Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb. When none worked satisfactorily, his assistant complained, “All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing.” Edison replied very confidently, “Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb.” After 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb, Edison could have agreed with the negative thoughts and given up. We are all thankful that he had the mental strength to endure.
In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about (meditate on) these things.” Paul is exhorting us to, “deliberate, evaluate, and compute over and over” what is good and pure. He knew that we are only as free as our mind is. What we meditate on is what we become.
Self-analysis is a very helpful to learning. Take a minute and ask yourself, “How free is my mind? Am I regularly taking thoughts captive or are they going unchecked? What’s the fruit of these thoughts?” The answers to these questions will expose the level of freedom you are living in. Whatever your mind is fixed primarily on will have greatest influence over you. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). Our lives are not just affected by our thoughts; THEY ARE DEFINED BY THEM. You become what you think you are.
The key to triumphant living is learning, in every circumstance, how to make God’s thoughts our thoughts. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). To be transformed by the renewal of our mind, we need to know that any thought that leads to anxiety is not from God. Any thought that causes us to doubt God’s love is not from God. Any worry about the future or thoughts that cause us to fret over the past is not from God. These thoughts come from the enemy of our soul.
One of the most powerful promises in the Scriptures is found in Psalm 1. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3). Everything you do will prosper. To meditate means to ruminate or to murmur to oneself. Biblical meditation is simply reading scripture, putting it in your heart, and pulling it back up at times throughout the day.
If we meditate on the Word of God, everything will prosper. That is because the Word of God is the software our minds were created to run on. This is what the devil stole from us in Genesis 3. This is what he is wanting to block us from by building strongholds in our minds. The Word of God reprograms our brains. When you are meditating on the Word of God, you are downloading a new software for your brain.
Meditating is taking a text and making it practical. You find a scripture that matches your need. You read what you need. For example, if the devil comes against you with condemnation and he is met with, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). You come against me with condemnation, but I come against you with scripture. Here are a few more examples:
- Instead of criticizing others: I speak in a way that is helpful to others. (Job 16:4-5) I cover all offenses with love. (Proverbs 17:9)
- Instead of being fearful: I do not fear when the heat comes; my confidence is in the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) I am kept safe because of my trust in the Lord and I will not fear man. (Proverbs 29:25)
Instead of feeling hopeless: I put my hope in your word, for you are my refuge and my shield. (Psalm 119:114) - Instead of inferiority: I will not covet what others have. (Exodus 20:17) I am chosen by God to do the good works that He has prepared for me to do! (Ephesians 2:10)
- Instead of insecurity: I am secure because nothing will separate me from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:38) I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
- Instead of jealousy and envy: I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10) I am assured that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
The mind is the main battlefield of good and evil. Any thought you don’t take captive will take you captive. And any thought you have not taken captive, has you captive and we are the gatekeepers of our minds. Use the spiritual weapon of the Word of God by meditating on it day and night. In all that you do, you will prosper.