Study Guide: "What If...I Changed My Mind?"

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:5

OPEN:

We're in week two of our series called "What If?" This series explores the possibilities of making personal change and choosing to live by the principle of scripture. Last week we asked, "What if... I forgave everyone?" and we saw that when you forgive others, you experience the fullness of God's forgiveness and you experience the fullness of God's peace.

Today we'll consider a different question, "What if I take control of my thoughts?" This is one of the toughest areas of spiritual discipline to master. None of the subjects we'll deal with for the new few weeks are easy, but this one ranks right up there at the top, along with learning how to control your tongue.

We're culturally and individually programmed to think certain ways about certain things, often without being aware of it. We think without thinking about what we're thinking about. If your natural tendency is to think negative/ critical thoughts, and you do nothing to curb that natural tendency, then your worldview and your life experience will be on the negative side.

"We take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Co 10:5).

Believers are expected to control their thought life because thinking leads to doing.

I. NEGATIVE THINKING CREATES PROBLEMS.

1. First, and most important, is that negative thinking robs you of a life of faith. 

It's difficult to live with an attitude that says, "God is bigger than my problems," when you approach every problem thinking, "Well, this ruins everything." It's difficult to live with the attitude that says, "I am blessed and highly favored of God," when every time a little inconvenience comes along you say, "Well, isn't this typical?"

2. Another problem is that negative thinking leads to inactivity. 

It leads to a "what's-the-use?" mentality. It causes us to think, "Why bother trying? Nothing works out anyway...Why go on a diet? I'll starve myself for a few weeks, then I'll give up and I'll be right back where I was, and all that suffering will be pointless...Why should I bother trying to strengthen my marriage? My spouse doesn't appreciate anything I do. I'll just give and give and give and get back nothing in return. Why bother?" When you give in to the natural tendency to think negatively, it's easier to give in to the temptation to do nothing.

3. Because of this, negative thinking often causes isolation in relationships. 

It causes us to focus on what's wrong in the relationship, and it tricks us into the thinking that nothing can be done about it. Also, seeing only the faults in others prevents you from seeing their good qualities, which prevents you from enjoying the fullness of the relationship.

II. POSITIVE THINKING BRINGS OBVIOUS BENEFITS.

If you are willing to do the hard work of taking control of your thought life, it will make a big difference in your life. What kind of difference?

1. You will be happier. 

It doesn't take a degree in brain chemistry to know that the person who thinks positive, uplifting thoughts will be happier than the person who thinks bleak and negative thoughts.

2. You will develop a more accurate view of the world. 

The purpose of positive thinking is not to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but to look at the world through clear glasses, so you can see what's really there. 

Positive thinking is action-oriented thinking. It is solution-oriented thinking.

3. You will become more productive. 

Instead of thinking, "What's the use?" you'll begin thinking, "What do I need to do?"

When you take control of your thoughts you spend less time thinking about things that take you nowhere. You spend less time reliving the past and revisiting regrets. You spend less time thinking about what could have been, and you spend more time thinking about what can be.

If you will make the effort to take control of your thought life, it will improve your emotional state, your spiritual life, your relationships, and even your ability to do your job.

III. HOW DO I TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE?

So the question is, how do you do it? How do you take control of your thought life? Today we'll look at three steps you can take...

1. Think on Purpose.

Start thinking about what you think about. 

Paul said that "we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Co 10:5). 

When Paul says this, he's talking about the influence the world has on our belief systems and our most basic ideas about life. The world teaches one philosophy and the Bible teaches another -- we need to make sure our thinking is aligned with the Biblical model.

2. Think with a filter.

A filter captures impurities and only allows the pure liquid to pass through.

In the same way, Paul suggests that we use a filter for our thoughts. In Philippians 4 he tells us...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."(Philippians 4:8)

It's a good idea to memorize this list. There are eight things here; it's an easy list to memorize. As you think about what you think about, run your thoughts through these filters: Is it true? Is it noble? Is it right? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it admirable? Is it excellent or praiseworthy? In other words: Is this thought worthy of my time? If so, give it your full attention.

3. Think in the direction of Change

Paul writes, "Be transformed by the renewing of your minds." (Romans 12:2) 

In Ephesians he says..."be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:23)

Biblical Principle: Transformed behavior begins with a transformed thought life. 

The right attitude is to say, "God, I want to learn to think differently, because I want to learn to act differently, because I want to be a different person.

CLOSE:

Believers are expected to control their thought life because thinking leads to doing.

Taking control of your thought life is hard work. It's not a one-time event, it's a daily process. But the rewards are worth the effort. If you will learn to think like God has told us to think, you will experience transformation in all areas of your life.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)