The Freedom of Non-Toxic thoughts
Recently, I was reading a very interesting book called “Who Switched Off My Brain” by Dr. Caroline Leaf. According to Dr. Leaf, we have approximately 30,000 thoughts a day, but the human brain does not have the capacity to filter them. In other words, whether the thought we have is toxic or healthy, if our will does not filter that thought (as false or true), it gets stored as truth.
From this book I also learned that if a person has a toxic thought, they have 29 seconds to filter that thought before the brain secretes a toxin. So God literally builds into the human body a penalty for bad thinking!
As a pastor, I see this toxic thinking played out in my office as I listen to people share thoughts about themselves, God, and others. The question I ask is, “Do you really believe that? “or “Where did that thought come from?”
It is amazing to me how bad our thinking can be, and the price we pay when that thinking goes horribly wrong. When I was a young Christ-follower, my youth pastor helped me to understand a very simple biblical truth: my thinking determines my behavior, which form my habits, and finally create my destiny.
For those of us who were raised in dysfunctional or abusive homes, we understand the price of such abuse. I remember, very vividly, comments my father and mother would make about me and the way it made me feel.
Habits formed out of that bad thinking. I exaggerated my achievements, lied about failures, pleased others to a fault and hurt myself and others. In my adulthood, I had to go back a contend against the messages I had heard and re-boot my thinking in order to change my behavior. It took years, but it was well worth the effort. Whether you grew up in a dysfunctional home, or you’re around toxic people, or you drift toward unhealthy thoughts – we all have to filter what our minds camp on.
It is no wonder that the Bible has so much to say about healthy thinking!
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8) he writes: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think upon these things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
In his second letter to the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 10:5) Paul again says: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.”
In Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians 3:1), he reiterates: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think upon the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
These verses and others we see scattered throughout the Bible enforce this need for us to vigorously embrace truth, for as Jesus said in John 8:31, “And you will know my truth, and the truth will set you free.”
To truly live in freedom is not just about accepting Jesus Christ – it is about embracing the truth He proclaims. It is a vigilant effort to pursue truth, embrace truth, and live out the truth – in our hearts and minds, even where no one can see but us and God.
Q. How healthy are your thoughts about yourself, about others, about your God? What price have you paid for bad thinking?
Q. What would be the benefit if your thoughts were healthy and in line with the Word of God?
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i just had to laugh! at myself in the case of course! i thank God when He shows me how “horribly worng” mine own thinking is and how futile it is to try to use my own understanding in life. and how more appealing it is to be a “slave” to Him!
Yes, Thomas Borboa. Sometimes I am truly disgusted with the thoughts that pop into my mind. But the Lord is quick to provide a biblical truth to refresh my mental screen. Praise God! ~living in freedom
oh1 yeah those kind of thoughts are troublesome. but it’s when i look to myself for answers or to reason my way through a circumstance for an outcome. Apostles would call themselves “bond servants” of Christ. in other words “slave”. “happy is the one who makes himself a slave to a perfect master” Anon
Overcoming with the renewing of our minds through Christ our Lord. Thank you, Lord!
AMEN!
I’m reading a book from Beth Moore and she is talking about how we can take our thoughts captive to make them obbedient to Christ.
amen.
I’m loving this link and every body’s responses as well. May God bless you all as we continue to allow Him to transform and heal our thoughts.
we can ALL use this, Thanks= in JESUS’ HOLY, & Precious, & Mighty NAME, GOD Bless You ALL!!! Amen!!!
Thanks Eric!! So great!
god bless and AMEN
Amen to that Lois. God Bless each and every one of you.
thank you christ amen
help me Lord to fill my head with your thoughts and desire
It comes from hearing and hearing and studying
the article seemed to me to be a little to focused on the self. all thoughts that originate from self are toxic. other kinds the pastor describes are also generated by satan. obedience is impossible without believing. the people asked Jesus, “what must we do to do the works of God?” He said, “to believe in the One He sent”. unbelieving will lead to self and thus “toxic” thoughts! like Trochia said take the thought captive to the “obedience” of Christ! true freed comes from being obedient. try to tell that to the world LOL!
The heart is desperately wicked; who can know it?
Jesus can set you free.
YES. Can get very complex as we allow people into our lives. What about the supernatural happenings too. Signs that appear without a real thought process going on. Kathleen
AMEN
I’m just really having a really bad day. Like the writing above oour thinking will be the end of us.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS SPIRIT WHICH DWELLS IN ME THROUGH THE MIND OF CHRIST JESUS.”’ LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, THE MIND OF CHRIST.”
GOD’S PURE (W.O.R.D.”’) AMEN
shared!!!
Amen and Amen..i shall try to keep this short..living in a toxic environment has effect on the body..it is much like our thought and emotion..when the enemies that come to steal cheat lie and destroy it is hard to combat..if we are Not in The WORD and Girded up With The Whole Armor of GOD we need The WORD OF GOD with Right Prayerful Thinking..Living..and Sharing…Loving Others just as JESUS LOVES Us…Toxic Enviroments Requires a Proper method of clean up..or it can spread to others..take Friable Asbestos for example..we can Not see it..but it is ever so present ..just as Sin in our lives or sins that we have been exposed to..we must clean it out and off of us..And Our HOLY BIBLE..such a Wonderful Living Book..Our Beloved JESUS CHRIST..and His Blood that Washes us As White as Snow
Yes but not to deny the real evil that does exist.It is a blessing to learn and to do our Gods word & will. Jesus thee Christ the Prince of peace & of War he is the son of Love aka the son of Father God. But the full body armor of Christ wow that is an amazing suit when you really get into serving Christ and the longer you keep it on, the more better you are against the attacks of the enemie.I love our God aka JESUS CHRIST & may he bless us all to do his will on earth as it is in Heaven. In JESUS the CHRIST name we pray & thank you AMEN.
Yes but not to deny the real evil that does exist.It is a blessing to learn and to do our Gods word & will. Jesus thee Christ the Prince of peace & of War he is the son of Love aka the son of Father God. But the full body armor of Christ wow that is an amazing suit when you really get into serving Christ and the longer you keep it on, the more better you are against the attacks of the enemie.I love our God aka JESUS CHRIST & may he bless us all to do his will on earth as it is in Heaven. In JESUS the CHRIST name we pray & thank you AMEN.
Amen, THX & GBY ALL!!! in JESUS’ HOLY, & Precious, & Mighty NAME, Amen!!! Hallelujah!!!
like
Amen!
Amen.
Thank you Jesus amen.
It’s a must read! Thank you for sharing this spiritual feast!
amen!
human heart is a tricky thing…. it is from the heart that comes”toxic thought”…. It is the love of Jesus keeps us away and guard it….
And he giveth and restores my soul
I embraced and started to dance again! Love You God!
“Amen!”
Amen!!!!
OK
GOOD IDEA
sharing ok hugs
so true also toxic company
this is so true (I have been going through bad thoughts lately) and I turn to GOD to give me the strength to make them captive and make them obedient to CHRIST !!!