June 8, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Luke 12:26

If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Have you noticed that God’s Word records that there are things we are to take thought of and things of which we are not to take thought. Philippians 4:8 lists 8 things that we are to think on:  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. In Luke 12 we are told to not take thought of food, raiment, our life, or even what we should say when called to answer for the things we believe. Can you see the difference?

The things the Lord lists in Luke 12 are things purely concerning oneself. In Philippians the list is compiled of things concerning God, His Word, and His inward work in our souls and bodies. The things of Philippians are eternal, noble, and in too short a supply. The things in Luke 12 are temporal, prideful, and in ample supply. Perhaps the lesson is to cultivate a mind that thinks more on the things of God and less on the light and transient things of this life.

I know, I know. Someone will say of this that we will become “so Heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.”  Let me ask which is worse, to be so heavenly minded we are no earthly good, or to be so earthly minded we are no heavenly good? Given my choice I would choose not to be molded by such trite characterizations. I would choose to be minded about the things of earth I am to be mindful about, and minded about the things of Heaven that I am to be mindful about. Our thoughts on both heavenly things and earthly things are important. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of one or the other and this is what keeps us in balance.

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William T. Howe