The Bible says:
As a man thinketh so is he
Proverb 23:7
And in the book of Philippians chapter 4, verse 8, it further tells us:
“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.”
Thoughts are things and they can and do impact and in part create our reality. Therefore; we must guard our thoughts.
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)
But just how do we control our thoughts?
I am reminded of the little cartoon characters that many of us became familiar with as children. We called them “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil.” When we were younger, they were just cute little characters that we would mimic in the game we played. We had no idea that we were actually being taught the Word of God.
However, as we got older, many of us began to realize that these were not just cute little things to teach to children but were literally representations of a powerful foundational truth that could change our lives.
There was also the Vacation Bible School song we sang that said
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear…
Oh, be careful little mouth what you speak…
Oh, be careful little feet where you go…
Here are fundamental principles to live by, guiding us toward the place where God intends us to be.
Hear No Evil:
Be careful what you allow yourself to hear. This includes negative speaking, music, judgmental conversations and any conversation that does not elevate or teach.
Speak the Word of God aloud every day.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God
Romans 10:17
See No Evil:
As with hearing, be careful what you allow yourself to see. Do not spend hours watching television that promotes lewd lifestyle, movies that promote violence, and internet videos that glorify immorality, books that are not wholesome, or images that go contrary to the Word of God.
Keep a journal and write down the promises of God. Read them and meditate on them every day.
His delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)
Speak No Evil:
Because of the times we live in, many of us have been desensitized to the negativity of the things we speak.
Years ago, certain words were forbidden on television, radio, and in print, and they were certainly considered taboo in public and group conversations.
However, now it’s commonplace to hear them in music, discussions, and unfortunately, at times, even from the pulpit.
The Bible doesn’t solely caution against what was once deemed profane. There are other types of speech it warns about, some even more perilous, as most recognize the inappropriateness of profanity, even those who use it.
The speech that I am speaking about is even more sinister because it is sometimes harder to recognize.
I am talking about gossip, backbiting, lying, deception and two that are often overlooked: complaining and doubt.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:10
The only speech that should come out of our mouth should be for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
When I was younger, I remember my Pastor saying “The highest use of our tongue is to glorify God.”
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
So here are some scriptures we should commit to memory about what the Bible teaches us about our speech:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:45 KJVKJV)
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life
Proverbs 15:4a
The Word of God teaches us that in order to live victoriously in Christ, we must renew our minds.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
Proverbs 4 sums up our former Sunday School lesson:
Above all else, guard your HEART,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your MOUTH free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your EYES look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your FEET
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:23-26 (NIV)
WE CAN REVOLUTIONIZE OUR LIVES, WHEN WE CHANGE OUR THOUGHTS.
