Two weeks ago there was nearly a revolt in the Davidson household. Wails resounded, feet stomped, arms crossed over chests, pouty lips came out, a strike upon sleep ensued...it was very nearly anarchy. You may wonder what incident incited such animosity, & I am certain that once I tell you, you will fully understand & justify the reactions of my girls. We ran out of chocolate milk mix. Evidently in our household this is a Capital offense. Living 20 minutes from the nearest town does not a quick trip to town make, but at last we were able to make peace with our hostile brood (After a desperate S.O.S. & quick jaunt up to John's parents yielded the much yearned for item). A liberal spoonful of chocolate, a quick stir, & all was forgiven....
Needless to say our weekly grocery list had a bold highlighted item at the top. A giant can of chocolate mix was the first object into the cart. Peace has reigned in our household ever since...until 3:00 a.m. this morning that is. My feisty little 2 year old groggily (& rather crankily) stumbled her way into our room & thrust her sippy cup into my face. The demand was simple, "More poclate." In my drowsy state I quickly determined not to do battle quite then & so off I went to the kitchen. I poured the milk, I put the lid back on, & I delivered the sippy to my aggravated, thirsty daughter. After the merest of sips, she thrust the cup back at me & in well-grounded ire said, "There's no poclate." As grogginess was rapidly wearing off I realized that indeed I had forgotten the desired chocolate but in my reticence to wake the other 4 members of the household by rummaging through the kitchen, I made a hasty decision. "Be right back," I mumbled & I stepped out of the room for a moment. I leaned against the wall, took a deep breath, & walked back in shaking the cup. (We mommies are well aware that the universal sign of "There's something sweet & yummy in this cup, & it's for you!" is the shaking of the sippy). I was fairly certain that this bold & daring tactic would result in mayhem, but to my astonishment the stinker tipped back that cup & guzzled the entire glass. With jaw dropped I watched as this wondrous event occurred. In a dazed state I kissed her goodnight, tucked her back in, & trudged to my room with the thought of, "there's a good post just waiting to be written about this one!"
As I went back to bed the wheels of my mind were turning. Part of me was elated that WWIII had not began, but the deeper part of me was lamenting that it had been so easy to deceive my sweet girl. During the day I would never have been able to pull off such a stunt, but in her weary state of mind my little one was not watchful. While this is justifiable & understandable when it comes to a 2 year old & her chocolate milk, we as adults quite often endure similar situations. In a society plagued with psychological disorders, it's safe to say we are not adept at mind control. From extreme struggles with depression to the minute jealous thoughts, our thoughts have a tremendous sway over us. Our attitudes, our words, & our actions stem from emotions of our hearts. Emotions within our hearts are created by the thoughts in our minds. Allowing our thoughts to run wild is akin to going down a ski slope with no guide poll to control our descent. I would wager that 9 times of 10 sin happens as a direct result of a thought. Here's a laymen's terms list of the 10 Commandements:
1. Put God First 6. Do Not Hurt Other People
2. Worship God Only 7. Be Faithful in Marriage
3. Use God's Name with Respect 8. Do Not Steal
4. Remember God's Sabbath 9. Do Not Lie
5. Respect Your Parents 10. Do Not Be Envious of Others
How many items from that list can be violated without first having thoughts about doing it? Jealousy, lust, anger, bitterness..all sins that originate with thoughts. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders...all struggles that originate with thoughts. I am not claiming that we can stop thoughts before they occur. I am not saying that certain thoughts of hurt, betrayal, & etc. are not justified. I am saying that we have the ability to control what those thoughts produce & what sins we commit because of those thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. (Message Bible)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (Amplified Bible)
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Amplified Bible)
How do you renew your minds, take your thoughts captive, & exert mental self-control? I'm glad you asked!
Colossians 3:2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (Amplified Bible)
Proverbs 3:5-6 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Amplified Bible)
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith ([a]your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! (Amplified Bible)
Philippians 4:6-9 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [c]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorableand seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. (Amplified Bible)
What I share with you today, I myself must put into practice. A lifelong battle for me has been a sense of worthlessness, self-doubt, & a desperate need for affirmation. I must learn to take hold of such thoughts the moment they enter my mind & to cast them out with the thoughts of my Father. Hear my heart, I beg you. The task I am asking us to undertake is not an easy one, & for some it will be a far greater struggle than for others, but it is one that by His Grace we can begin to conquer. It is far easier for Satan to gain a stronghold in our minds when we are not immersed in guarding them. When we cram our minds full of the things of our Father there can be little room for the evil that might otherwise pervade. Just as my little one was deceived when her guard was down, so too will we be when we fail to be diligent watchmen over our thoughts. For my feisty two year old the consequence of her neglect was that she drank white milk instead of chocolate...for us the consequences are far greater.
May we be mindful today of the repercussions we might face we let our thoughts run wild. May we take our thoughts captive through the power of Christ within us. May we set our thoughts on the things above.
Be Blessed.
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