repressing undesirable thoughts. Instead, it involves honestly examining our thought patterns against the backdrop of Scripture. Ultimately, our thoughts serve either our flesh, the enemy, or the Lord, and the decision rests with us. Through Jesus Christ, we find the deliverance needed to serve God with our minds.

Harvest House Publishers originally published this story. Eden is sharing it to help connect you with their ministry.