Which is easiest to change — thinking or acting? Acting is often chosen and written about, but thinking is actually easier to change.
Consider this: thinking about changing our actions precedes the actions, right? That does not mean that you believe the thinking, but you are acting on it nevertheless.
The more you act consistently with your thinking the more it will be reinforced, impacting your beliefs and your feelings. You can simplify your life when you consider the power of thinking. If you think correctly, it will drive good actions and at some point, good feelings. Unfortunately, if your thinking is bad, it will drive incorrect actions and feelings. So, what you are thinking is especially important!
In fact, the most important thing in your life is your thinking because it drives everything else that you do or feel. What you think about is what your life reflects in your actions and feelings. And consider this: If you‘re thinking about God does not match God’s Word, then your thinking is distorted, impacting all areas of your life.
Your thinking is either based on truth or lies. If truth, you have a much better chance to understand how life works. If lies, you are confused, trying to control everything to make you happy.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6, NIV
Thinking drives you in the direction of life or death. Using life or death shows how critical your thinking is and what is going on in your mind is so important as we see in many scriptures.
Your thinking is the only thing you can control. Since thinking leads to your actions, you will be able to control your actions. You can control your attitude and how you see life because thinking about those things creates the attitude and perception. How you think about things is what becomes your attitude and perspective on life.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NKJV
Notice the words “bringing every thought into captivity.” That is a clear statement that you can control your thoughts. You may not be able to prevent thoughts from entering your mind, but you can control whether they stay, especially through the power of Christ.
The entirety of God’s Word is about changing your thinking to the reality of God‘s truth. That is why the Bible constantly refers to the mind. Even those passages that refer to the heart are almost always referring to the essence of who you are, which is aimed at your thinking.
The following are two great scripture passages about thinking.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2, NKJV
“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8, NKJV
Build a solid foundation of good thinking and good values based on scripture, then act based on that foundation, and eventually your feelings will respond.
In addition, choose the power of the Holy Spirit to guide your thinking, so that your sin nature, which is wired into self-seeking thoughts, will not introduce fear, uncertainty, and doubt. As the scriptures above note, renew your mind and meditate on what is just, pure, lovely and of good report. Put your thinking in the right place, aligned with God’s Word, which will lead your actions and feelings down a constructive path.
Hear Herman Eben discuss emotional health on LIFE TODAY LIVE with Randy Robison. Excerpted from How Did This Happen To Me? by Hermann Eben. Copyright ©2022 Gr8 Relationships. Published by Equip Press. Used by permission.
