"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
What kind of thinker are you? Seems like a strange question doesn't it? At least at first it does. For as long as I live, I'll never forget my mother telling me to "stop that stinking thinking." She always has had a way with words. As I've grown in my knowledge of Scripture over the years, I've realized that mom's saying was biblically based and right.
The apostle Paul teaches the importance of the content of our thoughts in Philippians 4:8 when he wrote, "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." The bottom line is that what we think about matters greatly.
There is a deeper truth here, however. It isn't just an issue in our lives to make sure that our thoughts are productive and God-honoring. The deeper truth is that we actually realize, at least in some way, what we think in our lives. Our thoughts will eventually define us. They make their way out. They mold us. They direct us--"as he thinketh in his heart, so IS he." John Maxwell is noted as saying, "Be careful about what occupies your mind, because it will greatly determine what you'll become tomorrow."
What about you? Have you done any stinking thinking lately? Remember, our thoughts are a direct influence on the outcome of our lives. Here is a statement that has proven helpful many times:
Be careful with your thoughts, for they will become your words.
Be careful with your words, for they will become your actions.
Be careful with your actions, for they will become your habits.
Be careful with your habits, for they will become your character.
Be careful with your character, for it will become your destiny.
As you and I think, so we are.
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