After an Encounter Sample

Day 5: Think On These Things

A vital element of change is the renewing of the mind as described in Romans 12. This is a Christian discipline that is fundamental to experiencing a transformed life. It is an active choice that you can make – the choice to think God’s truth, positive, life-giving thoughts that have their basis in His Word.

You can choose to follow the thought patterns of the world – follow the crowd, be swayed by the majority or negativity OR you can experience a higher way of living by choosing your thoughts and rejecting thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed 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 12:2 Phillips

Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

In the lesson: “What could keep you bound?” we discussed strongholds in the mind, inner vows, and negative judgments. Hopefully after the Encounter, the power of these thoughts has been broken, and you now know freedom in this area.

The next step is to replace these negative thoughts with God’s truth. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gave us a description of “God’s truth categories” that we are to fill our minds with.

These categories can serve like guards over our minds. We can use them to measure our thoughts against, and if our thoughts don’t meet “God truth criteria," we should dismiss them and re-adjust our thinking.

Fill your mind with God’s truth:

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters,

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.

For the remainder of the day, or if you are reading this at bedtime – all day tomorrow, keep this list of “whatevers” with you. When you have a negative thought, take the list out and ask yourself, how does my thinking measure up?

If it does not meet the standard of “God thoughts,” then dismiss it and replace it with a positive, life-giving thought from the Word of God.